Integrating Nature-Based Solutions in Policy and Planning: Findings and Lessons from INTERLACE Cities

Impulse Paper

Publication: Document
Citation: Gutiérrez Miranda, Marcela; Felthöfer, Charlotte; Knoblauch, Doris (2024). Integrating Nature-Based Solutions in Policy and Planning: Findings and Lessons from INTERLACE Cities. Transversal City Impulse Paper. INTERLACE Deliverable 2.5

The Transversal City Impulse Paper (D2.5) presents nine key findings derived from research and insights gained through the experiences of INTERLACE partner cities. This brief serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, decision-makers, and administrative staff, offering guidance on enhancing policy coherence in urban ecosystem restoration, rehabilitation, and green space planning. The lessons outlined in the paper are not only relevant to INTERLACE cities but also applicable on a global scale, supporting more effective and integrated approaches to sustainable urban development.

Supporting Policy Coherence in Urban Ecosystem Restoration

Developed within the framework of the INTERLACE project, which has been coordinated by Ecologic Institute, the paper synthesizes research and practical experiences to provide actionable recommendations. It highlights challenges and opportunities for fostering greener, more resilient cities, emphasizing the importance of cross-sector collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Enhancing policy coherence in urban ecosystem restoration requires cross-sector collaboration, informed decision-making, and practical insights from city experiences to create greener, more resilient urban spaces.

Integrating Nature-Based Solutions in Policy and Planning

Findings and Lessons from INTERLACE Cities

Year 2024

Publication:Article

The INTERLACE project, funded by Horizon 2020, exemplifies innovative transdisciplinary approaches to tackling urban challenges through nature-based solutions (NBS). By fostering stakeholder engagement, developing practical tools, and supporting ecosystem restoration, the project empowers cities across Europe and Latin America to implement sustainable NBS. McKenna Davis and Benedict Buebfrom Ecologic Institute provided key insights into the project's progress and outcomes.

Nature-based Solutions to Urban Challenges

Year 2024

Publication:Report

Der Bericht "Findings and Lessons from INTERLACE Cities" (dt.: Erkenntnisse und Lektionen aus den INTERLACE-Städten), fasst die Erfahrungen der sieben Partnerstädte in Europa und Lateinamerika zusammen. Er richtet sich an politische Entscheidungsträger:innen und Stadtplaner:innen, die naturbasierte Lösungen (NbS) systematisch in ihre städtischen Planungs- und Governance-Strukturen einbinden möchten. Dabei betont die Publikation die Bedeutung inklusiver Beteiligungsprozesse sowie den Einsatz moderner Daten- und Finanzierungsinstrumente, um NbS auf eine breitere Ebene zu skalieren.

Integrating Nature-Based Solutions in Policy and Planning

Findings and Lessons from INTERLACE Cities

Year 2024

Publication:Report

The report ‘From Ideas to Action’ presents the strategy papers of the seven INTERLACE partner cities, which were developed in close cooperation with local stakeholders in Europe and Latin America. These papers highlight tailor-made strategies for nature-based solutions (NbS), including the revitalisation of urban parks in Chemnitz and the development of a search engine for green infrastructure projects in Kraków. The aim is to effectively address the unique challenges of each city, such as climate change, biodiversity loss and social inequality.

From Ideas to Action

INTERLACE impulses for successfully implementing NbS in cities

Year 2024

Presentation:Speech

On 25 and 26 September 2024, McKenna Davis and Natalia Burgos of Ecologic Institute contributed to two landmark nature-based solutions (NbS) events in Brussels, focusing on advancing NbS through collaborative efforts.

Ecologic Team Active at the Network Nature Annual Events in Brussels

25 - 26 September 2024
McKenna Davis

Event:Digital Event

Urban areas across the globe are facing unprecedented challenges, including urban sprawl, pollution, and the increasing impacts of climate change. To help address these pressing issues, the INTERLACE project is pleased to announce the launch of a new, free Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) titled: "Nature-based solutions: How nature restoration can make more livable, biodiverse, and climate resilient neighbourhoods". The course was introduced in a launch webinar on 8 October 2024.

Creating More Livable, Biodiverse and Climate Resilient Cities with Nature-based Solutions

MOOC Launch Event

8 October 2024
online

Publication:Web Application

Urban areas across the globe are facing unprecedented challenges – pollution, climate change, urban sprawl – and traditional solutions are falling short. Join the Interlace project's free online course to discover how nature-based solutions offer a promising approach to help create resilient, sustainable cities.

Nature-based Solutions: How to regenerate nature to make neighborhoods more livable, biodiverse, and resilient to climate change

MOOC

Year 2024

Publication:Article

Nature-based solutions (NbS) hold immense potential to address global challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss – but how can ambitious goals finally be translated into action? This article provides valuable insights into 250 practical policy instruments from 41 countries that successfully promote NbS. For the first time, a systematic evaluation of good practice examples is presented, aimed at helping cities and communities implement NbS effectively. From innovative approaches to long-term sustainable solutions, the authors highlight how policy design around NbS can be optimized globally. The article provides concrete recommendations and inspiring success stories to advance the implementation of NbS in your region!

Transforming Ambition into Action to Catalyse Nature-based Solutions

Insights from 250 good practice policy instruments

Year 2024

Presentation:Interview

The podcast "Polski Kongres Klimatyczny 2024" features highlights from the discussion that took place at the Polish Climate Congress in March 2024. In the podcast, Ewa Iwaszuk, Fellow at Ecologic Institute, discusses the importance of "green synergy" in municipal cooperation and emphasizes the role of nature-based solutions (NbS) in the development of sustainable cities. Ewa Iwaszuk highlighted how the work of Ecologic Institute and its partners supports cities to effectively integrate these approaches into their infrastructure projects in order to tackle climate change and improve quality of life.

Green Synergies in Municipalities: Applying nature-based solutions in cities

19 June 2024
Ewa Iwaszuk

Languages: Spanish

English
Authorship: Doris Knoblauch

Charlotte Felthöfer

Marcela Gutiérrez Miranda (Uniersidad Nacional Costa Rica)
Funding: European Commission, Directorate-General Research & Innovation (DG Research & Innovation), International
Year: 2024
Dimension: 11 pp.
Project: International Cooperation to Restore and Connect Urban Environments in Latin America and Europe (INTERLACE)
Project ID: 33001
Keywords: Adaptation

Biodiversity

Cities

International Development

Nature-based Solutions and Green Infrastructure

Public Diplomacy

Nature-Based Solutions (NbS), Urban ecosystem restoration, Sustainable urban planning, Green infrastructure development, Climate resilience in cities, Urban biodiversity conservation, Environmental governance, Community engagement in NbS, Policy integration for NbS, Inclusive urban development, NbS financial mechanisms, Cross-sector collaboration, Smart cities and sustainability, Adaptive urban planning, NbS monitoring and evaluation, Ecological restoration strategies, Green space management, Urban resilience frameworks, NbS implementation challenges, Sustainable development policies

Chemnitz, Germany, Granollers, Spain, Krakow Metropolis, Poland, CBIMA, Costa Rica, Envigado, Colombia, Portoviejo, Ecuador

Interviews, Focus groups, Surveys, Workshops, Community engagement, Stakeholder mapping, Policy analysis, Cross-sector collaboration, Data-driven decision-making, Citizen science, Monitoring and evaluation, Knowledge exchange, Case study analysis, Financial mechanism assessment, Urban planning integration, Ecosystem service assessment, Participatory governance, Institutional analysis, Comparative city assessment

Further Links

PublicationDocumentIntegrating Nature-Based Solutions in Policy and Planning: Findings and Lessons from INTERLACE Cities

Gutiérrez Miranda, Marcela; Felthöfer, Charlotte; Knoblauch, Doris (2024). Integrating Nature-Based Solutions in Policy and Planning: Findings and Lessons from INTERLACE Cities. Transversal City Impulse Paper. INTERLACE Deliverable 2.5