Review report on UF-NBS for European and Chinese resilient cities (D1.2)

Deliverable 1.2 is intended to be a guide, a structured interpretation and evaluation of the current knowledge used to collate evidence on intended outcomes and unintended impacts of UF-NBS for urban ecosystem regeneration and human wellbeing.
The information reported herein is based on the compilation of a reference-recorded knowledge repository of UF-NBS and their impacts on urban liveability, public health, halting biodiversity loss and re-diversifying UF-NBS structures to enhance urban resilience; specifically, Task 1.2 - Reviewing the knowledge on the importance of UF-NBS for resilient cities - and M1.3 - the Repository on UF-NBS for resilient cities in China and Europe. Sections 2 and 3 of deliverable D1.2a are intended to provide a review of current UF-NBS practices in Europe and China. The in-depth coverage of these UF-NBS case studies is further expanded in Appendix 1 by reviewing the grey literature, i.e. the project and official reports, planning strategies, as well as scientific publications that span the territory of EU Member States and China. This documentation highlights the main goals and methodologies used in UF-NBS research and implementation, policy implications and NBS typology and functions, i.e., ecosystem services, within the frame of Task 1.2, as well as case history templates (Task 1.4). In Section 4, a comparative analysis of case histories provides conclusive insights into common or contrasting aspects in and between these two continents. Final considerations drawn from the comparative analysis of the intended outcomes of UF-NBS implementation include lessons that can be learned and existing knowledge gaps. In Section 5, a Sino-European analysis, in the form of a modelling exercise, was conducted of the selected case histories to explore shared themes, such as connectivity, multifunctionality and social cohesion, and macro-categories (i.e., ecological, engineering, social and economic macro-categories) for urban regeneration and renaturing. The second part, D1.2b, presents a review of the existing knowledge on UF-NBS through a compiled knowledge repository of cases from the academic literature as provided by both Europe and China. This repository offers a more comprehensive understanding of the overarching goal the overall document aims for, as well as its specific objectives, and to help satisfy the need for inquiring on the multitude of aspects that are inherent to UF-NBS and their strategic role in planning, implementation and as a response to address today’s climate change, economic and social crises. In light of the aforementioned objectives, D1.2 can be considered a valid and comprehensive aide to a variety of audiences. These include, but are not limited to, educational and scientific research institutions, NGOs, environmental planners and enthusiasts, and lastly, government authorities who are expected to devote more importance, time, and budgets to green space management and allow for greater place-based involvement.