Nature-based Solutions Concept Research Articles

Advancing arboriculture through human and tree ecology

This paper explores the significance of ecosystem functions in maintaining the health and balance of ecological systems, particularly in the context of planning, managing, and maintaining trees in landscape settings. It emphasises the multifaceted relationship between humans and trees, encompassing cultural, ecological, economic, and emotional connections, and underscores the value of traditional ecological knowledge alongside empirical science. By combining these two ways of knowing, along with social science insights into human health and well-being, future landscapes can be crafted to be sustainable, diverse, and functional. As urbanisation continues to shape landscapes globally, urban planners face the challenge of managing rapidly changing environments. Urban forestry and arboriculture have emerged to address these challenges, aiming to enhance environmental quality and human well-being. The concept of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) has gained traction, recognising the importance of integrating natural systems into urban planning to address environmental challenges while preserving functional ecosystems. This paper advocates for an enhanced understanding of tree and human ecology to navigate the complex relations between trees, people, and their environments. It calls for interdisciplinary collaboration, research, and education to inform policy, assess environmental impacts, and widen approaches to ecosystem management. By monitoring ecosystem health and collaborating across disciplines, arboriculturists and urban foresters can shape resilient practices for tree conservation and sustainable urban development. In conclusion, integrating tree ecology into urban planning and management practices is essential for ensuring the health, resilience, and sustainability of tree populations and the ecosystems they inhabit. By embracing a holistic understanding of trees and their environments, professionals can contribute to shaping future landscapes that support both human well-being and biodiversity.

Practitioner insights on challenges and options for advancing blue Nature-based Solutions

The dual environmental crises of climate change and biodiversity loss pose severe threats to human health and well-being. Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are promoted as an important component of the response to simultaneously address both crises. However, their uptake in policy and planning has been impeded by evidence gaps and barriers to implementation, particularly in marine and coastal systems. Here, we describe practitioner perspectives on perceived challenges to implementing NbS in marine and coastal ecosystems (blue NbS) and make recommendations to overcome the most significant. These consensus perspectives were obtained through an exploratory, qualitative workshop, attended by environmental policy and practice stakeholders representing government and non-profit organisations from across Northern Europe, that identified and prioritised perceived challenges for in-depth discussion. Key priority challenges were: (1) policy driver and appropriate legislation to support NbS; (2) funding mechanisms; and (3) stakeholder awareness, values, and engagement. Discussions highlighted that successful implementation will require addressing these through better collaboration, communication, longer-term funding of projects, and better integration of top-down and bottom-up approaches to management. The strength, and at the same time difficulty, of NbS is that they draw together diverse actors and approaches, but improved standards are needed for application if they are to realise their potential. Ultimately, reducing uncertainty in the definition and concept of NbS amongst stakeholders is needed to accelerate their deployment in complex marine social-ecological systems.

Onsite wastewater treatment systems are a major source of pharmaceutical products in surface water of peri-urban/rural areas

Most of the published studies on pharmaceutical products (PhPs) focus on their occurrence in the influent/effluent at wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in urban areas with high population density. In peri-urban/rural areas not collected to any WWTP, despite the lack of sewage collection, and often (poor) on-site treatment, data on PhPs occurrence in surface water bodies is scarce. In this study, we investigated the impact of onsite wastewater treatment systems on the occurrence of six PhPs, along with hydrological and hydrochemical data, in the drainage network of a peri-urban/rural area in Italy.Our results, along with data from other studies, show onsite treatment systems are a major source of PhPs. In the drainage water 76% of the analyses positively quantified the presence of PhPs, with carbamazepine and clarithromycin always quantifiable, even in scarcely inhabited areas, at generally higher concentrations of PhPs than those reported in previous studies. As a result, onsite treatment systems may cause ubiquitous, even if at low concentrations, PhPs occurrence in the aquatic systems.In order to allow data comparison, studies reporting PhPs environmental concentration values should clearly detail the urban /environmental setting (population density, presence of WWTPs) and the hydrological/hydrochemical conditions. Furthermore, the joint use of hydrochemical parameters and PhPs data may provide useful proxies for the occurrence of PhPs or to identify nitrate sources of urban origin. Discharge, T, EC and ORP values may help understanding relevance of mixing and, then, the importance of dilution processes in reducing PhPs concentration.The occurrence of PhPs in surface water has to be duly considered in order to protect the aquatic ecosystems and groundwater, and the use of such water for safe irrigation purposes. Further treatment trains based on the concept of nature-based solutions (i.e, vegetated channels, artificial wetlands) could constitute a valuable solution exploiting the soil–water-plant continuum around main residential areas in order to enhance degradation processes.

Ecological ditch technology and development prospect based on nature-based solutions: a review.

The core of the concept of nature-based solutions (NBS) is ecological protection, which is the same direction as China's double-carbon goal and has attracted much attention in China. Ecological ditch sewage treatment technology has been widely used in controlling agricultural non-point source pollution because of its advantages of high pollutant removal efficiency and low energy consumption. Suppose the NBS concept of sustainable management, restoration, and ecological protection is integrated into the research and development and application of ecological ditch technology. In that case, it can not only improve the effective removal of pollutants, achieve the purpose of recycling water resources and nutrient elements, but also realize economic, environmental, and social benefits. This paper describes the ecosystem service functions provided by ecological ditches in detail, evaluates their economic values through literatures review, so as to raise people's awareness of natural resource conservation and realize the sustainable management of ecological ditches.

Using Plants of Novel Ecosystems as Resources to Create Green Roofs in Cities’ Adaptation to the Climate Change Process

Using local wild plant resources to create green roofs in urban areas is a sustainable solution that supports cities' adaptation strategies to climate change. Creating extensive green roofs, in accordance with the Nature-Based Solutions concept, supports minimizing the effects of climate change, loss of biodiversity and human health. The aim of this paper is to identify, based on an analysis of published research results, the main criteria for selecting vegetation introduced to green roofs and the role of green roofs in minimizing the effects of climate change in the context of NBS. The data were collected by analyzing the results of studies published in the last 10 years, focusing on plant selection. It was found that species selection often fails to consider plant functional traits. The potential of wild plants in urban-industrial areas for creating green infrastructure and optimizing ecosystem services remains largely unrecognized. However, certain plants with desirable functional traits, originating e.g. from habitats such as post-industrial coal mining waste heaps, show promise in providing functional support to urban ecosystems in minimizing the effects of climate change.

To What Extent Have Nature-Based Solutions Mitigated Flood Loss at a Regional Scale in the Philadelphia Metropolitan Area?

Globally, floods are becoming more severe, lasting longer, and occurring more frequently because of changes in climate, rapid urbanization, and changing human demographics. Although traditional structural flood mitigation infrastructures (e.g., drainage systems, levees) are effective in urban areas, their functionalities in the face of extreme rainfall events and increased development largely depend on the capacity and location of such systems, making complementary solutions such as nature-based solutions (NBS) important. The concept of NBS within the context of flood mitigation has gained traction in the last decade; however, the success of NBS depends on their effectiveness and distribution over urban regions. This article seeks to examine the potential of NBS as a flood loss mitigation tool in one of the fastest-growing and flood-prone counties of Pennsylvania, Montgomery County, using Generalized Linear Model (GLR) and Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) techniques. The analysis integrates the National Risk Index dataset for river flooding, a 100-year flood zone layer from National Flood Hazard Layer (NFHL) provided by FEMA, with land use and impervious surface percent data derived from National Land Cover Database (NLCD) for 2019 and socioeconomic data at the U.S. census tract level from the 2019 U.S. Census. This study’s findings partially contradict previous research by revealing an unexpected relationship between NBS quantity in floodplains and expected annual loss. Findings also suggest that small size and disconnected patches of NBS in floodplains in some dense urban areas effectively reduce total losses from flood events.

Research on the Application of NbS in Watershed Ecological Restoration: A Case Study of Jiulong River Watershed Shan-Shui Initiative

Nature-based solutions (NbS) rapidly develop globally to address societal challenges and provide human well-being and biodiversity. Watershed restoration plays an essential role in enhancing the ecological and socio-economic benefits of the region. The design and implementation of watershed restoration projects are crucial to their effectiveness, and NbS has been applied as a concept in ecosystem-related projects. This paper proposes an evaluation method to assess the implementation of the Shan-Shui Initiative in the Jiulong River Watershed restoration projects based on the eight criteria proposed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Global Standard for Nature-Based Solutions. The aim is to standardize the implementation process of watershed restoration projects to achieve more significant benefits and practically apply the concept of NbS in watershed restoration. The implementation scheme of the Shan-Shui Initiative in the Jiulong River Watershed is designed to evaluate and improve the design and implementation scheme of ecological restoration projects in the actual basin. According to the assessment results, the degree of matching based on NbS for the implementation scheme of the Jiulong River Watershed Shan-Shui Initiative is 73%, which meets the criteria of NbS but needs to be improved in terms of monitoring and assessment, synergistic management, and benefit trade-offs.

Nature-based solutions for future earth: harnessing the power of ecosystems

Nature-based solutions (NbS) offer a promising approach to address the complex environmental challenges facing Future Earth. By harnessing the power of ecosystems, NbS provides innovative and sustainable strategies for solving a wide range of societal issues while promoting biodiversity conservation and ecosystem resilience. This article explores the concept of NbS and its potential applications in shaping a sustainable and ecologically sound future. The article begins by defining NbS and highlighting its fundamental principles, which include the use of natural processes, the integration of social and ecological systems, and the enhancement of ecosystem services. It then delves into the various domains where NbS can make a significant impact, such as climate change adaptation and mitigation, water management, urban planning, and disaster risk reduction. Drawing upon real-world examples and case studies, the article showcases the effectiveness of NbS in diverse contexts. From restoring coastal wetlands to protect against sea-level rise to implementing green infrastructure in urban areas for stormwater management, NbS demonstrates its potential as a cost-effective and resilient alternative to conventional approaches. Furthermore, the article discusses the multiple co-benefits associated with NbS, including improved air and water quality, enhanced human health and well-being, and the promotion of sustainable livelihoods. It highlights the importance of stakeholder engagement and collaboration among scientists, policymakers, communities, and businesses in implementing NbS at various scales. Lastly, the article addresses the challenges and barriers to widespread adoption of NbS, such as policy frameworks, financing mechanisms, and knowledge gaps. It calls for integrated approaches that combine scientific knowledge, traditional ecological knowledge, and innovative technologies to unlock the full potential of NbS. In conclusion, this article emphasizes the crucial role of NbS in creating a sustainable and resilient Future Earth. By recognizing and valuing the services provided by ecosystems, we can forge a path towards a harmonious coexistence with nature while addressing pressing societal needs. Through the harnessing of the power of ecosystems, NbS offers a transformative approach to building a sustainable future for all.

Linkages between the concept of nature-based solutions and the notion of landscape.

As the effects of Nature-based solutions (NBS) application are usually much broader than onlythe area under the project implementation, it is necessary to capture the impact on these actions of landscape as well as the influence of landscape type on the NBS effectiveness.The main aim of this study was to detect linkages between the operational of NBS and the landscape dimention,based on a systematic literaturereview. The results showed the existence of seven linkages: (1, 2) 'input' and 'output' resulting from the consideration of landscape as a scale of NBS implementation; (3, 4) 'stimulator' and 'inspiration' based on the contribution of landscape-based management to the implementation of NBS; (5) 'co-beneficiary' since the implementation of NBS affects aesthetic dimensions of landscape; (6) 'tool' aslandscape-based indicators are usedto assess the impacts of NBS; and (7) 'foundation' as health-supporting landscapes may be considered as a type of NBS action.

Green spaces in Uzbekistan: Historical heritage and challenges for urban environment

Green spaces have gained increasing urgency due to the global and local challenges resulting from rapid urbanization and environmental issues. This study specifically focuses on the design, management, and crucial significance of urban green spaces in Uzbekistan within the framework of sustainable development. Through the integration of diverse theoretical perspectives and interdisciplinary approaches, the study seeks to enhance biodiversity, facilitate wildlife movement, and promote environmental sustainability within urban green spaces. The research methodology employed in this study is robust, encompassing comprehensive data analysis, which provides compelling evidence of the positive impacts of green spaces on both physical and mental well-being. Moreover, the study establishes a clear correlation between the concept of nature-based solutions and the imperative to leverage the potential of nature to effectively address environmental challenges and achieve socioeconomic advantages. In addition, the study explores the role of geography in effectively addressing the opportunities and challenges associated with urban green spaces in Uzbekistan. Policymakers, researchers, and practitioners engaged in promoting sustainable urban development can draw valuable insights from this study. The findings underscore the critical importance of adopting a multidimensional approach to urban planning to foster the development of sustainable and livable cities. By implementing the recommendations outlined in this study, Uzbekistan has the potential to enhance its green spaces and successfully tackle pressing environmental challenges. Consequently, this study fills a significant research gap by highlighting the pivotal role of geography in comprehending and addressing the importance of urban green spaces. The findings align with the concepts of nature-based solutions and geography, offering actionable guidance for sustainable urban development in Uzbekistan.

Exploring the emergence of a tipping point for conservation with increased recognition of social considerations.

Despite a common understanding of the harmful impacts of Western conservation models that separate people from nature, widespread progress toward incorporating socioeconomic, political, cultural, and spiritual considerations in conservation practice is lacking. For some, the concept of nature-based solutions (NbS) is seen as an interdisciplinary and holistic pathway to better integrate human well-being in conservation. We examined how conservation practitioners in the United States view NbS and how social considerations are or are not incorporated in conservation adaptation projects. We interviewed 28 individuals working on 15 different such projects associated with the Wildlife Conservation Society's Climate Adaptation Fund. We completed 2 rounds of iterative coding in NVivo 12.6.1 to identify in the full text of all interview responses an a priori set of themes related to our research questions and emergent themes. Many respondents saw this moment as a tipping point for the field (one in which the perceived values of social considerations are increasing in conservation practice) (76%) and that social justice concerns and the need to overcome racist and colonial roots of Western conservation have risen to the forefront. Respondents also tentatively agreed that NbS in conservation could support social and ecological outcomes for conservation, but that it was far from guaranteed. Despite individual intention and awareness among practitioners to incorporate social considerations in conservation practice, structural barriers, including limited funding and inflexible grant structures, continue to constrain systemic change. Ultimately, systemic changes that address power and justice in policy and practice are required to leverage this moment to more fully address social considerations in conservation.

Nature-based solutions: Establishing a comprehensive framework for addressing urban waterlogging management.

Due to the impact of global climate change, many cities in China have been hit by severe rainstorms, leading to increasingly frequent urban waterlogging disasters. In recent years, nature-based solutions (NbS) have received widespread attention and recognition, providing new ideas and approaches to addressing urban waterlogging issues. First, this article reviews the development process and concept of NbS and analyzes its core ideas and principles. Second, it analyzes the guiding role of NbS in urban waterlogging management and compares the commonalities and differences between NbS and three related waterlogging concepts. To ensure that urban waterlogging management is operational and dynamic, and that there is effective communication among stakeholders, this article proposes a comprehensive framework for the application of NbS in urban waterlogging management. Finally, this article analyzes the opportunities and potential of NbS applied to urban environmental issues. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2023;19:1414-1421. © 2023 SETAC.

The IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions™ as a tool for enhancing the sustainable development of marine aquaculture

This paper applies the IUCN Global Standard for Nature based Solutions™ self-assessment tool (published in 2020) to two aquaculture case studies. Data from the case studies were compiled by the authors. In Zanzibar, secondary data were obtained through a previous project, which included a stakeholder workshop in Zanzibar (in 2019) and one deliverable published by the IUCN on Zanzibar of their catalogue “Aquaculture and Marine Conservation”. In Indonesia, the original data were provided by the Blue Natural Capital Funding Facility (BNCFF) and the associated local teams. The analysis of the data, the information provided, and the scoring itself were done by the authors, in association with local teams in both areas. The results of the two assessments, discussed in the paper and presented in detail in the Supplementary materials, can be considered original research, never previously published in a scientific journal. The concept of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) was proposed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to protect, restore, and sustainably manage natural and modified ecosystems for achieving a variety of societal benefits. The IUCN released the IUCN Global Standard for NbS™ to help design, assess, strengthen, and upscale NbS interventions. In the current context of growing uncertainties for the future of coastlines and oceans, aquaculture has been recognized as a positive activity for achieving sustainable development in coastal communities; supporting food security, poverty alleviation, and economic resilience; and contributing to the conservation of marine ecosystems in some cases. However, the sustainability of aquaculture systems has often been criticized. Aquaculture initiatives in coastal areas can achieve both nature conservation and sustainable development objectives, but reflection on the conditions under which this would happen is needed. This article examines aquaculture systems through the lens of the NbS concept and the IUCN Global Standard for NbS™, along with other sustainability concepts and instruments currently used in the context of aquaculture. The application of the IUCN Global Standard for NbS™’s to two case studies is explored: seaweed farming in Zanzibar in marine conservation areas and shrimp farming coupled with mangrove restoration in Indonesia. The results show that the NbS concept underpinning the IUCN Global Standard for NbS™ could help in the overall assessment of aquaculture systems and improve their sustainability by highlighting both their positive outcomes and issues requiring further examination in relation to marine biodiversity benefits, socio-economic development, and/or governance. The IUCN Global Standard for NbS™ could provide an operational framework to implement existing concepts, such as the Ecosystem Approach to Aquaculture, contribute to clarifying critical issues in aquaculture development, and provide guidance for the development of a new type of aquaculture project, specifically designed as NbS. This finding advocates the context-dependent exploration and promotion of aquaculture projects as NbS.

Challenges and Opportunities in the Use of Nature-Based Solutions for Urban Adaptation

The concept of nature-based solutions (NbS) has been endorsed by multiple international organizations as one of the priority approaches to address climate-related challenges. These solutions are versatile, and can simultaneously address challenges such as climate impacts, public health, inequality, and the biodiversity crisis, being uniquely suited for urban adaptation. NbS are particularly relevant in the developing world, where strategies should be as self-reliant as possible, reducing the need for technological processes that require expensive and complex maintenance. NbS can also promote political, societal, cultural, and ultimately, systems change. The purpose of this paper is to present a literature review on the use of NbS for urban adaptation, identifying the main opportunities, challenges, and, most specifically, knowledge gaps, which can be addressed in subsequent research. The present paper identifies four types of knowledge gaps that are particularly relevant for the use of NbS for urban adaptation: future climate uncertainty, lack of site-specific technical design criteria, governance strategies, and effectiveness assessment evaluation. To overcome local governments’ limitations, specific implementation strategies and structures should be considered, centered on knowledge transfer within a transdisciplinary and participatory framework. These should be developed in partnership with urban planning entities, seeking to consolidate these approaches in policies that support social resilience and institutional capacity. Therefore, urban adaptation should be initiated with pilot projects to simultaneously address the urgency for implementation, while allowing urban planning practices the time to adjust, building capacity at the local level, and filling knowledge gaps through the assessment of effectiveness. The climate-resilience of urban tree species adequate to the future climate was identified as a relevant knowledge gap for the implementation of NbS.

Going beyond market-based mechanisms to finance nature-based solutions and foster sustainable futures

Failure to address the climate and biodiversity crises is undermining human well-being and increasing global inequality. Given their potential for addressing these societal challenges, there is growing attention on scaling-up nature-based solutions (NbS). However, there are concerns that in its use, the NbS concept is dissociated with the social and economic drivers of these societal challenges, including the pervasive focus on market-based mechanisms and the economic growth imperative, promoting the risk of greenwashing. In this perspective, we draw on recent research on the effectiveness, governance, and practice of NbS to highlight key limitations and pitfalls of a narrow focus on natural capital markets to finance their scaling up. We discuss the need for a simultaneous push for complementary funding mechanisms and examine how financial instruments and market-based mechanisms, while important to bridge the biodiversity funding gap and reduce reliance on public funding, are not a panacea for scaling NbS. Moreover, market-based mechanisms present significant governance challenges, and risk further entrenching power asymmetries. We propose four key recommendations to ensure finance mechanisms for biodiversity and NbS foster more just, equitable, and environmentally sustainable pathways in support of the CBD’s (Convention on Biological Diversity) 2050 vision of “living in harmony with nature”. We stress that NbS must not be used to distract attention away from reducing emissions associated with fossil fuel use or to promote an agenda for perpetual economic growth and call on government policy makers to decenter GDP growth as a core economic and political target, refocusing instead on human and ecological well-being.

Just cities and nature-based solutions in the Global South: A diagnostic approach to move beyond panaceas in Brazil

Within the context of climate change and the quest for more sustainable cities, greener urban solutions are gaining traction through emerging concepts that have been orienting municipalities’ regeneration and development agendas, including the so-called nature-based solutions (NbS), which have been discussed, planned, and proposed worldwide by academics, NGOs, and policymakers. Comprising different scales and typologies, NbS makes up a modern toolkit of actions towards decarbonized, climate-resilient, and ecologically healthy cities, claiming ample ecological, social, and economic benefits. A literature analysis indicates a greater presence of research and projects focused on NbS in countries in the Global North than in the South; however, given their accelerated urban growth, lack of green areas, and degradation of local environments, cities of the South urgently need such solutions. Nonetheless, research on the effects of urban greening agendas in the Global North has demonstrated that solutions may be entangled with neoliberal practices of space production that exacerbate inequalities, resulting in harmful social impacts such as displacement of people and increases in land and housing costs. This study seeks to build an anticipatory understanding of practices that articulate NbS in the Global South from a Brazilian viewpoint. Given Brazil’s reality of social and environmental injustices, we focus on whether implementing NbS could amplify such problems. Our objective is to contribute to the debate by (1) understanding how the NbS concept is being appropriated, in practice, in Brazil, and (2) reflecting and pointing out paths and recommendations on how to plan NbS through a justice lens.

Climate Change Adaptation Strategies at a Local Scale: The Portuguese Case Study.

Coastal areas are home to more than 2 billion people around the globe and, as such, are especially vulnerable to climate change consequences. Climate change adaptation has proven to be more effective on a local scale, contributing to a bottom-up approach to the problems related to the changing climate. Portugal has approximately 2000 km of coastline, with 75% of the population living along the coast. Therefore, this research had the main objective of understanding adaptation processes at a local scale, using Portuguese coastal municipalities as a case study. To achieve this goal, document analysis and a questionnaire to coastal municipalities were applied, and the existence of measures rooted in nature-based solutions, green infrastructures, and community-based adaptation was adopted as a variable. The main conclusion from this research is that 87% of the municipalities that answered the questionnaire have climate change adaptation strategies implemented or in development. Moreover, it was possible to conclude that 90% of the municipalities are familiar with the concept of nature-based solutions and all the municipalities with adaptation strategies include green infrastructure. However, it was also possible to infer that community-based adaptation is a concept that most municipalities do not know about or undervalue.

Nature-based solutions in freshwater pearl mussel rivers – A novel approach for self-dynamic desanding developed in a physical model test

In rivers of the Bohemian Massif, an unbalanced sediment regime in the form of a sediment surplus constitutes a growing problem. The dominant weathering grain size fractions (1–10 mm) are unsuitable habitats for, among others, freshwater pearl mussels (Margaritifera margaritifera), which occur in remaining populations in the Austrian part of the Bohemian Massif, the so-called Gneiss and Granite Plateau. In addition to ecological degradation, the above sediment surplus can also increase the flood risk in certain river stretches, which in turn often leads to frequent riverbed interventions (e.g., riverbed dredging). To transition from purely technical mitigation measures to near-natural solutions, the concept of nature-based solutions (NbS) represents an opportunity to mitigate ecological and flood risk issues. However, a comprehensive process understanding is necessary for effective measure planning. This study addressed the deficits in process understanding via physical model tests, in which a technically optimized NbS was developed for the natural process of self-dynamic desanding (SDD). SDD describes the deposition of sand and fine gravel on riverbanks or floodplains under high-flow conditions. The model tests demonstrated that in-stream measures could promote SDD by increasing the sediment output discharged from the river onto the floodplain. In addition, a set of measures was developed on a lowered floodplain, which resulted in optimized floodplain sedimentation under one-year flood conditions. Up to 14.7 % of the total transported sediments could be discharged.

Re-imagining Jakarta after capital city relocation using nature-based solutions: a journal article review

Relocation of the capital city from Jakarta to Nusantara does not necessarily reduce the population pressure and does not solve Jakarta's environmental problems. One of the newest concepts that mainstreaming urban resilience in order to adapt to the climate change impact is nature-based solutions. For this reason, it is necessary to look for the potential for this concept to be applied in Jakarta, which aims to contribute to a sustainable future city design for Jakarta. A qualitative descriptive study was conducted through a literature review by comparing case studies in various cities in the world to obtain information on the latest developments in the concept of nature-based solutions. Various nature-based solutions that have been successfully implemented by cities in the world can be adapted for implementation in Jakarta by taking into account their feasibility and suitability to the characteristics of Jakarta. The regeneration of Jakarta as a resilient and sustainable city can be done by prioritizing nature-based solutions, such as renaturalization and rewilding. Renaturalization is not only focused on park development, but on rainwater management and restoration of watershed quality with a multifunctional utilization design. In addition, well-managed rewilding can become an option to increase biodiversity. Various nature-based solutions that have been successfully implemented by cities in the world can be adapted for implementation in Jakarta by taking into account their feasibility and suitability to the characteristics of Jakarta. The focus of green city development which is only on the development of green open spaces has resulted in the failure to provide solutions to environmental issues and urban sustainability. Deeper citizen engagement is required for the implementation of inclusive nature-based solutions. With the increasing environmental challenges faced by Jakarta, it is necessary to transform the city into a more resilient and sustainable city with a holistic approach by adopting the concept of a circular city for the management of limited resources.

Assessing the benefits of nature-based solutions in the Barcelona metropolitan area based on citizen perceptions

Nature-based solutions (NBS) address societal challenges, such as risk vulnerability and climate resilience, and provide a potential for local adaptation. Other green conceptualizations besides NBS, such as green infrastructures (GI) and ecosystem services (ES), seem to be useful for indicating the potential of nature in urban climate resilience through the provision of a multifunctional landscape, simultaneous services and benefits and stakeholder participation. The extent to which user insight into usual experiences and practices can contribute to NBS management to improve locally adapted solutions could be further explored as part of the NBS concept. Here, we aim to provide empirical evidence about the usual experiences and practices of citizens with respect to NBS. Further, we will address how this insight contributes to NBS management. This study investigated user perceptions based on a public perception survey, to gain information that can be used for (among other things) locally adapted NBS management. To collect evidence, 114 surveys were conducted with users of the Besòs riverside park, an NBS in the Barcelona metropolitan area. The results show that the NBS users are the citizens living near the area who visit the area frequently, mainly for social, cultural, recreational benefits and for health-related purposes. These findings suggest that conducting surveys at the local level is beneficial for gathering evidence on user experiences, perceptions, and practices with respect to NBS, and that this insight could contribute both to NBS monitoring as well as to increasing user awareness and knowledge about an NBS. Stakeholder participation complements the aim of officially recognizing the Besòs area as a key GI for the water cycle in the upcoming Barcelona metropolitan master plan. User insight and NBS management could thus interact to promote a more localized, decentralized, and bottom-up management strategy.