Land use and Socio-economic change

The Garden Under the Walls, also known as the Garden of the Brothers Giuseppe and Vittorino Fiori, is a green space located in the historic Villanova district of Cagliari, along Viale Regina Elena. Inaugurated on 28 March 2014, the project transformed a long-neglected area beneath the Castello walls into a garden promenade. Closed to the public for many years due to ongoing construction, this green space has been reopened and returned to the city.
The garden spans 500 meters in length and covers an area of 6,500 square meters. The total renovation cost was 1.8 million euros.
The project focused on preserving the historical significance of the area while ensuring the safety of the Castello walls. The accessible pathway, designed to accommodate people with disabilities, features seven sculptures by renowned Sardinian artist Pinuccio Sciola, adding an artistic dimension to the space. This project successfully blends green spaces, accessibility, and culture (Refs. 1, 2, 3 & 4).

This mega-project is part of the Agenda for the Commemoration of the Bicentenary of the Independence of Peru (3). It is the new ecological lung of Ventanilla where families have free access to a meeting point where they can carry out sports, recreational, leisure and cultural activities (1, 2, 3). This park is the largest emblematic work carried out in Callao and one of the largest in extension at the national level, built in commemoration of the 200 years of independence (1, 2, 3). It was built on vacant land, where there was no possibility of meeting or recreation for the neighbours (1).
In addition to offering recreational spaces, it is a cultural work that seeks to teach the population about the history of independence, making the public space a commitment to a citizen-centred public policy with an intercultural approach (3). In addition, its financing was part of the second phase of the economic reactivation plan for public investment, encouraging local economic development and generating more than 1,300 direct and indirect jobs (3). This work is an investment of the Executive together with the Regional Government of Callao and the labour force of the municipality of Ventanilla (1, 2). Its facilities are freely accessible and will contribute to the social development and well-being of the citizens (3).
Inaugurated in 2022, it has cultural components, such as squares and amphitheatres, playgrounds, campsites and more than 30,000 m2 of green and blue areas (1).

Masthuggsparken is a planned park in the Masthuggskajen district, which is undergoing development and construction. The park will measure about 2000 m2, and serve as a green oasis and meeting place for locals. It will have ameneties such as benches and areas for play, and a noise barrier against a large nearby road. The park will connect to the adjacent square and street, making it accessible to visit. The street will be renovated to have more trees and plants, increasing green connectivity in the district. The park will be surrounded by trees and other plants, which are planted to promote biodiversity and be adapted to a changing climate [Ref. 1-5, 7]. The park is at a low point, where up to 800 m3 of stormwater will flow during heavy rainfall, reducing flood risk in the surroundings [Ref. 1, 2, 6]. The Masthuggskajen district has a sustainability program, establishing goals for green environments which the park will contribute to. Green areas should be accessible to the entire district and provide ecosystem services such as rainwater management, climate adaptation, biodiversity and recreation. The program was created by the City of Gothenburg in collaboration with construction companies active in the area and was supported by Citylab Action, a national competence program in sustainable urban development [Ref. 7]. The City of Gothenburg is the primary responsible for the park, which will be constructed between 2025 and 2026 [Ref. 1, 2, 4].

The Vale da Ameixoeira Urban Park is a key part of Lisbon's Peripheral Green Corridor, covering 20 hectares and aiming to enhance the city's ecological and social resilience. It includes pedestrian and cycling paths, rest areas, picnic spots, skate parks, and playgrounds, enabling recreational activities while providing scenic views (Ref 1). The park has undergone several requalification initiatives, including the tree planting project in 2018, which saw the community and municipal bodies plant over 130 native trees and shrubs, promoting biodiversity and environmental sustainability (Ref 3). Additionally, the park supports community-based vegetable gardens, integrating horticultural practices to promote local engagement and foster social inclusion (Ref 3). More recently, as part of the Life Lungs project, another 600 drought-resistant trees were planted to mitigate climate change impacts, such as urban heating and water scarcity (Ref 5). The Lisbon Participatory Budget funds the project and reflects the community’s demand for sustainable urban development (Ref 2).

The intervention in the Sant'Elia neighborhood, which opened in 2018, created a new green area of approximately 2,600 square meters designed to enhance the urban environment and improve the quality of life for residents. This space includes an olive grove and an orchard, featuring pathways and landscaping that integrate local plant species.
Along the side facing Via Utzeri, olive trees and a small grassy area have been planted, complemented by stabilized gravel paths for walking. The orchard contains 28 fruit trees, including citrus, pomegranate, quince, and fig trees, along with Mediterranean shrubs, allowing residents to freely enjoy the fruits for their own consumption.
The entire area is equipped with an automated drip irrigation system, while the grassy sections utilize sub-irrigation. Additionally, a central roundabout in Piazza Giovanni da Verrazzano has been adorned with a lawn, palms, and vibrant rose beds.
Commemorative plaques honor tenor Piero Schiavazzi and local resident Samuele Utzeri, who tragically passed away in Kosovo. The area also features signs encouraging respectful harvesting of fruits and permits dogs, provided they are kept on a leash (Refs. 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5).

The Hellenic Park by Farka Lake stands as a symbol of the growing relationship between Albania and Greece (Ref. 1,2,3). The project was designed and implemented by the Municipality of Tirana in partnership with the Greek Embassy and supported by Greek companies operating in Albania. Its inaugurated was attended by the mayors of both capitals and the Greek Ambassador to Albania (Ref. 3,4). The opening ceremony marked three significant milestones: the 200th anniversary of the Greek Revolution, the 50th anniversary of the restoration of diplomatic relations between Greece and Albania, and the 40th anniversary of Greece's membership in the European Union (Ref. 4). The park reflects bilateral unity through emblematic vegetation, such as olive trees, which hold cultural significance in both countries. Beyond enhancing diplomatic ties, Hellenic Park fosters inclusive sports and cultural activities and provides a space for recreation (Ref. 1,3,4).

This project is a year-long (2022-2023), interdisciplinary and transversal environmental education program initiated by the Rotary Club of Fort-de-France Ouest with the main aim of raising awareness of biodiversity conservation. As part of Rotary International, the Rotary Club of Fort-de-France Ouest is a community service club that engages in various service projects that address local challenges relating to education, health, environmental sustainability, and economic development.
The project incited teachers at the François Auguste Perrinon middle school to incorporate environmental education and "créole" (traditional ecological) knowledge into the course curriculum. The program was designed to motivate the schoolkids to practice their newly acquired competences in a religious, artistic or gardening end-of-year project. The initiative reached between 150 to 200 students from 6th to 3rd grade in the neighbourhood of "Ermittage" (Ref 1; 5).

The Çukurova Arboretum is located 17 km from the city centre of Adana, close to the Seyhan Dam lake. Established in 1997, it aims to conserve and protect plant species and vegetation from the region and those adapted to the Mediterranean climate (Ref. 2,5). Given its location outside the city centre and its proximity to freshwater resources, the Arboretum has been praised as a refuge for relaxation and recreation away from the stress of the city (Ref. 1,3). The area has been established by the Regional Forest Directorate of Adana in cooperation with the Istanbul University, department of Forestry (Ref. 2,3). In 2011 and 2013 new infrastructure was added to the arboretum, including a nursery, main road network connection and irrigation (Ref. 2). Visitors and researchers can access over 1050 ha hosting more than 700 plant taxa in different thematic areas, such as mediterranean vegetation, rose gardens, succulent and cactus areas, medicinal and aromatic plant gardens and an aquatic plants exhibition center which is a special feature to the site (Ref. 2). For research specifically, laboratory projects have been established and nurseries continue to ensure the supply of plant material (Ref.1). Over the years, the Arboretum has been equipped with more elaborate infrastructure and exhebition sites as well as educational material available to visitors (Ref.1,2,4).

The project to revitalize the Huveaune River and its biodiversity is taking place in Aubagne, a city within the Marseille Metropolitan area. For a long time, the river received little attention, constrained by urbanization, and was even covered for several hundred meters. Urbanization and the construction of a road have made the floodplain more susceptible to flooding (Ref 2). The initiative aims not only to restore the Huveaune and its environment but also to strengthen the connection between residents and the river (Ref 1) while reducing flood risk as a critical objective (Ref 1).
The challenge is transforming the area into a higher-quality environmental space with resilient ecosystems. A diagnostic conducted during the project's design phase revealed the site's degraded state, including the presence of invasive species, steep banks unsuitable for riparian vegetation, poor waterway conservation, and disrupted ecological continuity (Ref 2).
Key actions include revitalizing the river and its biodiversity, removing artificial banks, and creating new meanders to give the river a more natural shape. Diversifying flow patterns will create habitats for aquatic and fish species by varying water heights and flow speeds. This involves increasing the river's sinuosity and varying the width of the minor riverbed (Ref 2). Additional steps include planting trees and shrubs adapted to the Mediterranean climate with low water needs (Ref 2). To bring residents closer to the river, plans include creating walking and cycling routes, sports equipment, educational panels, and useful visitor facilities such as benches, water points, and restrooms (Ref 3).

The Urban Oasis Playgrounds project focuses on creating a guide for green regeneration of playgrounds located all over Iasi by using natural climate solutions, with the potential for wider application beyond the city(1 to 6). The project's primary goal is to tackle pollution in playgrounds and address the overall lack of green spaces for children (1). This initiative is led by the NGO Civica in collaboration with the Municipality of Iași and the Architects Association in Iași (OAR) (1). The project secured €50,000 in funding after winning a competition organized by Raiffeisen Comunități, with support from the NGO "Asociația pentru Relații Comunitare" (2 & 3).
In addition to pollution, the project seeks to address other critical issues, such as the heat island effect and the proximity of playgrounds to risk-prone areas (1). The guide will be developed based on public consultations with Iași residents and a comprehensive study to tackle these concerns (1 to 7).
Currently, the first phase of the project is underway, involving assessments of various factors in playgrounds, including existing vegetation, shading, surface quality, infrastructure conditions, and pollution risks (4). These aspects are also reflected in a questionnaire distributed to the public, which gathers opinions on factors like cleanliness, noise exposure, thermal comfort, safety, and preferred natural green solutions (6).
The initiative aims to raise awareness about climate change, actively engaging the community in the process (4). Once completed, the guide will be presented to the municipality with the goal of being adopted as a standard for future playground developments (1, 3, 4, 6). The first phase of the project will regenerate a playground by planting trees and native vegetation (3).