As nature-based solutions (NbS) move from pilot projects to wider implementation, access to practical guidance is becoming increasingly important. Cities, practitioners and decision-makers need resources that not only demonstrate the benefits of NbS but also explain how they can be designed, implemented and managed in different local contexts.
A new set of guidelines developed through the Horizon 2020 NICE NbS project contributes to this growing body of implementation knowledge. Led by Gdańsk University of Technology, the publication draws on experiences from pilot sites across Europe to provide practical recommendations for rain gardens, green walls, multi-stage treatment wetlands and vertical-flow treatment wetlands for urban water management. Alongside technical guidance, it addresses monitoring, operation and maintenance, helping practitioners move from planning to long-term implementation.
The publication represents more than the final output of a single project. It adds to a growing collection of open-access resources developed through European research and innovation initiatives, ensuring that knowledge generated through demonstration activities remains available for future projects, cities and practitioners.
This growing knowledge base is already supporting new initiatives. In NBS4Drought, coordinated by Aarhus University, existing guidance documents, case studies and technical resources are being explored to identify proven approaches for drought resilience, including wetland restoration and water retention measures. By building on knowledge generated by previous projects, new initiatives can accelerate learning, avoid duplication and focus their efforts on advancing implementation.
The NetworkNature community is committed to making resources more visible and accessible. By bringing together guidance documents, case studies and implementation tools from across the European NbS community, NetworkNature helps ensure that valuable project results continue to inform research, policy and practice long after individual projects have ended.
Now that NICE NbS has come to a close, the project hopes this guidance can be useful for future projects and municipalities.
The Guidelines for the Design, Implementation, Integration and Management of Urban Innovative Nature-based Solutions and Alignment with the IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions are now available through the NetworkNature knowledge ecosystem, supporting practitioners, researchers and local governments working to scale nature-based solutions across Europe. Access the guidelines here.
