Urbanising Nature-based Solutions

Nature-based solutions (NbS) rely on the interactions and relationships that exist within natural ecosystems to provide us with multiple advantages. Where humanity once destroyed and exploited the environment to extract resources, rare and trace metals, and space for gray infrastructure and agriculture, now lays the support and need for restorative environments that recreate the biological function of pre-existing ecosystems. These restored territories that enrich flora and fauna come with benefits to the general well-being of humans such as the reduction and absorption of greenhouse gases (GHGs) that drive climate change, improved air quality and microclimate regulation, improved water retention, and enhanced food security. Studies have also shown the positive influence of NbS in improving both physical and mental health amongst communities that reside close to them, as they provide benefactors with spaces to actively enjoy and connect with nature[1] .

As the population of the planet and the acceleration of urbanisation is exponentially increasing, particularly along coastal regions, humans migrated away from natural green areas in preference of grey infrastructure –which is produced from rock, cement, and metal. This redefined many features of an individual’s lifestyle including their choice of habitat and shelter, their food and water sources, their mobility, and their productivity. This migration also redefined humanity’s relationship with nature as access to green environments was limited in favour of grey ones. Yet, in the wake of climate change and sustainability movements, and the emergence of NbS as climate solutions, these grey spaces are now platforms of transformation for what is known as ‘urban nature-based solutions’[2] . Rather than restricting NbS to restored ecosystems away from cities and urban regions, green spaces are now being developed and restored within urban areas, allowing huge urban populations to enjoy their benefits without concerns for accessibility.

There are several examples of urban NbS that not only improve the general aesthetic of a grey space, but also solve a challenge that a particular society or community faces – a standard highlighted by the International Union for Conservation of Nature?(IUCN) as a required feature of all NbS[3] . One example is green corridors which are areas within urban landscapes such as skyscrapers or other built-up environments that are large enough to support wildlife. Other examples include vertical ‘forests’ which allow for the growth of vegetation along the length of buildings or skyscrapers, rooftop gardens that make use of the roofs of buildings and towers to create green spaces, community and botanical gardens which allow for small scale agricultural projects to be enjoyed by community benefactors, and finally nature reserves and restored environments where existing ecosystems are preserved and enhanced, or are completely restored and reintroduced in a particular area[4] . These solutions have been shown to reduce disaster risks especially along coastal regions, improve water security and provide the benefacting communities with access to water sources, and have shown many social and wellbeing benefits including the increase in the area’s value due to the presence of the NbS. Mostly importantly, these solutions have supported the thriving of biodiversity with documented increase in species and number of organisms within the NbS region.

The multifaceted gains of integrating NbS into grey infrastructure demonstrate the need for these solutions to be widespread amongst urban backdrops. However, NbS are very sensitive, dynamic, and long-term projects, and must be based on scientific evidence to ensure their progress and success. Moreover, NbS are implemented to combat challenges faced by a particular community or society, however, they could also be exploited as NbS tend to increase the value of surrounding areas, thus potentially increasing the risk of gentrification, migration, and inequitable access to the solution[5] . Thus, along with urban NbS, a framework that governs the solution and its surroundings is necessary to ensure the stability and success of the solution over the short, medium, and long term along with the preserved and protected well-being of the solution’s benefactors, along with the incentivisation and support for urban NbS development. The relationship between humanity and nature has long been documented and unlocking and rediscovering nature’s benefits is key to ensuring social and personal well-being while protecting the environment and combatting climate change.

[1] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28688269/#:~:text=The%20test%20results%20indicated%20that,05.

[2] https://wwf.panda.org/projects/one_planet_cities/what_we_do/urban_naturebased_solutions/

[3] https://portals.iucn.org/library/sites/library/files/documents/2020-020-En.pdf

[4] https://wwfint.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/exe_wwf_a4_template_sbn_final2.pdf

[5] https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42532-020-00064-1