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To reduce the risk of urban flooding, the city of Seville, through its metropolitan water company Emasesa, established several "sustainable urban drainage systems". One of the pilot locations is on the Avenida de las Ascociaciones de Vecinos, where a rain garden complemented by an infiltration zone was established. The main aim of the project is to reduce the risk of flooding, but the system can also improve the urban landscape by offering green space, preventing desertification and reducing pollutants carried by runoff [Ref. 1-4]. After implementation, the project was shown to be effective during heavy rain [Ref. 5]. The system can store up to 34 m2 of water and reduce flow rates to the sewage network by 69 % and the total runoff to sewage by 93 % [Ref. 3-5]. The project was initiated and led by Emamesa, while two different companies were employed to design and construct the system [Ref. 1, 2, 6, 7]. The total budget of the project, which also included some renovations of grey infrastructure along the street, was 165000 EUR [Ref. 1].

The Gnomes Project was launched to breathe new life into the abandoned Dublin City University (DCU) Community Garden, transforming it into a thriving urban micro-farm. Led by three friends—Martin, Jason, and Shane, collectively known as "The Gnomes"—the initiative grows pesticide-free, organic produce for the local community while championing regenerative farming practices.
The Gnomes employ bio-intensive agriculture, a sustainable approach designed to maximize yield from small spaces while maintaining biodiversity and enriching soil health. This method supports long-term productivity by promoting crop diversity, improving soil quality, and reducing dependence on external inputs through a closed-loop system.
The project’s journey began in 2015 when Jason and Martin enrolled in DCU's horticulture program and saw potential in the overgrown community garden. Shane joined as a volunteer in 2016, and by 2017, the trio had formalized their efforts to revitalize the garden. In 2019, they registered their business and began growing over 30 types of crops, eventually selling their produce through local farmers’ markets and small businesses.
Working tirelessly to restore the garden, The Gnomes cleared debris and removed invasive weeds using organic methods, transforming the area into a productive micro-farm. After negotiating with the university, they secured a lease for a 10,900 sq.-ft. plot (approximately 1/4 acre), with access to water. This space became the foundation for their bio-intensive, small-scale farming model, enabling them to grow quick-yield, high-value crops that thrive in limited spaces.
Some of their 20+ crops include a variety of leafy greens, herbs, tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchinis, green beans, onions, carrots, beetroots, baby turnips, apples, and recently added microgreens.
The Gnomes Project demonstrates the potential of urban farming, combining sustainable agriculture with community engagement. (2-5, 7-10)

The Tagus Estuary Linear Riverside Park is a significant environmental and recreational project in Vila Franca de Xira. As part of a broader urban regeneration initiative, the park aimed to enhance the natural and cultural landscape by promoting ecological regeneration while providing public access to the Tagus River (Ref 1). Created in 2013, the park has won several international awards and since then, the park has undergone several extensions. In 2017, another 700-meter walkway was added towards Santa Iria, and the inhabitants of this urban area of Vila Franca de Xira widely use it (Ref. 6). The park covers over 14 hectares and includes pedestrian and cycling paths, environmental education facilities such as the Bird Observatory, and the Environmental and Landscape Interpretation Centre (Ref 2).
Recently announced in 2023, the park's newest expansion is set to extend the riverside trails further, creating a continuous route from Lisbon to Alhandra (Ref 5). With future phases planned, the project is expected to significantly increase public interaction with the riverfront and its biodiversity (Ref 5). In this new project phase, the Vila Franca de Xira Municipal Council begins the requalification and environmental and landscape conservation of another section of the riverfront of the Municipality of Vila Franca de Xira, between Alverca and Sobralinho, covering an extension of approximately 4.9 km and an area of ​​approximately 14.1 hectares (Ref. 7). The extension of the park will be developed similarly to its existing infrastructure. New paths for pedestrians and cyclists will be created using elevated wooden structures (walkways). In total, two new cycle-pedestrian trails will be created – Trilho das Comportas (3.32 kilometres long) and the Trilho dos Salgados (594 metres long) –, and the Trilho do Tejo will be extended by a further 990 metres (Ref. 5).

Miskolctapolca is a district of Miskolc and features a nature park (which includes a lake, Csonakazo-to) originally planted in the 1920s using the exotic trees and bushes. In 2022 the municipality decided to renovate the area under a EU funded project called "Creating a Green City in Miskolc-Tapolca". The project aimed to establish a modern urban green space focused on active recreation for various age groups, enhancing Miskolc's appeal for tourism.
The renovation included new concrete paving system and updated utilities for the lakes' promenades with a strong emphasis on accessibility ensured smooth mobility throughout the area. The renovation added informative signs detailing local attractions, historical trees, and the park's history. To enhance visitor comfort, a new accessible restroom was constructed. Renovations to the Csonakazo-to lake included removing accumulated silt and reinforcing the shoreline, alongside the addition of new street furniture, lighting, and wooden sunbathing terraces and platforms. The two bridges around the lake were renewed, and the squirrel installation, a favorite among locals, were restored. Furthermore, a square in the park, Kilátó Square was transformed with benches and drinking fountains, creating a welcoming space for relaxation.
Additionally, extensive landscaping was carried out, including the planting of approximately 100 trees, 9,000 shrubs, 18,000 perennial plants, 2,300 annuals, 350 roses, and 6,600 bulbs.
The surrounding park, which had been in disrepair for decades, was thoroughly revitalized, blending traditional and modern aesthetics. This long-overdue renovation significantly enhanced the environment. The construction was carried out by FEDRID Építőipari Kft., starting in spring 2022, and was completed in May 2023 after some delays.
(Ref.1,2,3)

The "Active Recreational Green Area Development at Horváth-tető" in Miskolc is a project aimed at revitalizing a central yet underutilized urban space, commissioned by the Municipality of Miskolc in 2017. A distinctive feature of Miskolc is the Avas hill, located in the city center, which beautifully blends nature with urban elements. Despite its potential, the area had been neglected, particularly following the decline of vineyard culture and the reduced use of old wine cellars. To address this, a comprehensive development plan was initiated to rejuvenate the Avas region, with Horváth-tető at its core.
The project aimed to transform the area into an outdoor recreational hub for all age groups. The hill's historic terraces, once popular promenades, were repurposed into distinct, multifunctional spaces. Sports enthusiasts can enjoy facilities such as street workout stations, an outdoor gym, a skate park, a climbing wall, and parkour elements. For those looking to relax, picnic areas, sunbathing spots, and a retro-style terrace are available. The entire development prioritizes accessibility, providing inclusive options for visitors with mobility challenges.
The park also features significant landscaping, including the planting of trees, shrubs, perennials, ornamental grasses, and ferns, enhancing its overall appeal. Infrastructure improvements were made, including the restoration of stairs, paths, retaining walls, and the rainwater drainage system. A special shallow basin was designed to collect rainwater and support plant roots while also serving as a playful area for dogs within the dog park.
Since its opening in 2022, the park has become a popular destination, offering a tranquil escape in a beautiful setting. It provides a wide range of recreational opportunities for people of all ages, making it a valuable addition to Miskolc’s urban landscape and connecting the historical Avas hill with modern city life.(Ref.1,2)

Two stages of a project called "Flowering roadsides" have been created along a bike road stretch measuring 6,5 km between the areas of Gunnilse and Bergum in the eastern part of the City of Gothenburg. The projects came to be through citizens' initiatives and are carried out in cooperation between the City of Gothenburg and two local NGOs: The Bergum-Gunnilse Development Association and the Gothenburg branch of the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (Gunnilse-Bergum utveckling & Göteborgs naturskyddsförening). The first stage of the project was carried out in 2021 and focused on taking inventory of species and ecosystems along the stretch and suggesting management options to promote biodiversity. The second stage is carried out from 2022 to 2024 and focuses on implementing and evaluating alternative management options to today's conventional management. Mowing and scraping are carried out to disturb weeds and benefit meadow flowers. Sand has been placed to create a habitat for wild bees. Signs were put up along the stretch to inform the public of the initiative, and benches will be renovated to create opportunities for recreation. The project receives funding from the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency through their local nature conservation investment, LONA. The project falls under the umbrella project of "the world's longest meadow", organised nationally by the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation [Ref. 1, 3, 4]. The goal of that project is to transform 1000 km of Swedish roadsides into flowering meadows with high biodiversity richness [Ref. 2].

The Görömböly European Bee-eater Habitat Protection Project, launched in 2002 in Miskolc-Görömböly, Hungary, is a key conservation initiative dedicated to protecting 26.5 hectares of critical habitat for the highly protected European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster) and the Sand Martin, along with the diverse ecosystems thriving in this area.
The site comprises three unique zones: an abandoned sand quarry, a young acacia woodland, and a quarry lake surrounded by marshlands. The sand quarry’s vertical walls provide nesting sites for 15-40 European Bee-eaters and Sand Martins each year, supporting Red-listed species vital to Hungary’s biodiversity. The acacia woodland serves as a feeding ground, while the quarry lake nurtures a rich aquatic ecosystem, hosting protected species like the European Bitterling fish, amphibians such as Green Toads, and a variety of waterfowl, including Mallards, Little Grebes, and occasionally Kingfishers.
This project not only safeguards these vulnerable species but also fosters community engagement, offering residents the chance to learn about local wildlife and ecosystems. Additionally, the initiative promotes scientific study of the area’s ecological development, contributing valuable insights into species behavior and habitat evolution. With an emphasis on nature education and recreation, the project raises public awareness of environmental conservation.
The Municipality of Miskolc plays a crucial role, having designated the area as a protected site and managing its regulatory enforcement and maintenance.
(Ref.1,2,3)

A small biodiversity park was established in Härlanda Park, an old prison complex which today houses a culture centre, a pre-school and office space. The area was previously used as a small lily garden, but this project implements more biodiversity-promoting features such as a bee hive, varied flowers and trees, different types of soil and insect hotels. The municipal real estate company Higab owns the park and partnered with Stadskupan, which works with urban beekeeping, biodiversity, and rewilding, to design and create the park. They also involved Vägen ut! (translates to "the way out"), a social enterprise that employs people who are far from the labour market due to substance abuse issues to help maintain the park in a socially inclusive way. The park has pedagogic features and events for local businesses and organisations as well as the public. The beehive was established in 2022, while the entire biodiversity park was established in 2023. The project will go on for three years and be evaluated yearly. [Ref. 1, 2, 3].

Coastal erosion is a well-known consequence of climate change, driven by rising sea levels, extreme storms, and powerful coastal surges. Dollymount Strand, a popular spot for bathing and water sports in Dublin, is particularly vulnerable. Located on North Bull Island and managed by Dublin City Council, the area is part of several protected zones, including a Special Area of Amenity, a Special Area of Conservation, a Special Protection Area, a Ramsar Wetland, a Natura 2000 site, and the UNESCO Dublin Bay Biosphere. To help mitigate this issue, Dublin City Council has implemented a solution that works with, rather than against, natural processes.
During late summer and autumn—particularly following high tides, warm weather, and storms—a type of seaweed called Ectocarpus siliculosis naturally accumulates along Dublin Bay’s beaches. Instead of removing it, the council allows the seaweed to remain, recognizing its essential role in maintaining the beach’s rich biodiversity. Ectocarpus contributes to the health of the coastal ecosystem, supporting marine life and enhancing the natural resilience of Dublin Bay. (1.2)

The Surco district of Lima has implemented a vertical bio-garden occupying a 685 square meter area within El Aire Park. The garden comprises a 600-meter linear structure supporting 11,000 planters fabricated from recycled plastic bottles. This system yields a substantial crop production of between 400 and 1,500 varieties on a 20-day cycle (1).
Initiated by the Municipality of Santiago de Surco, the bio-garden is designed to contribute to the district's economic, nutritional, and environmental sustainability (1, 2, 3, 5). By cultivating high-protein, nutrient-rich crops, the municipality provides essential sustenance to 24 local community kitchens (1), a local market (3), parishes, and social aid organizations (1).
To optimize crop yield, the municipality has implemented specialized techniques, including seedling cultivation, harvesting, and organic fertilization, to prevent pest and disease infestations (1). Since its implementation in 2020 with an initial 7,000 planters, the project has expanded by 300% to accommodate 11,000 (1). Cultivated plant varieties include medicinal herbs, leafy greens, root vegetables, and infusion ingredients (2, 5).
Additionally, the initiative serves as an educational platform, demonstrating and spreading sustainable home gardening practices utilising recycled materials such as plastic bottles (3, 5).