The Urban Nature Atlas is a collection of more than 1000 inspiring nature-based solutions from European cities and beyond.
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Key challenges
Nature-based solution
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Restoration of the spring and banks of Cabrinha Lake
Londrina, Brazil
The project has seen the "installation of rock structures to reduce the energy of the water that is drained by conventional rainwater galleries and the strategic planting of certain plant species that, through phytoremediation, can mitigate the diffuse pollution that affects the body of the river" (Ref. 1). In combination, "these solutions aim to prevent erosion and landslides on the banks, stop the siltation of the river, improve water quality and strengthen the linear park as a leisure space increasingly demanded by the population in its surroundings" (Ref. 1). A demonstration project which occurred under ICLEI's INTERACT-Bio project, the implementation of NBS has also been accompanied by other measures which saw Lake Cabrinha be de-silted, a walking path, benches, and playground be built and LED lighting be installed" (Ref. 1).
Restoration of Zabalgarbi Waste Disposal Site
Bilbao, Spain
The company running the Zabalgarbi waste disposal site manages a solid waste–to-energy plant and also houses a mechanical biological treatment (MBT) plant, a composting plant, a landfill and a leachate treatment plant. During construction of the first plant, Zabalgarbi regenerated and recovered the entire Artigas-Arraiz area covering 108 hectares. The area was degraded by shaft mining activity and an opencast quarry. The project aimed at the reforestation and landslide mitigation of this degraded area. Today the area has been reforested, trails were built and space provided for people to enjoy themselves in gardens, picnic areas and along forest tracks. (Ref 1)
Restoring Braid Burn
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
The Braid Burn is a highly urbanised watercourse that has been significantly modified to improve drainage. Prior to re-meandering of the Braid burn, it was constrained in a narrow, brick-lined channel with little character, offering a poor habitat and possessing low species diversity. The restoration work reintroduced diversity to allow natural morphological and ecological processes to take place (ref. 2). A new wetland habitat was created, along with a flood storage area. It was a small component of a wider flood alleviation scheme by the City of Edinburgh (ref. 1).
Restoring Dry Deciduous Coastal Forest and Mangroves
Mahajanga, Madagascar
The project is part of a bigger initiative aimed at restoring the coastal forest near the city of Mahajanga in western Madagascar. Alongside 2 international NGOs, the community located in the bay next to the city of Mahajanga implemented the intervention with the ultimate goal being to transition the land into a protected area as part of the greater "Mahajanga Green Belt Project". The regrowing forest will form the northwestern end of the greater Mahajanga Green Belt, with the southeast meets the Ankarafantsika National Park. The project also has a gendered aspect as it aimed to employ mostly the women in the suburbs of the city. (1,3)
Restoring the Humberhead Peatlands
Doncaster, United Kingdom
The Humberhead Peatlands are the UK's largest lowland raised bog complex and are part of the Natura 2000 network. They are located East of Doncaster and include the Thorne Moors and the Hatfield Moors (both towns are part of the Doncaster Borough). Commercial peat extraction has changed the hydraulic balance of the area, which impacts the condition of the peatland. This project aims to restore the water balance and thereby the peatland that can help prevent flooding, which is a breeding ground for the European nightjar, while also creating local jobs. The Humberhead Peatlands LIFE+ project completed its delivery phase in June 2019. (Ref 2, 3)
Retrofit Rain Garden Project
Greater Nottingham, United Kingdom
The scheme was designed to manage surface water runoff from a 1 in 30 year event and to always intercept and treat the, often more polluted, first flush of highway runoff (ref. 1). A total of 21 linear rain gardens (total of 148m2) were constructed within the grass verge, allowing for the constraints of access, below-ground services, street furniture and trees. The rain gardens utilise a combination of clean stone aggregate and proprietary units to create void space beneath a planted topsoil layer. They were designed to capture runoff from 5500 m2 of highway from a total surface area of 7100 m2 (ref. 1).
Revealing the Roch project
Greater Manchester , United Kingdom
The Revealing the Roch project uncovered two sections of the River Roch to expose a historic bridge which had been hidden for over 100 years (ref 1). Re-opening and deculverting the River Roch and bridge has a tangible benefit by reducing flood risk for the town (ref 4). The scheme, which is a key part of Rochdale town centre’s ongoing regeneration programme will help reduce flood risk in the town center and create educational opportunities. The project also includes enhancing the natural heritage of the river by introducing features that encourage river vegetation and creatures to re-establish themselves (ref 5). The project has since led to a wildlife boost, with brown trout, bullhead fish, heron and kingfishers all being seen since construction work to open the river began. (Ref 3). As the River Roch connects to River Mersey which empties into the North Atlantic ocean, this intervention addresses marine ecosystem restoration as well.
Revitalization and Conservation of the Butuah Wetlands
Sekondi-Takoradi, Ghana
The revitalization and conservation of the Butuah Wetlands work started in 2020 by a Ghanian NGO, called Friends of the Nations, in collaboration with some public institutions and an American charitable foundation that makes small grants to grassroots environmental causes around the world. In the past, the wetland has been a major flood reservoir that channelled excess water from different parts of the metropolis into the sea as well as a beacon of biodiversity. The weak monitoring regime of this wetland has led to massive encroachments by both private and industrial developers, therefore, causing biodiversity depletion and contributing negatively to climate change. (1)
Revitalization of 3 lakes
Poznań, Poland
The project revitalized beaches around three lakes near Poznan: Kierskie, Strzeszynskie, and Rusalka. Over 1000-ha of forest and three lakes located within the city borders make this a unique recreational area for the inhabitants of Poznan and its surroundings. The project aims to modernize the neglected beaches and build basic infrastructure and communication paths. The plans involved cleaning of the area, planting greenery, regulation of the lake beachline, introducing environmentally friendly solutions (e.g. solar lamps), open-air playgrounds and gyms, and renovation/installation of the new bridges over the lakes [1].
Revitalization of park in the Kamienna Gora district
Gdynia, Poland
After 3 years of works, in 2020 the city of Gdynia revitalized one of its largest parks with a panoramic view on the rest of the city. Planned activities had included new greenery (suitable for the local climate conditions), rebuilding vegetation, creation of the educational paths, building water playground facilities and a sensory garden, open-air gyms and improved infrastructure for the disabled [1,2,3]. The final project focused on the renovation of the amphitheatre and the drainage system underground. Residents have been enjoying the park since June 2020 [7].
