An EU-funded project is calling for a step-change in how nature-based solutions like green roofs and city lagoons are used for sustainable urbanisation and in tackling climate change.

Nature-based solutions (NBS), which use the natural properties of ecosystems, are an example of the sort of actions called for in COP21. Typical examples of NBS are green roofs and city parks that limit heat stress, city lagoons that store water, and permeable surfaces, vegetation and rain gardens to intercept storm water.

However there is currently a substantial gap between the promise of NBS and their uptake on current best practices and impacts.

The EU-funded project NATURVATION is aiming to bridge what the researchers describe as “a yawning knowledge gap” and is calling for a step-change in how NBS are used for sustainable urbanisation, in particular.

NATURVATION’s coordinator Harriet Bulkeley of Durham University commented:

“We need better ways to assess existing practice, identify barriers to uptake, understand the multiple impacts of NBS, and assess how these are all valued by a range of stakeholders and communities.”

The project is consulting with the main stakeholders in urban development, insurance, finance and governments to achieve a better understanding of NBS, and to propose a more coordinated approach.

Overcoming lack of coordination

Knowledge and experience of NBS is fragmented between different disciplines, sectors, authorities and private-sector organisations. There is also limited documentation on the innovations that have led to the use of NBS and the governance, forms of participation, business and financial models supporting their success or limiting their use.

NATURVATION’s first step is to get a helicopter view of current initiatives, to better map the landscape.

The project is conducting a detailed survey of up to 1000 NBS projects in some 100 European cities, with special consideration given to an additional six international benchmarks outside Europe. These are:

• Tianjin (China), where the use of NBS is focused on smart eco-city development
• Sao Paulo (Brazil), where NBS is used for water management and climate adaptation
• Winnipeg (Canada), where NBS is integrated into urban planning
• Melbourne (Australia), where local authorities have developed an urban forest strategy and actively work with NBS in relation to climate impacts.
• Boston (US), where NBS is used to address economic regeneration and social inequalities
• Cape Town (South Africa), where the challenge of preserving and enhancing biodiversity goes hand-in-hand with addressing social inclusion

Partnering for sustained innovation

Members of the NATURVATION consortium are involved in a number of existing international projects, which provide strong foundations and cross-links. Together, they have extensive experience of leading and conducting research across all regions of Europe as well as Asia, Australia, Africa, North and South America.

The project task force includes associate partners with extensive international experience of developing and implementing NBS, including ARUP, White Architects and Ramboll, as well as UN-Habitat.

Special platforms, called ‘stakeholder urban-regional innovation partnerships’, or URIPs, are being set up to put the new knowledge and tools created in NATURVATION through its paces in selected cities. These are Newcastle, Malmo, Utrecht, Gyor, Barcelona and Leipzig.

“An important legacy from the project will be to create the momentum that means that effective nature-based solutions can be used in multiple urban contexts and that their benefits can be spread across different communities,” Harriet  Bulkeley added.