Building more biodiverse and healthy cities: The Urban Nature Plan Framework
The Urban Nature Plans (UNP) Framework provides a comprehensive roadmap for cities to integrate nature into urban spaces and transform them into vibrant, healthy and inclusive environments. With its 10 actionable steps, the UNP framework provides cities with the tools and knowledge to prioritise urban biodiversity, improve ecological resilience and enhance the quality of life of their inhabitants. The steps in more detail:
Step 1: Securing Political Commitment
A strong political foundation is crucial for successful implementation. Cities like Mannheim have led the way by securing public endorsements from city councils and mayors, demonstrating that urban nature is a priority. By fostering collaboration across departments and stakeholders, political commitment ensures that nature-based solutions are integrated into urban planning.
Step 2: Establishing a Working Structure
A clear and organised working structure is essential for moving the plan forward. Paris provides a stellar example with its Biodiversity Plan, where interdepartmental working groups from sectors such as transport and urban planning collaborate to align resources and expertise, ensuring that nature goals are embedded into all city policies.
Step 3: Establishing a Co-Creation Process
Inclusive planning is at the heart of the UNP framework. Barcelona's Natura Plan 2030 demonstrates how meaningful community involvement can shape policies. Through workshops, digital tools like Decidim, and participatory platforms, the city ensures that all voices, from citizens to NGOs, contribute to the development of urban nature initiatives.
Step 4: Developing a Long-Term Vision and Goals
Setting a long-term vision for urban nature is essential. Cities like Belgrade are envisioning green spaces as fundamental parts of urban development, with a focus on protecting and enhancing biodiversity. By creating a comprehensive Green Infrastructure Strategy, Belgrade ensures that green spaces are part of the city’s long-term urban planning.
Step 5: Analysing the Current State of Nature and Biodiversity
Before progressing, cities must assess the current state of their natural assets. Barcelona’s data-driven approach, which maps habitats and assesses ecosystem health, helps the city make informed decisions on where to prioritise conservation efforts and how to address challenges like pollution and climate change.
Step 6: Setting Indicators and Targets
Clear, measurable targets ensure that progress can be tracked. Mannheim, through its Freiraum Mannheim 2030 strategy, is defining indicators like green space accessibility and ecological connectivity to track its progress toward a greener, more biodiverse city.
Step 7: Action Planning and Funding
Successful implementation of the UNP framework requires concrete action and sufficient funding. Burgas has integrated urban greening into its broader development plan, securing EU funding to support initiatives such as green corridors and wetland restoration, demonstrating how funding can support nature-based solutions.
Step 8: Communication and Public Awareness
Raising awareness of the benefits of urban nature is key to securing public support. Paris has engaged citizens through communication campaigns, public consultations, and educational programmes on the importance of urban biodiversity, ensuring a strong connection between the public and the city’s green initiatives.
Step 9: Monitoring, Reporting, and Evaluation
Regular monitoring ensures that the UNP is on track. Barcelona's Biodiversity Plan 2030 uses monitoring tools to track ecosystem health and involves citizens in data collection, ensuring transparency and allowing the city to adapt its strategies as needed.
Step 10: Adoption and Implementation
Once the plan is developed, cities must adopt and implement it, ensuring its success through formal adoption by city councils. Belgrade is integrating its urban greening strategies into legal regulations, ensuring that green spaces are incorporated into new developments, with compliance mechanisms to ensure enforcement.
Conclusion: A Nature Future for Cities
The UNP Framework presents a clear, actionable path for cities across Europe to prioritise nature, biodiversity, and resilience. By following these 10 steps, cities can create inclusive, healthy, and sustainable urban spaces that benefit everyone. From securing political commitment to engaging local communities, the UNP framework empowers cities to bring nature back into the heart of urban life and tackle the challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and urbanisation.
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