The Architectural and Landscape Project for a Sustainable Urban Context. Use and Application of Nature-Based Solutions to Manage Urban Floods

Abstract

AbstractHistorically, every human being has a strong link with water as a natural element. But compared to the past, since human activities began to influence climate changes, water has been converted into a dangerous, violent, and often mortal element. Water, in fact, arrives in the cities without having the possibility of flowing in the natural ground since we have cemented our spaces. For this reason, in the last years, we have had to cope with more severe urban floods and find new solutions for a better urban life. The most widespread paradigm is to allow water to enter our cities and convert them into sponge cities. To do this, using nature-based solutions in the new urban project is essential. Thanks to the analysis of different case studies from various European regions, such as the Nordic regions, Netherlands and Spain, this paper aims to highlight how integrated use of nature-based solutions in the contemporaneous architectural and urban projects is essential if we want to survive future urban floods. At the same time, it aims to demonstrate that the use of NBS in contemporary urban and landscape projects represents the opportunity to modify our lifestyle, spaces, and relation with nature, improving our way of living, from the environmental, social, and economic points of view. In conclusion, the paper aims to ask some questions for future cities and try to open a debate on the future of the urban contexts.KeywordsDesign with waterClimate change adaptationPublic spacesSustainable design