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Nature-based solutions for sustainable urban and regional development
From grey to green: reimagining cities and regions through nature.
Cities and regions are at the forefront of addressing some of today’s most pressing challenges, from climate change and biodiversity loss to urbanisation and increasing pressure on land and resources. Under the theme of sustainable urban and regional transformation, cities and regions seek to balance these demands while ensuring the well-being of people, communities, and ecosystems. Nature-based Solutions (NbS) play a central role in this transformation, helping to reconnect urban and rural areas, promote integrated planning, and deliver healthier, more resilient living environments. By embedding nature into planning, design, and governance, cities and regions can move towards a more cohesive, inclusive, and sustainable future.
What can NbS do for policymakers?
- Help to address climate and environmental challenges through urban greening to reduce heat stress, flood mitigation through natural water systems, and biodiversity restoration.
- Improve the health and well-being of the local populations by increasing availability and access to green spaces, cleaner air and water, and less noise.
- Support integrated and cross-sector planning by linking housing, transport, water, and public health through NbS.
- Strengthen urban–rural connections through coordinated land use planning that supports large scale ecosystem connectivity.
- Enable inclusive and participatory approaches by facilitating co-creation with communities, stakeholders, and local authorities.
Why do NbS matter to policy?
- Empower local and regional authorities to drive sustainable transformation through planning, regulation, and investment.
- Encourage better policy coherence across sectors (e.g. urban planning, environment, climate, health, and infrastructure).
- Support delivery of EU and global climate and biodiversity targets.
- Promote capacity building and knowledge sharing among policymakers, planners, and practitioners.
What are EU policy instruments?
European Cohesion Policy 2021-2027
European Cohesion Policy is one of EU’s main investment tools for reducing regional disparities and supporting sustainable development, with funding aimed at creating a greener, more competitive, and socially inclusive Europe. While it does not explicitly target NbS, it provides financial support for their implementation.
The Nature Restoration Regulation sets out the first legally binding, EU-wide targets for large scale ecosystem restoration. It provides a strong framework for integrating NbS requiring Member States to implement national restoration plans that drive coordinated action and highlight the need for investment, governance, and technical capacity at scale. Especially, Article 8 – Restoration of urban ecosystems is of high relevance for sustainable urban and regional transformation.
Urban Nature Plans under the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030
Urban Nature Plans, under the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, provide a structured approach for cities to integrate NbS into urban planning. By promoting measures such as urban forests, green infrastructure, and nature-inclusive design across sectors like housing, mobility, and public health. While highly relevant for delivering biodiversity, climate resilience, and well-being benefits, their impact depends on stronger local implementation, dedicated funding, and coordinated action.
Urban Agenda for the EU – Greening Cities Partnership
The Urban Agenda for the EU – Greening Cities Partnership provides a collaborative platform to accelerate the integration of NbS into urban development, with a strong focus on green and blue infrastructure. By connecting cities, policymakers, and stakeholders, it helps translate NbS into practical actions, funding strategies, and shared knowledge, making it a key enabler of sustainable urban transformation.
The Green City Accord mobilises cities to take measurable action on environmental quality, with a strong emphasis on NbS to enhance biodiversity, green spaces, and climate resilience in urban areas. By committing to clear targets for air, water, and nature, cities are encouraged to embed NbS into local planning and track progress through defined indicators, making nature a central pillar of healthier urban living.
EU Strategy on Green Infrastructure
The EU Strategy on Green Infrastructure promotes the development of interconnected natural and semi-natural areas to restore ecosystems, enhance biodiversity, and deliver societal benefits. While it does not explicitly refer to NbS, it strongly aligns with the principles of NbS by positioning green infrastructure as a key tool for climate resilience, sustainable land use, and ecosystem connectivity across urban and rural landscapes.
New European Bauhaus Initiative
The New European Bauhaus Initiative defines an ambition to create beautiful, sustainable, and inclusive places, products, and ways of living. While it does not explicitly focus on NbS, it promotes a more resilient urban and rural environment through innovation, co-creation, and cross-sector collaboration.
The Territorial Agenda 2030 provides a strategic framework to guide spatial planning polices calling for balanced, sustainable development across Europe, supporting both a greener and more socially equitable continent. It explicitly recognises NbS, green, and blue infrastructure in strengthening climate resilience, biodiversity, and territorial cohesion, encouraging their integration into land use and policy planning.
Policy resources for sustainable urban and regional development
The Policy resource database below provides a curated collection of Policy Resources that can help policy makers understand, implement and monitor NbS to help enhance Urban and Regional Development.