Provision of labour

There are various projects under the Den Grønne Kile initiative or the Green Wedge. The Green Wedge passes through all 4 subdivisions of the new district Aarhus K, and has a building percentage of 25% within the boundaries of the "wedge". (Ref. 3) Citizens are invited to contribute with green projects through the municipal innovation project "Green Citizen" (Grøn Medborger). (Ref. 1) The first and most prominent is a park created by citizens on an old railway track. The park has the nickname 'Kilen' and is a new city park for everyone, including upcoming residents and companies in the new district 'Aarhus K'. The park helps to promote the creative energy in the area and is in line with the development of the new district; it differs from the other city parks in Aarhus by offering space for many different activities and temporary projects that give life to 'Kilen' and make the trip along the railway track an exciting experience. (Ref. 1)

The Leonardo Garden was a community garden in an empty building site of 8th district of Budapest, that implementation was initiated by KÉK, the Contemporary Architectural Centre. (Reference 3)
The recultivation of two neglected, empty plots of land created one of the earliest community gardens in Hungary. Plants for consumption, spices, herbs and ornamental plants were planted. The 95 plots in the Garden were cultivated by young people, families and pensioners, but the Garden also served educational purposes, as it frequently received school groups. The Garden has hosted a number of public community and cultural, gastronomic and musical events, which were well attended by both the neighbourhood and the general public. The community garden was closed in March 2018 because the company that owns the land wanted to start construction on it. (Reference 5)

The "Green Play City", a nature experience park on 4,500 sqm exists since 1999. Initiated and administered by the non-profit organization "Wissenschaftsladen" (short WiLa), it combines nature experience and recreation for kids and grown-ups with education about the environment and nature-based design while also serving as a place for social interactions through intercultural events (3,4). The initiative "Raus aus'm Haus" aims at expanding the educational and participatory component of the Green Play City. By closely collaborating with schools and kindergartens on options for related on-site workshops, project days or open-air classrooms will be explored and conceptualized (1).

The Brackwede open-air pools have been a significant landmark of the city of Bielefeld and part of locals' life since 1926. After several renovations since its opening, in 2005, the maintaining company of the Brackwede open-air pools proposed to convert the pools into natural-water bodies through the application of natural water filtration systems. The pools are supplied from the natural underground stream of Ems-Lutter whose spring water is physically and biologically purified by natural mineral soil filter and water plants. Chlorine is prohibited in this pool - the nature itself ensures water quality (1). Since 2009, the Natural pool of Brackwede offers natural facilities for swimming and other water-related activities besides cultural, sport and recreational opportunities for all (1).

The Community Supported Agriculture initiative in Bonn (SoLaWi Bonn) is an economically motivated arrangement between consumers, farm businesses and certified gardeners to improve the urban provision of local, organic food. Together they develop a concept for collaboration where the consumer group commits to pay an annual fee to cover all of the farmer's expenses for production (according to individual financial capabilities) and to work placements at the farm per year. In exchange, the customer members of the initiative receive a variety of fresh, seasonal, locally produced vegetables. The farmers profit from financial security and economic stability and the ability to apply environmental friendly agriculture practices without the pressure of the market economy (1,4).

Along the 'Green Belt' (Grünen Band) in Bielefeld, which connects several urban grave lands with a continuous path, the organisation of Transition Town Bielefeld created a community garden to replace the permaculture garden in Bleichstrasse. (8) Thanks to its location, apart from the food production, the garden increases the environmental quality of the site serving as a green transition between the grey areas and the city. This function is in line with the overarching mission of Transition Town Bielefeld to promote energy and cultural transition in the city through different initiatives. (7) The community garden initiative was started in 2013 and welcome citizens to take part in the maintenance, planting and other gardening work of the garden or simply to enjoy its beauty since its launch in 2015. The project has a bigger goal towards sustainable development of urban infrastructures and social equity (1,2).

The Agenda working group called "Natural gardens in Wachtberg" aims at the development and promotion of nature-based construction solutions and increased use of local wild plants since 1998. In this pursuit, it managed to acquire land (400 sqm) from the municipality of Berkum and, transform the lawn area into a near-natural garden showcasing nature-based gardening elements with the help of other environmental associations and sponsors (1,2,7). Apart from securing and enhancing local biodiversity, the garden serves as a display of possible elements and solutions of a nature-based garden for interested parties. Moreover, through information boards, workshops and a detailed brochure on implementation guidelines, the project can spark interest and empower local residents to implement such nature-based elements in their own garden (1, 3, 4,7).

Athens' first vertical garden has been installed temporarily at the entrance to the City of Athens administrative building at 22 Liossion St during the city's first green cultural festival, the Green Design Festival in 2008. Such gardens have a positive impact on the environment as the plants trap carbon dioxide, produce oxygen, absorb harmful atmospheric pollution and reduce air temperature in summer, which assists in cooling the building's interior (Ref 1).

The botanical garden of Athens was reconstructed in 2004 to protect and maintain the biodiversity of the area. Covering a land of 1,860 sq.m., this Botanical Garden hosts over 2,500 different kinds of plants from all over the world and a rich variety of flora. All the plants and trees are protected in the park. The community also sends seeds all over the country to spread and maintain biodiversity throughout the region and hold agroecological events to increase the concern and educate the locals (Ref 1,3). The park also has a lake and a library inside it. (Ref 2)

The garden was established in 2012 by self-management of the community of Exarcheia. The site is a former parking lot in public land, historically reclaimed by the neighbourhood as a green zone. People occupied the space, designed the park, and constructed it. The former parking lot was owned by the Technical Chamber of Greece (TCG). A weekly assembly manages the site and activities. The aim of the community garden is formative, to show how to grow food, reproduce and collect seeds. The park has encompassed multiple functions in addition to community food-producing garden, such as children's playground, a place for cultural events, gathering and emancipation (Ref 1, 2, 3).