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Biodiversity where it’s needed most

To combat the climate crisis in a heavily urbanised region, a transition is underway in the North Sea area, with cities introducing nature-based solutions (NbS) to become greener and more resilient.

The Biodiverse Cities project will accelerate action for biodiversity by implementing urban investments programmes enriched with innovative NbS that halt biodiversity loss, support ecosystem services and balance the co-existence of people and nature, towards nature-inclusive societies.

Biodiverse Cities accelerates biodiversity action in the following ways:

1 - Developing, demonstrating, and monitoring novel Biodiverse NbS pilots: Bio-NbS 

  • We capitalise on existing NbS knowledge to develop solutions that provide greater ecological benefits. The Bio-NbS (implemented in 5 cities and replicated by 3 pollinator cities) are designed based on local ecosystem analysis and biodiversity restoration plans. They provide ecological connectivity and diversity in species. Trialed in diverse urban locations, the pilots will provide holistic insights for adopting Bio-NbS. 

2 - Adopting state-of-the-art co-creation methods to enhance citizens’ connection to nature 

  • Using Social Design, citizens will co-create the Bio-NbS pilots to ensure space for biodiversity, and also for specific community needs (i.e. leisure, exercise, community activities). 
  • Citizens will be involved in Spatial Experimentation, temporarily transforming public spaces into green areas for community use. This creative placemaking method will help citizens experience more nature in their vicinity and increase NbS acceptance. 
  • Community activities (such as nature therapy) are organised to raise environmental awareness, enhance nature connectedness, and involve citizens in the protection of biodiversity in public and their private space. 

3 - Accelerating action for biodiversity in urban investments 

  • The project goes beyond existing organisational practices to integrate biodiversity across city investments and policies. For example, ecosystems need to be connected but are managed by various agencies. We organise multi-level governance to connect areas and set common biodiversity goals. 

The partners

Through the project we will implement Biodiverse NbS (Bio-NBS) in 5 pilot cities - Dordrecht (NL), Aarhus (DK), Bremen (DE), Vaxjo (SE), and Lille (FR) - and plan their replication in 3 pollinator cities - Hamburg (DE), Brest (FR), and Bergen (NO). Pilots cover the full range of city areas (densely built centres, peri-urban, etc.) to understand what works where and to deliver high quality green spaces. By creating local action plans the cities will mainstream biodiversity considerations in city investment programmes, across various agendas and policy.

The cities are guided and supported by top experts on the field of ecology, ecosystem services, conservation, community engagement, co-creation and governance) all contributing to ensure science/experience-based evidence for the successful implementation of the solutions and activities:

  • Aarhus University - experts on biodiversity assessments, impact assessments, green infrastructure planning, stakeholder involvement
  • University of Bremen - experts on multi-level design in socio-ecological transformations, co-deign
  • Aeres University of Applied Sciences - experts on urban greening and monitoring ecosystem services
  • Open Kaart - community design studio, experts in community co-creation, urban design and planning
  • IUCN - global expert in in the field of nature conservation and sustainable use of natural resources and urban NbS)
  • Flemish Environment Agency - experience in governance, climate adaptation, monitoring, modelling and stakeholders involvement

Local experts also support the delivery of pilots and solutions bringing unique local knowledge on communities and the environment

  • Vogelnest - expert in participatory methodologies, community engagement in environmental transitions for the local communities in Dordrecht
  • Bremen Umwelt Beratung e.V - expert in participatory methodologies, greening and biodiversity for the local communities in Bremen

Starting date: September 2022
End date: September 2026