Nature-Based Solutions to Climate Change Adaptation in Urban Areas—Linkages Between Science, Policy and Practice
Open accessAbstract
Climate change presents one of the greatest challenges to society today. Effects on nature and people are first experienced in cities as cities form microcosms with extreme temperature gradients, and by now, about half of the human population globally lives in urban areas. Climate change has significant impact on ecosystem functioning and well-being of people. Climatic stress leads to a decrease in the distribution of typical native species and influences society through health-related effects and socio - economic impacts by increased numbers of heat waves, droughts and flooding events. In addition to climate change, urbanisation and the accompanying increases in the number and size of cities are impacting ecosystems with a number of interlinked pressures. These pressures include loss and degradation of natural areas, soil sealing and the densification of built - up areas, which pose additional significant challenges to ecosystem functionality, the provision of ecosystem services and human well - being in cities around the world. However, nature-based solutions have the potential to counteract these pressures. Nature-based solutions (NBS) can foster and simplify implementation actions in urban landscapes by taking into account the services provided by nature. They include provision of urban green such as parks and street trees that may ameliorate high temperature in cities or regulate air and water flows or the allocation of natural habitat space in floodplains that may buffer impacts of flood events. Architectural solutions for buildings, such as green roofs and wall installations, may reduce temperature and save energy. This book brings together experts from science, policy and practice to provide an overview of our current state of knowledge on the effectiveness and implementation of nature-based solutions and their potential to the provision of ecosystem services, for climate change adaptation and co-benefits in urban areas. Scientific evidence to climate change adaptation is presented, and a further focus is on the potential of nature-based approaches to accelerate urban sustainability transitions and create additional, multiple health and social benefits. The book discusses socio-economic implications in relation to socio-economic equity, fairness and justice considerations when implementing NBS.
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There is strong evidence on the positive public health outcomes from engaging with nature and biodiversity and from living near urban green spaces in cities.
“There is strong evidence on the positive public health outcomes from engaging with nature and biodiversity and from living near urban green spaces in cities (44, 47, 56–62).”
From Global synthesis and regional insights for mainstreaming urban nature-based solutions (2025) · cites this paper as [59]
Section 1.3.3 (page not provided) describes epidemiological evidence of public-health benefits from urban green spaces and links residents’ health to green-space availability. The Background (section 1.1; page not provided) says improved availability may benefit mental and physical health, but the copy does not establish the claimed strength of evidence for health outcomes from engaging with biodiversity specifically. (LLM, conf=0.82)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThere is inconsistency in science-policy integration and knowledge transfer at strategic and urban planning levels, as well as limited evaluation of how NbS generate or contribute to financial benefits.
“There is related inconsistency in science–policy integration and knowledge transfer at strategic and urban planning levels (26, 48, 56, 59, 63, 66–68) as well as limited evaluation of how NbS generate or contribute to financial benefits (69).”
From Global synthesis and regional insights for mainstreaming urban nature-based solutions (2025) · cites this paper as [59]
Citation (69) attaches to the financial-benefits clause, not the earlier science–policy clause. The Background (§1.1; page unavailable) says systematic analysis of NbS effects and co-benefits is only beginning, and §1.3.4 calls for a sound evidence base on economic benefits. Neither passage specifically says that evaluation of how NbS generate financial benefits is limited. (LLM, conf=0.78)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredDespite evidence on positive impacts of biodiversity, researchers report inconsistencies that require attention.
“Yet, despite evidence on such positive impacts of biodiversity, researchers also report inconsistencies that require attention (59, 64).”
From Global synthesis and regional insights for mainstreaming urban nature-based solutions (2025) · cites this paper as [59]
Section 1.1 (Background; page unavailable) describes potential environmental benefits of urban green and blue spaces, and section 1.3.2 discusses assessing biodiversity’s role in adaptation and ecosystem services. The paper also notes knowledge gaps about nature-based solutions, but the passages found do not report inconsistencies in findings about biodiversity’s positive impacts. (LLM, conf=0.82)
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- Authors
- Kabisch, N., Korn, H., Stadler, J., & Bonn, A.
- Affiliations
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (DE)
- Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (DE)
- Corresponding author
- Kabisch, Nadja
- Venue
- Theory and Practice of Urban Sustainability Transitions
- Publisher
- Springer International Publishing
- Published
- 2017
- Pages
- 1-11
- ISSN
- 2199-5508 (ISSN-L)
- 2199-5516
- OpenAlex
- W2753100587
- Cited by
- 375
- References
- 18
- Citations by year
- 2026: 29 · 2025: 55 · 2024: 56 · 2023: 51 · 2022: 45 · 2021: 63 · 2020: 40 · 2019: 20 · 2018: 12 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 1
- FWCI
- 49.00
- Type
- book chapter
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Locations
- Theory and practice of urban sustainability transitions (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- OAPEN (The OAPEN Foundation) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Funders
- Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz, Bau und Reaktorsicherheit
- Bundesamt für Naturschutz
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Engineering › Urban Heat Island Mitigation
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Land Use and Ecosystem Services
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Engineering › Urban Stormwater Management Solutions
- Keywords
- nature-based solutions, climate change adaptation, urban environment, ecosystem services, urban green infrastructure, green roofs, urban heat, floodplain, sustainable urban transformation, socioeconomic equity, urbanization impacts, soil sealing, street trees, co-benefits
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