Participatory Urban Greening in Arab Cities: A Methodological Guide for Inclusive Diagnosis, Co-Design & Community Stewardship of Public Spaces is a comprehensive, practical tool designed to support Arab cities in planning, designing, implementing, and managing greener, more inclusive, and climate-resilient public spaces. The guide responds to growing environmental, social, and climate challenges in urban areas by promoting participatory and ecosystem-based approaches that place local communities at the centre of decision-making and action.

The guide brings together practical tools, participatory methods, and field-tested approaches that have been developed and refined through real-life implementation in pilot cities. While these experiences provide a concrete foundation, the methodologies, strategies, and tools presented are intentionally designed to be adaptable and replicable across diverse urban, institutional, and socio-political contexts in Arab cities. At its core, the guide reflects a shared commitment to creating public spaces that not only address environmental challenges such as heat, biodiversity loss, and climate vulnerability, but also strengthen social equity, inclusion, a sense of belonging, and local stewardship for present and future generations.

The guide is developed within the framework of the NATURIncMed Project (Promoting the Naturalisation of Public Spaces with Social Inclusion and Ecosystem Services) and funded by AECID under the Regional Masar Al’an Program. This regional initiative seeks to strengthen cooperation and knowledge exchange among Mediterranean cities through social inclusion, community engagement, and ecosystem-based urban development approaches.

The guide provides a clear, step-by-step methodology accompanied by ready-to-use tools and practical guidance for municipalities, local expert teams, urban practitioners, and community facilitators. It supports local authorities in engaging communities throughout the full cycle of participatory urban greening, from initial pre-assessment and inclusive diagnosis to co-design, implementation, capacity building, monitoring, and adaptive management. In doing so, it moves beyond isolated or one-off participatory exercises and promotes structured, long-term processes embedded within local governance frameworks.

The guide is available in English and Arabic.

YEAR

November 2025