Check out the solutions for urban forests based on Nature-based Solutions (NbS). The database of over 1000 cases can provide practical solutions and inspiration for sustainable urban planing.

1. 1
Nature-based solutions to address
climate change in urban areas
Spotlight on the impact forests and trees can make
COP27 @Korean Pavilion
08/11/2022
Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
Grazyna Pulawska
Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF)
&
Dora Almassy, PhD
Central European University

2. Agenda
1. NBS introduction
2. Urban Nature Atlas & selected case studies
3. Take-aways
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3. 3
Nature-based Solutions
The UNEA-5 resolution adopted
the definition of NbS as:
‘actions to protect, conserve,
restore, sustainably use and
manage natural or modified
terrestrial, freshwater, coastal
and marine ecosystems, which
address social, economic and
environmental challenges
effectively and adaptively, while
simultaneously providing human
well-being, ecosystem services
and resilience and biodiversity
benefits.’
Bute Park, Cardiff, UK
https://una.city/nbs/cardiff/mill-leat-restoration-bute-park

4. What are
nature-
based
solutions?
Interventions
inspired or
supported by
nature
Protect or restore
ecosystems
Address modern
societal
challenges
Build resilience
Cost-effective and
resource-efficient
Tailored to local
circumstances

5. NBS can
address
various urban
sustainability
challenges

6. NBS can
deliver
multiple
benefits in
cities
Environmental
•Temperature reduction
•Carbon sequestration
•Biodiversity conservation
Socio-cultural
•Improved social cohesion
•Improved physical and mental
health
•Increased perception of safety
Economic
•Creation of jobs
•Increased property prices
•Stimulate development in
deprived areas

7. Types of
urban NBS
1.Green walls and
green roofs
2. Street trees,
railroad greens
3. Parks and forests 4.Allotments and
community gardens
5.Green indoor
areas
6.Constructed
wetlands, river
restoration
7.Rain gardens,
SUDs
8.Derelict areas

8. 8
NBS & Climate Change Project
ASEF, in partnership with
Central European University
(CEU), has launched a pilot
research project on urban and
peri-urban Nature-based
Solutions in ASEM.
The project focuses on 10
Asian countries.
Data collection will contribute
to the extension of the Urban
Nature Atlas with 100 NBS
cases from ASEM countries by
2022.
Chulalongkorn University (CU) Centenary Park, Bangkok, Thailand
https://una.city/nbs/bangkok/chulalongkorn-centenary-park

9. The most
comprehensive
database of
urban NBS
Developed within
Naturvation an
EU-funded
H2020 project
Produced as the
result of a
systematic
survey
Database
development:
2017
Update:
Global
extension with
climate cases
for the COP26:
2021
Asian
extension:
2022
Includes more
than 1000
interventions
Urban
Nature
Atlas
www.una.city
www.physi.earth

10. Urban
Nature
Atlas
www.una.city

11. Various urban NBS projects can support climate action
in urban areas
Source: https://una.city/analysis-1

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15. 15
Source: https://una.city/nbs/lahore/liberty-market-forest

16. Main take-aways
Urban forests offer various benefits:
• Sequester carbon
• Reduce urban heat islands
• Act as green belt around the city to regulate microclimate
• Address desertification and improve soil quality etc.
Things to consider when planning urban forestry projects:
• Avoid monocultural plantations, low quality forests
• Seek diverse and native species that provide habitat and ecosystems
• Besides environmental aspects, consider societal challenges, health, social
and cultural aspects
• Introduce societal safeguards to ensure fair and equal distribution of benefits
• Consider local context and needs

17. Follow up
Check out what we do at www.ASEF.org
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Thank you for the attention!
env@asef.org