IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jlands/v12y2023i7p1371-d1189689.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Mainstreaming Nature-Based Solutions in City Planning: Examining Scale, Focus, and Visibility as Drivers of Intervention Success in Liverpool, UK

Author

Listed:
  • Ian Mell

    (Department of Planning & Environmental Management, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK)

  • Sarah Clement

    (College of Science, Australian National University, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia)

  • Fearghus O’Sullivan

    (Department of Planning & Environmental Management, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK)

Abstract

Nature-based solutions (NBS) have been central to the European Union’s drive to address climate change, ecological degradation, and promote urban prosperity. Via an examination of the Horizon 2020-funded URBAN GreenUP project in Liverpool, this paper explores mainstreaming NBS in city planning. It uses evidence from pre- and post-intervention surveys with Liverpool residents and interviews with local business, environmental, government, and community sector experts to illustrate how a complex interplay of scale, location, focus, and visibility of NBS influences perceptions of the added value of NBS. This paper highlights the requirement that NBS interventions be bespoke and responsive to the overarching needs of residents and other stakeholders. Moreover, we underscore the importance of expert input into the design, location, and maintenance of NBS and call for these key drivers of successful delivery to be better integrated into work programs. This paper also notes that the type and size of NBS interventions impact perceptions of their value, with smaller projects being viewed as less socially and ecologically valuable compared to larger investments. We conclude that while small-scale NBS can support climatic, health, or ecological improvements in specific instances, strategic, larger-scale, and more visible investments are required to accrue substantive benefits and gain acceptance of NBS as a legitimate and effective planning tool.

Suggested Citation

  • Ian Mell & Sarah Clement & Fearghus O’Sullivan, 2023. "Mainstreaming Nature-Based Solutions in City Planning: Examining Scale, Focus, and Visibility as Drivers of Intervention Success in Liverpool, UK," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-23, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:12:y:2023:i:7:p:1371-:d:1189689
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/7/1371/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/7/1371/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Beatriz Mayor & Helen Toxopeus & Siobhan McQuaid & Edoardo Croci & Benedetta Lucchitta & Suhana E. Reddy & Aitziber Egusquiza & Monica A. Altamirano & Tamara Trumbic & Andreas Tuerk & Gemma García & E, 2021. "State of the Art and Latest Advances in Exploring Business Models for Nature-Based Solutions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-21, July.
    2. Raymond, Christopher M. & Frantzeskaki, Niki & Kabisch, Nadja & Berry, Pam & Breil, Margaretha & Nita, Mihai Razvan & Geneletti, Davide & Calfapietra, Carlo, 2017. "A framework for assessing and implementing the co-benefits of nature-based solutions in urban areas," Environmental Science & Policy, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 15-24.
    3. Liquete, Camino & Udias, Angel & Conte, Giulio & Grizzetti, Bruna & Masi, Fabio, 2016. "Integrated valuation of a nature-based solution for water pollution control. Highlighting hidden benefits," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 22(PB), pages 392-401.
    4. Mell, Ian, 2020. "The impact of austerity on funding green infrastructure: A DPSIR evaluation of the Liverpool Green & Open Space Review (LG&OSR), UK," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    5. Esmee D. Kooijman & Siobhan McQuaid & Mary-Lee Rhodes & Marcus J. Collier & Francesco Pilla, 2021. "Innovating with Nature: From Nature-Based Solutions to Nature-Based Enterprises," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-17, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Simon Stork & Bernd Pölling & Wolf Lorleberg & Rolf Morgenstern & Jan-Henning Feil, 2023. "Clustering Business Models of Heterogeneous Nature-Based Solutions Implementing Innovative Governance and Financing Concepts," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-22, November.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Siobhan McQuaid & Esmee D. Kooijman & Mary-Lee Rhodes & Sheila M. Cannon, 2021. "Innovating with Nature: Factors Influencing the Success of Nature-Based Enterprises," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-25, November.
    2. Nancy Andrea Ramírez-Agudelo & Roger Porcar Anento & Miriam Villares & Elisabet Roca, 2020. "Nature-Based Solutions for Water Management in Peri-Urban Areas: Barriers and Lessons Learned from Implementation Experiences," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-36, November.
    3. Umberto Pernice & Francesca Coccon & Fabienne Horneman & Caterina Dabalà & Silvia Torresan & Laura Puertolas, 2024. "Co-Developing Business Plans for Upscaled Coastal Nature-Based Solutions Restoration: An Application to the Venice Lagoon (Italy)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-39, October.
    4. Simon Stork & Rolf Morgenstern & Bernd Pölling & Jan-Henning Feil, 2023. "Holistic Business Model Conceptualisation—Capturing Sustainability Contributions Illustrated by Nature-Based Solutions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-20, September.
    5. Elena Di Pirro & Rúben Mendes & Teresa Fidélis & Lorenzo Sallustio & Peter Roebeling & Marco Marchetti & Bruno Lasserre, 2022. "The Embeddedness of Nature-Based Solutions in the Recovery and Resilience Plans as Multifunctional Approaches to Foster the Climate Transition: The Cases of Italy and Portugal," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-19, August.
    6. Anacleto Rizzo & Giulio Conte & Fabio Masi, 2021. "Adjusted Unit Value Transfer as a Tool for Raising Awareness on Ecosystem Services Provided by Constructed Wetlands for Water Pollution Control: An Italian Case Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-15, February.
    7. Aitziber Egusquiza & Maider Arana-Bollar & Amaia Sopelana & Javier Babí Almenar, 2021. "Conceptual and Operational Integration of Governance, Financing, and Business Models for Urban Nature-Based Solutions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-28, October.
    8. Rita Mendonça & Peter Roebeling & Teresa Fidélis & Miguel Saraiva, 2021. "Policy Instruments to Encourage the Adoption of Nature-Based Solutions in Urban Landscapes," Resources, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-16, August.
    9. Simon Stork & Bernd Pölling & Wolf Lorleberg & Rolf Morgenstern & Jan-Henning Feil, 2023. "Clustering Business Models of Heterogeneous Nature-Based Solutions Implementing Innovative Governance and Financing Concepts," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-22, November.
    10. Ryfisch, Simon & Seeger, Isabel & McDonald, Hugh & Lago, Manuel & Blicharska, Malgorzata, 2023. "Opportunities and limitations for Nature-Based Solutions in EU policies – Assessed with a focus on ponds and pondscapes," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).
    11. Babí Almenar, Javier & Elliot, Thomas & Rugani, Benedetto & Philippe, Bodénan & Navarrete Gutierrez, Tomas & Sonnemann, Guido & Geneletti, Davide, 2021. "Nexus between nature-based solutions, ecosystem services and urban challenges," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 100(C).
    12. Elena Di Pirro & Peter Roebeling & Lorenzo Sallustio & Marco Marchetti & Bruno Lasserre, 2023. "Cost-Effectiveness of Nature-Based Solutions under Different Implementation Scenarios: A National Perspective for Italian Urban Areas," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-19, March.
    13. Cousins, Joshua J., 2021. "Justice in nature-based solutions: Research and pathways," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 180(C).
    14. Tatiana Andrikopoulou & Ralph M. J. Schielen & Chris J. Spray & Cor A. Schipper & Astrid Blom, 2021. "A Framework to Evaluate the SDG Contribution of Fluvial Nature-Based Solutions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-25, October.
    15. Lei Li & Ali Cheshmehzangi & Faith Ka Shun Chan & Christopher D. Ives, 2021. "Mapping the Research Landscape of Nature-Based Solutions in Urbanism," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-41, April.
    16. Rembrandt Koppelaar & Antonino Marvuglia & Lisanne Havinga & Jelena Brajković & Benedetto Rugani, 2021. "Is Agent-Based Simulation a Valid Tool for Studying the Impact of Nature-Based Solutions on Local Economy? A Case Study of Four European Cities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-17, July.
    17. Zwierzchowska, Iwona & Fagiewicz, Katarzyna & Poniży, Lidia & Lupa, Piotr & Mizgajski, Andrzej, 2019. "Introducing nature-based solutions into urban policy – facts and gaps. Case study of Poznań," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 161-175.
    18. Shahryar Ershad Sarabi & Qi Han & A. Georges L. Romme & Bauke de Vries & Laura Wendling, 2019. "Key Enablers of and Barriers to the Uptake and Implementation of Nature-Based Solutions in Urban Settings: A Review," Resources, MDPI, vol. 8(3), pages 1-20, June.
    19. Soini, Katriina & Anderson, Carl Cyrus & Polderman, Annemarie & Teresa, Carlone & Sisay, Debele & Kumar, Prashant & Mannocchi, Matteo & Mickovski, Slobodan & Panga, Depy & Pilla, Francesco & Preuschma, 2023. "Context matters: Co-creating nature-based solutions in rural living labs," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    20. Freddy Rey, 2021. "Harmonizing Erosion Control and Flood Prevention with Restoration of Biodiversity through Ecological Engineering Used for Co-Benefits Nature-Based Solutions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-12, October.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:12:y:2023:i:7:p:1371-:d:1189689. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.