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Participatory Greening of Arab Neighborhoods

EN AR 30 Nov 2025

The Arab Cities Urban Living Lab, established under AUDI’s Research Program, functions as a regional platform for applied research, innovation, and knowledge exchange on sustainable urban development in Arab cities.

The current lab called Participatory Greening of Arab Neighborhoods, is funded by the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, supporting its mission to advance scalable and community-centered urban solutions in the region. The initiative promotes community-based approaches to urban greening through participatory design and local implementation. The initiative produces a range of reports and outputs, including the Al-Kherba report, a compilation of 60 community-driven green projects, as well as a forthcoming benchmarking report on international experiences, with additional thematic studies under preparation.

As part of the lab’s production phase, three pilot implementations are planned in selected neighborhoods across Tunisia, Jordan, and Mauritania. These pilots will take place in:

• El-Kherba, Tunis (Tunisia)

• Tlaa’ El Ali, Amman (Jordan)

• [Neighborhood to be specified], Nouakchott (Mauritania)

Each site will serve as a testbed for participatory greening strategies over a four-year period starting March 2024. The implementations are structured around three working packages:

• WP1 – Neighborhood Green Lung: Large-scale greening for improved microclimate and public health

• WP2 – Tactical Green Interventions: Small-scale, replicable greening actions with immediate community impact

• WP3 – Training & Knowledge Dissemination: Capacity-building, documentation, and regional exchange

60 GREEN PROJECTS: Arab Cities’ Efforts Towards Sustainability and Resilience

Project Brief:

The “60 Projects” initiative, launched by the Arab Urban Development Institute (AUDI), presents a curated portfolio of urban interventions across Arab cities. These projects span diverse sectors; mobility, housing, public space, heritage, and governance, and aim to foster inclusive, resilient, and sustainable urban development.

STUDY OF PUBLIC SPACES: “Al-Kherba” – Tunis

Project Brief:

This project focuses on the revitalization of Al-Kherba, a historic quarter within the Medina of Tunis. It aims to restore urban vitality through community engagement, heritage preservation, and spatial reorganization. The initiative is part of broader efforts to reclaim neglected urban fabrics and reintegrate them into the city’s socio-economic life.

PARTICIPATORY GREENING: International Experiences

Project Brief:

This benchmarking report presents a comparative analysis of over 60 international case studies in urban greening. It draws from diverse geographic contexts; including Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, North America, and Australia, to identify lessons and success factors relevant to cities in the Arab region. The report translates global experiences into actionable strategies for municipalities seeking to advance inclusive, sustainable, and climate-resilient urban environments.