Community Garden at Kasturba Nagar
The Community Garden Project was proposed in 2018 by Samyuktha Kannan (a resident of Chennai City) to the Resident Welfare Association (RWA), which is a non-governmental organization (NGO) of Kasturba Nagar (1,2,3). The RWA uses the community hall of a public park of Kasturba Nagar to host meetings and community events, but the area was surrounded by open dry land and an unmanaged field (1,2). This open area surrounding the community hall was then assigned to develop a community garden of 1500 square feet (1,2,3). This project aimed to serve as a shared garden place to bring along residents of all age groups to enjoy gardening and simultaneously create opportunities to learn and share knowledge through social engagement and reconnect with nature (1,2). Although implemented and completed in 2019, the project still continues to contribute towards sustainability through further development and introduction of eco-friendly elements and activities, as well as the involvement of various stakeholders for support (3,4).
Ulaanbaatar Urban Forest
The "Urban Forest" project focused on the establishment of the Mongolian-Korean Friendship Forest on a 40-hectare land in Dambadarjaa, Sukhbaatar district of the capital city, Ulaanbaatar. Previously known as the Forest Research and Development Center Arboretum Park, this area has a river running through it. The project, with a total cost of over 8 million EUR, was designed specifically to reduce air pollution in the capital, to create a healthy eco-environment for Ulaanbaatar residents to spend their leisure time and to raise awareness of the importance of forests and the benefits of trees in Mongolia. In total, 55,000 trees and shrubs of 36 different species were planted so far and the park boasts five different types of coniferous trees that thrive in Mongolia, including larch, pine, abies, cedar, and spruce, as well as deciduous trees such as birch, aspen, willow, lilac, and maple. The Urban Forest park also includes several facilities, such as a visitor information center, a playground, sport facilities, a natural arboretum and a ground fountain. The park will be operational and accessible to the public in 2023. The project was implemented between 2017 and 2022, as the second phase of the Korea-Mongolia Greenbelt Reforestation Initiative jointly developed by the Mongolian Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) and the Korea Forest Service (KFS). The Green Belt initiative was created with the overall aims to mitigate desertification, combat climate change, and reduce yellow dust and sandstorms in Mongolia.
(Ref. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
(Ref. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
National Garden Park
The National Garden Park is the largest park in Ulaanbaatar and the only park of its kind in the capital city of Mongolia, offering multiple environmental services, recreational and commercial functions. Currently, the park extends to 183 hectares, covering 23% of the total green construction in the city, and stretches from the northeastern part of the Marshall Bridge to the Uliastai Bridge in the Bayanzurkh district. In the long term, the park is planned to be extended to have a total area of 973 and to have 1.200.000 trees planted within the “One Million to One Billion” afforestation program. The park offers a range of recreational facilities and services for citizens, including bicycle and pedestrian areas, specialized sports areas and children's playgrounds. It also houses trade and service organizations. As a result, the park has become a popular recreational area for the citizens of the capital and is the most visited urban park in Ulaanbaatar. During the summer, it attracts an estimated 12-15 thousand visitors a day, and during the winter, it sees 6-9 thousand visitors a day. The National Garden park was officially established in 2009 with the aim of protecting the Tuul River Basin's drinking water source, reducing air pollution, and increasing green space to create a healthy eco-environment and providing recreational opportunities for the public. In 2016, the National Garden Park was designated as a local property budgetary enterprise with defined primary functions, management structure, control, and rights under the administration of the Assembly of Citizens' Representatives. The park currently employs 113 staff members (as of 2021). (Ref. 1. and 4)
Rooftop Garden at SkyPark One
Sky Park One Islamabad is an innovative high-rise apartment building project, located in the heart of the prestigious Gulberg Greens in Islamabad (2). The building has been designed with a unique concept that features a rooftop level garden with ample plantation. It aims to enhance the quality of life for the residents and provide them with facilities for relaxation within the apartment building (3). The rooftop garden spans an area of 9 Kanals (about 650sq.m) and features 7 green courtyards in the building. The 152 residential apartments are all connected to the joint courtyards (2, 3). Rooftop garden are still very rare in Pakistan (5) and as such, the project provides an example for the green vertical housing in Pakistan with a focus on energy efficiency (1).
Chiangmai Urban Farm
The Chiangmai urban farm was developed on a former landfill site in the Chiangmai city centre area. The project was initiated by a local community architecture studio and supported by various groups of the local NGOs, civic groups and the local government. The project began in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, aiming to help vulnerable people in the communities nearby the site to increase food security, improve nutrition and build a self-sufficiency lifestyle. Moreover, the urban farm is designed to be a ‘public space’ that connects people from different backgrounds through agriculture. The Farm consists of various garden plots ideal for short-harvest and long-harvest species, a chicken coop, a plant nursery and a storage area. Knowledge sharing and capacity building are other goals of the project. Accordingly, training and workshops are organised in the bamboo pavilion of the garden. Since its establishment, the urban farm provides the local community with farming and learning opportunities and a space to socialize. The financial background of the project was provided through fundraising and the efforts of volunteers who developed this project into a self-sustaining farm without relying on donations. (Ref.1,2,4,9)
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).
A Green Workspace- Karupannya Factory
As an industrial development practice that involves a symbiotic connection between materials, energy, natural systems and local communities, the concept of green industry has become a point of focus for a factory in Rangapur, Karupannya Rangpur Ltd., designed by Architect Bayejid Mahbub Khondker and his team. The factory has become a pioneering example in the "green industry" initiatives in Bangladesh (2).
The factory has a green façade of climbing plants, as well as a green rooftop and integrated green elements, designed specifically to incorporate a once extinct industry, the Shataranji (weaving style). The intervention was designed to respond to human and enviornmental needs (2,7). From a human perspective, the intervention responds by improving work conditions for the workers by introducing green spaces that help with local temperatures and relaxation. From an environmental perspective, the project responds to challenges related to energy efficency (3,4).
The factory architecture incorporates cultural and indigenous knowledge with the utilization of natural light, wind, water, and flora while maximizing the use of natural elements and the idea of "Reuse and Recycle." The factory's roof features the Nandini Park, where employees can relax and eat lunch. The Nandini Park is surrounded by flowering plants and vegetation. (1, 2, 4, 6)
The factory has a green façade of climbing plants, as well as a green rooftop and integrated green elements, designed specifically to incorporate a once extinct industry, the Shataranji (weaving style). The intervention was designed to respond to human and enviornmental needs (2,7). From a human perspective, the intervention responds by improving work conditions for the workers by introducing green spaces that help with local temperatures and relaxation. From an environmental perspective, the project responds to challenges related to energy efficency (3,4).
The factory architecture incorporates cultural and indigenous knowledge with the utilization of natural light, wind, water, and flora while maximizing the use of natural elements and the idea of "Reuse and Recycle." The factory's roof features the Nandini Park, where employees can relax and eat lunch. The Nandini Park is surrounded by flowering plants and vegetation. (1, 2, 4, 6)
"Uuliin Nuur" Park
Uuliin Nuur (Mountain Lake or Green Lake) is a community park located in the ger district area known as Denjin Myanga of Ulaanbaatar city. The Ger district is a term commonly used in Mongolia to refer to a type of settlement located on the outskirts of the country's capital city and characterized by traditional Mongolian gers, or yurts. The area was once a quarry for the city’s construction during the socialist regime (from 1946 to the late 1960s) and was turned into a dumping ground after its closure. In 2009, a private citizen, Ulziitogtokh Sodnomsenge, gained approval to develop Uuliin Nuur. He cleaned up the area and used his savings to turn the former dumpsite into a green garden in the middle of ger areas to create a healthy, green, public space, especially for children living in the area. He opened an ice rink in the winter of 2012 and officially opened the Uuliin Nuur park in May 2014. From 2013 to 2019, approximately 1000 trees and shrubs were planted in this park during the spring and autumn. The trees were planted by the founder of the project by locals and foreign visitors as memorial trees. Over the years, the park was equipped with various community facilities to support social interaction and educational purposes. Uuliin Nuur is one of the few public places launched and developed by an individual. It showcases how abandoned places can be transformed into valuable places and how the local community's attitudes and awareness can change. (Ref. 1, 3, 4)
Jamburi Park in Chittagong
Jamburi Park (also spelled as Jamboree park) is an urban park located in the Agrabad area (downtown commercial and financial area) of Chittagong. The area of the park has been for a long time an abandoned land used by locals to grow vegetables, illegally erect constructed makeshift shops, or to engage in illegal activities. (1, 3)
In 2015, the Public Works Department (PWD), a unit under the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, a pioneer in the construction arena of Bangladesh, decided to take back the land and transform it into a park with the purpose of capitalizing open spaces as well as creating a functional green area (1). Since there aren't many open places in Chittagong, PWD wanted to give the residents a place to get some fresh air (1).
Standing at 8.55 acres, the park was designed with trees belonging to 65 species as well as a 50,000 square-foot pool-like water feature (a lake) in the middle, 8,000 meters of walkways, two public restrooms, and two maintenance and electrical blocks. The lake's shore is bordered by a pathway that is ideal for walking and fitness. The green elements are displayed on both shores of the lake and they consist of various fruit, forest, and flower trees as well as grass. (3, 5, 6)
In 2015, the Public Works Department (PWD), a unit under the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, a pioneer in the construction arena of Bangladesh, decided to take back the land and transform it into a park with the purpose of capitalizing open spaces as well as creating a functional green area (1). Since there aren't many open places in Chittagong, PWD wanted to give the residents a place to get some fresh air (1).
Standing at 8.55 acres, the park was designed with trees belonging to 65 species as well as a 50,000 square-foot pool-like water feature (a lake) in the middle, 8,000 meters of walkways, two public restrooms, and two maintenance and electrical blocks. The lake's shore is bordered by a pathway that is ideal for walking and fitness. The green elements are displayed on both shores of the lake and they consist of various fruit, forest, and flower trees as well as grass. (3, 5, 6)
Cultural and Recreation Center of Darkhan City
The Cultural and Recreation Center of Darkhan City is a government-led initiative that provides an environment for citizens to enjoy their leisure time. It is comprised of multiple facilities, including the "My Mongolia" Park, "Darkhan-50" Complex, Friendship Square, Morinkhuur Complex, Burhantai Tolgoi Complex, Duujin Bridge, and Suren Street, covering 43.0 hectares.
The "My Mongolia" Park, spanning 28.0 hectares, is the most significant section of the Center and boasts an 80% coverage of lush greenery. It features a recreation and leisure park centered around the twelve Western zodiac signs and two pedestrian paths that are 1.2 km long and 2.5 m wide. "My Mongolia" Park is a popular destination for Darkhan City residents seeking leisure and relaxation.
The "Darkhan-50" Complex covers 4.2 hectares of land and includes green spaces, fountains, and classical sculptures, while the "Morin Khuur" complex is adorned with a statue of a galloping horseman inspired by the legend of Khukhuu Namjil. Occupying an area of 3 hectares, the complex is surrounded by around 1200 trees and bushes. Additionally, the Burkhantai Tolgoi Complex is a memorial park established in 2003, featuring a Buddha statue. (Ref. 1, 2, 8)
The "My Mongolia" Park, spanning 28.0 hectares, is the most significant section of the Center and boasts an 80% coverage of lush greenery. It features a recreation and leisure park centered around the twelve Western zodiac signs and two pedestrian paths that are 1.2 km long and 2.5 m wide. "My Mongolia" Park is a popular destination for Darkhan City residents seeking leisure and relaxation.
The "Darkhan-50" Complex covers 4.2 hectares of land and includes green spaces, fountains, and classical sculptures, while the "Morin Khuur" complex is adorned with a statue of a galloping horseman inspired by the legend of Khukhuu Namjil. Occupying an area of 3 hectares, the complex is surrounded by around 1200 trees and bushes. Additionally, the Burkhantai Tolgoi Complex is a memorial park established in 2003, featuring a Buddha statue. (Ref. 1, 2, 8)

