Poor community engagement

The GLAS Garden in Ballymun was established in 2011 by the NGO Global Action Plan, serving as a community-driven initiative that offers a welcoming and accessible space where people of all ages and abilities can engage with nature, learn new skills, and build connections within their community. The garden is actively utilized on a weekly basis by various groups, including St. Michael’s House, Saol Clubhouse, the Central Remedial Clinic, Ballark Youth Training, and Young Ballymun. It features a polytunnel for year-round growing, a whimsical fairy garden, and numerous microhabitats, including a pond, composting systems, a grow dome, and an innovative rainwater harvesting system made from recycled plastic bottles.
As part of the social regeneration program for Ballymun, the Green Living and Sustainability (GLAS) community garden has been operated by Global Action Plan (GAP) since its inception. It is supported by Dublin City Council under the Social Regeneration Fund and serves as a hub for environmental education and social inclusion in the area.
GAP’s GLAS garden brings together individuals of all ages and abilities, providing a socially inclusive space for participatory learning and active exploration of sustainability. It plays a crucial role in helping individuals and groups reduce their carbon footprint, produce organic food, and enjoy nature, thus transforming the garden into a space for positive change. (1-5)

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).

A community garden opened in 2023 on the Technological University (TU) Dublin Blanchardstown campus. This environmental education and social inclusion project is a collaborative effort involving Fingal County Council, Global Action Plan Ireland, TU Dublin, and the local community. It provides a space for local groups and schools to grow fresh produce, reconnect with nature, and foster a stronger sense of community.
Rooted in a successful template developed by Global Action Plan in Ballymun, this initiative promotes social and cultural inclusion alongside environmental education. The Green Living & Sustainability Community Garden (GLAS) aims to create an inclusive environment that welcomes individuals of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. More than a site for cultivating plants, flowers, and vegetables, the garden serves as a hub for fostering social connections, enhancing well-being, and offering valuable educational opportunities.
The garden provides individuals with the chance to engage in social horticulture, exploring the connections between food, health, biodiversity, and global issues such as climate change. It operates on organic and regenerative principles, with all tasks and harvests shared by volunteers. Additionally, the garden will support youth gardening projects and public workshops on topics such as growing food, composting, water harvesting, and waste management. Beyond its environmental benefits, the garden helps people connect with one another, positively impacting social, physical, and mental well-being.

In 2021, the real estate company Inamstro, in collaboration with the Municipality of Iași, the civil organization "Glasul Vieții" (Voice of Life), and local citizens, initiated a tree-planting initiative that involved planting 250 trees near a residential area and a parking lot in the Frumoasa neighborhood of Iași. This neighborhood is smaller compared to other areas of the city and was developed during the communist systematization of the 1970s and 1980s. It consists of groups of four-story blocks arranged around common spaces, situated near the Frumoasa Monastery complex.
The main goals of the 2021 planting action were to enhance green space, lower air temperatures, reduce urban air pollutants—such as fine particulate matter—absorb CO2, and improve overall health and quality of life (1–5). Additionally, the implementing company concluded that the trees planted near residential areas can significantly reduce energy needs for air conditioning and heating, leading to an average cost decrease of 30% during summer and winter (1, 2).
Volunteers participating in the project received a "tree certificate," signifying their commitment to planting and adopting a tree (7). In this initiative, volunteers were also tasked with monitoring the growth of their adopted trees to ensure their health (1–6).

Civic Space Park, located in the heart of Phoenix, Arizona, is a notable example of urban design aimed at addressing the region’s increasing urban heat. In Phoenix, rising temperatures affect health, safety, comfort, and economic growth, and this impact is expected to worsen over time. In response, the park was developed to transform an underused site into a vibrant public space that prioritizes community engagement, sustainability, and urban revitalization.
The project was realized through a public-private partnership between the City of Phoenix and Arizona State University, with strong community involvement shaping its development. This collaboration led to the “Urban Weave” concept, a design that embodies the identity and values of the local community.
Civic Space Park was designed with several goals in mind. Increasing the tree canopy was essential to help reduce the urban heat island effect and improve air quality. Creating a welcoming area for social interaction, recreation, and relaxation was equally important to enhance community well-being. Water conservation was also prioritized, achieved through innovative stormwater management techniques such as permeable paving and underground infiltration. The park incorporates renewable energy generation as well, with on-site solar power helping to reduce energy consumption.
One of the park’s unique features is its extensive use of pervious concrete paving, designed to allow stormwater to permeate directly into the subsurface. However, during installation, it became clear that placing the material over highly compacted soil limited water infiltration. To improve its effectiveness, future designs could include a plastic vapor barrier beneath the permeable paving to capture water and direct it to planting beds. This adjustment would enable the paving to act as a collection and storage system, gradually releasing water into the surrounding vegetation.
(1-6)

The "Jubilee Park" (Jubileumsparken) is a city park in the developing area of Frihamnen in central Gothenburg. The first part of the park finished construction in 2024, but the aim is that the park will continue to grow and develop until the year 2035 [Ref. 1-2, 5]. The park is said to be the result of the wishes of the people of Gothenburg to have better access to green areas and water before the city's 400-year jubilee in 2023 [Ref. 2]. To achieve this, the park has been constructed gradually in cooperation with residents, using a method called placemaking, where activities and amenities are tested in place to get feedback from residents before being made permanent [Ref. 2, 4]. Additionally, activities in the park are being run by a youth organisations, which also offers summer jobs to young people from across the city and aims to engage marginalised groups [Ref. 1, 6]. The park provides amenities a sculpture-based playground, an outdoor classroom, places to sit and a harbour bath at the edge of the park, with outdoor pools and a sauna. The park contains elements for biodiversity such as trees, meadows and an area for urban farming, increasing biodiversity and connectivity compared to the previous land use as a harbour [Ref. 1, 2, 9].

Giulia's Farm is the first project launched by the Italian NGO Terre Colte in Sardinia, focused on transforming unused agricultural plots into a productive community garden. Initiated in 2014, the project covers approximately 3,000 square meters (out of 18,000 sqm owned by the NGO). The garden leases 50-square-meter plots to local residents, known as "ortisti," who cultivate the land using organic and natural farming methods. This approach not only revitalizes neglected land but also strengthens community bonds and promotes sustainable agriculture (Refs. 1 & 2).
The project operates on a cooperative model, ensuring that the land remains accessible and productive while fostering a connection between people and the environment. Participants share resources and knowledge, creating a network of mutual support that enhances both social and environmental resilience.
Beyond its agricultural impact, Giulia's Farm aims to preserve Sardinia's agricultural heritage and combat land speculation. By involving the community in farming, the initiative helps protect these plots from being sold for non-agricultural purposes, ensuring they remain dedicated to food production. The project also demonstrates the potential for reclaiming abandoned land, fostering local food production, and building a more sustainable and resilient food system.
Giulia's Farm has gained attention as a replicable model for other regions facing similar challenges of land abandonment and environmental degradation (Refs. 2, 3 & 4).

“The Orchards of the School” is a project led by Antibiotice S.A. through its foundation, "Știință și Suflet" (Science and Soul), which focuses on corporate social responsibility programs. Implemented between 2017 and 2019, employees volunteered to participate in planting orchards in the yards of several schools around the metropolitan area of Iași, including a special education school . The students assisted in planting the orchards and took responsibility for their management afterward.
The primary goal of the project was to instill respect for environmental protection, promote a healthy lifestyle, and cultivate civic spirit within the community among the younger generation. The local authorities prepared the yards for planting, while the Research and Development Station for Fruit Culture in Iași provided standardized methods for proper orchard cultivation.
By 2021 and 2022, the orchards were reported to be thriving and yielding their first fruits for the students (Ref. 1-9).

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.

This project aimed to create an urban forest that will grow within Dublin’s Darndale Park, which is popular among students and sports clubs. The objective is to offer the community a green area where they can gather, appreciate nature, and enhance their knowledge about it. The new forest will act as a windbreak for the nearby fishing pond and aims to address challenges related to heatwaves that endanger the lives of young and elderly people. To foster a sense of inclusion and unity, the forest is designed in a doughnut shape, consisting of 3,000 native species like oaks, birch, willow, and hazel, with the trees forming the outer ring (1, 2). This urban forestation initiative is a component of the Uforest project, which is funded by the European Commission and supported by Etifor (environmental consulting company established within the Department of Land, Environment, Agriculture and Forestry of the University of Padua) and Ersaf (an instrumental body of the Lombardy Region) . The Uforest project seeks to enhance Europe's innovation capacity by fostering collaboration among universities, cities, and businesses to develop a novel approach to urban forestry (1).