SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities

To cultivate resilient communities, which enable the land and all living beings to thrive.

Times Square, one of the busiest tourist destinations in the world, faces significant waste management challenges due to its high foot traffic, fast food consumption, and entertainment industry. Overflowing trash bins, excessive single-use plastics, and improper recycling are common issues. The area's bright lights and bustling streets attract millions of visitors daily, contributing to a constant cycle of waste buildup. Despite the presence of trash cans and recycling bins, improper disposal and littering remain a major concern. Addressing these challenges requires improved recycling infrastructure, increased public awareness, and stricter enforcement of waste regulations to keep Times Square clean and sustainable.

Grand Central Terminal, a historic transportation hub and architectural marvel, faces unique waste management challenges due to its 750,000 daily commuters and visitors. The constant flow of travelers, numerous food vendors, and retail establishments creates significant waste streams that often overwhelm existing disposal systems. While the terminal maintains a relatively clean appearance thanks to dedicated maintenance staff, behind-the-scenes waste sorting and recycling efforts struggle to keep pace with volume. Our mapping reveals hotspots near food courts and main concourses where improved bin placement, clearer signage, and strategic waste collection points could dramatically improve recycling rates and reduce contamination. Grand Central represents a perfect opportunity to demonstrate how efficient waste management systems can function effectively even in high-traffic urban environments.

To catalyze and mobilize research, partnerships, and knowledge that generate climate action. The Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions aims to catalyze and mobilize research, partnerships, and knowledge that advance mitigation and adaptation at the intersection of: 1. Justice, Wellbeing, and Biodiversity 2. Policy, Practice, and Technology 3. Communities and Place.

NatuR&D is a nature-inspired design company. NatuR&D builds partnerships, facilitates innovation processes, introduces biomimicry to teams, schools and communities.

The Garry Oak Meadow Preservation Society (GOMPS) formed in 1992 because members of the community were concerned about rapid loss of Čaŋēɫč (lək̓ʷəŋən) or ĆEṈ¸IȽĆ (SENĆOŦEN) or p'hwulhp (HUL'Q'UMI'NUM') also known as Garry oak (scientific name: Quercus garryana) and the associated ecosystem (Kwetlal or ḰȽO,EL). The society is dedicated to the preservation, protection and restoration of Garry oak stands and their natural habitats. We are a BC registered with CRA charitable status. We established a nursery with the goal of growing the next generation of Garry oaks with acorns obtained from the locally adapted Garry oak population.​Our seedlings have been planted as part of many stewardship and restoration projects across the region on public and private lands. Help us steward the urban forest and for locally-adapted Garry oak seedlings that are available by donation. We are 100% volunteer run, grassroots group helping to make a difference. Please join us! 

The UVic Coastal Climate Solutions Leaders (CCSL) program offers an immersive learning experience for graduate students seeking to advance climate solutions. Bridging across the sciences, engineering, social sciences, business, and law, this program delivers enriched interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral training to prepare the next generation of leaders with the knowledge, experience, and skills needed to rise to the challenge of climate change. We are always looking to partner with Vicotira organizations to deliver novel, community-engaged training opportunitites.

To offer a space of learning and collaboration for anyone seeking to find a pathway and build skills for climate action. Take a class, microcredential or Certificate program! 

architecture and engineering firm

★荒野保護協會為依法設立之公益社會團體，是一個由尋常老百姓自發組成的環境保護團體。

位於詔安街260巷內，原為菸酒公賣局的廢棄宿舍，面積約為86坪。陳玟如里長自民國99年起，整合市府及社區資源，於100年先將其改建為「厝邊花園」。104年時，呼應柯文哲市長大力推動的「田園城市」政策，因此在工務局公園路燈工程管理處的指導協助下，再度進行修整，終於成為現今的「歡喜菜園」。

Led by the work of artist Eleanora Jaroszynska, in collaboration with Friends of Garnethill Green Spaces (FRoGGS), Garnethill Bread oven is a community project aimed to empower the local community to gather around the ancient practice of making wood-fired bread, as well as providing the opportunity to learn traditional building skills during the oven's construction.

Garnethill Park is a beautifully-landscaped, partially-terraced public park in Glasgow City Centre's Garnethill area. Opened in 1991, the park has a large play area with wooden play equipment, small waterfalls running over rocks, low-bench seating for relaxing chats, & grassy areas with brick/cobblestone paths in between (please refer to accessibility note below). One of the park's beautiful features is its unusual lighting, made of square metal light-boxes created in a style similar to the architecture of Charles Rennie Mackintosh (a famous Scottish architect whose work can be found throughout Glasgow).

Charity shop whose proceeds benefit the Oxfam organisation, offering a wide variety of secondhand books. From fiction to non-fiction to vintage books, Oxfam bookshops are famous for their amazing finds!

Cycling Scotland is the nation’s cycling organisation, a Scottish Charity working in partnership with other organisations, & with funding from Transport Scotland, to help create an environment for everyone in Scotland to cycle easily & safely.  

Located just to the north of Glasgow City Centre, the Lambhill Stables Community Garden is bordered by the historic Forth & Clyde Canal on one side & Possil Marsh Nature Reserve on the other.

Located just to the north of Glasgow City Centre, on the banks of the historic Forth & Clyde Canal, the award-winning Lambhill Stables Café at the Canal is the heart of Lambhill Stables, & is run almost entirely by a team of loyal & dedicated volunteers. They focus on providing simple yet healthy food at accessible prices & they use fruit & vegetables from their extensive community garden, whenever possible.

A not-for-profit cooperative secondhand clothing shop in Glasgow's Southside, supporting the work of the Glad Foundation (link below) - which is also supported by the Glad Café, a separate listing here on Glasgow Green Map (link also below!)

A social enterprise, registered charity, Fair Trade retailer, & educator - "trading fairly in Renfrewshire since 2002." The Rainbow Turtle's Paisley shop (staffed almost exclusively by a dedicated team of volunteers) offers a wide variety of fairly-traded food & drinks, along with an extensive range of ecological household products. Many of these are available to be refilled, thereby reducing waste packaging. They also stock a great range of fairly traded gifts & crafts from around the world, including cards, stationery, jewellery, & fashion accessories, clothing for adults & children, cookware, kitchenware, toys - &, last but not least, pocket-money items for children.

Located in the heart of Strathbungo in Glasgow's vibrant & diverse Southside, The Bungo is a popular neighbourhood restaurant with a great local community spirit, serving up a contemporary menu that changes with the seasons to reflect what is plentiful & available within only a few 'food miles'.

The Glasgow Tool Library is just what the name says!

Bike for Good is a cycling charity & social enterprise with two locations in Glasgow - one in Glasgow's South Side just off Victoria Road, & the other in Glasgow's West End on Haugh Road.

Bike for Good is a cycling charity & social enterprise with two locations in Glasgow - one in Glasgow's South Side just off Victoria Road, & the other in Glasgow's West End on Haugh Road.