Grass

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and its partners collaborated in 2018 to develop an ecosystem restoration project in the Rohingya Camps of Ukhiya, near Cox's Bazar. The main objective of this project was to mitigate the increased risk of landslides, slope instability, and flooding caused by flash floods and the vicinity of the Bakkhali River. The intervention included the planting of quickly growing native trees, shrubs, and grass species. Additionally, the project encompassed other measures such as vegetable cultivation on stream beds, biological soil stabilization methods, and plant-based wastewater treatments. To ensure the sustainability of the project, a network of future practitioners from the Bangladeshi and Rohingya communities was created. Moreover, environmental education and awareness activities were undertaken to complement the efforts of the project, with a particular focus on engaging young people from both the host and refugee communities to maximize its impact. The area where the project was implemented has been significantly affected by land and forest degradation over the last few decades, which has been exacerbated since the arrival of Rohingya refugees in 2017. Therefore, the project also involved other stakeholders such as the International Center for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Danish Refugee Council, the World Food Programme, the International Organization for Migration, and the Bangladesh government, each contributing in various capacities to achieve the project's objectives. (1,2,3,4)

In 2005, a constructed wetland was established in Barangay Villareal, Bayawan City in order to improve a peri-urban settlement and promote domestic wastewater treatment with reed beds. The wetland covers an area of 2680 square metres and comprises two reed beds, with the first bed utilizing perforated pipes beneath a sand and gravel substrate for vertical flow filtering, and the second bed utilizing horizontal flow for biological filtering. The roots of the Phragmites karka reeds, which are used in the system, act as a natural filter, removing microorganisms and pollutants. The treated effluent is reused for various purposes, such as watering plants, firefighting, and irrigating ornamental plants and agricultural crops. The overarching objective of the initiative is to safeguard coastal waters from pollution caused by domestic wastewater and enhance residents' quality of life by providing safe sanitation and wastewater treatment facilities. Furthermore, the initiative seeks to showcase the effectiveness of constructed wetlands, encourage the use of locally available reeds for wastewater treatment, and conserve water and nutrients by reusing treated wastewater. [1,2].

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)

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)

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).

The 'Wat Hua Lamphong Rukkhaniwet' Park was developed by the we!park group, which is part of the ‘Green Bangkok 2030’ project network, aiming to increase the amount of green space in Bangkok. It is a small pocket park in the busy business district of Bangkok, Thailand. The land was abandoned for many years before being donated to the city for public use. We!park applied participatory space development methodology to optimise and tailor the area to its soon-to-be users' needs. As part of this approach, the local community and all the potential users of the park were involved in the form of various surveys, interviews and workshops. Bringing in multiple ideas was a cornerstone of the project planning process - all to create an inclusive garden with elements from everyone in the neighbourhood community - a concept called 'garden next door'. The park has three main parts to accommodate different activities enabling relaxation, and physical activities, and providing space for educational and cultural events. (Ref. 1,2,3,4)

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 (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)

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)

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Lumpini Park in 2025, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration initiated the extensive renovation of the park. Lumpini Park was the first public park in Thailand. It was first opened in 1925 and had been renovated once 50 years ago. The new Lumpini Park aims to enhance the history of the park, to provide space for people holding different cultural backgrounds and to create space for modern recreational activities, designed for everyone within the framework of 'climate action park' - a green area that has the ability to restore itself, promotes urban farming while also contributes to climate change adaptation through water management, air quality improvement and more. The project will promote high engagement with local people about their vision and concern for the park which will be integrated into the new design plan. The project is divided into three phases. The first phase involves renovating main infrastructures such as roads and water management systems. The second phase involves the construction of green and learning areas such as the resilient park, forest park, urban farming, learning centre and other recreational spaces. The third phase involves the development of underused areas. (Ref. 1,2,4,5,6)