Nature-based solutions (NBS) have gained traction globally as a way to address, or partially address, vexing urban issues such as urban heat, pollution and flooding. Despite limitations, NBS have become increasingly integrated into policies and strategies and reflected as part of an urban toolkit of interventions. NBS, as defined by the IUCN (2016) are “actions to protect, sustainably manage and restore natural or modified ecosystems, which address societal challenges (e.g. climate change, food and water security) effectively and adaptively, while simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits.” (p.xii). While NBS have started to reflect in practice, there is confusion about the definition of NBS and its usefulness in the urban context.
This webinar addresses the issue of variable interpretations of NBS and presents the latest thinking on the interpretation of NBS. In addition, our interest is also in whether and how this concept and practice is finding application in African cities.
The webinar will showcase some of the NBS tools and actual examples of NBS implementation that have been developed in a selection of African cities. Our invited speakers and panellists will discuss the application of NBS and related tools within an African context and some of the challenges that have been experienced along the way.