Using Nature-Based Solutions to Create more Climate-Resilient, Green and Livable Mediterranean Cities

Cities around the world are undergoing significant transformations and are facing substantial challenges in the form of urban densification and extreme weather conditions due to climate change and ongoing urbanisation. Nature-based solutions (NBS) present an approach to address urban challenges through working with nature in order to achieve ecological and resilience objectives, whilst concurrently creating opportunities for social and economic innovation. UNaLab is a project funded by the European Commission under the Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, which aims to create a framework for implementation, demonstration and future upscaling of nature-based solutions in three demonstration cities (Tampere, Eindhoven and Genova), as well as for the replication of the solutions in seven replication cities: Basaksehir, Cannes, Castellón de la Plana, Prague, Stavanger, Buenos Aires, Hong Kong. As part of this project, the cities of Cannes (France) and Castellón(Spain) have been working towards a NBS roadmap using different co-creation formats. In a weeklong on-site process, the current state of the urban systems regarding NBS in the city was examined and suitable intervention areas and project ideas were identified and co-developed together with various city stakeholders to enhance the cities' resilience and climate change adaptation potential. Amongst others, the interventions include the creation of green-themed corridors, the strengthening and revitalization of remaining urban agricultural land, the design and implementation of (circular) water retention systems or the renaturalization of existing river courses. Being Mediterranean cities, Cannes and Castellón face similar challenges and opportunities in terms of city greening and urban planning, which will be discussed in this paper. A presentation of the outcomes, impacts and experiences on how NBS are contributing to initiating a positive transformation process and the creation of livable, healthy and feel-good places will also be given.