<![CDATA[Coastal settlements need to support sustainable development despite constraints such as limited planting space, relatively high temperatures, humid conditions, tidal flooding, and household plastic bottle waste. Therefore, sustainable development in Tambakrejo Urban Village should integrate efficient use of limited space, environmental greening, material reuse, resource efficiency, and community participation. This community service activity aimed to provide participants with an initial understanding of vertical gardens made from used plastic bottles, hands-on experience in constructing tiered hanging vertical garden prototypes, and readiness to apply the model at home. The activity involved 18 administrators and members of the “Merah Delima” coastal and mangrove product processing group in Tambakrejo, Semarang. A Participatory Learning and Action (PLA) approach was implemented through interactive presentations, visual examples, question-and-answer sessions, group discussions, demonstrations, guided practice, evaluation, and reflection. Participants’ understanding was assessed through 12 oral questions documented in field notes and observation sheets by eight observers, while practical skills and products were assessed using observational checklists. Results showed that participants’ understanding across six topics ranged from understanding to very good understanding. Five groups produced five tiered hanging prototypes, each consisting of three to four bottles, with clean containers, adequate planting openings and drainage, relatively balanced ties, and movable arrangements. The activity achieved its objectives by improving participants’ initial understanding, practical skills in reusing plastic bottles in limited spaces, and readiness to apply the model at home to support sustainable development in coastal settlements. Future programs should include retention tests, individual skill assessments, household implementation, and post-activity monitoring.]]>
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