Report on the Stakeholder Dialogue. REGREEN Deliverable D8.4
Creators: name: Petsani, Elena
Publisher: name: REGREEN - Fostering nature‐based solutions for smart, green and healthy urban transitions in Europe and China. Horizon2020 Grant No. 821016.
Year: 2023

description: In response to the growing need for sustainable urban development, the StakeholderDialogue in the framework of the REGREEN project brought together leading experts fromacross Europe to explore the transformative power of NbS in addressing urban challenges andfostering thriving, green, and healthy cities. The stakeholder dialogue was organised in theframework of the European Resilience Forum in October 2023 in Cascais, Portugal. This reportprovides an overview of the key takeaways and recommendations that emerged from thisinsightful dialogue.The dialogue shed light on the benefits of NbS for urban environments, encompassingimproved air quality, mitigation of the heat island effect, efficient stormwater management,and enhancement of biodiversity. These solutions can be integrated into various urbaninfrastructures, such as green roofs, parks offering adaptable solutions to transform urbanlandscapes.The dialogue underscored the imperative of collaborative efforts in effectively implementingNbS. A collective approach involving urban planners, policymakers, researchers, and activeinvolvement of community members is crucial for the success of such initiatives.Furthermore, the need for increased research and data on the performance of NbS acrossdiverse urban contexts was emphasized, emphasizing the need for a more evidence‐basedapproach to implementation.The recommendations arising from the dialogue emphasize the importance of integrating NbSinto the very fabric of urban planning and development. Advocating for the seamlessintegration of NbS into urban planning frameworks, zoning regulations, and developmentguidelines is essential. Additionally, strategic communication plays a vital role in promotingNbS adoption. Increased collaboration between researchers and urban planners is crucial,while visualization tools can effectively communicate the multifaceted benefits of NbS.Engaging stakeholders is paramount to the successful implementation of NbS. Establishinggovernance structures that facilitate active stakeholder participation, including participatoryplatforms to gather diverse inputs, is crucial. Embracing innovative urban planning processesthat prioritize biodiversity and the incorporation of NbS to address complex urban challengesis also stressed.A holistic approach to problem‐solving is proposed with the development of comprehensiveNbS strategies that integrate multiple solutions. This approach aims to offer a more robustand adaptable response to the intricate and evolving challenges faced by urbanenvironments. Continuous monitoring systems to track NbS performance and foster adaptivestrategies that can evolve over time to meet changing urban needs are also advocated.To promote knowledge exchange and best practices, the establishment of a marketplace forNbS solutions is recommended. This platform would facilitate the exchange of NbS solutionsand promote collaboration among cities striving for sustainable development. Additionally, a strong emphasis is placed on education and public awareness. Investment in educationalinitiatives to enhance public awareness of NbS benefits, along with collaboration with schoolsand community organisations to integrate NbS education into curriculums, is deemedessential.The Stakeholder Dialogue on NbS highlighted the crucial role that NbS can play in fosteringthriving, green, and healthy European cities. The recommendations outlined in this summaryprovide a roadmap for cities to harness the transformative potential of NbS.