Innovative approaches to harmonise water, nature and society

Abstract

Global challenges like urbanisation, climate change, and biodiversity loss require integrated approaches linking water, nature, and society. Research emphasises the need to manage water, ecosystems, and societal well-being as interconnected systems. Nature-based solutions (NBS) provide cost-effective ways to protect and restore ecosystems and are fundamental to addressing urban challenges, promoting both environmental sustainability and human health. The NATURELAB project, implemented in five countries, focuses on enhancing green and blue areas to promote climate resilience, biodiversity, and water management. The project adopts an integrative methodology that connects health and societal benefits, aiming for a sustainable and resilient future. Fundamental guidelines for urban planning include prioritising green infrastructure, promoting liveable cities, and assessing environmental impacts early in the policy design. The NATURELAB methodology addresses current global challenges by providing guidelines to support governance and in-field actions. Its contributions encompass key outcomes, namely, a framework of indicators for assessing the health potential of nature spaces; a funding scheme guide for health sector initiatives; guidelines for evaluating health benefits of green and blue spaces; best practices for creating therapeutic gardens combining climate resilience and sustainability; standardised intervention programs for therapeutic nature spaces, and tools for integrating nature-based care into public health, culminating in a comprehensive policy brief.