What we are doing
Most cities see blue/green infrastructure as being necessary for absorbing episodic rainfall, as species repositories, and for recreation and wellbeing. Others see blue/green infrastructure such as woodlands and street trees, green roofs and walls, rain gardens and opportunities for reducing the effects of urban heat islands, increasing biodiversity, sinking carbon and diminishing the detrimental effects of particulate and noise pollution. Whatever the blue/green infrastructure typology, the challenges for creating, managing and innovating are high. A large number of European cities are poorly represented in nature-based solutions research, innovation and demonstration programmes, which have often focused on particular areas. In addition, while the majority of European urban zones are either small or medium sized, there are many large cities that are also in need of a large-scale response to the challenges of climate and water stress. Other challenges that cities manifest, and that have a potential impact on the ability of these cities to build resilience using nature-based solutions include health and wellbeing (especially the financial implications of this), cultural heritage, unemployment and migration.
Read more Read less
