Green areas in San Franciso neighborhood
The project aims to restore green spaces in the neighbourhoods of San Francisco and 7 de Agosto. Led by Aguas de Cartagena, in partnership with other organizations, the initiative focused on environmental recovery, social integration, and reducing inequality through the revitalization of community spaces. Activities included planting native species, maintaining community infrastructure, and promoting environmental education, contributing to climate change mitigation and fostering a healthier, more sustainable environment (ref 4). As part of a collaborative effort between Aguas de Cartagena and SACSA, a synthetic grass sports field named El Wio was constructed with an investment of around 60 million pesos. The project aimed to foster community integration and provide safe spaces for sports and recreation, and it also included improving drainage systems, installing solar-powered lighting, and creating green spaces around the field (ref 5). Additionally, the Biblioparque, a community library and park in San Francisco, was rehabilitated to restore the library infrastructure, including terraces, reading rooms, and green spaces. The initiative provides a vital cultural and educational space for the community, especially for children, youth, and the elderly, fostering a culture of reading and community engagement. It also addresses previous safety concerns after a fire incident and aims to promote arts and cultural activities( ref 3). In parallel, a long-term initiative, in collaboration with the local government, provided educational tools and resources to over 1,000 children and youth in San Francisco (ref 2).
Revitalizing the Huveaune river and its biodiversity
The project to revitalize the Huveaune River and its biodiversity is taking place in Aubagne, a city within the Marseille Metropolitan area. For a long time, the river received little attention, constrained by urbanization, and was even covered for several hundred meters. Urbanization and the construction of a road have made the floodplain more susceptible to flooding (Ref 2). The initiative aims not only to restore the Huveaune and its environment but also to strengthen the connection between residents and the river (Ref 1) while reducing flood risk as a critical objective (Ref 1).
The challenge is transforming the area into a higher-quality environmental space with resilient ecosystems. A diagnostic conducted during the project's design phase revealed the site's degraded state, including the presence of invasive species, steep banks unsuitable for riparian vegetation, poor waterway conservation, and disrupted ecological continuity (Ref 2).
Key actions include revitalizing the river and its biodiversity, removing artificial banks, and creating new meanders to give the river a more natural shape. Diversifying flow patterns will create habitats for aquatic and fish species by varying water heights and flow speeds. This involves increasing the river's sinuosity and varying the width of the minor riverbed (Ref 2). Additional steps include planting trees and shrubs adapted to the Mediterranean climate with low water needs (Ref 2). To bring residents closer to the river, plans include creating walking and cycling routes, sports equipment, educational panels, and useful visitor facilities such as benches, water points, and restrooms (Ref 3).
The challenge is transforming the area into a higher-quality environmental space with resilient ecosystems. A diagnostic conducted during the project's design phase revealed the site's degraded state, including the presence of invasive species, steep banks unsuitable for riparian vegetation, poor waterway conservation, and disrupted ecological continuity (Ref 2).
Key actions include revitalizing the river and its biodiversity, removing artificial banks, and creating new meanders to give the river a more natural shape. Diversifying flow patterns will create habitats for aquatic and fish species by varying water heights and flow speeds. This involves increasing the river's sinuosity and varying the width of the minor riverbed (Ref 2). Additional steps include planting trees and shrubs adapted to the Mediterranean climate with low water needs (Ref 2). To bring residents closer to the river, plans include creating walking and cycling routes, sports equipment, educational panels, and useful visitor facilities such as benches, water points, and restrooms (Ref 3).
Urban Oasis Playgrounds
The Urban Oasis Playgrounds project focuses on creating a guide for green regeneration of playgrounds located all over Iasi by using natural climate solutions, with the potential for wider application beyond the city(1 to 6). The project's primary goal is to tackle pollution in playgrounds and address the overall lack of green spaces for children (1). This initiative is led by the NGO Civica in collaboration with the Municipality of Iași and the Architects Association in Iași (OAR) (1). The project secured €50,000 in funding after winning a competition organized by Raiffeisen Comunități, with support from the NGO "Asociația pentru Relații Comunitare" (2 & 3).
In addition to pollution, the project seeks to address other critical issues, such as the heat island effect and the proximity of playgrounds to risk-prone areas (1). The guide will be developed based on public consultations with Iași residents and a comprehensive study to tackle these concerns (1 to 7).
Currently, the first phase of the project is underway, involving assessments of various factors in playgrounds, including existing vegetation, shading, surface quality, infrastructure conditions, and pollution risks (4). These aspects are also reflected in a questionnaire distributed to the public, which gathers opinions on factors like cleanliness, noise exposure, thermal comfort, safety, and preferred natural green solutions (6).
The initiative aims to raise awareness about climate change, actively engaging the community in the process (4). Once completed, the guide will be presented to the municipality with the goal of being adopted as a standard for future playground developments (1, 3, 4, 6). The first phase of the project will regenerate a playground by planting trees and native vegetation (3).
In addition to pollution, the project seeks to address other critical issues, such as the heat island effect and the proximity of playgrounds to risk-prone areas (1). The guide will be developed based on public consultations with Iași residents and a comprehensive study to tackle these concerns (1 to 7).
Currently, the first phase of the project is underway, involving assessments of various factors in playgrounds, including existing vegetation, shading, surface quality, infrastructure conditions, and pollution risks (4). These aspects are also reflected in a questionnaire distributed to the public, which gathers opinions on factors like cleanliness, noise exposure, thermal comfort, safety, and preferred natural green solutions (6).
The initiative aims to raise awareness about climate change, actively engaging the community in the process (4). Once completed, the guide will be presented to the municipality with the goal of being adopted as a standard for future playground developments (1, 3, 4, 6). The first phase of the project will regenerate a playground by planting trees and native vegetation (3).
Community gardens "Molihuertos"
In response to rising food prices and knowing that much of the country's agriculture depends on imported chemical fertilisers, the Municipality of La Molina has developed the Molihuertos programme to provide the residents of the district of La Molina with organic crops for their own consumption and to improve their food security (1, 3). As part of the programme, the municipality implemented municipal plots in different parks in the district. Eleven plots were installed in O'Higgins Park, where residents actively participate in the planting and subsequent harvesting of vegetables, aromatic and medicinal plants, which they consume by themselves (2, 3). Through the programme, the municipality trains and provides different varieties of vegetables and aromatic herbs to more than 800 currently enrolled residents (2). These gardens are managed under organic agriculture, which would help to mitigate a possible overpricing and/or shortage of vegetables in Lima, as they do not depend on chemical fertilisers such as urea, but on organic fertilisers such as compost and manure (3). In addition, residents can sign up to receive drawers with planted vegetables so that they can plant and harvest them at home, either for self-sufficiency or to sell if they wish to do so in the itinerant markets organised by the municipality (9).
Green sets a precedent
‘Grün macht Schule’ has been informing, advising, and supporting schools and school initiatives in Berlin since 1983 in the planning and realization of schoolyard projects. The program focuses on improving school playgrounds by creating child-friendly, natural habitats and ecological learning spaces, making schoolyards better equipped to address climate change. In 2012, the program expanded with the launch of the ‘Grün macht Schule - KinderGARTEN’ funding initiative, which extended support to kindergartens.
Over the past four decades, with the program’s assistance, Berlin has seen the transformation of large, unstructured schoolyards into smaller, creative playgrounds. These spaces now feature imaginative and artistic objects alongside facilities for play, exercise, and communication. Additionally, many school gardens and biotopes have been established or restored, turning school grounds into vibrant ecological and educational environments .
The projects are largely driven by schools’ self-initiatives, with ‘Grün macht Schule’ offering support throughout. This grassroots approach fosters pride and a sense of ownership among school communities, strengthening their identification with the results. The collaborative effort also enriches educational practices, promoting inclusion, integration, and democratic participation. Such initiatives offer a hands-on experience with sustainable climate protection projects, making these efforts tangible and impactful in everyday school life.
In addition to its project-based support, ‘Grün macht Schule’ provides training for school teams, organizes regional and national conferences, and hosts seminars and lectures to share best practices and inspire further action .
The program is a cooperative effort between the Senate Department for Education, Youth and Family and the association Freilandlabor Britz e.V., operating under the guidance of the Senate Department. (Ref. 1-4, 6)
Over the past four decades, with the program’s assistance, Berlin has seen the transformation of large, unstructured schoolyards into smaller, creative playgrounds. These spaces now feature imaginative and artistic objects alongside facilities for play, exercise, and communication. Additionally, many school gardens and biotopes have been established or restored, turning school grounds into vibrant ecological and educational environments .
The projects are largely driven by schools’ self-initiatives, with ‘Grün macht Schule’ offering support throughout. This grassroots approach fosters pride and a sense of ownership among school communities, strengthening their identification with the results. The collaborative effort also enriches educational practices, promoting inclusion, integration, and democratic participation. Such initiatives offer a hands-on experience with sustainable climate protection projects, making these efforts tangible and impactful in everyday school life.
In addition to its project-based support, ‘Grün macht Schule’ provides training for school teams, organizes regional and national conferences, and hosts seminars and lectures to share best practices and inspire further action .
The program is a cooperative effort between the Senate Department for Education, Youth and Family and the association Freilandlabor Britz e.V., operating under the guidance of the Senate Department. (Ref. 1-4, 6)
The Great Aygalades Park
The Grand Parc des Aygalades project involves the creation of a 14-hectare metropolitan park (connecting Aygalades Park with Bougainville Park and François Billoux Park) that will connect the northern neighbourhoods of Marseille to the port located further south (Ref 1). This project is part of the green conversion of Marseille's northern districts, historically among the most disadvantaged areas in France (Ref 1). The Grand Parc des Aygalades project will enhance the city's greenery, reduce flood risks, create cool zones, restore and develop biodiversity, and significantly improve residents' quality of life and air quality (Ref 1, Ref 2). The environmental and social challenges include reconnecting the populations of these neighborhoods to green spaces, services, education, sports opportunities (Ref 2).
The park project includes redesigning urban infrastructure to improve rainwater absorption and reduce flood risks, addressing the issue of impermeable and artificialized soils that exacerbate flooding during heavy rainfall (Ref 1). It also involves renaturing a 17-kilometre-long stream currently buried under railway tracks, improving flood management and rainwater drainage (Ref 1, Ref 4). The project will also convert a heavily degraded former industrial site, requiring the rehabilitation of polluted soils (Ref 1). Additionally, creating green corridors aims to mitigate the heat island effect, particularly severe in these northern districts due to the high concentration of buildings and concrete surfaces, and the lack of green spaces. Public participation will be encouraged through information meetings, thematic workshops, and an online platform for submitting ideas and feedback (Ref 4).
The park project includes redesigning urban infrastructure to improve rainwater absorption and reduce flood risks, addressing the issue of impermeable and artificialized soils that exacerbate flooding during heavy rainfall (Ref 1). It also involves renaturing a 17-kilometre-long stream currently buried under railway tracks, improving flood management and rainwater drainage (Ref 1, Ref 4). The project will also convert a heavily degraded former industrial site, requiring the rehabilitation of polluted soils (Ref 1). Additionally, creating green corridors aims to mitigate the heat island effect, particularly severe in these northern districts due to the high concentration of buildings and concrete surfaces, and the lack of green spaces. Public participation will be encouraged through information meetings, thematic workshops, and an online platform for submitting ideas and feedback (Ref 4).
Oxygen Alley - Arboretum Detroit
The Oxygen Alley project, developed by the NGO Arboretum Detroit, is a green space located in the Poletown East neighborhood of Detroit. Spanning four formerly abandoned lots, the project, completed in 2023, serves as a significant environmental and community initiative aimed at improving local resilience and promoting environmental justice. Named in recognition of the closure of the Detroit waste incinerator—a major source of pollution for over 30 years—the project replaces a long-abused landscape with a thriving greenway that enhances both the ecological health and social well-being of the area.
Key features of Oxygen Alley include the planting of air-filtering trees and the creation of a shaded greenway lined with wildflowers, benches, and walking paths. This new green space not only provides a recreational area for residents but also functions as a natural air conditioner, stormwater sponge, and wildlife habitat. It addresses the neighborhood’s lack of tree cover, offering shade and cleaner air while helping mitigate the effects of climate change.
The project also underscores the neighborhood's longstanding struggle for environmental justice. The removal of 400 feet of asphalt and the remediation of a polluted landscape highlight the community’s efforts to reclaim and revitalize their environment. Oxygen Alley serves as both a functional green space and a monument to the residents’ victories over the waste industry, symbolizing their continued fight for clean air and livable spaces.
Supported by grants from the City of Detroit, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and DTE Energy Foundation, among others, the project was brought to life through over 300 hours of volunteer labor. The creation of this greenway not only improves the neighborhood’s walkability but also offers a vision for a more sustainable and equitable future, serving as a model for urban revitalization projects across Detroit and beyond.
(Ref.1,2,3)
Key features of Oxygen Alley include the planting of air-filtering trees and the creation of a shaded greenway lined with wildflowers, benches, and walking paths. This new green space not only provides a recreational area for residents but also functions as a natural air conditioner, stormwater sponge, and wildlife habitat. It addresses the neighborhood’s lack of tree cover, offering shade and cleaner air while helping mitigate the effects of climate change.
The project also underscores the neighborhood's longstanding struggle for environmental justice. The removal of 400 feet of asphalt and the remediation of a polluted landscape highlight the community’s efforts to reclaim and revitalize their environment. Oxygen Alley serves as both a functional green space and a monument to the residents’ victories over the waste industry, symbolizing their continued fight for clean air and livable spaces.
Supported by grants from the City of Detroit, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and DTE Energy Foundation, among others, the project was brought to life through over 300 hours of volunteer labor. The creation of this greenway not only improves the neighborhood’s walkability but also offers a vision for a more sustainable and equitable future, serving as a model for urban revitalization projects across Detroit and beyond.
(Ref.1,2,3)
Fog Water Farm Park and Gardens
Eliseo Collazos is located in the coastal desert ecosystem of the Lomas or ‘fog oasis’, an area that receives less than 10 mm of rainfall per year. Vegetation cover is of particular importance in the hills surrounding Lima, as it provides critical solutions to erosion, landslides and soil degradation in the ecologically degraded ecosystem of the Lomas. However, this ecosystem is facing risks from urbanisation, illegal mining and agricultural practices, resulting in the lack of the delicate mist-fed greenery for which the Lomas are known (2). This has led to increased particulate matter in the air due to exposure to sand and wind, aggravating respiratory diseases such as tuberculosis, which is prevalent in Lima's informal communities (2).
Low-income communities have inhabited this area, forced to migrate from the rainforest, highlands and city to the desert slums (4), who have only been able to settle in these landscapes with little access to resources, prone to disaster risk, little public investment in infrastructure and little access to green spaces (2). As a result, these communities live in poor conditions (1). For this reason, in 2013, the University of Washington, under its Urban Informal Communities Initiative programme (1), initiated a participatory project that sought to address the challenges faced by the inhabitants of this area (1, 2). In a series of participatory workshops, residents identified greenspace and food security as top priorities in their community; the Gardens, Greenspace and Health project responds to these priorities as an initial step towards the expansion of greenspace, agriculture and ecological restoration in and around the Eliseo Collazos community (2, 4).
Although individual families constructed them, the front yard gardens contribute to a shared public realm and community greening (4). The general project also involved the installation of fog catchers and the creation of common recreational spaces (4).
Low-income communities have inhabited this area, forced to migrate from the rainforest, highlands and city to the desert slums (4), who have only been able to settle in these landscapes with little access to resources, prone to disaster risk, little public investment in infrastructure and little access to green spaces (2). As a result, these communities live in poor conditions (1). For this reason, in 2013, the University of Washington, under its Urban Informal Communities Initiative programme (1), initiated a participatory project that sought to address the challenges faced by the inhabitants of this area (1, 2). In a series of participatory workshops, residents identified greenspace and food security as top priorities in their community; the Gardens, Greenspace and Health project responds to these priorities as an initial step towards the expansion of greenspace, agriculture and ecological restoration in and around the Eliseo Collazos community (2, 4).
Although individual families constructed them, the front yard gardens contribute to a shared public realm and community greening (4). The general project also involved the installation of fog catchers and the creation of common recreational spaces (4).
North Bull Island
North Bull Island is a national nature reserve located in Dublin Bay on the north side of Dublin. Supporting both local and migratory wildlife, the area holds several nature conservation designations. It is designated as a special amenity area for its aesthetic and recreational value and forms an integral part of the Dublin Bay Biosphere. The Island, with its 5 km beach located within the capital city and close to the city center, serves as a unique and important public amenity. (1)
The Island is estimated to attract up to 1.4 million visitors annually, including walkers, swimmers, beachgoers, birdwatchers, nature enthusiasts, kite-surfers, and various other interest groups from the local area. Additionally, it is a popular destination for schools, universities, and visitors from Ireland and abroad who come to experience accessible examples of ecological succession across nationally and internationally significant habitats, and to learn about the intricate stories that make North Bull Island Nature Reserve central to a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and part of a global network of Biosphere Reserves. (1)
The Island and Nature Reserve are managed by the Parks, Biodiversity, and Landscape Services of Dublin City Council in collaboration with the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Dublin City Council has prepared an Action Plan for North Bull Island for 2020-2025 to implement the objectives of the North Bull Island Management Plan 2020. The North Bull Island Oversight Forum, which represents a range of stakeholders, monitors the action plan’s implementation (2). The goal is to conserve the island's environmental qualities and scientific significance while balancing its recreational and amenity value for the benefit of the local community and visitors (8).
The Island is estimated to attract up to 1.4 million visitors annually, including walkers, swimmers, beachgoers, birdwatchers, nature enthusiasts, kite-surfers, and various other interest groups from the local area. Additionally, it is a popular destination for schools, universities, and visitors from Ireland and abroad who come to experience accessible examples of ecological succession across nationally and internationally significant habitats, and to learn about the intricate stories that make North Bull Island Nature Reserve central to a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and part of a global network of Biosphere Reserves. (1)
The Island and Nature Reserve are managed by the Parks, Biodiversity, and Landscape Services of Dublin City Council in collaboration with the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Dublin City Council has prepared an Action Plan for North Bull Island for 2020-2025 to implement the objectives of the North Bull Island Management Plan 2020. The North Bull Island Oversight Forum, which represents a range of stakeholders, monitors the action plan’s implementation (2). The goal is to conserve the island's environmental qualities and scientific significance while balancing its recreational and amenity value for the benefit of the local community and visitors (8).
Lake Dianchi Freshwater Biodiversity Restoration Project
Situated in the southern suburbs of Kunming City, Dianchi is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Yunnan and the sixth largest in China (Refs 1, 2). However, due to rapid industrial development, agricultural activities around the lake, land reclamation, and population growth, Dianchi Lake became severely polluted, ranking among the most contaminated lakes in China. This pollution threatened biodiversity and degraded natural habitats (Refs 1, 2, 3). The introduction of exotic species further disrupted the lake’s ecological balance (Ref 1).
In response, the Kunming Institute of Zoology (KIZ), with funding from the Chinese Government, World Bank and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) launched the Lake Dianchi Freshwater Biodiversity Restoration Project. This initiative aimed to restore natural habitats, improve water quality through biological means, and foster community engagement and institutional capacity, creating a sustainable framework for the long-term conservation of Dianchi's unique freshwater biodiversity (Refs 1, 4).
The project was implemented across four key components: Wetland Management and Restoration, Surveys and Monitoring of Species Conservation, Capacity Building and Training, and Public Awareness (ibid.). The project was rated 'Satisfactory' in terms of outcomes, sustainability, and execution under a comprehensive evaluation framework that employed multiple indicators (Refs 4, 5).
In response, the Kunming Institute of Zoology (KIZ), with funding from the Chinese Government, World Bank and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) launched the Lake Dianchi Freshwater Biodiversity Restoration Project. This initiative aimed to restore natural habitats, improve water quality through biological means, and foster community engagement and institutional capacity, creating a sustainable framework for the long-term conservation of Dianchi's unique freshwater biodiversity (Refs 1, 4).
The project was implemented across four key components: Wetland Management and Restoration, Surveys and Monitoring of Species Conservation, Capacity Building and Training, and Public Awareness (ibid.). The project was rated 'Satisfactory' in terms of outcomes, sustainability, and execution under a comprehensive evaluation framework that employed multiple indicators (Refs 4, 5).
