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  • AIPH Green City Standard

    AIPH Green City Standard logo

    A practical tool to help cities grow greener, smarter, and more resilient

    Cities around the world are facing growing pressure—from climate change, rapid urbanisation, and rising costs. At the same time, urban greening is proving to be one of the most effective ways to improve city life. It helps reduce heat, manage water, protect biodiversity, and support public health.

    The AIPH Green City Standard gives city governments a clear and proven framework to plan, measure, and improve their greening efforts. It is designed to:

    • Make urban greening more efficient and cost-effective  
    • Help cities show the value of greening to decision-makers and funders  
    • Improve quality of life for residents 
    • Strengthen climate resilience and city competitiveness  

    Developed by the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH), the AIPH Green City Standard is based on decades of global experience and consultation with city leaders, experts, and practitioners. It supports cities in:

    • Setting clear goals for greening  
    • Gaining a systemic overview of urban greening efforts 
    • Tracking progress and impact  
    • Aligning greening with city planning and budgets  
    • Learning from a wide range of successful examples around the world 

    Whether your city is just starting or already leading in nature-based solutions, the AIPH Green City Standard helps you do more—with greater confidence, clarity, and results.

    Explore the resources below to learn how the AIPH Green City Standard can support your city. 

    “By framing urban greening through a structured, globally recognisable standard, AIPH has translated decades of horticultural expertise into a practical roadmap for cities. Their Green City Standard elevates plants from ‘nice-to-have amenities’ to measurable assets that drive climate resilience, biodiversity, equity, and liveability.”

    – Belinda Bean, Greener Spaces Better Places

    Principles

    • Plant-centricity: Prioritises the role of plants, biodiversity, and green infrastructure in addressing urban challenges.
    • Inclusivity and collaboration: Encourages multi-stakeholder engagement, fostering partnerships across government, industry, and communities.
    • Global frameworks, local action: Provides a flexible, adaptable tool that respects local contexts while aligning with global sustainability agendas.
    • Data-driven decision-making: Uses measurable indicators to track progress, identify opportunities, and guide improvements.
    • Continuous improvement: Promotes learning, innovation, and adaptation to meet evolving urban and environmental needs.
    • Leadership and commitment: Inspires cities to take bold proactive measures, demonstrating dedication to sustainability.

    Methodology: A Practical Framework for Urban Greening

    The AIPH Green City Standard is developed through a rigorous, inclusive, and transparent process designed to ensure global relevance and impact.

    • Research and expertise: The AIPH Standard draws on decades of horticultural expertise, knowledge produced via the AIPH World Green City Awards, and a thorough review of international best practices in urban greening.
    • Stakeholder engagement: We are consulting with local governments, NGOs, private sector partners, and international organisations to ensure the Standard addresses diverse needs.
    • Pilot testing: The framework will be piloted in select cities to test its applicability and refine its structure.
    • Iterative development: Feedback from stakeholders, pilot cities, and global partners is integrated to ensure the AIPH Standard is practical, measurable, and impactful.

    “The true value of the AIPH Green City Standard lies in its practicality – it helps cities move from ambition to action, linking global best practice with local realities to deliver greener, more liveable cities.”

    – Liteboho Makhele, GIZ

    Find more information about the AIPH Green City Standard via these links.