Eastside Lake Baisha Park
At the beginning of the twenty-first century, Kunming’s urban planning faced major challenges, including fragmented development, environmental degradation, and limited green spaces (Ref 1). In response, the municipal government launched a series of strategic plans aimed at promoting high-quality urban development and environmental restoration.
Baisha Lake was identified as a key area in these strategies, with plans for Baisha Lake Park first highlighted in 2017 (Ref 2) and reaffirmed in the "Opinions on Supporting High-Quality Development in Kunming" in 2021 (Ref 2). To implement parts of this broader strategy, the government entered into public-private partnerships. In 2018, land development rights for parts of East Baisha Lake were granted to Dahua Group, on the condition that 40% of the area be reserved as green space and that ecological restoration efforts be undertaken (Ref 3, 4).
The Eastside Baisha Lake Park project, launched by Dahua Group in February 2023 (Ref 3, 5), is thus one component of this larger government-led urban renewal effort. The project follows the city's planning framework of “one lake, six zones, 46 scenic nodes” and includes 55 hectares of green space, with 40% designated as parkland. By the end of 2023, 6.5 hectares had been completed, and the south bank of the park opened to the public in September 2023 (Ref 3, 6).
The broader East Baisha Lake area's development was originally planned by the state-owned Kunming Urban Construction Company, but land rights were later transferred to Dahua Group. Thus, while a private developer is leading the construction, the project remains a part of Kunming’s publicly driven strategy to restore the lake and enhance urban livability.
Baisha Lake was identified as a key area in these strategies, with plans for Baisha Lake Park first highlighted in 2017 (Ref 2) and reaffirmed in the "Opinions on Supporting High-Quality Development in Kunming" in 2021 (Ref 2). To implement parts of this broader strategy, the government entered into public-private partnerships. In 2018, land development rights for parts of East Baisha Lake were granted to Dahua Group, on the condition that 40% of the area be reserved as green space and that ecological restoration efforts be undertaken (Ref 3, 4).
The Eastside Baisha Lake Park project, launched by Dahua Group in February 2023 (Ref 3, 5), is thus one component of this larger government-led urban renewal effort. The project follows the city's planning framework of “one lake, six zones, 46 scenic nodes” and includes 55 hectares of green space, with 40% designated as parkland. By the end of 2023, 6.5 hectares had been completed, and the south bank of the park opened to the public in September 2023 (Ref 3, 6).
The broader East Baisha Lake area's development was originally planned by the state-owned Kunming Urban Construction Company, but land rights were later transferred to Dahua Group. Thus, while a private developer is leading the construction, the project remains a part of Kunming’s publicly driven strategy to restore the lake and enhance urban livability.
Green Corridor "Lazaro Cardenas" in New Belgrade
Named after the former Mexican president Lázaro Cárdenas, this green corridor project stretches over 4,5 km throughout one of the most densely populated areas in Belgrade. It was first built in the 1970s, connecting the building blocks 45, 44 and 70 of Novi Beograd, but has deteriorated since then (Ref. 4,9). Given the fact that close to 40.000 people live in the area which its highly vulnerable to climate change, action was taken to fully reconstruct the corridor for the benefit of local and surrounding residents (Ref. 3,4).
The project was implemented in three phases, according to the three blocks adjacent to the construction site starting in 2019. During the third implementation phase in 2022, however, major delays occurred due to disagreements with the local neighbourhood association "Common Action Block 70 and 70a", which demanded to be taken into consideration in the project's design (Ref. 2,5). Despite some cooperation between the responsible authority (Greenery Belgrade) and the association, demands could not be met (Ref. 5). In the end, the project was carried out as originally planned by the authorities, with a delay of approximately one year. Ultimately, the green corridor provides ample amenities for sports (bicycle lanes, basketball courts, playgrounds, etc.) and recreational activities (benches, chess area) as well as low-barrier infrastructure for all age groups (Ref. 9).
The project was initiated by President Aleksandar Vučić and supported by the current mayor of Belgrade, Šapić, who both have roots in the district (Ref. 4,6).
The project was implemented in three phases, according to the three blocks adjacent to the construction site starting in 2019. During the third implementation phase in 2022, however, major delays occurred due to disagreements with the local neighbourhood association "Common Action Block 70 and 70a", which demanded to be taken into consideration in the project's design (Ref. 2,5). Despite some cooperation between the responsible authority (Greenery Belgrade) and the association, demands could not be met (Ref. 5). In the end, the project was carried out as originally planned by the authorities, with a delay of approximately one year. Ultimately, the green corridor provides ample amenities for sports (bicycle lanes, basketball courts, playgrounds, etc.) and recreational activities (benches, chess area) as well as low-barrier infrastructure for all age groups (Ref. 9).
The project was initiated by President Aleksandar Vučić and supported by the current mayor of Belgrade, Šapić, who both have roots in the district (Ref. 4,6).
Renovation of the Eucalyptus Garden
The "Jardim do Eucaliptal" (Eucalyptus Garden) in Benfica is undergoing extensive renovations to improve its facilities and usability. Over time, the intensive urbanization of this neighbourhood has not left many traces of the historic eucalyptus forest typical of this area, but this urban park actively protects and maintains these old and heavy-trunk eucalyptus trees, growing amidst the park's more recent vegetation (Ref. 3). In the last few years, several trees have fallen, causing considerable damages to buildings and vehicles in the nearby area (July 2023), and leading to residents demanding financial compensations for damages and for the Lisbon City Council (CML) to take action for mitigating future problems (Ref. 5).
The renovation project implementation, expected to last six months, includes refurbishing the children's playground, sports field, toilets, and amphitheatre, along with introducing a dog park and outdoor exercise equipment (Ref 1). The park, originally part of the Quinta das Palmeiras de Guerreiro Galla forest, remains a crucial green space in the area despite extensive urbanization (Ref 2). These renovations, with a budget of 180,000 euros, also address the maintenance of public street furniture, the pavement, and lighting infrastructure, ensuring that the park meets the growing needs of the local community (Ref 3). These activities aim to meet the growing needs of the local population and improve these urban green spaces so that the community can enjoy them to the fullest. (Ref. 4).
The renovation project implementation, expected to last six months, includes refurbishing the children's playground, sports field, toilets, and amphitheatre, along with introducing a dog park and outdoor exercise equipment (Ref 1). The park, originally part of the Quinta das Palmeiras de Guerreiro Galla forest, remains a crucial green space in the area despite extensive urbanization (Ref 2). These renovations, with a budget of 180,000 euros, also address the maintenance of public street furniture, the pavement, and lighting infrastructure, ensuring that the park meets the growing needs of the local community (Ref 3). These activities aim to meet the growing needs of the local population and improve these urban green spaces so that the community can enjoy them to the fullest. (Ref. 4).
Tbilisi Urban Forest (Narikala Ridge Forest)
The Tbilisi Urban Forest is an ecological restoration project of 5,5 ha spanning two pilot areas initiated in 2020. Located on Mtatsminda ridge around Tbilisi, it is part of a larger reforestation effort within the 700-ha forest territory (Ref. 1,2). The project is funded by the Cartu Foundation and led by the Development and Environment Foundation along with Tbilisi City Hall. Restoration is undertaken to addresses significant challenges such as forest dieback caused by pest infestations, climate change adaptation as well as the creation of recreational infrastructure (Ref. 3,5). Through collaboration among interdisciplinary scientists and urban planners, a novel reforestation strategy has been developed that integrates patches of locally sourced plant communities tailored to diverse soil and slope conditions. This approach incorporates existing trees with new saplings, carefully grafted into existing soil pockets, and focuses on a biodiverse palette of endemic and climate-adapted species (Ref. 1,5). While the project implementation could not be carried out as planned, lacking public participartory due to Covid 19, still 100 jobs were created locally (Ref. 2). Ultimately, the Urban Forest project will enhance ecological connectivity, biodiversity and tourism and also serve the public as an improtant recreational site (Ref. 1,2).
Oxy-zone: the new lungs of Raipur
Raipur city is known as the seventh-most polluted city in the world (2, 3, 4). In response to the escalating problem of air pollution and its public health effects, the state of Chhattisgarh in India has envisioned the creation of a verdant and healthy natural space for urban inhabitants in the heart of Raipur - the Oxi-zone (3).This project acts as the 'Breathing lungs for Raipur' (1, 2). Approximately 19 acres of land were allocated to create an ‘oxy-zone’, including the demolition of buildings to plant trees in their place (1, 2, 4). Inspired by the iconic Central Park of New York City, and suggested by a local citizen group, the Oxi-zone aims to transform this area into a thriving habitat for diverse species of trees and plants, which will also provide water bodies to replenish the groundwater in the vicinity (2, 3, 4). In summary, this project is an integrated green space, enabling residents to relax, meditate and exercise within the “shadow of nature” (3, 4).
Red River Zoning Plan
Vietnam's capital, Hanoi, is the second largest city in the country and is one of the most vulnerable to climate change. The city is located on the western bank of the Red River, the principal river of northern Vietnam. Throughout the centuries authorities in Hanoi built dykes to protect the city from the instability of the Red River. Though these dykes were built at a high altitude, the floods became more intense due to the huge amount of alluvium that rests in the middle of the river and that could not continue to consolidate on the banks and making water levels higher and more dangerous. Furthermore, outside the dykes, in the riverine zones (which play a role as green corridors to connect the city and the river) economically disadvantaged people built settlements contributing to soil erosion (caused by illegal construction and excessive sand exploitation), subpar soil quality, and poor waste management. (1,2)
The Red River Zoning Plan (RRZP) came as a solution to address the issues before mentioned and has been promoted by the Hanoi People’s Committee. The plan is encompassing an area of about 11,000 hectares in 13 districts. The plan was approved by the Hanoi People's Committee in March 2022 at a size of 1/5000 section from Hong Ha Bridge to Me So Bridge. (1,4)
According to the concept, a 40-kilometre-long new metropolitan area would be created on both banks of the Red River. This urban space would be a flood drainage area for downtown. It will be designed with a green landscape including public spaces for cultural and tourism purposes. For this, the city would invest in a network of transport and technical infrastructure to bolster connectivity in terms of roads and waterways with neighbouring areas. Particularly, the RRZP is building three types of new parks near the riverbanks, including a nature conservation park, an agricultural park, and an urban park to improve climate change adaptation and bring more natural elements to the city. (1, 4)
The Red River Zoning Plan (RRZP) came as a solution to address the issues before mentioned and has been promoted by the Hanoi People’s Committee. The plan is encompassing an area of about 11,000 hectares in 13 districts. The plan was approved by the Hanoi People's Committee in March 2022 at a size of 1/5000 section from Hong Ha Bridge to Me So Bridge. (1,4)
According to the concept, a 40-kilometre-long new metropolitan area would be created on both banks of the Red River. This urban space would be a flood drainage area for downtown. It will be designed with a green landscape including public spaces for cultural and tourism purposes. For this, the city would invest in a network of transport and technical infrastructure to bolster connectivity in terms of roads and waterways with neighbouring areas. Particularly, the RRZP is building three types of new parks near the riverbanks, including a nature conservation park, an agricultural park, and an urban park to improve climate change adaptation and bring more natural elements to the city. (1, 4)
Chulalongkorn Centenary Park
The Chulalongkorn University (CU) Centenary Park was created to provide a green space for the city and celebrate Chulalongkorn University’s 100th anniversary. Located in the centre of shopping and commerce, the park is designed as a multi-functional “urban forest”, which serves as an oasis for the residents and visitors of Bangkok, who can spend quality leisure time in a lush and pleasant environment. The park includes constructed wetlands with rain gardens, retention ponds, an underground water drainage system and green roof areas. Opened in 2017, Chulalongkorn Centenary Park is the first critical piece of green infrastructure in Bangkok to mitigate detrimental ecological issues and disaster risk reduction. Unlike other public parks around the city, this one is the first in Thailand to demonstrate how a park can help reduce urban flood risks and help the city confront climate change, all while offering city dwellers a place to reconnect with nature. Designed with various ecological design components, the park reminds the city of ways to live with water rather than fear it. [1, 2, 4]
Staten Island's Bluebelt Programme
The Bluebelt programme in Staten Island was implemented as it "preserves natural drainage corridors including streams, ponds, and wetlands, and enhances them to perform their functions of conveying, storing, and filtering runoff precipitation or stormwater". (Ref. 2). By delivering "stormwater to engineered systems that are designed to mimic natural streams and ponds which...meander or wind back and forth, the water slows down naturally" (Ref. 1). These actions are intended to "help control flooding, pollution and erosion" (Ref. 2), whilst also providing open green areas for both local communities and a "diverse habitat for wildlife" (Ref. 2). Beginning in 1990, the Bluebelt programme has undergone continual expansion, recognising that "as New York City prepares for rising sea levels and heavier rains due to climate change, Bluebelts offer a natural and effective solution for stable and sound stormwater management" (Refs. 2 & 4). The Bluebelt now includes approximately 400 acres of freshwater wetland and riparian stream habitat and 11 miles of stream corridor (Ref. 4).
Restoration of the spring and banks of Cabrinha Lake
The project has seen the "installation of rock structures to reduce the energy of the water that is drained by conventional rainwater galleries and the strategic planting of certain plant species that, through phytoremediation, can mitigate the diffuse pollution that affects the body of the river" (Ref. 1). In combination, "these solutions aim to prevent erosion and landslides on the banks, stop the siltation of the river, improve water quality and strengthen the linear park as a leisure space increasingly demanded by the population in its surroundings" (Ref. 1). A demonstration project which occurred under ICLEI's INTERACT-Bio project, the implementation of NBS has also been accompanied by other measures which saw Lake Cabrinha be de-silted, a walking path, benches, and playground be built and LED lighting be installed" (Ref. 1).
The Green City Development
As a solution to the increasing population, pollution and high energy consumption, the municipal government of Shiraz has launched the Green City project in 2008. The main aim of this initiative is to reforest the city's periphery and encourage citizens to plant gardens on rooftops and the private sectors to adhere to the city’s development plan with all construction projects. [1]
