About the UNaLab Project
The UNaLab project is contributing to the development of smarter, more inclusive, more resilient and more sustainable urban communities through the implementation of nature-based solutions (NBS), which are co-created with and for local stakeholders and citizens.
Our three front-runner cities - Eindhoven, Tampere and Genova - are through the establishment of Urban Living Lab (ULL) demonstration areas experimenting, demonstrating and evaluating a range of different nature-based solutions addressing climate- and water-related urban challenges. The front-runner cities actively collaborate and share their experiences with our seven follower cities - Stavanger, Prague, Castellón, Cannes, Başakşehir, Hong Kong and Buenos Aires – as well as our two observers - Guangzhou and the Brazilian Network of Smart Cities.
The project results will enable the development of a European NBS Reference Framework on benefits, cost-effectiveness, economic viability and replicability of nature-based solutions, which will guide cities across Europe and beyond in developing and implementing their own co-creative nature-based solutions.
What are Nature-based Solutions?
Nature-based solutions represent green, innovative solutions where nature is used to address a range of socio-environmental challenges while simultaneously providing a multitude of economic, environmental and social benefits to the community. Learn more here.
Follow Our Activities
Stay up to date with UNaLab's wide range of activities and follow the developments in our cities through our blog and news section.
UNaLab Buddies Webinar #5: Financing NBS
The 5th UNaLab Buddy System webinar was dedicated to the topic of financing nature-based solutions (NBS). Many interesting ideas, experinces and initiatives were presented, followed by a fruitful exchange and debate between the participants and speakers.
The transformation of the Vestdijk boulevard
The Vestdijk road in Eindhoven has been transformed into an urban boulevard hosting many new nature-based solutions to address the air quality, heat stress and flooding problems in the area. The pavement on the reconstructed boulevard has been replaced by trees, plants and a nature-based water storage system.
Co-creating online with the Open Nature Innovation Arena
The first tool we want to introduce in our series of UNaLab ICT tools stories is the Open Nature Innovation Arena (ONIA). ONIA is the UNaLab digital tool providing the collaboration environment where citizens and municipalities collectively discuss and identify issues or concerns affecting the quality of life in the city and co-define the possible solutions to solve these problems.
