A wood for the city: the urban forest of Mount Urpinu
In the city of Cagliari, in the location of Mount Urpinu, 6400 new trees have been planted. The project, initiated in 2022, sought to restore the area's biodiversity and to revitalize the park for the benefits of the citizens (Refs. 1, 3 & 8). In fact, in previous years, the park has been subject to various environmental and social hazards because of its conditions: the area has been subject to wildfires and abandoned wastes, and with time, it became a gathering point for drug addicts and homeless people, thus becoming unsafe for citizens and especially for children (Refs. 1 & 6).
Therefore, the Metropolitan City of Cagliari decided to reclaim the area and plant thousands of trees of various species (holm oaks, oaks, pine, carob and olive trees) over more than 6 hectares of land (Refs. 3 & 8). The project's goal is to restore biodiversity, mitigate temperatures, decrease air pollution, and increase citizens' sense of community (Ref. 1).
Therefore, the Metropolitan City of Cagliari decided to reclaim the area and plant thousands of trees of various species (holm oaks, oaks, pine, carob and olive trees) over more than 6 hectares of land (Refs. 3 & 8). The project's goal is to restore biodiversity, mitigate temperatures, decrease air pollution, and increase citizens' sense of community (Ref. 1).
Grangegorman Community Garden
The Grangegorman Community Garden is a collaborative project involving several stakeholders in restoring a neglected space within the TU Dublin campus and transforming it into a community garden. The project emerged from a partnership between academic and service departments of the university, a primary school, a land development agency, a multinational organization, and a property estate agent.
The project's ultimate goal is to establish a permanent community garden with strong investment, ensuring ongoing support for current users and welcoming a new, diverse group of participants. (1,6)
Launched at the start of 2024, the project focuses on rejuvenating the space, with restoration efforts continuing until December 2024. The garden features four allotment-style beds separated by gravel paths and is surrounded by 12 foliage beds (Ref 1). The initiative aims to provide educational opportunities centered on sustainability and horticulture, while also developing a sustainable, collaborative governance framework for the garden (Ref 6). It aligns with various national, local, and inter-organizational frameworks, strategies, and plans related to community engagement, biodiversity, and climate action (Ref 1).
The project's ultimate goal is to establish a permanent community garden with strong investment, ensuring ongoing support for current users and welcoming a new, diverse group of participants. (1,6)
Launched at the start of 2024, the project focuses on rejuvenating the space, with restoration efforts continuing until December 2024. The garden features four allotment-style beds separated by gravel paths and is surrounded by 12 foliage beds (Ref 1). The initiative aims to provide educational opportunities centered on sustainability and horticulture, while also developing a sustainable, collaborative governance framework for the garden (Ref 6). It aligns with various national, local, and inter-organizational frameworks, strategies, and plans related to community engagement, biodiversity, and climate action (Ref 1).
The Lommas Programme
Lomas are endemic seasonal ecosystems found in Peru and Chile. They provide a variety of benefits such as soil stabilisation, air purification, recreational spaces, water retention, and are habitats for endemic and threatened species (Ref 7). They are of great ecosystem value to the city of Lima, as green areas have been reduced in the urban area, occupying up to 24% of urban green ecosystems. These ecosystems are threatened by unplanned urban growth, traffic, pollution and lack of government regulation. Given this context, Eab Lomas is a project that focuses on the conservation, management and rehabilitation of the ecosystems found in the Lomas of Lima (Ref 1, 2, 3, 4, 5). It focused on 4 lines of action: conservation of Lomas' ecosystems; implementation of territorial planning; economic diversification focused on the conservation and recovery of vegetation through low-impact recreational activities; and management of water resources (Ref 1, 2, 3, 4).
Living Wall at the New Street Train Station
Air pollution is one of the most pressing sustainability challenges in the UK, with particulate levels exceeding both WHO guidelines and EU safe limits in many cities (Ref 6). In 2014, Birmingham was identified by the WHO as one of nine UK cities breaching air pollution safety guidelines (Ref 2, 3).
In 2012, a soil-based green wall was installed at Birmingham New Street Train Station as part of a project aimed at improving air quality, as diesel train services contribute significantly to nitrogen oxide (NOx) pollution. However, most of the plants did not survive. In 2017, Network Rail commissioned a private company to reconstruct the wall using a hydroponic system (Ref 3). The new green wall was installed in 2018 and completed in May 2019 (Ref 1, 3).
This hydroponic green wall not only enhances the urban environment with calming green infrastructure, but also helps mitigate air pollution and promotes biodiversity with the addition of 16,600 plants (Ref 1, 2, 3).
In 2012, a soil-based green wall was installed at Birmingham New Street Train Station as part of a project aimed at improving air quality, as diesel train services contribute significantly to nitrogen oxide (NOx) pollution. However, most of the plants did not survive. In 2017, Network Rail commissioned a private company to reconstruct the wall using a hydroponic system (Ref 3). The new green wall was installed in 2018 and completed in May 2019 (Ref 1, 3).
This hydroponic green wall not only enhances the urban environment with calming green infrastructure, but also helps mitigate air pollution and promotes biodiversity with the addition of 16,600 plants (Ref 1, 2, 3).
The Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area
The Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area is a urban green space that transformed a former 5-mile-long city dump into a thriving riparian corridor (2, 3, 7, 9). The project, spearheaded by the City of Phoenix in collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Maricopa County Flood Control District, and the Arizona Water Protection Fund, has revitalized a degraded ecosystem (9). Through decades of concerted effort, involving government agencies, non-profits such as the Arizona Sustainability Alliance, and community engagement, the area has been restored to a lush habitat supporting diverse wildlife, including over 200 bird species (1, 2, 7). The project aimed to mitigate the pressing issues of urban heat, air pollution, and habitat loss that Phoenix grappled with (1). By creating green spaces, improving air quality, and offering recreational opportunities, the Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area stands as a testament to the power of collaborative conservation and community resilience (1, 6, 7, 9). The restoration area now boasts hiking and biking trails, a nature center, and various educational programs, making it a community space (3, 7, 9).
Bangpu Nature Education Center
Due to the decreasing number of mangrove forests in the inner Gulf of Thailand, WWF Thailand aspires to protect the remaining mangroves. Supporting this objective, WWF worked with Royal Thai Army (RTA) and several other partners to establish the Bangpu Nature Education centre. The centre is located on the land of the army, which contains one of the last indigenous mangrove forests in the inner Gulf of Thailand area. The education centre offers knowledge about mangroves, mudflat ecology and biodiversity through educational programs tailored for different visitor groups. Apart from the main visitor center and auditorium, the educational centre also has an outdoor area that includes an existing mangrove forest, salt marshes and mudflats with natural trails, observation towers and canopy walkways. The natural area is home to various native plants and wildlife, especially local and migratory birds. The site harbours 65 floras and 60 benthic faunas, and between 8,000 and 15,000 birds are estimated to use the site annually. Part of the area is an abandoned shrimp farm, waiting for nature to restore
(Ref.1,2,8).
(Ref.1,2,8).
Da Nang Tree Planting Initiative
Danang, a prosperous port city in Central Vietnam, is home to a population of 1.2 million inhabitants. Throughout the years, the city went through several boats of urbanization, which allowed its economy to thrive but its environment to be negatively impacted. The city's green areas were reduced, leading to socioeconomic and environmental impacts, including loss of landscape and more energy consumption. (4) Furthermore, the city became vulnerable to natural disasters, which caused destruction and uprooting of trees and vegetation and aggravated soil erosion. (3,4)
To counteract many of these issues, the municipality of Danang initiated several greening activities that included the creation of parks, the greening of street alleys, and the greening of schoolyards as a supporting mechanism for one of Vietnam's nationwide programmes "Plant 1 billion trees in the 2021 - 2025" (5). Recently, the municipality planted 900 Than Mat trees (one of the typical flowering plants of Son Tra Peninsula and scientifically known as Millettia nigrescens Gagnep) along the route from Green Lake to Bai Bac, in the Tho Quang ward, in February 2023. The activity also aims to have an educational role as tree protection is highlighted and build a clean and green city environment (6).
So far, as of February 2023, as part of the 1 billion tree programme, 15,000 trees have been planted in Danang. (2)
To counteract many of these issues, the municipality of Danang initiated several greening activities that included the creation of parks, the greening of street alleys, and the greening of schoolyards as a supporting mechanism for one of Vietnam's nationwide programmes "Plant 1 billion trees in the 2021 - 2025" (5). Recently, the municipality planted 900 Than Mat trees (one of the typical flowering plants of Son Tra Peninsula and scientifically known as Millettia nigrescens Gagnep) along the route from Green Lake to Bai Bac, in the Tho Quang ward, in February 2023. The activity also aims to have an educational role as tree protection is highlighted and build a clean and green city environment (6).
So far, as of February 2023, as part of the 1 billion tree programme, 15,000 trees have been planted in Danang. (2)
Kota Malang Urban Farming Programme
Kota Malang is a city for which urbanization coupled with climate change caused an increase in its vulnerability to the urban heat island effect. One of the solutions found to address this issue has been urban farming which has been recognised and acknowledged as a top strategy to improve cities' resilience associated with social and economic co-benefit. Nevertheless, urban farming inventory in Indonesia is still limited (1). Currently, there are 21 urban farming plots throughout Kota Malang, with 210 active urban farmers involved. The city has adopted this trend since 2013 as part of an initiative called Kawasan Rumah Pangan Lestari (Sustainable Food House Region) and the Initiative of Urban Farming Malang. Alongside the local government, the major stakeholder groups are the Department of Agriculture and Food Security of Malang, Family Welfare Empowerment (PKK) Malang and Bank Indonesia (BI) (Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, which supports the local government in construction and development in Malang.
In Kota Malang, urban farming comprises five types of urban farming: nursery, allotment, residential, institutional and rooftop farming based on its characteristics (1). A recent report showed that urban farming could contribute to community resilience for feeding potential and nutrient sufficiency, especially for targeted populations with the highest risk during emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic. In the case of Kota Malang, the cultivation of specific vegetables could feed up to 50,000 inhabitants aged 60-64 years old (1, 2).
In Kota Malang, urban farming comprises five types of urban farming: nursery, allotment, residential, institutional and rooftop farming based on its characteristics (1). A recent report showed that urban farming could contribute to community resilience for feeding potential and nutrient sufficiency, especially for targeted populations with the highest risk during emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic. In the case of Kota Malang, the cultivation of specific vegetables could feed up to 50,000 inhabitants aged 60-64 years old (1, 2).
Rain Garden and Bioswales in Central Jakarta
Jakarta City in Indonesia deals with inundations during heavy rain periods (1,2). To overcome such flooding issues, the Central Jakarta City Government, through the Parks and Forests Sub-Department, planned and implemented four bioswales and one rain garden at five locations in Central Jakarta City (1,2,3,4). This project was aimed at saving groundwater through stormwater management and minimizing puddles around the site locations (1,4). The Head of Central Jakarta City Parks and Forests Sub-Department, Mila Ananda, conveyed this project completion in 2021 (1,2). After the successful implementation of this project, the Jakarta City Government further plans to identify similar more locations prone to inundation and implement such green infrastructure initiatives in other parts of the city (1,2,3).
The Living Land Farm
In 2005, local farmers in the sub-urban area of Luang Prabang combined their lands and founded The Living Land Farm, a rice farming community that runs an organic farm and an educational centre. The farm comprises of rice fields, vegetable gardens, homestay, and a restaurant. The aim of the farm is to preserve traditional rice-growing techniques, practice organic farming while also adopting new ways of grain selection and planting, and share rice farming knowledge with others. The products from the farm have been used in the local restaurant and are distributed to hotels and other restaurants in Luang Prabang city. The farm also serves as a training site for students of the Northern College of Agriculture and it offers ‘Rice Experience’ package for anyone who would like to learn about rice growing and the local Laos culture. The homestay and restaurant are run by local people of the village nearby and they are open to the public. The farm supports various community projects, such as village improvement and teaching English for local children. (Ref. 1,2,3)
