1. General information
2. Objectives of the intervention
Goals of the intervention
The intervention has a strong social component as it responds to the needs of Iraqi citizens to access fresh, uncontaminated water as well as a green space in a climate known for rising temperatures, intense droughts, declining precipitation, desertification, salinisation, and the increasing prevalence of dust storms.
The project aims to fulfil the following goals:
1. To protect the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the marshes of the original Garden of Eden and current and future Marsh Arab communities, one of the world's oldest and most distinctive cultures.
2. To utilise simple and sustainable wastewater recycling technology to support a garden (the very first demonstration Wastewater Garden) that embodies the rich cultural heritage and tradition of the marshes and the Marsh Arab community - to collect waste, treat wastewater, and advocate better health and sanitation practices.
3. To renew environmental stability and conserve a natural environment of Outstanding Universal Value.
4. To safeguard the marshes and their unique ecosystem that sustains the economy and livelihood of the Marsh Arabs.
5. To build a wetland - Wetlands have been aptly called “the kidneys of the planet” for their ability to cleanse water of pollutants and remove carbon from the atmosphere.
6. To offer opportunities for ecological education. (1,2,3,4,5)
The project aims to fulfil the following goals:
1. To protect the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the marshes of the original Garden of Eden and current and future Marsh Arab communities, one of the world's oldest and most distinctive cultures.
2. To utilise simple and sustainable wastewater recycling technology to support a garden (the very first demonstration Wastewater Garden) that embodies the rich cultural heritage and tradition of the marshes and the Marsh Arab community - to collect waste, treat wastewater, and advocate better health and sanitation practices.
3. To renew environmental stability and conserve a natural environment of Outstanding Universal Value.
4. To safeguard the marshes and their unique ecosystem that sustains the economy and livelihood of the Marsh Arabs.
5. To build a wetland - Wetlands have been aptly called “the kidneys of the planet” for their ability to cleanse water of pollutants and remove carbon from the atmosphere.
6. To offer opportunities for ecological education. (1,2,3,4,5)
Quantitative targets
Building a 26,500 square meter (6.5 acre) Public Wastewater Garden
Protecting over 280 distinct species of birds as they use these wetlands as a crucial rest and feeding stop on their migrations from Siberia to Africa.
Benefiting 7,500 people directly- inhabitants of the area
Implementing 7,000 square meters of reeds, which grow 1.8 meters tall. (3)
Protecting over 280 distinct species of birds as they use these wetlands as a crucial rest and feeding stop on their migrations from Siberia to Africa.
Benefiting 7,500 people directly- inhabitants of the area
Implementing 7,000 square meters of reeds, which grow 1.8 meters tall. (3)
Monitoring indicators defined
Size of the garden
Number of species protected
Number of reeds planted
Number of people impacted (3)
Number of species protected
Number of reeds planted
Number of people impacted (3)
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Climate change adaptation: What were the goals of the NBS?
Climate change adaptation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What types of conservation goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?
Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
Implementation activities
In 2013-2017, the initial phase of the project was funded in Singapore by a $65,000 Ministry of Education Research Grant awarded to Associate Professor Meridel Rubenstein and Assistant Professor Peer Sathikh from the School of Art, Design and Media of Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, in collaboration with Dr. Sander van Der Leeuw, Dr. Mark Nelson, and Dr. Davide Tocchetto. This initial grant allowed their international team to research and design the garden, with numerous trips to the area sites. In addition, the university awarded $36,500 to exhibit all aspects of the project (designs, photographs, videos, and writing) at the National Design Centre in Singapore in 2017. This comprehensive exhibition of the project and its relation to Mesopotamian history is available. (4) Between 2014 and 2016, three of the largest town councils in the region enthusiastically approved of the garden by donating the use of five large sites, each serving 5-10,000 people. They understood that their current situation endangers both their health and the health of the wetlands. (3) The project continues to this day however it is dependent on funding.
3. NBS domains, ES and scale
4. Governance and financing
5. Innovation
Type of innovation
Please specify technological innovation
The Eden In Iraq water remediation project aims to use simple, sustainable wastewater recycling technology to support a garden that embodies the rich cultural heritage of the Marsh Arab community. The wastewater will go into a “subsurface flow wetland” that transforms organic material into mineral substances using bacteria. This cleans the wastewater while simultaneously providing nutrients for the plants and fruit trees.(5)
Novelty level of the innovation
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
Sources mention that the team that works for the Eden in Iraq project has been implementing wastewater gardens in Algeria, Africa, Mexico, and Indonesia, also helping the local communities of these countries.(4)
Replicability/Transferability
Please specify Replicability/Transferability
Unknown
