Nature-based solutions for resilient landscapes and cities

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Urban Planning
• Ecology

Background:

• Nature-based solutions (NBS) are gaining traction for developing resilient urban and landscape designs.
• NBS integrate environmental, economic, and societal benefits, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional development.
• The European Commission actively promotes NBS for ecosystem services-based approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the applications of NBS as adaptable tools for enhancing landscape and city resilience.
• To identify and propose five key challenges for the future of NBS based on current literature and research.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of existing research on NBS.
• Analysis of case studies and expert knowledge presented in a Special Issue of Environmental Research.
• Synthesis of findings to identify future research and implementation directions.

Main Results:

• NBS are effective 'living' tools for boosting the adaptive capacity of landscapes and cities.
• Established connections between NBS and concepts like sustainability, resilience, and ecosystem services.
• Identified critical environmental, economic, and societal challenges that NBS can address.

Conclusions:

• NBS present a promising, efficient, and cost-effective development strategy.
• Further research and strategic planning are needed to address the identified future challenges for NBS.
• NBS are crucial for achieving sustainable development goals and enhancing societal well-being.