A Framework for Addressing Circularity Challenges in Cities with Nature-Based Solutions

Water, vol. 13, pp. 2355

Abstract

A novel framework is presented that aims to guide practitioners and decision makers toward a better understanding of the role of nature-based solutions (NBS) in the enhancement of resources management in cities, and the mainstreaming of NBS in the urban fabric. Existing frameworks describing the use of NBS to address urban challenges do not specifically consider circularity challenges. Thus, the new framework provides the following: (1) a comprehensive set of Urban Circularity Challenges (UCCs); (2) a set of more than fifty NBS units and NBS interventions thoroughly assessed in terms of their potential to address UCCs; and (3) an analysis of input and output resource streams, which are both required for and produced during operation of NBS. The new framework aims to facilitate the coupling of individual NBS units and NBS interventions with NBS that enable circular economy solutions.

Authors 9

1. Guenter Langergraber corresponding

   BOKU University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Sanitary Engineering and Water Pollution Control, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria

2. Joana Castellar

   Universitat de Girona · Catalan Institute for Water Research

   Affiliation as printed

   Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Carrer Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain

   University of Girona, Plaça de Sant Domènec 3, 17004 Girona, Spain

3. Bernhard Pucher

   BOKU University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Sanitary Engineering and Water Pollution Control, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria

4. Gösta F. M. Baganz Aachen Faculty of Architecture

   Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Faculty of Architecture, RWTH Aachen University, Schinkelstr. 1, 52062 Aachen, Germany

   Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Müggelseedamm 301, 12587 Berlin, Germany

5. Dragan D. Milošević

   University of Novi Sad

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia

6. Maria Beatrice Andreucci

   Sapienza University of Rome

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Planning, Design, Technology of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy

7. Katharina Kearney

   BOKU University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Sanitary Engineering and Water Pollution Control, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria

8. Rocío Pineda‐Martos

   Universidad de Sevilla

   Affiliation as printed

   Urban Greening and Biosystems Engineering Research Group, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Agronómica, Universidad de Sevilla, Ctra. de Utrera km. 1, 41013 Seville, Spain

9. Nataša Atanasova

   University of Ljubljana

   Affiliation as printed

   Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Jamova 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia