Nature-Based Solutions for Sustainable Urban Development

The adoption of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) has recently gained substantial momentum, securing a central role in global discussions on environmental sustainability. As urban environments undergo drastic changes due to climate conditions, the urgency to develop resilient systems is paramount. These changes involve increased severe weather frequency and heightened risks of catastrophic floods and droughts, pushing the boundary of traditional urban planning and demanding innovative solutions. NBS stands out by integrating natural processes to mitigate these impacts while enhancing urban resilience.

This Research Topic aims to investigate the multifaceted applications of NBS in urban settings, assessing their efficacy as tools for climate mitigation and adaptation and disaster risk reduction. We seek to explore how these strategies can not only address immediate environmental challenges but also contribute to long-term economic, social, and ecological benefits. By promoting biodiversity and ecosystem services, NBS provide a sustainable framework that supports urban environments in adapting to new climate realities while also ensuring stakeholder engagement and collaborative policymaking.

Contributions to this Research Topic are strongly encouraged to provide reflections and experiences highlighting the cross- and transdisciplinary applications of NBS in an urban context. Emphasis is given to the intersection of knowledge in the field of NBS for sustainable urban development covering, but not limited, to the topics of:

• strategic approaches with NBS for climate adaptation and mitigation,
• technological innovation and research with NBS,
• NBS and smart cities,
• NBS and the sustainable development goals,
• ecosystem services accounting, evaluation and monitoring of NBS,
• NBS for ecosystem restoration for healthy and biodiverse cities, and
• policies, market, and financing to support the implementation of NBS in cities.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Community Case Study
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Community Case Study
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Nature-Based Solutions, mitigation and adaptation, climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, NBS, Smart Cities, sustainable development goals, ecosystem restoration

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.