What are Nature-based Solutions?
Nature-based solutions (NBS) are solutions that are inspired by or supported by nature. They represent natural 'green' solutions to societal challenges such as flooding, environmental pollution, biodiversity decline, and compromised human well-being. NBS are co-created systems that utilise natural features and ecosystem-based processes. In other words, NBS are able to protect, manage or restore ecosystems and their services, thereby addressing a multitude of urban challenges posed by the world’s changing climate and rapid urbanisation. These innovative solutions bring more diverse nature and natural features and processes into cities, landscapes and seascapes, thereby creating more sustainable and resilient societies.
Nature-based solutions are cost-effective and simultaneously provide environmental, social and economic benefits to the local community. NBS can be employed across a wide range of environments and at different scales, such as plot, neighbourhood, district or city scale. These solutions are locally adapted and provide a multitude of co-benefits to the local environment.
Nature-based Solutions in UNaLab
The UNaLab front-runner cities Tampere, Eindhoven and Genova are all facing a number of climate- and water-related challenges linked to the impacts of climate change and rapid urbanisation. Identified challenges range from flooding and heat stress to pollution, lack of accessible green spaces and biodiversity loss. The cities have established urban living lab demonstration areas for experimentation, demonstration and evaluation of a variety of different nature-based solutions that address local urban challenges, and providing evidence for their environmental, social and economic benefits.
The UNaLab nature-based solutions have been divided into seven categories - each comprising a range of different solutions.
NBS in the Front-runner Cities
Tampere
Tampere is further developing the nature-based stormwater management system in the Vuores area and is implementing a biofilter in the Hiedanranta area to treat contaminated water from an old pulp mill. The city will also implement a green roof on one building in the city centre.
Eindhoven
Eindhoven is adding more green areas and elements to the city and is implementing green facades and roofs on several buildings. The city is also daylighting a watercourse and is installing different nature-based solutions to store and purify stormwater runoff.
Genova
Genova is transforming the Gavoglio area into an urban park. The city is implementing new green spaces and will connect these to nearby green areas to create green corridors. Water management and quality will be improved on site through innovative collection, depuration and reuse of rainwater runoff.
What are nature-based solutions?
What are nature-based solutions and how can they address the climate- and water-related challenges that cities across the world are facing?
Watch this video to find out!