Enhancing urban sustainability for environmental quality and human well-being through nature-based solutions transformation labs
Call
Duration
01/04/2025 – 31/03/2028
Total grant
Approx. 1.6 mil. €
More information
Hai-Ying Liu, hyl@nilu.no
Partners of the project
- Department of Environmental Impact and Sustainability, Stiftelsen NILU – The Climate and Environmental Research Institute (NILU), Kjeller, Norway
- Department of Social Work/IFSAR Institute of Social Work and Social Spaces, Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences (OST), St. Gallen, Switzerland
- School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy, University College Dublin, National University of Ireland (NUID UCD), Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Hydrobiology and Ecosystems Protections, The University of Life Sciences in Lublin (ULSL), Lublin, Poland
- Lisbon Energy and Environment Agency (Lisboa E-Nova), Lisbon, Portugal
- Baltic Studies Centre (BSC), Riga, Latvia
- Department of Architecture and Urban Studies, The Polytechnic University of Milan (Polimi), Milan, Italy
Context
NatureScape is strategically designed to enhance urban sustainability by integrating urban NbS in seven diverse cities (Oslo, St. Gallen, Riga, Dublin, Lisbon, Lublin, Milan). It addresses the critical post-implementation phase of NbS, focusing on long-term stewardship and governance to sustain their benefits. The project aligns with the European Green Deal and aspires to enhance urban resilience, biodiversity, climate neutrality, and social well-being through community-led NbS Transformation Labs (T-Labs).
Main objectives
NatureScape aims to:
- develop comprehensive indicators for post-implementation evaluation of NbS;
- establish NbS T-Labs as innovation hubs for stakeholder collaboration;
- uncover and maximize synergies while minimizing trade-offs related to urban NbS;
- distil lessons and best practices for future NbS stewardship and governance;
- shape urban planning tools and policies to support NbS in the post-implementation phase;
- disseminate findings to enhance awareness and inform policy.
Main activities
NatureScape combines urban planning with community engagement to enhance the governance and sustainability of NbS. Through citizen science and participatory methods, it actively engages in stewardship and fosters a collaborative and inclusive approach to urban sustainability:
- Scientific approach: employ a transdisciplinary methodology combining scientific research, community engagement, and innovative governance models to enhance NbS functionality and integration into urban ecosystems;
- Dissemination and stakeholder engagement: utilize workshops, seminars, digital platforms and implement citizen science to engage stakeholders and disseminate research findings;
- Create actionable tools and guidelines: integrate NbS into urban planning and governance, aiming for their mainstreaming, co-evolution, and scaling;
- Expected impact: project activities are expected to lead to enhanced urban resilience, increased biodiversity, better climate action, and improved community health and well-being. The project’s innovative governance models and community-based approaches aim to ensure the sustainable success of urban NbS.