Defining Natural Habitat Types as Nature-Based Solutions in Urban Planning

Abstract

This study focuses on solving urban challenges, such as temperature reduction, urban stormwater management, noise reduction, air quality improvement, and CO2 concentration reduction, and suggests terrestrial and freshwater habitat types (HTs) found in Europe as innovative forms of nature-based solutions (NBSs). Establishing native HTs in various urban environments to solve urban challenges would enhance biodiversity at different levels and integrate this aspect into urban planning. This contribution builds on the recognition that vegetated surfaces are the most versatile NBS for addressing the broadest range of environmental problems in urban areas and on the understanding that the processes running within these green spaces offer the key to socio-ecological improvements of such areas. Employing a narrative literature review, qualitative content analysis, and interdisciplinary expert discussion, this paper defines why and how unaltered native HTs can be implemented as NBSs in the urban environment, indicates potential HTs for specific urban challenges, and presents an approach to the inclusion of HTs as NBSs in spatial planning documents at national, regional, and local levels. The proposed planning approach attributes added value to HTs and, by linking the concepts of NBSs and HTs, integrates them into urban planning.