Citizens / local communities

The City of Mobile has developed and implemented a Storm Water Management Program (SWMP) as required by the regulations of the Environmental Protection Agency (Ref 1). Flooding is a significant issue in Mobile, occurring frequently throughout the town (Ref 3). The SWMP aims to protect water quality and prevent harmful pollutants in stormwater runoff from entering the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) area (Ref 1). Stormwater runoff refers to rainfall that does not seep into the ground but instead flows over yards, streets, parking lots, and buildings, eventually entering the storm sewer system, which directs it into creeks, rivers, bays, and the Gulf of Mexico (Ref 1). Stormwater can collect pollutants such as trash, debris, sediment, heavy metals, oils, and hazardous household materials. Additionally, development increases impervious surfaces, leading to more stormwater runoff (Ref 2).

Chickasabogue Park, a 1,100-acre outdoor recreation facility and wildlife refuge in Eight Mile, Alabama, is the largest park in Mobile County (Ref 3). Since 2022, the park has undergone extensive renovations aimed at increasing public access to green spaces and shoreline recreational areas, particularly along Chickasabogue Creek, while offering a variety of outdoor activities in a natural setting and preserving local biodiversity (Ref. 3).
The improvements focus on enhancing the day-use area, including upgrades to the playground, a splash pad, basketball courts (adapted to heavy rains with water-permeable materials), and a ball field (Ref 1, Ref 2). Additionally, a new pavilion site and an events and interpretive centre are being developed (Ref 1, Ref 2). Sidewalks and family-friendly walking trails are being built, and improvements are also being made to the park's mountain bike trail and disc golf course (Ref 2), providing more opportunities for outdoor physical activities in nature. Other significant upgrades include the creation of a restroom and a new parking lot with permeable pavers to prevent flooding (Ref 2). Critical infrastructure work is underway, including the installation of underground utilities, water, sewer systems, and roadwork (Ref 2). Furthermore, a new Recreational Vehicles (RV) campground with 38 spaces is in the works (Ref 2).
These upgrades are part of a broader initiative aimed at ensuring the public can quickly access and enjoy natural resources (Ref 2). The renovation also emphasises the cultural heritage and historical significance of the park, with plans to use architecture, design, and artefacts to honour the different cultures that once lived in the area (Ref 2). The next phase includes seeking funding to renovate the beach area and construct a new boat ramp (Ref 1).

The Ballymun City Farm project began as a grassroots initiative when local residents envisioned turning an underutilized green space into a vibrant community resource. Though initially rejected by the City Council, the project’s supporters recognized its potential to contribute to Ballymun’s environmental, social, and economic regeneration. With a vision to create something unique for the area, the farm was designed to foster community engagement, environmental education, and local sustainability. Over time, it has grown into more than just a recreational space—it has become a symbol of community resilience, offering people of all backgrounds and abilities a place to connect, learn, and grow together (4).
Situated on 6.6 acres provided by Dublin City Council, the farm aims to strengthen community bonds, enhance civic involvement, and combat social exclusion and isolation. It serves as both an educational and recreational space, providing opportunities for people of all abilities and backgrounds to engage with environmental topics, organic food production, native breed conservation, and traditional crafts. It is envisioned that the farm will include a designated ornamental garden, consisting of shrubs, flowers, grasses and bulbs, which will become a focal point for community activities/gatherings. In addition, we plan to install raised vegetable beds, fruit bushes.
Through urban food production and community gardens—effective tools for educating schoolchildren and engaging youth—the farm addresses the gap between food production and consumption, helping to increase appreciation for local food. Investments in green infrastructure like Ballymun City Farm also support urban and regional development, including the creation of jobs. (1, 2)

To protect the Lomas de Primavera from urban pressure and other threats, the Lomas de Primavera Ecological Association has implemented strategies for its conservation. One of the strategies this organisation has promoted is reforestation activities. Working together with the Municipality of Lima and other interested actors, they have sought to expand Lima's green spaces, improve air quality, enhance flora, and promote tourism, among other benefits (1). Lima's Municipality has supported the project by donating 20,000 trees for reforestation and to prevent land encroachment (1), social organisations and environmental activists have joint efforts to plant more than 250 trees to support the conservation efforts (2, 7).
The Lomas de Primavera Ecological Association leads the project, organizing community management efforts to conserve the Lomas de Primavera sector. This association is based in the Agrupación Familiar Primavera Lomas de Carabayllo community (2). The association's conservation activities involve collaboration with various stakeholders at different levels. Locally, it works with community leaders and organizations. At the district level, it coordinates with the Carabayllo municipality and the NGO CIDAP to improve urban conditions. The metropolitan-level collaboration includes the Municipality of Lima and the ACR 'Sistema de Lomas de Lima' for ecosystem protection and valorization. Nationally, it partners with MINAM, SERNANP, MINAGRI, UNDP, UCV, and the Network of Peruvian Lomas to enhance ecosystem services, restore degraded areas, and conduct research on the Lomas (2).
The preservation and reforestation of these ecosystems is essential, as they have social, cultural and environmental value, including the following ecosystem services: provision of genetic resources, soil formation, pollination, aesthetic services, ecotourism, food, education, and archaeological and historical services (3)

The Park am Gleisdreieck is a public urban park in the city centre of Berlin, spanning more than 30 hectares across three individual sites (Ostpark, Westpark, Flaschenhalspark) on former railway tracks. The landscape of the Park am Gleisdreieck is characterised by the central, extensive lawn and meadow areas, which are bordered by woodland-like areas - the so-called track wilderness - as well as various park trees and crossed by wide paths or old railway tracks. The park space features various recreational activities for sports and play as well as community gardens for intercultural exchange (Ref. 12). Being abandoned after WW II, the land rewilded and after being partially opened to the public in 2011, the primary aim of the maintenance and development measures was to harmonise the interests of nature conservation and recreational use. (Ref. 1; Ref. 3)
Many of the plant species in the Park am Gleisdreieck once travelled a long way by train. This is what makes the biodiversity in the park so special. It is a wild mixture of long-established Berlin plants and exotic species that specialise in dry, nutrient-poor soils. The park is part of Berlin's open space network, which extends from Tiergarten to Schöneberger Südgelände. It therefore makes a significant contribution to connecting habitats. (Ref. 1)
Initiatives of citizens have been working for years for the realisation of a park on the former railroad site at Gleisdreick, and so the residents have been involved in the park planning and design in an intensive dialogue process from the beginning and are still involved in the park management. (Ref. 2) The opening of the park served as a compensation measure for the construction of the urban development projects at Potsdamer Platz and aimed at increasing accessible green space in a densely and rapidly built urban environment. (Ref. 4)

The Loma del Marión recovery project in Cartagena, Colombia, is a community-driven initiative supported by EPA Cartagena that focuses on restoring and conserving the remaining 1.2 hectares of tropical dry forest. Initially covering 33 hectares, the area has suffered degradation due to illegal encroachments, deforestation, and waste burning. The project has included planting over 3,000 plants and fostering community involvement in environmental conservation (ref 1). The main goals are to restore the ecosystem by reforesting native species, preventing landslide risks, and developing an ecopark that will serve as an educational and recreational space. Planned facilities include a library for learning about local flora and fauna, hiking trails, and a community garden to enhance local food security (ref 1,4). A notable educational initiative in the project is the formation of "Vigías del Ambiente" (Environmental Watchers), a group of 40 youths from the Red Nacional Jóvenes de Ambiente, supported by EPA Cartagena and CDKN. This initiative educates young people on climate change, conservation, and waste management through workshops and activities (ref 2, 3). In addition, the EPA is leading detailed studies of the tropical dry forest to identify and protect endemic species (ref 5). The project has resulted in significant environmental and social benefits, such as planting thousands of trees, boosting community engagement in conservation, and establishing youth groups dedicated to sustainable development and climate action (ref 3, 5).

Kungsgärdet Byaodling is an urban farm set up by local farming association Kungsbacka Tillsammansodling, in Kungsbacka south of Gothenburg. Since 2023, the project has been funded by a 78 000 EUR grant via the non-profit organisation Lokalt ledd utveckling Halland (locally led development) using funds from the EU and the Swedish Board of Agriculture (Jordbruksverket) [Ref. 1, 2, 4]. The goal is to grow food in a sustainable and circular way, building soil health and promoting biodiversity. Using a total area of 4500 m2 on former unused grassland, the urban farm includes: 1100 m2 of effective growing area, 1000 m2 of flowering meadows, fruit and berry trees and bushes, and functional and social areas. The meadows and trees are intended to contribute to biodiversity, while social areas are meant to create a sense of community and benefit the well-being of the people active at the farm [Ref. 1, 3]. The farming association has been around for a few years, but the project funds will allow them to expand and develop the farm over three years, invest in new equipment and arrange free lectures for the public about sustainable farming practices [Ref. 1, 4]. The grant will also allow them to take in more members without anyone having to pay anything, promoting social inclusion.

A new park is being planned for the Cypress Shores area in Mobile (Ref 1). Five civil engineering students from the University of South Alabama contributed to the design of the park (Ref 1). This collaboration offers students practical experience while providing city designers with innovative ideas for the site (Ref 2). The design emphasizes sustainability and cost-effectiveness (Ref 3). The project will feature a small park and boat launch on a 5.6-acre plot (Ref 1) located within a residential neighbourhood (Ref 3).
The park's societal goal is to improve public access to Halls Mill Creek, giving the community a new way to enjoy the waterway, and this focus aligns with the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program (MBNEP) goals (Ref 3). Historically, the property was used as a shipyard with a nearby railroad crossing (Ref 1), marking its transition from an industrial site to a public park.
Several amenities have been identified for the park’s development, including a boat ramp and kayak launch, a boardwalk adapted to sea-level rise, a pavilion and gazebo designed for flood resilience, a wetland nature trail with solar lighting and educational signage, and composting toilet restroom facilities (Ref 3). An armoured shoreline will be implemented to withstand medium water currents, and wave action will be constructed. Additionally, a living shoreline will be restored with local plants (Ref 3). While the project is still in its preliminary design phase, the timeline for completion is estimated at 12 to 18 months (Ref 1). The designers highlighted a potential trade-off, noting that an influx of visitors to the park could disturb the surrounding residential area (Ref 3).

In 2021-2022, the fenced grassy area beside the Ballyfermot Community Civic Centre was transformed into a welcoming 'people’s park'—an open green space for the community (2). Designed by Dublin City Council’s Parks, Biodiversity, and Landscape Services, the park reflects ideas from local residents gathered over eight months of on-site conversations and two community consultation events.
The new park features a winding perimeter path, earth mounds planted with a variety of trees and plants for seasonal color, and infrastructure to support small community gatherings. An open pergola and a designated market space for food, plant, and craft markets provide inviting spots for social events. Along the park’s edge, a movement trail with playable elements for exercise and play adds a dynamic feature to the space.
Furthermore, a Jackstraws See-Saw is ideal for older children to play in groups and learn about movement whilst also being a tremendous informal seating area for them to gather and chat. Trees cover the See-Saw, offering shade and shelter from the weather, making it a great social space all year round. A Rope Course provides a physical challenge for older children to climb and balance at height while exploring the area. Informal play opportunities are found throughout the park to, with trees, fallen logs, benches and planting that create sensory, imaginative and physical play experiences. (5-7)
Additionally, an edible garden is planned to be developed collaboratively with local residents over the next 2-3 years (4).

In Phoenix, access to native, traditional foods prepared by Indigenous communities is scarce. This disconnection is rooted in the legacy of colonization and the forced assimilation of Indigenous peoples through practices such as mandatory residential schools. The Phoenix Indian School, which operated until 1990, is a stark reminder of these injustices, and deep-rooted systemic inequalities continue to persist today. In response, Indigenous food activists have worked tirelessly to promote traditional foodways and advocate for food sovereignty.
One such initiative is led by Native Health, an urban Indian health program that provides primary medical, dental, behavioral health, WIC, and wellness services in Phoenix. In 2019, Native Health launched a community-based garden initiative to reconnect urban Indigenous communities with their traditional life ways. The Native Health Traditional Garden was initially established on a 15-acre plot of vacant land, which sat atop the remnants of a notorious boarding school. However, when an investment firm purchased the land, the garden was displaced and forced to relocate. It downsized to less than an acre of space within a larger community garden project known as the "KeepPhoenixBeautiful Garden."
Despite these challenges, the Traditional Garden continues to thrive, drawing from Indigenous agricultural techniques such as Akimel O’odham canal irrigation, Zuni waffle beds, and Diné dry farming. The garden focuses on cultivating traditional, Indigenous, and desert-adapted plants, including corn, beans, squash, gourds, peppers, sunflowers, melons, and medicinal plants. In addition to growing these vital crops, the garden provides interactive learning opportunities for all ages, including workshops, youth clubs, pick-your-own events, and monthly community workdays.
The goal of the Traditional Garden project is to offer the urban Indigenous community opportunities for hands-on learning, and increased access to harvested produce. (1, 2)