New greenhouses in Gothenburg Botanical Gardens
The Gothenburg Botanical Gardens are replacing and expanding their old greenhouses, which had serious flaws in terms of work environment, climate and accessibility [Ref. 1]. The new greenhouses will be divided into sections with a diverse set of climates and preserve over 4000 species, some of which are extinct in their natural environments [Ref. 1-2]. A new visitors centre is also being built and will have ameneties such as a café, a shop, toilets and places to sit, which will improve the Botanical Gardens' ability to invite the public and educate about biodiversity. The greenhouse project aims to strengthen the Gardens' national and international standing within research and education [Ref. 4]. A significant share of the visitors today are domestic and international tourists, and the new greenhouses aim to promote that further. The Botanical Gardens are owned by the regional government (Region Västra Götaland), which is funding these new project activities. The construction is ongoing and plans to finish in 2028, but the greenhouses will not be fully open to the public before the inauguration in 2030. The project has an investment budget of about 56 million EUR, and will, in total, occupy 6600 sqm [Ref. 1-3].
Lisbon Cold Greenhouse
The Estufa Fria de Lisboa (Cold Greenhouse of Lison), located on the south-facing slope of Park Eduardo VII in Lisbon and part of the city's green corridor (Corredor Verde de Monsanto) aims to integrate leisure, culture, and education opportunities to promote plant biodiversity conservation within a sustainability framework (Ref. 1). Cold Greenhouse refers to the fact that there is no heating system on the premises, and it also refers to one of the three gardens (Ref. 5). The greenhouses were created in an old quarry dedicated to rock extraction, and these lush gardens are now comprised of three distinct greenhouse environments: cold, warm, and sweet (Ref. 1). These greenhouses collectively house over 300 plant species from diverse continents, including rare species (Ref. 2).
The garden's design integrates natural water features, with watercourses and waterfalls and statuary elements. Since the opening of its Interpretation Center in 2016, the Estufa Fria has expanded its role as an educational resource, hosting exhibitions and activities related to botany and urban green structures. Since 2016 the project has been focused on its educative agenda with the development of a set of pedagogical resources for preschoolers, students from ages 6 to 12 years old and their teachers, and with guided visits. (Ref 1, 2)
The garden's design integrates natural water features, with watercourses and waterfalls and statuary elements. Since the opening of its Interpretation Center in 2016, the Estufa Fria has expanded its role as an educational resource, hosting exhibitions and activities related to botany and urban green structures. Since 2016 the project has been focused on its educative agenda with the development of a set of pedagogical resources for preschoolers, students from ages 6 to 12 years old and their teachers, and with guided visits. (Ref 1, 2)
PON Metro Cagliari - Green Areas
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.
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.
Tbilisi Urban Forest (Narikala Ridge Forest)
The Tbilisi Urban Forest is an ecological restoration project of 5,5 ha spanning two pilot areas initiated in 2020. Located on Mtatsminda ridge around Tbilisi, it is part of a larger reforestation effort within the 700-ha forest territory (Ref. 1,2). The project is funded by the Cartu Foundation and led by the Development and Environment Foundation along with Tbilisi City Hall. Restoration is undertaken to addresses significant challenges such as forest dieback caused by pest infestations, climate change adaptation as well as the creation of recreational infrastructure (Ref. 3,5). Through collaboration among interdisciplinary scientists and urban planners, a novel reforestation strategy has been developed that integrates patches of locally sourced plant communities tailored to diverse soil and slope conditions. This approach incorporates existing trees with new saplings, carefully grafted into existing soil pockets, and focuses on a biodiverse palette of endemic and climate-adapted species (Ref. 1,5). While the project implementation could not be carried out as planned, lacking public participartory due to Covid 19, still 100 jobs were created locally (Ref. 2). Ultimately, the Urban Forest project will enhance ecological connectivity, biodiversity and tourism and also serve the public as an improtant recreational site (Ref. 1,2).
The Lommas Programme
Lomas are endemic seasonal ecosystems found in Peru and Chile. They provide a variety of benefits such as soil stabilisation, air purification, recreational spaces, water retention, and are habitats for endemic and threatened species (Ref 7). They are of great ecosystem value to the city of Lima, as green areas have been reduced in the urban area, occupying up to 24% of urban green ecosystems. These ecosystems are threatened by unplanned urban growth, traffic, pollution and lack of government regulation. Given this context, Eab Lomas is a project that focuses on the conservation, management and rehabilitation of the ecosystems found in the Lomas of Lima (Ref 1, 2, 3, 4, 5). It focused on 4 lines of action: conservation of Lomas' ecosystems; implementation of territorial planning; economic diversification focused on the conservation and recovery of vegetation through low-impact recreational activities; and management of water resources (Ref 1, 2, 3, 4).
The Living Land Farm
In 2005, local farmers in the sub-urban area of Luang Prabang combined their lands and founded The Living Land Farm, a rice farming community that runs an organic farm and an educational centre. The farm comprises of rice fields, vegetable gardens, homestay, and a restaurant. The aim of the farm is to preserve traditional rice-growing techniques, practice organic farming while also adopting new ways of grain selection and planting, and share rice farming knowledge with others. The products from the farm have been used in the local restaurant and are distributed to hotels and other restaurants in Luang Prabang city. The farm also serves as a training site for students of the Northern College of Agriculture and it offers ‘Rice Experience’ package for anyone who would like to learn about rice growing and the local Laos culture. The homestay and restaurant are run by local people of the village nearby and they are open to the public. The farm supports various community projects, such as village improvement and teaching English for local children. (Ref. 1,2,3)
Angkor Botanical Garden
Angkor Botanical Garden is Cambodia's first botanical garden, located in the city of Siem Reap. It is a popular tourist attraction for visitors from around the world who visit the famous Angkor Wat Buddhist temple. The garden was developed by APSARA National Authority with multiple benefits, including preventing forest land encroachment, conservation of natural resources, development of tourism, conservation of the Angkor archaeological site, environmental education, and preservation of rare and endemic plants (Ref 1, 4). Moreover, the garden has been also well-received as a place for relaxation and recreation. (Ref 1 and 2)
The garden was initially a 2-hectare spice garden, which has been transformed into a 15-hectare garden with an automatic irrigation system linked to the Siem Reap River and landscaped with hills, ponds, canals, and waterfalls (Ref 1). The garden has more than 500 different species of plants and is developed to showcase the relationship between plants and animals (Ref 4). In the future, the garden is planned to be expanded into an area of 130 hectares. (Ref 2)
The garden was initially a 2-hectare spice garden, which has been transformed into a 15-hectare garden with an automatic irrigation system linked to the Siem Reap River and landscaped with hills, ponds, canals, and waterfalls (Ref 1). The garden has more than 500 different species of plants and is developed to showcase the relationship between plants and animals (Ref 4). In the future, the garden is planned to be expanded into an area of 130 hectares. (Ref 2)
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).
Kota Damansara Community Forest Reserve (KDCFR)
The Kota Damansara Community Forest Reserve is a forest located 10 km west of Kuala Lumpur in the state of Selangor and is the oldest managed forest reserve in Peninsular Malaysia. As the reserve was threatened over the years by plans for clearing and housing development, the community located in the township close to the forest sprang into action to salvage the forest. As early as 2003 an organization called Friends of Kota Damansara was formed to lead a diverse group of concerned individuals, organisations and communities to rally together to vocally defend the forest (2, 3). Efforts to protect and conserve the forest focused on a series of activities such as the development of a biodiversity management plan, awareness-raising activities, educational activities, building capacity activities, and the creation of an ethnobotanical garden to showcase Temuan (local indigenous people) knowledge of plants (1). These efforts were funded with the help of the UN's GEF's Small Grants Programme and led to the reserve being officially gazetted as of 18 February 2010 (Sel GN 398/2010) and being classified as amenity forest, education forest and research forest, making up 3% of land area in the state of Selangor (1, 2). Nowadays, the Kota Damansara Community Forest Reserve Trails is a popular weekend destination for mountain bikers, trail runners and casual hikers (3). Furthermore, the KDCFP has become much more accessible and utilizable by visitors from various categories of societies, besides researchers discovering and documenting a number of species of flora and fauna unique or endemic to the park (1).
Constructed wetland for Balili River
Balili River, situated in the province of Benguet, is among the many urban rivers in the Philippines that suffer from severe pollution due to various human activities. Indiscriminate dumping of waste in almost all of its 23 tributaries is a significant contributor to the pollution. Despite this, the river remains a critical source of irrigation for farmers in La Trinidad who primarily grow strawberry and salad crops in the valley. However, the use of contaminated water from the river poses a direct threat to the food safety of consumers of these crops. Moreover, during the summer, the black water of the Balili River is a constant eyesore in the community. To address these environmental concerns, a pilot study was conducted aimed at exploring treatment options for the polluted water in Balili River. The study focused on assessing the use of local plants to restore biodiversity, conserve wildlife habitats, and test the phytoremediation potential of local macrophytes. The pilot area was established within the Organic Farm of Benguet State University near the main stream of the Balili river. The study set up two types of constructed wetlands (CW), a surface flow CW for floating plants and a horizontal subsurface flow CW for emergent plants. The results of the pilot study suggest that constructed wetlands could be an effective solution for cleaning up the Balili River. The implementation of constructed wetlands in Balili River can not only improve the water quality but also benefit the local community and ecosystem. [1,2]
