Phase A: Design & Planning
Effective design and planning are fundamental for successful urban NbS. Use the tabs below to navigate specific steps.
Establishing a Baseline
A Baseline Assessment provides a comprehensive profile of ecological, social, and institutional conditions. By analyzing biodiversity, ecosystem health, land-use, socio-economic dynamics, and governance structures, cities can identify priority issues.
Guidance: The societal challenges addressed must be clearly identified. This requires a diagnostic assessment integrating ecological and social data. Key tools include ecological surveys and socio-economic analyses.
Learn moreRisk Analysis
Urban NbS must address both environmental hazards and the vulnerabilities of infrastructure and communities. Common risks include flooding, heatwaves, and air pollution.
Guidance: Cities should assess historical data and future projections to understand localized risks. Tools such as the Climate Resilient Cities (CRC) Tool can facilitate this process.
Learn moreNbS Selection
Selecting NbS interventions requires balancing ecological, social, and economic goals using a systems-based approach.
NbS must result in positive change. For example, rehabilitating a degraded floodplain can offer economic (tourism), social (public space), and ecological (water filtering) benefits.
Learn morePhase B: Financing
Demonstrating economic viability is critical to embedding NbS in city policy and portfolios.
Economic Viability
Cities must assess not only the financial cost of NbS but also their social and ecological value.
Guidance: A comprehensive impact assessment should capture tangible and intangible benefits (e.g., air quality, public health). The distribution of these costs and benefits must be understood to ensure equity.
Learn moreNbS must be evaluated alongside conventional "grey" alternatives. For example, urban wetlands may be more cost-effective for flood protection than engineered drains.
Learn moreFinancing Options
A mix of public, private, and innovative funding mechanisms is key to sustaining urban NbS.
- Public Funding: Municipal budgets and ecological fiscal transfers.
- Private Investment: Green bonds, sustainability-linked loans, and CSR programs.
- Innovative Mechanisms: Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) and debt-for-nature swaps.
Integration into Financial Planning
Integrating NbS into city budgeting enables continuity beyond project cycles.
Planning must account for both upfront capital expenditures (CAPEX) and ongoing operational costs (OPEX). Cities can set aside dedicated departmental budgets or incentivize meeting performance targets.
Learn morePhase C: Governance & Engagement
Developing effective governance is essential to mainstreaming NbS in cities, navigating fragmented authority and socio-economic disparities.
Governance & Policy
NbS require cross-jurisdictional coordination and alignment with national/global targets.
When NbS scale extends beyond boundaries, mechanisms must be established for joint decision-making among stakeholders and rights-holders.
Interdepartmental policy reviews are needed to align municipal planning instruments (master plans, green strategies) with NbS goals.
Rights & Engagement
Engagement builds legitimacy. Cities must recognize the rights of diverse stakeholders and invest in networks .
Defined conflict resolution mechanisms must be available and accessible. These should be introduced early via stakeholder forums with multilingual channels .
Engagement must respect Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), especially for Indigenous Peoples. Processes must be grounded in respect for rights and dignity.
Communication
Effective communication translates NbS concepts into actionable strategies. Messaging should be context-specific and tailored to different audiences.
- Policymakers: Emphasize policy relevance and return on investment.
- Communities: Highlight livability, health benefits, and address gentrification concerns.
Phase D: Evaluation
Effective performance assessment ensures urban NbS remain functional and inclusive. This requires monitoring and adaptive management.
Monitoring
Systematically tracking ecological, social, and economic indicators enables cities to evaluate effectiveness.
A comprehensive M&E strategy must clearly state assumptions about how desired outcomes are achieved.
Goals should be specific and measurable (SMART) based on baselines. Examples include increasing native plant cover or reducing habitat fragmentation.
Adaptive Management
Adaptive management provides a structured process for learning from implementation and making timely adjustments .
Cities should establish review cycles (e.g., quarterly or annually) to analyze performance gaps and make course corrections, such as changing plant species or modifying layouts.
Safeguards must be periodically reviewed to ensure they address conflicts (e.g., displacement) and remain relevant.