Pollution Mitigation at the Altynalmas Goldmines
The Sustainable Kazakhstan Research Institute (SKRI) at Narxoz University has developed "phytocapture," an innovative solution to deal with airborne dust. A phytocapture barrier is a chain of green spaces around a plant or mine, precisely calculated in height and width, to capture dust and organic compounds from production. This solution can capture 40% of particulate matter, including fine particulate matter, which otherwise settle in people's lungs, causing pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases. (1,6) To demonstrate the solution's applicability, SKRI proposed a phytobarrier project to AK Altynalmas JSC for the Aksu Goldmine. The Aksu field was founded in 1939, and soon the miners' settlement was formed around it. The formation of the tailings pond is closely connected with the production process, which began in 1951 and until now is produced by feeding through the pulp line the pulp from the gold concentration plant of the mill. The existing measures to reduce the negative impacts of tailing management facilities, such as irrigation of technological roads of the tailing management facility, as well as compliance with the above-ground stockpiles in the sections, do not fully solve this problem (5). To tackle this issue, the proposed phytocapture project utilized 3D computer modelling and digital technology to design a vegetation barrier near the tailing dump on both sides and resulted in the plantation of 1,400 seedlings of elm, silver sucker, and maple at a distance of 1.5 kilometers. The project was implemented at two production sites of the company in 2022 and is also being implemented in other projects. In 2022, the joint project was recognized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) as a best practice (1,6).
Ayala Triangle Gardens
The 2-hectares public garden is located in Makati Central Business District of Metro Manila between the main arteries of Makati - Paseo de Roxas, Makati Avenue and Ayala Avenue - that form a triangle in the backyard of business towers. [2, 4]. The Garden was opened to the public in 2009 and showcases various trees and other plant species alongside numerous public artworks created by local artists [2]. The park provides habitat for hundreds of various trees of types, including rain trees, golden palms, fire trees, orange jasmines, and podocarpus. Two Filipino artists, Ovvian Castrillo-Hill and Ral Arrogante have created public art pieces scattered throughout the park [2,4]. The garden is also paved with verdant patches, providing a space for office workers to unwind and destress. In addition to serving as a place of recreation, the Ayala Triangle Gardens also hosts the yearly Festival of Lights as well as various music festivals. The Ayala Triangle Park is the first urban park to be built in Manila and the lush gardens are now considered a refuge for the residents of Makati [1,2,3].
Selangor Maritime Gateway and Klang River Rehabilitation
The rehabilitation of the Klang River or Selangor Maritime Gateway (SMG) is a project that was put into effect in 2018 by the Selangor State Government. The project aimed to transform the Klang River, considered the most polluted river in Malaysia, into a beautiful and clean river which can be a new source of economic growth in the state of Selangor, Malaysia. The river has been polluted with trash, plastic bottles, and sewage, which harmed the vegetation and the aquatic ecosystem (1). The project proved to be highly complex as it included rehabilitation of the river through several green solutions such as the creation of a community park, the conservation of various species of mangroves, and the implementation of riverfront greens as a measure of slope protection. The intervention is set to be developed on an area of 56 Km along the Klang River corridor. It is expected to promote and support the integrated management of river basins with particular emphasis on ensuring that biodiversity and wetland conservation and community considerations are incorporated into river basin management that includes the development of eco-city (3,5,6). Furthermore, the project intends to conduct an awareness campaign about river cleaning and rehabilitation activities to educate the public on the importance of rivers and the environment in our lives while consequently highlighting the critical state of pollution faced by the River (1).
Revitalization of Tebet Eco Park
A 7-hectare pilot public project, the Tebet Eco park is located in South Jakarta in a neighbourhood that is densely populated. Previous to the intervention the park was in an acute state of deterioration and prone to floods as well as ecological degradation, as the park is streamed by a river which made it only more susceptible to heavy rains. As such, the municipal authorities of Jakarta planned to revitalize the area by " increasing the hydraulic capacity of existing canal, improving site-wide pedestrian connectivity, and adding new recreation program". This meant that the park was transformed by planting and conserving new and older trees, as well as using vegetation and natural embankments. Furthermore, the implementer planted riparian vegetation to improve water quality by filtering and cleansing surrounding runoff, which also enhanced the site's biodiversity. Besides these elements, a thematic garden, a forest buffer, and a community garden were implemented complementing the entire eco-design that the park aimed for. The park's rehabilitation focused greatly on the human element as it was paramount to provide maximum benefits for park users, the surrounding natural habitats and species, as well as increasing the land value of the area. (2,3,7)
Evozone Rain Garden
Spanning over 32000 square meters and featuring a landscaped rainwater catchment basin [5], the Rain Garden was created in 2014 in the Nuvali district of Santa Rosa. The garden offers an example of eco-friendly urban planning in the Philippines, as the Nuvali district is an eco-city itself with residential, business and commercial areas. Besides the Evozone Rain Garden, Nuvali also has various nature amenities, including a multi-functional lake, cycling and hiking paths, a wildlife and bird sanctuary and camping grounds. The Evozone Rain Garden was established in a commercial development area and it includes spacious open areas and cycling paths, along with the footbridge and view deck and adjacent to the manmade lake in Nuvali [2]. The Rain garden also serves as a rainwater catchment basin, rainwater harvesting system, and fire reserve, providing recycled water for landscaping, irrigation and other non-potable water uses [1]. In addition, the garden has been developed to serve as a habitat for various bamboo varieties and birds [4], also making the garden an ideal birdwatching spot [3]. The EvoZone Rain garden is free and open to the public [2].
Terminal in a garden - Bangalore airport
Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (KIAB)'s new terminal 2 is an environmentally friendly initiative that uses innovative methods to maintain ecological sustainability using native plants (Ref 1, 2). The terminal was built on four guiding principles: technology leadership, being a terminal within a garden, environmental and ecological stewardship, and a celebration of Karnataka’s rich heritage and culture. Through the "terminal within a garden" project, the aim was to create a calming and relaxing space for passengers using greenery for visual appeal as people pass through the airport (Ref 1). Hanging gardens, trees, and green walls are the primary nature-related features included in the terminal and an outdoor greenbelt around the terminal. The airport uses native plant species, including trees, flowering plants, and shrubs (Ref. 2).
The terminal area also includes water bodies, cascades, and miniature waterfalls to maintain the natural atmosphere. The terminal also has extensive rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge facilities (Ref 1). Other sustainable goals in the terminal area include energy saving, water conservation, waste management, and pollution control measures (Ref 2).
The terminal area also includes water bodies, cascades, and miniature waterfalls to maintain the natural atmosphere. The terminal also has extensive rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge facilities (Ref 1). Other sustainable goals in the terminal area include energy saving, water conservation, waste management, and pollution control measures (Ref 2).
Biophilic Green Roof at Prestige University
A low-rise building located within Prestige University's existing 32-acre campus in Indore will feature an entirely walkable, stepped green roof. The green roof is planned to be punctuated with courtyards for temperature regulation and accessible to its users (university staff, students and other visitors etc.) from the ground level (1,2). It is designed and implemented by 'Sanjay Puri Architects', Architecture Consultancy based in Mumbai (1,2,6). This building is planned to be used for administration offices, an auditorium, lecture halls, and a library and cafeteria (1,2,3). The green roof mainly serves as a space for recreational activities for the users. The terraces will also include different-sized open-air sections, providing the building's interior with natural ventilation (2,4,5). This project truly blends with the traditional Indian Architecture approach in an innovative and modern way (4,5) and targets problems related to central India's oppressive heat (1,2,4).
Despite the initial target completion date of June 2022 (9), the construction phase of the project has not yet been finalized. The responsible architecture firm anticipates the completion date within the forthcoming months. This information was disclosed in January 2023 (10).
Despite the initial target completion date of June 2022 (9), the construction phase of the project has not yet been finalized. The responsible architecture firm anticipates the completion date within the forthcoming months. This information was disclosed in January 2023 (10).
Sky garden - Council of Engineers
The new office building of the Council of Engineers is located on one of the busiest streets of Bangkok, Thailand. The building aims to combine new engineering technology with aesthetic and function, while maximizing green area and promoting sustainability. The building's terraced green area lead the people up to the entrance on second floor and continue up to the sky garden on the forth floor. The main features of the garden are lush fauna with tree and shrub species, planters, multi-purpose open spaces and bio-filtration system that use plants to filter and divert rainwater. The project aims to acquire the platinum TREES building rating (a green building certificate in Thailand) and it is in the process of applying for the certificate. (Ref. 1,2,3,5)
Rehabilitation of Changa Manga Forest Park
To address the mismanagement and illegal deforestation in the Changa Manga forest, the Punjab Government in Pakistan initiated strict actions with the help of the Forest Department between 2014 and 2017. Activities included planting new trees and taking action against illegal deforestation. Over the years, mismanagement and illegal deforestation decreased this woodland by 75% (measured in 2012) (2). The Government of Punjab approved the “Afforestation in Blank Areas in Changa Manga Plantation” project for the duration of three years from 2014 to 2017 aimed at the afforestation of a total area of 200 acres on flow irrigation during 2014-15 and maintenance of afforestation during the two subsequent years (2015-17) (4). Changa Manga Forest is one of the world’s oldest hand-planted forests, dating back to 1866 in Chunian City. It spreads over about 5065 hectares and hosts a wide variety of flora and fauna. The forest is home to 14 species of mammals, 50 species of birds, six species of reptiles, two species of amphibians, and 27 species of insects (1). Some exquisite tree families, such as Sheesham (rosewood). white mulberry and Kikar trees are found in this woodland (2). It also includes a wildlife preserve, which was launched in 2005 by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Pakistan to protect white-backed vultures and ensure their captive breeding in the forest (3). Currently, Pakistan is losing forests at thrice the rate of the other South Asian countries. One of the major benefits of the Changa Manga Forest afforestation project was that it increased honey production by 70% in the different areas of the forest park (5).
Vinh River Rehabilitation Project
Vinh is the biggest city in north-central Vietnam and is the hub for economic and cultural development in the region. As of 2018, the city has a population of approx. 500,000 inhabitants and is located on the Ca River delta, 160 miles (260 km) south of Hanoi. Flooding and poor environmental sanitation are major impediments to the development of Vinh City. The drainage system of the city is comprised of four catchment basins connected to Rao Dung, Ke Gai, Vinh and Lam Rivers. Among the four, the Vinh River is flowing through the central wards and communes of Vinh City and is one that becomes sensitive to severe flooding events frequently (2,3).
Recently (in 2021), with support from the World Bank, the government initiated a program, the Vinh City Priority Infrastructure and Urban Resilience Development Project (VPIUR), which is expected to bring a new look to the river, reduce the risk of flooding in urban areas and strengthen urban management capacity to adapt to climate change. This project has several sub components and one of them is a river rehabilitation and upgrade under the form of riverbank green, sanitation, and flood risk management (1, 3).
The implementation includes a comprehensive set of structural and non-structural interventions, including flood control systems and nature-based solutions, wastewater collection and treatment infrastructure, and key transport links. The project aims to transform it into green public spaces which are to be constructed under the project. The project also aims to invest in developing green public spaces along the Vinh riverbank and a new regulation lake. (3)
Recently (in 2021), with support from the World Bank, the government initiated a program, the Vinh City Priority Infrastructure and Urban Resilience Development Project (VPIUR), which is expected to bring a new look to the river, reduce the risk of flooding in urban areas and strengthen urban management capacity to adapt to climate change. This project has several sub components and one of them is a river rehabilitation and upgrade under the form of riverbank green, sanitation, and flood risk management (1, 3).
The implementation includes a comprehensive set of structural and non-structural interventions, including flood control systems and nature-based solutions, wastewater collection and treatment infrastructure, and key transport links. The project aims to transform it into green public spaces which are to be constructed under the project. The project also aims to invest in developing green public spaces along the Vinh riverbank and a new regulation lake. (3)

