Rehabilitation of Rinia Park
Rinia Park has been a significant social and recreational area in the center of Tirana since the 1950s. Over the years, it has undergone several phases of development and restructuring, each linked to the socio-political regime of the time (Ref. 1). Its most recent rehabilitation was driven by the need to revitalize public spaces and improve the quality and accessibility of urban green areas. In 2019, extensive work on enhancing the park’s infrastructure and amenities began. By June 2020, installations were completed, including new and diverse playgrounds for children, improved lighting and drainage systems, expanded walking paths as well as designated chess and dog areas (Ref. 1,2,6). Both children and the elderly benefit from these new features, which promote social interaction and make the park more inclusive for different age groups (Ref. 2).
To protect the Independence Monument from vandalism, a surrounding water feature was added. An additional benefit of the the new lighting installation is the extended access of the park well into the evening (Ref. 1,6).
Given the park’s profound history, it stands as a symbol of urban renewal and continues to serve as a central gathering spot for people and cultural events (Ref. 7).
To protect the Independence Monument from vandalism, a surrounding water feature was added. An additional benefit of the the new lighting installation is the extended access of the park well into the evening (Ref. 1,6).
Given the park’s profound history, it stands as a symbol of urban renewal and continues to serve as a central gathering spot for people and cultural events (Ref. 7).
Recovery of Cienaga Juan Polo
The Recovery of Cienaga Juan Polo project is primarily aimed at reopening the natural mouth of the Manzanillos to restore water flow between the sea and the Juan Polo coastal wetland, which has been affected by human activities leading to high salinity and water stagnation issues (ref 2). The project is led by Fundacion Serena del Mar. Environmental and social sustainability are core components of the project design, which has included extensive community consultations since 2013. These consultations have resulted in agreements covering employment opportunities, education, and infrastructure development (ref 2). Key implementation activities include the reforestation of mangroves and targeted interventions to address ecological degradation, such as increased salinity, water stagnation, and biodiversity loss (ref 2). The project also seeks to enhance the quality of life for surrounding communities by restoring traditional economic activities, particularly fishing, and integrating sustainable urban planning elements such as canals, sluices, and navigable waterways. These features are designed to support the development of a "blue corridor" for aquatic mobility within Serena del Mar (ref 2, 3). In addition, it also contributes to local capacity building through environmental education programs that engage community members, researchers, and NGOs in biodiversity monitoring and sustainable practices (ref 1).
Green Corridor "Lazaro Cardenas" in New Belgrade
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).
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).
