As cities confront escalating issues related to climate and biodiversity, EU-supported scientists are leveraging natural solutions to develop more verdant, wholesome, and robust metropolitan areas.
By Ali Jones
On the outskirts of Buenos Aires, within an industrial zone, a hummingbird flits about a lush expanse of flora and blooms. Just two years prior, this location was characterized by drab roads and manufacturing facilities. Now, with support from the EU, researchers are reintroducing nature into the urban landscape of Argentina through partnerships between European and Latin American municipalities.
The sidewalks in San Martín, within the Metropolitan Region of Buenos Aires, feature plant beds called rainwater gardens. These narrow one-meter strips abound with vegetation and draw pollinators such as butterflies, bees, and various insects.
Demián Rotbart, the General Director of Urban Planning at the Municipality of San Martín, points out that the advantages are clear for both the environment and local communities. He collaborated with the University of Buenos Aires under an EU-backed project known as CONEXUS, which came to an end in August 2024.
“It creates a far superior atmosphere for students commuting from the nearby university as well as for the factory employees. By midday, the area fills up with workers enjoying their lunches outdoors. This makes for a livelier, rejuvenated setting, providing locals with greater proximity to plants and verdant areas within their community,” he explains.
Rainwater gardens adopt contemporary approaches in eco-friendly drainage systems aimed at collecting runoff from rooftops and paved surfaces. This natural method assists in controlling storm water and the frequent flash floods occurring more often in city regions.
“Nature-based solutions involve implementing eco-friendly measures on the ground to address worldwide environmental issues by reintroducing vegetation into regions deficient in green spaces,” explained Tom Wild, who coordinates the CONEXUS research initiative and specializes in landscape ecology at the University of Sheffield in the UK.
The analysis of the rainwater gardens indicates that they provide an affordable substitute for conventional infrastructure-focused methods in tackling floods. Researchers are optimistic about scaling them up as part of a combined approach in both Buenos Aires and other urban areas.
Proof of their efficacy is aiding in advancing a progressive approach to city water management: liberating urban rivers from their concrete confines and revitalizing native habitats, which can assist in managing floods and decreasing water contamination.
The restoration of 25,000 kilometers of rivers back to their natural free-flowing condition is a primary objective outlined in the European Green Deal’s Biodiversity Strategy for 2030.
In order to commit to nature-based solutions and ecosystem restoration, urban areas and local populations require robust proof of their enduring effectiveness. Between 2020 and 2024, the CONEXUS group collected information regarding the influence and sustainability of various natural approaches across seven municipal initiatives in São Paulo, Bogotá, Santiago, Lisbon, Barcelona, Buenos Aires, and Turin.
“As per Wild, the concept revolved around collaborating, which expands our spectrum of insights and provides us with an enhanced range of inspirations for reactions.”
The scientists established urban woodlands and conserved wetlands, tackled issues related to urban heating and enhanced air quality, as well as developed and tracked the effects of verdant urban areas designed for cultivating produce and fostering community interaction and leisure activities.
“The projects demonstrate that we have the ability to integrate nature-based solutions retroactively into urban areas. This highlights actions we can take to adapt and address global issues, which is an essential message of optimism,” states Wild.
In Turin located in northern Italy, compact city areas previously utilized for storing household refuse have been transformed into havens for flora and vegetation. This bustling area known as Valdocco is characterized by dense road networks and heavy traffic; however, the CONEXUS research team collaborated with municipal officials to develop miniature green zones aimed at enhancing the well-being of both locals and students attending nearby schools.
Their efforts have mitigated the extreme warmth common in urban areas by offering shade through tree canopies and emitting coolness via plant evaporation—natural methods that enhance cities’ ability to withstand climate change impacts.
Riccardo Saraco from the City Administration of Turin headed the initiative and strongly feels that natural approaches ought to have a more significant place in city planning.
They offer advantages beyond improving environmental factors like air quality and enhancing livability for residents; they also contribute to developing new vocational competencies,” he explained. “There’s a shortage of firms capable of installing green walls or roofs, which opens up possibilities for generating fresh employment opportunities within the sustainability sector.
Insights gained from the CONEXUS research group are being integrated into another European Union-supported project called NetworkNature. This new initiative aims to provide easy access to blueprints for nature-based solutions, making them readily available to all those who play a role in designing urban futures.
Currently in its second phase known as NetworkNaturePlus, this initiative will continue running up to 2027. The NetworkNature group is consolidating over 90 European Union-backed projects focused on nature-based solutions and is ensuring their insights are accessible to the public via online repositories.
Dr. Daniela Rizzi, who oversees NetworkNature, specializes in both architecture and urban planning. After studying in São Paulo, where she observed the severe contamination and deterioration of the city’s waterways, she became dedicated to finding environmentally friendly remedies inspired by nature.
“I believe they represent the past, present, and future. We genuinely require their involvement to address the current crisis. While nature-based solutions aren’t sufficient on their own, we can’t resolve these issues without them,” she stated.
NetworkNature serves as an online platform aimed at inspiring European stakeholders and those from further abroad through the exchange of information about nature-based solutions. Managed by ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, which comprises more than 2,500 local and regional authorities focused on fostering sustainability in cities worldwide—it brings together specialists, policy makers, professionals, and academics.
Rizzi aims to promote the uptake of nature-based solutions and impact policies by organizing policy briefings, workshops, and webinars, which should help in directing funding and resources accordingly.
“She mentioned that it’s not only about developing the ability to execute nature-based solutions; we must also take an additional step to shape policies and regulations.”
This occurs as policies establish the framework for financial support and investments, and Rizzi feels that this is crucial for driving meaningful transformation.
It holds immense significance, and if we do not advocate for change, then governments, corporations, and societies might keep operating just as they always have.
In Rizzi’s view, the growing body of evidence from these projects proves that nature-based solutions are not just a vision for the future, but a practical, scalable reality – offering hope, resilience and a sustainable path forward for ecosystems and people worldwide.
This piece was initially released in
Horizon
, the European Union’s Research and Innovation Magazine.
Furnished by SyndiGate Media Inc.
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