Mangrove Spirit Park
The "Parque Espíritu del Manglar" in Cartagena is a multi-zone public space designed to promote recreation, environmental awareness, and cultural identity. The park, which has undergone a significant reconstruction, offers a wide array of recreational equipment and spaces for contemplation in a natural setting. It is divided into six thematic zones: Entrance Zone; Sports Area, Open-Air Theatre, the Tertulia Island, offering scenic views, public restrooms, and statues such as the iconic "Macondo" tree, a tribute donated by Gabriel García Márquez’s family; Children’s Central Zone, featuring a pirate-themed mangrove ship and an Environmental Observation Deck. (ref 1).
With the reopening of the park, EPA Cartagena introduced an ecological trail on Tertulia Island, where a mangrove restoration process has been carried out, focusing on plant health and climate resilience. This area also hosts wildlife such as macaws, sloths, turtles, raccoons, and green herons—species that cannot be reintroduced into their natural habitats. (ref 2)
The park now serves as an active site for environmental education, particularly for children, with programs addressing solid waste separation, climate change, and the protection of natural resources. Its reopening has also been recognized as a key step in strengthening family-oriented tourism and promoting sustainable urban development in Cartagena. (ref 2)
With the reopening of the park, EPA Cartagena introduced an ecological trail on Tertulia Island, where a mangrove restoration process has been carried out, focusing on plant health and climate resilience. This area also hosts wildlife such as macaws, sloths, turtles, raccoons, and green herons—species that cannot be reintroduced into their natural habitats. (ref 2)
The park now serves as an active site for environmental education, particularly for children, with programs addressing solid waste separation, climate change, and the protection of natural resources. Its reopening has also been recognized as a key step in strengthening family-oriented tourism and promoting sustainable urban development in Cartagena. (ref 2)
Gårda pilot rain garden
The Gårda pilot rain garden has been constructed as part of the research project Innovative Rain Gardens at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg. In addition to causing flooding, runoff rain water in urban environments can be contaminated with microplastics, organic pollutants and metals which can spread into the natural environment. Yet, most of the storm water in urban environments is not treated. The purpose of the Innovative Rain Gardens project is to research the ability of a pilot rain garden to treat such pollution. The project acknowledges the function of a rain garden to prevent flooding, but in this study only the pollution treatment potential is investigated. The pilot rain garden was constructed next to the E6 highway in central Gothenburg [Ref. 1-4]. It includes several different bioretention filters where selected plants are grown in filters containing different materials such as biochar, ash and soil [Ref. 2, 3]. Results so far show that the use of rain gardens can significantly reduce pollution. However, further research is needed to determine the long term function of the bioretention filters and the potential of scaling up the NBS. The project is funded by the Swedish Research Council for Sustainable Development (Formas), IMMERSE - Implementing Measures for Sustainable Estuaries, an Interreg project supported by the North Sea Programme of the European Regional Development Fund of the European Union, and COWIfonden (private foundation) [Ref. 1-3].
Meama Coffee Factory Green Roof
The Meama Coffee Factory incorporates ecological elements and functionality with architectural design to create a visually striking building. By doing so, the developers respond to requirements set by the city of Tbilisi for a factory that blends into the peri-urban landscape while avoiding the typical industrial appearance. This requirement corresponds to the architect's values of creating a sustainable and durable structure, implemented through multiple measures (Ref. 1,2). Firstly, a 3,680 square meter green roof has been installed, fully covered with local wild grasses and plants (Ref. 1). This green roof serves multiple purposes: it acts as a thermal barrier, reducing the need for additional roof insulation, mitigates noise pollution from the nearby airport and serves as a recreational and meeting area for visitors and employees (Ref. 1,2,3,4). The factory area also features a pine forest to its backside as well as multiple inside atriums covered in greenery (Ref. 2,3).
Lastly, building materials and installation methods have been selected to ensure the durability of the project, such as roofing membranes that withstand root penetration as well as reinforced concrete structures that are waterproofed and protected against corrosion (Ref. 4&5)
Lastly, building materials and installation methods have been selected to ensure the durability of the project, such as roofing membranes that withstand root penetration as well as reinforced concrete structures that are waterproofed and protected against corrosion (Ref. 4&5)
Lisbon Cold Greenhouse
The Estufa Fria de Lisboa (Cold Greenhouse of Lison), located on the south-facing slope of Park Eduardo VII in Lisbon and part of the city's green corridor (Corredor Verde de Monsanto) aims to integrate leisure, culture, and education opportunities to promote plant biodiversity conservation within a sustainability framework (Ref. 1). Cold Greenhouse refers to the fact that there is no heating system on the premises, and it also refers to one of the three gardens (Ref. 5). The greenhouses were created in an old quarry dedicated to rock extraction, and these lush gardens are now comprised of three distinct greenhouse environments: cold, warm, and sweet (Ref. 1). These greenhouses collectively house over 300 plant species from diverse continents, including rare species (Ref. 2).
The garden's design integrates natural water features, with watercourses and waterfalls and statuary elements. Since the opening of its Interpretation Center in 2016, the Estufa Fria has expanded its role as an educational resource, hosting exhibitions and activities related to botany and urban green structures. Since 2016 the project has been focused on its educative agenda with the development of a set of pedagogical resources for preschoolers, students from ages 6 to 12 years old and their teachers, and with guided visits. (Ref 1, 2)
The garden's design integrates natural water features, with watercourses and waterfalls and statuary elements. Since the opening of its Interpretation Center in 2016, the Estufa Fria has expanded its role as an educational resource, hosting exhibitions and activities related to botany and urban green structures. Since 2016 the project has been focused on its educative agenda with the development of a set of pedagogical resources for preschoolers, students from ages 6 to 12 years old and their teachers, and with guided visits. (Ref 1, 2)
Productive backyards program
The Productive Backyards Program is led by the NGO Granitos de Paz with the goal of promoting food security and income generation for vulnerable families in Cartagena. The program supports the creation of green gardens in household yards, provide technical training in planting, plant care, and supplies, as well as guidance and support for the creation of productive gardens, it also supports the commercialization of crops, fostering social cohesion within homes and positively impacting their environmental surroundings, nutrition, and health (ref 2, 3). A productive backyard is a small plot of land dedicated to growing vegetables for the family's daily consumption, providing fresh, healthy, and nutritious food. Family labour is utilised, offering both economic and nutritional benefits. This activity helps reduce malnutrition, improve the environment, and enable the commercialisation of organic products by making use of household yards (ref 6).
The program is led by the NGO and occasionally receives support from the mayor's office. The mayor's office has provided kits to the families with gardening tools, a watering can, mesh for enclosures, and seeds for 12 species, including tomatoes, sweet peppers, eggplants, bell peppers, Swiss chard, cabbage, and other vegetables. In addition to these supplies, families received training in entrepreneurship and business ideas for marketing their products, self-consumption, and all related concepts aimed at increasing production (ref 1 and 2). Currently, the program counts with 450 backyards in different neighbourhoods of Cartagena (ref 1).
The program is led by the NGO and occasionally receives support from the mayor's office. The mayor's office has provided kits to the families with gardening tools, a watering can, mesh for enclosures, and seeds for 12 species, including tomatoes, sweet peppers, eggplants, bell peppers, Swiss chard, cabbage, and other vegetables. In addition to these supplies, families received training in entrepreneurship and business ideas for marketing their products, self-consumption, and all related concepts aimed at increasing production (ref 1 and 2). Currently, the program counts with 450 backyards in different neighbourhoods of Cartagena (ref 1).
PON Metro Cagliari - Green Areas
In January 2024, the municipality of Cagliari inaugurated three new green areas in the city, adding five and a half hectares of green spaces for residents to enjoy. These areas are located between Keplero, Avicenna, and Parigi streets, not far from the city center (Refs. 1 & 2).
The primary goal of this initiative is to mitigate the effects of climate change, particularly rising temperatures. The green areas are designed to reduce the city's heat island effect and contribute to carbon sequestration. The planting of new trees will also help maintain ecosystems and improve environmental conditions in targeted areas . Special attention was given to soil quality, with most projects incorporating walkways equipped with drainage systems (Refs. 1, 2, & 4). Additionally, the new infrastructure aims to foster social engagement and attract more citizens, who will benefit from these improvements. (Refs. 1 & 2).
This initiative is also expected to boost the local economy by encouraging the development of small complementary services (Ref. 3). It is part of a larger municipal project co-funded by the EU.
The primary goal of this initiative is to mitigate the effects of climate change, particularly rising temperatures. The green areas are designed to reduce the city's heat island effect and contribute to carbon sequestration. The planting of new trees will also help maintain ecosystems and improve environmental conditions in targeted areas . Special attention was given to soil quality, with most projects incorporating walkways equipped with drainage systems (Refs. 1, 2, & 4). Additionally, the new infrastructure aims to foster social engagement and attract more citizens, who will benefit from these improvements. (Refs. 1 & 2).
This initiative is also expected to boost the local economy by encouraging the development of small complementary services (Ref. 3). It is part of a larger municipal project co-funded by the EU.
Africatown Heritage House Bioswale
The Africatown Heritage House Bioswale is a gently sloping green space with multiple functions which include catchment of runoff water and filtration of pollution in the runoff water (Ref 2), erosion control (Ref 2), and creation of habitat for biodiversity (Ref 1). It also has an educational purpose for students and the local community (Ref 2) and contributes to overall beautification (Ref 5).
The Bioswale was built by Birmingham-Southern College’s Environmental Center (Ref 6) and developed through the collaboration between the Mobile County Commission, the Mobile Area Lodging Association, Mobile County Training School, Mobile County Training School Alumni Association, and the National Academies of Science (NAS) Gulf Research Program (Ref 2). The project aims to address heavy rainwater management (Ref 5) and drainage issues (Ref 3).
The Bioswale was built by Birmingham-Southern College’s Environmental Center (Ref 6) and developed through the collaboration between the Mobile County Commission, the Mobile Area Lodging Association, Mobile County Training School, Mobile County Training School Alumni Association, and the National Academies of Science (NAS) Gulf Research Program (Ref 2). The project aims to address heavy rainwater management (Ref 5) and drainage issues (Ref 3).
Model cultivation at Angereds Gård
The model farm is a small-scale organic vegetable farm according to the principle of a "market garden", meaning little machine use is required [1]. More than 40 different vegetables were grown in an effective growing area of 720 m2, using principles of regenerative agriculture promoting soil health [Ref. 4, 6]. An important outcome is sustainably producing vegetables for schools and care homes in the municipality [Ref. 1-3]. The initial vision was to "showcase both the farming and business model behind a sustainable and successful small-scale farming enterprise" and drive the "integration of regenerative farming practices in the continuous evolution of urban and rural multifunctional landscapes" [Ref. 4, 6]. The model farm offers education and cooperates with a local college [Ref. 1, 6]. The model farm is part of the Climate-KIC SATURN project which aims to reconnect urban and rural areas and address the climate crisis through sustainable food production [Ref. 1, 5, 7].
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).
Odom garden: a pop-op greenspace demonstration
Odom Garden is a unique temporary pop-up public garden developed as a part of an ongoing real estate project (Ref 1). The garden was developed in 2020 to provide a green public space for people to connect with nature and with other citizens in a prime real-estate planned area for further construction in 2023 (Ref 1). Spread across 4000 sqm, the garden is developed by employing and upcycling the garden's native elements, such as large branches being converted into balancing paths and swing holders (Ref 3). The garden is a very popular green space in the city with Phnom Penh’s first dog park, a Japanese-inspired foot bath, and a central food and beverage area, as well as a children’s playground (Ref 2, 3). This green space has become a meeting place for families with opportunities for relaxation and recreation.
The park has been functioning since 2020 as a temporary site for the future Odom project. The area will be redeveloped to include a residential and commercial complex that includes a five-story layered park (Ref 1, 2). The project, when complete, is expected to increase the total green space area to 7000 sqm, i.e., 126% of the current Odom Garden. Of this, 80% of the green space will be accessible to the public. The Odom garden can thus be interpreted as a demonstration intervention, where the goal was to create s community-focused space and in which Phnom Penhers can experience the sense of community envisioned for the future completed project (Ref 1, 2). As of January of 2023, it has been announced that the Odom Garden is closing for the pre-construction of ODOM, with a "heartfelt: See You Soon" (Ref. 5).
The park has been functioning since 2020 as a temporary site for the future Odom project. The area will be redeveloped to include a residential and commercial complex that includes a five-story layered park (Ref 1, 2). The project, when complete, is expected to increase the total green space area to 7000 sqm, i.e., 126% of the current Odom Garden. Of this, 80% of the green space will be accessible to the public. The Odom garden can thus be interpreted as a demonstration intervention, where the goal was to create s community-focused space and in which Phnom Penhers can experience the sense of community envisioned for the future completed project (Ref 1, 2). As of January of 2023, it has been announced that the Odom Garden is closing for the pre-construction of ODOM, with a "heartfelt: See You Soon" (Ref. 5).
