Article
Environmental Sciences
Emmanuel Adu Boateng, Michael Osei Asibey, Patrick Brandful Cobbinah, Isaac Osei Adutwum, Daniel Kwame Blija
Summary: This research examines the implementation of existing nature-based solutions for climate change adaptation in Kumasi, Ghana. It finds that climate illiteracy among urban residents and barriers such as lack of consideration for natural infrastructure in planning and inadequate technical capacity hinder the uptake of nature-based solutions. To mainstream and upscale nature-based solutions, significant investments are needed, tailored to each city's specific needs.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Nadja Kabisch, Niki Frantzeskaki, Rieke Hansen
Summary: This perspective paper introduces five principles for urban nature-based solutions (NBS) design, planning and implementation, aiming to address the specific challenges in urban areas and advance the scientific discourse towards more effective and sustainable urban development.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alessandro Ossola, Brenda B. Lin
Summary: Nature-Based Solutions (NBSs) offer a future in which natural, human, and technical elements work together to address issues in cities such as pollution reduction, improved human well-being, and climate change adaptation. However, in the face of a warming climate, it is crucial to consider key factors related to designing, building, and managing climate-ready NBSs to ensure their success and sustainability in urban environments.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & POLICY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Leslie Mabon, Line Barkved, Karianne de Bruin, Wan -Yu Shih
Summary: There is a growing call for expert and evidence-based approaches to urban climate change and sustainability, including nature-based solutions. However, it is important to critically examine the knowledge systems used to inform decisions about urban nature-based solutions, especially regarding questions of justice. This study uses the concept of epistemic justice to assess nature-based solution actions in five cities and identifies common issues such as the risk of narrow indicators, authority of expert communities, and access to knowledge systems for implementation. The key message is that increased participation alone is not enough to address epistemic justice concerns; a broad range of stakeholders and their knowledge should be involved in shaping adaptation strategies and the role of nature-based solutions.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & POLICY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Studies
Javier Babi Almenar, Thomas Elliot, Benedetto Rugani, Bodenan Philippe, Tomas Navarrete Gutierrez, Guido Sonnemann, Davide Geneletti
Summary: This study systematically examines the relationships between urban NBS, ES, and UC by establishing a framework and conducting literature reviews. It identifies factors and associations that impact urban environmental sustainability and categorizes the relationships between various urban challenges, ecosystem services, and nature-based solutions.
Article
Geography
Laura Tozer, Harriet Bulkeley, Bernadett Kiss, Andres Luque-Ayala, Yuliya Voytenko Palgan, Kes McCormick, Christine Wamsler
Summary: This article examines the use of nature to achieve urban resilience and analyzes the different value positions held by various actors. Through investigations in Cape Town, Mexico City, and Melbourne, the research finds that incorporating the value of nature in resilience solutions can lead to social benefits.
ANNALS OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF GEOGRAPHERS
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Gemma Garcia-Blanco, Daniel Navarro, Efren Feliu
Summary: The paper discusses the experience of Valencia in applying climate-resilient thinking to the revision of the city's General Urban Development Plan. A risk assessment of heat stress was conducted on the city's functional areas, using modeling and spatial analysis exercises. The study provides recommendations for the city level and guidelines for development planning in high-risk areas, including the use of nature-based solutions. It contributes to various urban strategies and missions for climate adaptation and neutrality.
Article
Ecology
James D. Miller, Gianni Vesuviano, John R. Wallbank, David H. Fletcher, Laurence Jones
Summary: Ecosystem Service (ES) toolkits are often lacking hydrological modules or meaningful functionality for hydrology. To bridge this gap, this paper presents an adapted NBS model based on the widely used Rational Method. The model proved capable of simulating the hydrological effects of different NBS scenarios, providing robust estimates of peak flow and demonstrating the effectiveness of certain NBS in flood mitigation. It highlights the importance of considering the spatial effects of NBS on hydrology and suggests that relatively simple modelling approaches like ANaRM can capture these effects.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2023)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Arsum Pathak, Laura E. Hilberg, Lara J. Hansen, Bruce A. Stein
Summary: Nature-based solutions (NbS) rely on natural systems to enhance community resilience. Incorporating NbS into climate adaptation and mitigation efforts can provide long-term holistic success and additional benefits to ecosystem services. Including NbS as a core component of climate services increases effectiveness and adoption for communities and natural systems.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Sofia Castelo, Miguel Amado, Filipa Ferreira
Summary: The concept of nature-based solutions (NbS) is recognized as a priority approach by international organizations to address climate challenges. NbS can simultaneously address climate impacts, public health, inequality, and biodiversity crisis, making them suitable for urban adaptation. There are knowledge gaps in future climate uncertainty, lack of technical design criteria, governance strategies, and effectiveness assessment evaluation that need to be addressed in subsequent research. Implementing NbS for urban adaptation requires specific strategies, structures, and partnerships with urban planning entities to build resilience and capacity.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mahir Yazar, Abigail York
Summary: Urban climate adaptation through nature-based solutions requires collective action and consideration of spatial justice. This study examines three urban green commons in Istanbul and finds that grassroots-supported NBS must navigate complex land ownership arrangements, spatial justice, and opposing urban development priorities. Qualitative data collected from fieldwork shows critical relationships between activists, academics, professional organizations, and local residents in promoting urban green commons. NBS in Istanbul do not rely on dominant technopolitical processes, offering opportunities for disadvantaged communities to resist the dominant economic development paradigm.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & POLICY
(2023)
Review
Ecology
Aura-Luciana Istrate, Perrine Hamel
Summary: Adopting nature-based solutions (NbS) in urban planning is not common due to lack of knowledge or motivation. Game-based approaches can increase NbS adoption by educating and engaging urban stakeholders. This research develops a conceptual framework for assessing games' purpose and their representation of important concepts in NbS and urban planning. It also provides a database of 'Urban Nature Games' and maps their relevance to urban planning and NbS types.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Tomas Badura, Eliska Krkoska Lorencova, Silvia Ferrini, Davina Vackarova
Summary: The study investigated the perception and economic preferences of Prague citizens for climate change adaptation, finding widespread support for a citywide NBS policy in public spaces. Citizens particularly value diverse NBS measures in response to extreme weather events, showing increased concern and support for the policy.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2021)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Gabriel Luke Kiddle, Maibritt Pedersen Zari, Paul Blaschke, Victoria Chanse, Rebecca Kiddle
Summary: This article reviews the key literature on ecosystem health and human health and wellbeing in Oceania, emphasizing the important potential contribution of nature-based solutions to limiting the negative impacts of climate change and urbanization. The unique cultural and biological diversity of Oceania requires further examination to potentially lead to a new conceptualization of wellbeing frameworks in relation to human/nature relationships.
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nathalie Seddon
Summary: While many organizations are adopting nature-based solutions, some are rejecting it due to uncertainties about their effectiveness and controversies surrounding their misuse in greenwashing, human rights violations, and threats to biodiversity.
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Melissa Pineda-Pinto, Niki Frantzeskaki, Christian A. Nygaard
Summary: This study highlights the importance of planning and implementing multifunctional nature-based solutions to enhance urban ecosystems' adaptation to climate change. However, there is a knowledge gap in designing and planning these solutions in a nonanthropocentric manner. The ecological justice perspective offers a transformative framework for rethinking nature-based solutions in cities.
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Fatemeh Shahani, Melissa Pineda-Pinto, Niki Frantzeskaki
Summary: This study conducted a systematic scoping review of academic literature to identify the characteristics of people-based and nature-based low-carbon innovations that contribute to their transformative capacity. Through analyzing 65 records, dimensions indicating each of the transformative capacity components were identified, aiming to provide practical solutions and actionable elements for urban planners.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Niko Soininen, Christopher M. Raymond, Hanna Tuomisto, Laura Ruotsalainen, Henrik Thoren, Andra-Ioana Horcea-Milcu, Milutin Stojanovic, Sanna Lehtinen, Rachel Mazac, Carlos Lamuela, Noora Korpelainen, Annukka Vainio, Reetta Toivanen, Timon McPhearson, Michiru Nagatsu
Summary: This article discusses the issue of normative tensions in sustainability science dialogue, and proposes strategies such as applying common evaluative frameworks, building contextual convergence and embracing complexity to manage tensions among thought collectives. The paper suggests that these strategies indicate a need to distinguish different types of reflexivity in managing tensions.
SUSTAINABILITY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism
Loretta Bellato, Niki Frantzeskaki, Christian A. Nygaard
Summary: This study critically examines the issues with the sustainable tourism development agenda and introduces a new approach called regenerative tourism. Through analyzing the theoretical and practical dimensions of regenerative tourism, the paper proposes a conceptual framework consisting of five design dimensions and seven practice principles, providing practical guidance for tourism stakeholders.
TOURISM GEOGRAPHIES
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Zbigniew J. Grabowski, Timon McPhearson, Steward T. A. Pickett
Summary: Cities across the Unites States have embraced green infrastructure in official planning efforts, but it remains unclear whether these plans address systemic racism and urban inequality. A study of 122 formal plans from 20 US cities found a widespread failure to incorporate equity and justice principles into these plans. The majority of plans do not utilize inclusive processes and fail to identify the causes of uneven distributions and vulnerability. To improve current GI planning practices, clear definitions of equity and justice are needed, planning must engage with causes of inequality and displacement, and a focus on inclusion is necessary.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Christopher M. Raymond, Richard Stedman, Niki Frantzeskaki
Summary: Discussions on just transitions and nature-based solutions often focus on a fixed sense of place, emphasizing connections and continuity between sites and subjectivities. In contrast, we argue for a progressive understanding of place that recognizes the fluidity of place meanings at different scales, enabling a new understanding of place transformation and just urban transitions. We propose four transformation modalities and provide case examples to demonstrate their relevance to nature-based solutions planning. We conclude by offering two overarching principles for fostering just transitions through nature-based solutions: purposefully activating structural and emotional transformations for procedural justice, and considering the dynamic interplay between recognition and distribution justice to engage multiple senses of place.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & POLICY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mayumi C. M. Hirye, Diogenes Salas Alves, Angelo Salvador Filardo Jr, Timon McPhearson, Fabien Wagner
Summary: Urban landslides are increasing worldwide due to human-induced changes in hillsides. These events mainly result in low-intensity damages to housing and infrastructure. A study in Sao Paulo, Brazil, used a social-ecological-technological system approach to model landslide occurrence, considering dynamic socioeconomic and infrastructural conditions along with climatic and geophysical factors. Antecedent rainfall and terrain slope were found to be the most important variables, while factors such as informal settlements and the number of households also contributed. The study highlights the importance of local ordinances and public policies to prevent urban landslides and addresses the future risk of increased rainfall.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Loretta Bellato, Niki Frantzeskaki, Emma M. Lee, Joseph Cheer, Andrew Peters
Summary: There is a growing interest in the potential of regenerative tourism approaches to address sustainability challenges, which draw from an ecological worldview that combines Indigenous and Western knowledge systems. Current tourism research methodologies, driven by Western scientific paradigms, may be insufficient for regenerative tourism research. A scoping review and consultations with practitioners identified nine research gaps, suggesting the need for additional and new approaches in tourism scholarship to keep pace with the evolution of regenerative tourism.
JOURNAL OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Melissa Pineda-Pinto, Niki Frantzeskaki, Christopher M. Raymond
Summary: Ecological injustices refer to systemic acts and processes that result in misrepresentation, misrecognition, maldistribution, and destruction of fundamental capabilities for both human and nonhuman beings. This study examines ecological (in)justices in Metropolitan Melbourne, Australia, using embedded case studies and a framework that incorporates the senses of self, others, and the environment in sense of place. The findings highlight disempowerment, unrecognized environmental work, societal disconnect, and the anonymity of nonhuman others as key factors contributing to these injustices. The study also introduces the concept of 'ecological injustice' as a bridge between sense of place and justice, emphasizing the importance of visibility, collectivity, reciprocal nurturing, and contestation in human-nonhuman interactions.
SUSTAINABILITY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Shahryar Sarabi, Niki Frantzeskaki, Johanna Waldenberger, Oscar Alvarado, Dorrine Raaimakers, Hens Runhaar, Charlotte Stijnen, Helen Toxopeus, Ema Vrinceanu
Summary: Renaturing urban environments is a transformative pathway for urban sustainability, aiming to reverse the degradation of ecosystems. Reinforced people-nature connections and improved understanding and perception towards nature are critical for the successful implementation of urban renaturing practices. This paper discusses the cultivation of human knowledge and values of nature through urban renaturing, as well as the necessary transitions in urban planning processes to support such practices.
URBAN FORESTRY & URBAN GREENING
(2023)
Review
Environmental Studies
Clare Adams, Niki Frantzeskaki, Magnus Moglia
Summary: Nature-based solutions are gaining attention in urban sustainability discussions, particularly in climate adaptation and increasing resilience. However, there are barriers to their adoption and a lack of clarity around the concept of mainstreaming. This article proposes a new framework and definition for mainstreaming nature-based solutions in cities, helping to operationalize these processes and transform urban planning practices.
Article
Regional & Urban Planning
Clare Adams, Niki Frantzeskaki, Magnus Moglia
Summary: Australia is facing an increasing rate of climate-related extreme weather events, requiring nature-based solutions for urban areas. However, the governance of such solutions is currently fragmented in Australian cities. This study examines the creation and evolution of institutional spaces and highlights the importance of relational, learning-oriented, collaborative, and empowering spaces for mainstreaming nature-based solutions in cities.
AUSTRALIAN PLANNER
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
Mikhail V. Chester, Thaddeus R. Miller, Tischa A. Munoz-Erickson, Alysha M. Helmrich, David M. Iwaniec, Timon McPhearson, Elizabeth M. Cook, Nancy B. Grimm, Samuel A. Markolf
Summary: Our urban systems are currently designed to only provide limited human-centered services, without considering the impact on the resilience of social-ecological-technological systems (SETS). Adapting a SETS resilience perspective can lead to new approaches to adaptation and transformation in complex environments. We propose reframing urban systems as entangled rather than controlled, embracing SETS thinking for creating responses that align with environmental complexity, and employing SETS sensemaking to build the necessary complexity. This sensemaking process involves incorporating sustained adaptation, anticipatory futures, loose-fit design, and co-governance into decision-making to reimagine institutional structures and processes within entangled SETS.
NPJ URBAN SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)
Article
Urban Studies
Ahmed Mustafa, Christopher Kennedy, Bianca Lopez, Timon McPhearson
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the use and accessibility of urban green spaces in New York City in the spring of 2020. This study conducted a spatial analysis to examine the relationship between geographic access and perceived access to green spaces. It was found that factors such as economic status, household composition, minority status, and housing type were correlated with the ability of NYC residents to access green spaces. The distribution of larger, higher quality parks was found to be uneven, particularly in lower-income communities and crowded/multi-unit buildings.
Article
Ecology
Zbigniew J. Grabowski, Timon McPhearson, Steward T. A. Pickett
Summary: Cities in the United States have integrated green infrastructure (GI) into their official planning, but it remains uncertain whether these plans address systemic racism and urban inequality. A study of 122 formal plans from 20 cities found a lack of conceptualization and operationalization of equity, as well as a failure to utilize inclusive processes in planning and implementing GI. This may result in unequal distribution and vulnerability.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2023)
