Last updated: June 2025
The Tbilisi Urban Forest is an ecological restoration project of 5,5 ha spanning two pilot areas initiated in 2020. Located on Mtatsminda ridge around Tbilisi, it is part of a larger reforestation effort within the 700-ha forest territory (Ref. 1,2). The project is funded by the Cartu Foundation and led by the Development and Environment Foundation along with Tbilisi City Hall. Restoration is undertaken to addresses significant challenges such as forest dieback caused by pest infestations, climate change adaptation as well as the creation of recreational infrastructure (Ref. 3,5). Through collaboration among interdisciplinary scientists and urban planners, a novel reforestation strategy has been developed that integrates patches of locally sourced plant communities tailored to diverse soil and slope conditions. This approach incorporates existing trees with new saplings, carefully grafted into existing soil pockets, and focuses on a biodiverse palette of endemic and climate-adapted species (Ref. 1,5). While the project implementation could not be carried out as planned, lacking public participartory due to Covid 19, still 100 jobs were created locally (Ref. 2). Ultimately, the Urban Forest project will enhance ecological connectivity, biodiversity and tourism and also serve the public as an improtant recreational site (Ref. 1,2).
Schematic illustation of forest patches including structural and species compositon.
Ruderal (https://ruderal.com/projects/narikala-ridge)
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Parks and urban forests
- Large urban parks or forests
Key challenges
- Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)
- Climate change adaptation
- Environmental quality
- Air quality improvement
- Soil quality improvement
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Habitat and biodiversity restoration
- Regeneration, land-use and urban development
- Rewilding
- Cultural heritage and cultural diversity
- Preservation of natural heritage
- Health and well-being (SDG 3)
- Creation of opportunities for recreation
- Enabling opportunities for physical activity
- Economic development and employment (SDG 8)
- Tourism support
- Employment/job creation
Principal problems in Functional Urban Area (FUA)
- Environmental Degradation
- Biodiversity loss
- Invasive alien species
- Deforestation and forest degradation
- Air pollution
Key priorities
Climate action (adaptation and/or mitigation), Biodiversity (conservation and/or restoration)
Focus
Maintenance and management of urban nature, Maintenance or upgrade of exisiting green spaces (e.g. parks), Urban reforestation, restoration of street trees, Ecological restoration of ecosystems, Remediation activities of sites with very poor environmental quality, Restoration and protection of ecosystems (including water ecosystems), Protection of natural ecosystems, Habitat restoration, n.a.2
Project objectives
Goal 1) Enhancing Biodiversity Habitat: The project aims to increase species diversity by planting native or established species, and addressing ecological imbalances caused by previous monoculture practices. (Ref 1,2 & 5)
Goal 1.1.) Stop Degradation of Vegetation: Significant dieback has occurred due to the planting of unsuitable, low-diversity species in the area which is now infested by pests and pathogens (Ref. 1,3&5).
Goal 2) Improving recreational opportunities: Provide enhanced recreational infrastructure to make the forest more accessible and enjoyable for both citizens and tourists. (Ref.3)
Goal 3) Build resilience to climate change: By planting diverse, locally adapted species, the project seeks to mitigate the impact of climate change on the forest ecosystem (Ref. 1&5)
Implementation activities
1) Planting Trees and Vegetation: The planting 500,000-800,000 trees of nearly 40 species, addresses issues like biodiversity loss and forest longevity.
2) Removing Diseased and Dead Trees: The removal of sick, damaged, and dead trees prevents the spread of disease and pests, reduces fire hazards, and clears space for new, healthy vegetation.
3) Installing Irrigation Systems: By setting up a comprehensive irrigation network newly planted trees and shrubs receive sufficient water, vital for their survival.
4) Creating Plant Communities Tailored to Soil and Slope Conditions: The detailed spatial plans for planting forest patches optimize growth conditions and enhances species statification for the the long-term health of the forest.
5) Utilizing Local Seed Stocks and Nurseries: Plants are sources from Georgian nurseries and local seed stocks which ensures that plants are well-adapted to the local environment, reducing the risk of planting failures and lowering the project’s carbon footprint.
6) Establishing Recreational Infrastructure: recreational walkways, cycle tracks, and picnic areas are established which improves public access of the forest.
7) Engaging the Community: Involve students, universities, schoolchildren, and locals in planting and maintenance activities which promote community ownership and environmental education (Problem COVID/ Not done)
8) Cleaning and Maintenance: Remove past accumulated garbage and ensure ongoing maintenance.
Climate-focused activities
Climate change adaptation:
- Restore and protect forests for soil stabilisation and prevention of landslides
- Improved forest management to reduce severity and spread of wildfires and super-fires
Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities
Biodiversity restoration:
- Rehabilitate and restore damaged or destroyed ecosystems
- Restore species (native, endangered, or unspecified)
- Restore native species
Main beneficiaries
- Citizens or community groups
- Other
Governance
Management set-up
- Led by non-government actors
Type of initiating organisation
- Non-government organisation/civil society
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Other
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
Led by the Development and Environment Foundation, under an agreement with Tbilisi City Hall and fully funded by the Cartu Foundation (which also announced the project). Tbilisi City Hall will grant this area the status of Urban Forest and take over its management (including maintenance). A number of scientists were involved in design and planning, such as geographers, biologists, botanists, zoologists, environmental scientists, and economists. The team analyzed data to identify areas of critical concern, such as landslide-prone slopes and wildlife zones requiring protection and reduced human impact, and defined the boundaries of the project to limit further urban encroachment. They worked together with Ruderal, a landscape architecture and planning studio in Tbilisi to develop a species m
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a national policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a local policy or strategy?
Unknown
Type of enablers
Funds, subsidies or investment for GI/NBS in the city (available for the city or provided by the city)
Financing
Total cost
More than €4,000,000
Source(s) of funding
- Private Foundation/Trust
Type of funding
- Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Non-financial contribution
Unknown
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Climate change
- Strengthened capacity to address climate hazards/natural disasters
- Expected strengthened capacity to address climate hazards/natural disasters
- Environmental quality
- Improved air quality
- Expected improved air quality
- Improved waste management
- Expected improved waste management
- Improved soil quality
- Expected improved soil quality
- Green space and habitat
- Increased green space area
- Achieved increased green space area
- Increase in protected green space areas
- Expected increase in protected green space areas
- Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
- Achieved increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
- Increased ecological connectivity across regeneration sites and scales
- Achieved increased ecological connectivity across regeneration sites and scales
- Reduced biodiversity loss
- Expected reduced biodiversity loss
- Increased number of species present
- Achieved increased number of species present
- Increased presence and recovery of wild species
- Expected increased presence and recovery of wild species
Economic impacts
- Increase of green jobs (e.g. paid employment positions)
- Achieved increase of green jobs (e.g. paid employment positions)
- More sustainable tourism
- Expected more sustainable tourism
Socio-cultural impacts
- Health and wellbeing
- Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
- Achieved gain in activities for recreation and exercise
- Expected gain in activities for recreation and exercise
- Cultural heritage and sense of place
- Protection of natural heritage
- Achieved protection of natural heritage
Type of reported impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
Unknown
Presence of indicators used in reporting
Yes
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
No evidence in public records
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
Potential risks of implementation and trade-offs
Other
References
1.
Cowles, S., Moore, C., Hackenberger, B., Nishnianidze, G. (n.d.). Tbilisi Urban Forest (Narikala Ridge Forest). EUmies Award, Accessed on August 1, 2024, [Source link];
2.
Ruderal (n.d.). Narikala Ridge Forest. Tbilisi: Ruderal, Accessed on August 1, 2024, [Source link];
3.
Davies, R. K. (2021). The Tbilisi Urban Forest Rehabilitation, Exclusive Interview with Cartu Fund’s Nikoloz Chkhetiani. Tbilisi: Georgia Today, Accessed on August 1, 2024, [Source link];
4.
Patarkalashvili, K. T. (2017). Urban forests and green spaces of Tbilisi and ecological problems of the city. Annals of Agrarian Science, p. 187-191 Accessed on August 1, 2024, [Source link];
5.
Hilsenrath, J. (2021). Mtatsminda makeover: reviving Tbilisi’s iconic ridge for generations to come. Tbilisi: Agenda.ge, Accessed on August 5, 2024, [Source link];
Forest patch distribution. Adjacent to each other Cedar Forest, Flowering Thicket, Silver Forest, Tbilisi Chaparral.
Ruderal (https://ruderal.com/projects/narikala-ridge)
Narikala Ridge Edge adjacent to the Sololaki neighborhood
Ruderal (https://ruderal.com/projects/narikala-ridge)
Areas include the two pilot areas on Narikala Ridge, Mtatsminda East Face, and Okrokana South Slope.
Ruderal (https://ruderal.com/projects/narikala-ridge)
Information about this nature-based solution was collected as part of the Naturescapes project funded by the European Union under Grant Agreement No 101084341.