Guidelines for Design, Implementation and Integration and Management of Urban Innovative NbS

This document presents the NICE project guidelines for the design, implementation, integration and management of innovative urban nature-based solutions for water treatment and reuse. It translates the knowledge generated in the project’s Urban Real Labs into practical guidance that can support the uptake and replication of these solutions in other cities and regions.

The guidelines focus on nature-based solution typologies tested within NICE, including rain gardens, green walls and treatment wetlands for stormwater, greywater and wastewater management. In addition to technical aspects, the document addresses governance, monitoring, maintenance and long-term implementation considerations. The report also demonstrates how the NICE solutions align with the IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions.

Developed by the NICE project team, with lead authors Grażyna Gałęzowska, Daiane Trevisan Ruwer, Lucia Saya, Magdalena Gajewska, Magda Kasprzyk, Katarzyna Kolecka, Anacleto Rizzo, Chiara Sarti, Fabio Masi, Fulvio Boano, Pascal Molle, Stéphane Troesch, Daniela Rizzi and Karen Naciph Mora, and with contributions from partners across the NICE consortium.