Establishing a Framework to Measure the Impact of Nature-based Solutions on Urban Regeneration within CLEVER Cities

McKenna Davis; Linda Mederake; Katriona McGlade; Dr. Julita Skodra; Prof. Dr. Susanne Moebus

1st page of the 4th CLEVER Cities fact sheet "Establishing a framework to measure the impact of nature-based solutions on urban regeneration within CLEVER Cities."

Establishing a Framework to Measure the Impact of Nature-based Solutions on Urban Regeneration within CLEVER Cities

CLEVER Cities Factsheet 4

Publication: Fact Sheet
Citation: Davis, M; Mederake, L; McFarland, K; McGlade, K; Skodra, J; Moebus, S (2020). Establishing a framework to measure the impact of nature-based solutions on urban regeneration within CLEVER Cities. Factsheet 4, CLEVER Cities, H2020 grant no. 776604.

This factsheet explores the potential impacts of nature-based solutions in four key social and economic facets of urban regeneration to create a shared understanding and common approach within the CLEVER Cities project. Along with the overarching concept of urban regeneration, the following sub-themes are explored: human health and well-being; sustainable economic prosperity; social cohesion and environmental justice; and citizen safety.

Each concept includes a definition and highlights which benefits are expected to emerge through the cities’ planned NBS interventions.

Within the transdisciplinary research and implementation project "Co-designing Locally-tailored Ecological Solutions for Value-added, Socially Inclusive Regeneration in Cities (CLEVER Cities)", Ecologic Institute coordinates the development of the CLEVER Knowledge Framework, consisting of a series of targeted guidelines, factsheets, and checklists to guide project activities.

Contact

McKenna Davis

Coordinator Nature-based Solutions

Senior Fellow

Participation is Key – at the right time

18 - 20 October 2023
Doris Knoblauch

Publication:Video

The CLEVER Cities Guidance is an online platform conceptualized by Ecologic Institute to give you unique insight into the multifaceted world of sustainable urban development. This introductory video aims to raise not only the interest but also the engagement of stakeholders from local governments, the academic community and the public and to bridge the gap between the different target groups. The video takes you through the CLEVER Cities Guidance, clearly highlighting the concrete contribution it makes in the context of sustainable urban development.

CLEVER Cities Guidance

Year 2023

Publication:Website

The CLEVER Cities Guidance online platform developed by Ecologic Institute features insights, tools, indicators and lessons learned about nature-based solutions (NBS) emerging out of the CLEVER Cities project and its nine partner cities. Filling a gap in available resources, the Guidance focuses on (1) policy and planning strategies, (2) how to generate and measure social impacts of NBS, and (3) approaches for co-creation and engaging stakeholders.

CLEVER Cities Guidance

clever-guidance.clevercities.eu

Year 2023

Presentation:Chairing

Interactive session with Natalia Burgos (Researcher at Ecologic Institute), Santiago Sandoval (Secretary of Environment of Quito) and Agnieszka Arabas (Team Coordinator for Environment and Spatial Management, Krakow Metropolitan Area).

The CLEVER Cities project's final conference "Nature in the City – Advancing social impact through nature-based solutions (NBS)" was held on 26 and 27 September 2023. McKenna Davis, Senior Fellow at Ecologic Institute, moderated the session "Putting Theory into Practice: Mainstreaming Nature-based Solutions into Policy". The session explored the fundamental question: How can we integrate NBS into the fabric of urban policy and governance to bridge the gap between theory and action?

Putting Theory into Practice: Mainstreaming Nature-based Solutions into Policy

26 - 27 September 2023
McKenna Davis

Presentation:Speech

On 4 July 2022, McKenna Davis from the Ecologic Institute spoke to the 2nd step of this methodology: EXPLORING existing urban greening policies, plans and regulations to identify gaps and understand local needs. Representing the CLEVER Cities project, she provided insights on how to ensure coherent and coordinated policymaking and align objectives across sectors and policies. She also highlighted relevant EU policies and initiatives supporting nature-based solutions to contextualise local action towards NBS mainstreaming.

Mainstreaming Nature-based Solutions

4 July 2022
McKenna Davis

Presentation:Speech

The climate crisis is impacting cities and communities across the globe. As extreme weather events become increasingly frequent, cities must work together to find effective nature-based solutions (NBS) to adapt to their changing climates. As lead partner in the BEGIN project, the Dutch city of Dodrecht welcomed cities, practitioners, researchers and citizens to join the conversation on the future of livable cities. To this end, the NEXT LEVEL 2021 conference was held as a hybrid event on the 20th of October 2021. Ecologic Institute's McKenna Davis was invited as an expert to present on NBS governance and policy.

Taking Nature-based Solutions to the Next Level

20 October 2021
McKenna Davis

Presentation:Speech

The Urban Agenda for the EU recognizes the importance of nature-based solutions as tools for sustainable recovery and development. Yet implementation and mainstreaming at city level remain limited. Can the European Green Deal support these efforts? What role can European research projects play? To answer these questions, McKenna Davis was invited as an expert to contribute to the European Urban Knowledge Network’s (EUKN) Policy Lab on 'The Urban Agenda for the EU, its 'green' actions and the European Green Deal'. The 18 March 2021 event aimed to unravel the 'green' actions of the Urban Agenda for the EU and develop concrete messages for the ministers under Slovenia's Presidency on how to support cities dealing with regulatory obstacles when trying to reach environmental goals.

The Urban Agenda for the EU, its 'Green' Actions and the European Green Deal

18 March 2021
McKenna Davis

Publication:Policy Brief

The multifunctional character of nature-based solutions enables them to provide responses to both social and environmental challenges. This policy brief provides gaps and opportunities to sustainable urban development through NBS at local and national as well as EU and international level. It also analyses local needs from the European and international levels.

Gaps and Opportunities to Sustainable Urban Development through Nature-based Solutions

CLEVER Cities Policy Brief

Year 2020

Publication:Report

This report by Ecologic Institute explores the extent to which current policy frameworks support sustainable urban development and nature-based solutions (NBS). It reveals that a variety of different terms are used across countries in policies and discourses in support of sustainable urban development, with green (and blue) infrastructure being the most frequently used. However, while many policies were shown to have strong explicit support for sustainable urban development, these often lack mandatory policy instruments.

Multi-level Policy Framework for Sustainable Urban Development and Nature-based Solutions – Status quo, gaps and opportunities

CLEVER Cities Deliverable 1.2

Year 2019

Language: English
Authorship: McKenna Davis

Linda Mederake

Keighley McFarland

Katriona McGlade

Dr. Julita Skodra (Universitätsklinikum Essen)

Prof. Dr. Susanne Moebus (Universitätsklinikum Essen)
Funding: European Commission, Directorate-General Research & Innovation (DG Research & Innovation), International
Year: 2019
Dimension: 6 pp.
Project: Co-designing Locally-tailored Ecological Solutions for Value-added, Socially Inclusive Regeneration in Cities (CLEVER Cities)
Project ID: 2812
Keywords: Biodiversity

Cities

Economics

Health

Attachments

2812-Clever-Cities-Factsheet-4.pdf (2.3 MB)

Further Links

PublicationFact SheetKey Barriers to and Factors for Improving the Successful Implementation of Nature-Based Solutions

CLEVER Cities Factsheet 1

This CLEVER Cities factsheet outlines the main barriers and success factors for successful implementation of nature-based solutions. The CLEVER Cities factsheet No 1, edited by Ecologic Institute, is available for download. The full length document "Barriers and... Read more

Grimes, Clara and McKenna Davis (eds.) 2019: Key Barriers to and Factors for Improving the Successful Implementation of Nature-based Solutions. Factsheet 1. European Union's Horizon 2020 innovation action programme under grant agreement No 776604.

PublicationFact SheetGreen Market Opportunities and Business Policies for Urban Nature-based Solutions

CLEVER Cities Factsheet 2

Private businesses lack awareness of market opportunities and appropriate business models for deploying nature-based solutions. This CLEVER Cities factsheet outlines green market opportunities and potential business policies for urban nature-based solutions. The CLEVER... Read more

Green market opportunities and business policies for urban nature-based solutions. Factsheet 2, CLEVER Cities, H2020 grant no. 776604.

PublicationFact SheetImpact-driven Financing and Investment Strategies for Urban Regeneration

CLEVER Cities Factsheet 3

Private businesses lack awareness of market opportunities and appropriate business models for deploying nature-based solutions. This CLEVER Cities factsheet outlines types of NBS financing sources and the potentials of public-private partnerships. The CLEVER Cities... Read more

Perrin, M (2018). Impact-driven financing and investment strategies for urban regeneration. Factsheet 3, CLEVER Cities, H2020 grant no. 776604.

CLEVER Cities project website

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