Logos Circle Lisbon: August
Date: 1 August 2026
Location: Xenon Domus, Graça, Lisbon
Registered on Luma: 14
Attended: 10 (5 returning attendees, 5 newcomers)
Languages: English, Portuguese
Circle Meeting Notes – Micro Rewilding Parklets Project
Building on the initial concept discussions from July, this month’s Circle meeting marked a transition from planning and design into hands-on construction and implementation.
While the original idea focused on creating a modular, portable parklet system that could temporarily transform parking spaces into small public gardens, the group decided to begin by developing the supporting infrastructure first. This allows us to create a permanent base for the project, test the gardening systems, and build community engagement before expanding into mobile parklet installations.
The long-term vision remains the creation of portable, community-owned green spaces that help reclaim urban areas for nature, learning, and neighbourhood connection. The first phase is now focused on creating a physical prototype and community hub where people can interact with plants, exchange knowledge, and participate in urban biodiversity initiatives.
Participants
This month’s Circle welcomed a diverse group of returning members and newcomers.
Participants included artists, community activists, gardening enthusiasts, and a carpenter who helped lead the practical construction side of the project. We were also joined by several newcomers who had recently moved to Lisbon and were interested in connecting with local community initiatives focused on gardening, sustainability, and public space.
The combination of creative skills, practical building experience, and environmental interests helped move the project forward from ideas into tangible action.
Winnable Issue Update
Our defined winnable issue remains:
Creating a community-owned green space that demonstrates how small-scale urban interventions can improve biodiversity, strengthen neighbourhood connections, and create shared spaces for learning and participation.
This month was a highly hands-on session. The Circle began building the physical infrastructure inside Xenon Domus that will house the planters and serve as a permanent community green space when the portable planters are not being deployed elsewhere.
The space will function as a neighbourhood meeting point where people can:
-
visit and interact with the garden,
-
collect and exchange seedlings,
-
share gardening knowledge,
-
participate in planting activities,
-
and connect with others interested in urban biodiversity.
Thanks to the participation of a carpenter within the Circle, we were able to begin constructing the infrastructure and making practical decisions around materials, design, and functionality.
We also began preparing the plants that will be used in the future planters by repotting existing plants and starting the initial gardening process.
The project is being funded through the budget awarded from the Plural Events Bounty. So far, funds have been used to purchase:
-
recycled wood materials for the infrastructure,
-
plant pots,
-
soil,
-
and other initial gardening supplies.
Challenges / Blockers
The main challenge remains balancing the ambition of the wider parklet vision with the practical realities of building and maintaining the first prototype.
By beginning with a permanent base inside Xenon Domus, the Circle can test materials, plant varieties, and community engagement approaches before expanding into a more mobile modular system.
Further work is still needed around:
-
refining the final planter designs,
-
understanding maintenance requirements,
-
exploring how portable units could eventually interact with public spaces,
-
and researching permissions for temporary public installations.
Next Steps
The Circle will continue working on the project throughout August.
Planned actions include:
-
continuing construction of the garden infrastructure,
-
preparing additional plants and planters,
-
refining the design based on practical experience,
-
documenting the build process,
-
and developing plans for future community activities around the space.
The goal is to establish the first functioning prototype of a community-owned green space that can serve as a foundation for future Micro Rewilding Parklets across Lisbon and potentially other Circles.
