AUDI Launches Green Activities in Arab Cities Project – Participatory Neighborhood Greening in Nouakchott

The Arab Urban Development Institute (AUDI), in collaboration with the Nouakchott Region, the University of Nouakchott, and the Mauritanian Order of Architects (MOA), launched the Participatory Neighborhood Greening project in Nouakchott, Mauritania, from 20–23 July 2026. The initiative is implemented under the Green Activities in Arab Cities Project with funding from the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (the Arab Fund).

The project is part of a regional initiative led by AUDI in Nouakchott, Amman, and Tunis to promote green activities and participatory greening across Arab cities. It aims to enhance the urban environment by involving local communities in the planning, development, and management of public spaces. 

During the opening workshop, H.E. Ms. Fatima bint Abdelmalek, President of the Nouakchott, of the Nouakchott Region, described the initiative as a successful model of partnership for addressing urban and environmental challenges. She emphasized that the project supports the reintegration of nature into the city through the development of selected public spaces while fostering local community participation in their planning and long-term management.

The project will establish new “green lungs” by converting underutilized areas into public gardens and parks, implementing greening interventions and measures based on the Miyawaki method, delivering specialized theoretical and practical training, and documenting leading experiences and best practices in urban greening.

The launch workshop included remarks by partner organizations, followed by a presentation introducing the project, its objectives, methodology, and implementation phases. Participants also reviewed the multi-day training program, which combines academic sessions, practical workshops, and field visits. The program will conclude with the preparation of a preliminary action plan for implementing the project in the Sebkha district, facilitating knowledge transfer to local personnel and supporting the long-term sustainability of the project's outcomes.

The workshop builds on the cooperation agreement signed between AUDI and the Nouakchott Region on the sidelines of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, Azerbaijan. The agreement supports the adoption of sustainable urban solutions, strengthens regional cooperation in urban development, and advances participatory greening initiatives that improve the quality of life in Arab cities.