Report on the REGREEN Final Conference. REGREEN Deliverable D8.9
Creators: name: Petsani, Elena
name: Pedersen, Anders Branth
name: Russel, Duncan
name: Jones, Laurence
name: Banzhaf, Ellen
name: Bergier, Tomasz
name: Barra, Marc
name: Grandin, Gwendoline
name: Tyrväinen, Liisa
name: Wheeler, Benedict
name: Anderson, Sally
name: Baró, Francesc
name: Ode, Åsa Sang
name: Casanovas, Eugénia Vidal
name: Knopp, Julius
name: Spanier, Marie
name: Tedeschini, Francesca
name: Sierra-Jimenez, Mara
name: Hardiman, Richard
name: Mishra, Himansu
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2024

description: The "Re-greening cities with Nature Based Solutions in Europe and China" conference, organised jointly by REGREEN and CLEARING HOUSE on 28th and 29th of November 2023 in Brussels, convened experts, policymakers, and practitioners to explore and promote the strategic implementation of Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) in urban environments. The event underscored the critical importance of NbS in addressing complex challenges related to climate change, economy, and social aspects.

Key Themes & Outcomes

Strategic Importance of NbS: The discussions highlighted the NbS as a fundamental element in addressing climate change challenges. The European Green Deal was acknowledged as a key initiative recognising the strategic importance of NbS in providing holistic solutions.

Coherence Across Policy Domains: Participants stressed the need for coherence in policy domains, emphasising the integration of NbS into various areas like urban planning, biodiversity conservation, and climate adaptation for effective environmental solutions.

Exchange of Best Practices: The experts emphasised the value of sharing best practices globally, exemplified by the collaboration between the EU and China. Learning from each other's experiences was deemed crucial for advancing NbS implementation.

Community Involvement for Success: Community engagement was highlighted as a key factor for success in NbS projects, with recommendations for policies to encourage and facilitate such involvement.

Secure Funding for NbS Upscaling: Urgency in securing funding for NbS projects was emphasized, recognizing regional funding and initiatives like the EU Missions and Horizon2020 as valuable resources.

Prevention of Fragmented Urban Policies: The necessity to prevent fragmented urban policies was stressed, calling for integrated planning approaches and connectivity in NbS projects for maximum effectiveness.

Political Commitment to NbS: The commitment of the Paris Region to make NbS a political objective set a precedent for sustainable urbanisation, emphasising long-term dedication to environmental sustainability.

Data-Driven Spatial Planning: Innovative approaches showcased the success of data-driven spatial planning decisions for balanced and environmentally conscious urban development.

Urban Living Labs for Collaboration: The establishment of Urban Living Labs was highlighted for fostering collaboration between researchers and practitioners, serving as dynamic spaces for testing and refining innovative ideas.

Policy, Governance, and Institutional Issues: The importance of a balanced approach, challenges in economically vulnerable areas, public participation, and addressing gentrification concerns were discussed as crucial aspects of NbS integration.

Marketplace Initiative

The Marketplace provided a dynamic platform for selected projects to showcase their work, engage with stakeholders, and foster collaboration, bridging the gap between science, policy, and practice.

The conference demonstrated that successful NbS implementation requires collaborative efforts, effective policies, community involvement, and strategic funding. The Marketplace initiative provided a unique opportunity for direct interactions, knowledge sharing, and networking among professionals in the field. The overarching message is to advance the understanding and implementation of Nature-Based Solutions for sustainable urban development.