Title: Enhancing Urban Sustainability for Environmental Quality and Human Well-being through Nature-Based Solutions Transformation Labs
Funding source: Biodiversa+ European Biodiversity Partnership, cofunded by the European Union within the frame of the Horizon Europe programme
Total funding: EUR 1 803 299
Funding for BSC: EUR 299 992
Implementation period: 01.04.2025.–31.03.2028.
Coordinator: The Climate and Environmental Research Institute NILU (Norway)
Aim: NatureScape aims to elevate urban nature-based solutions (NBS) as pivotal elements in urban decision-making processes, focusing on the critical post-implementation phase. This includes enhancing biodiversity, mitigating climate change impacts, and fostering supportive, engaged communities.
NatureScape adopts a comprehensive and transformative methodology inspired by six critical factors: Governance, Knowledge, Culture and Art, Finance, Data and Information, Technology. These elements serve as both facilitators and potential obstacles in the journey towards urban sustainability, influencing the successful implementation of NBS to facilitate community resilience, climate neutrality, urban life quality, and biodiversity. NatureScape introduces a novel paradigm to urban ecosystems, emphasizing the symbiotic relationship between nature and society to cultivate regenerative environments. This approach challenges and extends beyond conventional urban planning and co-creation methods, advocating for a holistic integration of human and ecological interests over time. Through the establishment of T-Labs, the project pioneers a pathway to transformative change, employing adaptive and collaborative governance models that engage multiple stakeholders in the stewardship of urban environments. The project’s methodology is underpinned by a cross-cutting application of the enabling factors, with targeted initiatives within specific WPs to ensure a cohesive and integrated approach. NatureScape will leverage and expand upon existing knowledge and technological solutions, deploying them across seven NBS Transformation Labs (T-Labs) to foster community engagement, enhance analytical capabilities, and optimize the balance between NBS synergies and trade-offs. In its engagement with cities, NatureScape positions itself as a catalyst for NBS adoption, facilitated by customized support mechanisms such as mentoring, peer learning, and community of practice networks. This strategic capacity building ensures that knowledge and ownership are effectively transferred to local actors, promoting sustained impact and implementation beyond the project lifespan.
Embracing interdisciplinary and responsible research and innovation principles, along with cutting-edge tools like geo-based online platforms and public participation GIS, the project supports the wide-ranging activities of the NBS T-Labs. These labs are envisioned as inclusive spaces where diverse community members, local authorities, scientists, and other stakeholders collaboratively generate data, insights, and actions to enrich urban environments. Through this multifaceted approach, NatureScape aspires to cultivate a culture of cooperation and learning among cities and communities, driving forward the integration of NBS into urban planning and governance for healthier, more resilient urban spaces.
Project website: https://naturescape.nilu.no/
Local contact person: Elīna Dace, elina.dace [at] bscresearch.lv
Keywords: Co-development, Co-evolution, Nature-based solutions, Transformation labs, Climate change adaptation, Health and wellbeing, Biodiversity, Impact assessment, Urban planning, Social inclusivity, Cities