Nature-Based Solutions for Climate-Resilient Cities: Digital Tools for Decision-Makers

Date

 22 May 2025 at 14:00–15:30 CET (13:00 BST / 15:00 EET)

Background

The Climate Adaptation Platform (CAP) webinar series builds on the discussions and potential collaborations initiated during the February 2024 webinar, which brought together EC-funded projects and CAPs. Since then, the webinars have focussed on key challenges and opportunities for fostering synergies and collaborations between EC projects and CAPs, connecting online knowledge to policy and practice, and measuring the impact of platforms.

Digital platforms are playing an increasingly important role in accelerating urban climate adaptation – particularly when it comes to mainstreaming nature-based solutions (NbS). Cities face a complex array of risks and constraints, from urban heat and flooding to limited staffing and budgets. Platforms and tools that help local actors identify, finance and implement effective adaptation measures are critical.

This webinar, hosted by SEI under the Horizon Europe-funded Adaptation AGORA project, brought together three innovative NbS-focused platforms:

• Urban Governance Atlas – Natalia Burgos Cuevas, Ecologic Institute
• AdaptaVille – Anna Blouet, Agence Parisienne du Climat
• Plus Fraiche Ma Ville – Tanguy de Ferrières, The French Agency for Ecological Transition

Each provides unique support to decision-makers seeking to plan and implement urban NbS. The session also formed part of a wider effort by the AGORA Community of Practice to connect knowledge brokers, researchers and cities across Europe and beyond.

Summary

This Adaptation AGORA Webinar, attracted over 100 participants and began with a brief introduction to the topic and the Adaptation AGORA project by SEI Tallinn researcher Andreas Hoy. Two interactive Slido polls, answered by around 50 participants, highlighted strong interest in nature-based solutions – particularly urban green spaces, blue infrastructure and water-smart approaches. The main climate challenges identified were flooding, heavy rainfall and urban heat.

The core of the webinar featured presentations of three digital platforms, followed by an engaging panel discussion that explored synergies, capacity gaps and transferability of digital solutions across different city contexts.

Platform Presentations

Urban Governance Atlas

Presented by: Natalia Burgos Cuevas, Ecologic Institute

An interactive online database of over 250 good practice policy instruments supporting nature-based solutions (NbS) and ecosystem restoration across Europe, Latin America and beyond. Designed for policymakers, urban planners, researchers and civil society, the platform helps users explore successful governance approaches and lessons learned in urban ecosystem planning.

Users can search by governance type, geographic scope, urban challenges addressed and other filters. The Atlas categorizes instruments into four types – legislative, economic, cooperative, and knowledge-based – and provides detailed insights into their design, implementation, financing and results. It emphasizes how local governance structures shape the adoption and impact of NbS and encourages cross-regional learning through real-world policy examples.

The Atlas is a valuable resource for cross-regional learning, particularly for cities aiming to strengthen inclusive, context-sensitive governance models for adaptation. While no new contributions are currently accepted, the platform offers searchable examples of policy instruments, along with insights into lessons learned and good practice characteristics. These features provide clear pathways for improving the uptake of NbS in diverse contexts.

AdaptaVille

Presented by: Anna Blouet, Paris Climate Agency

A comprehensive platform supporting urban climate adaptation in the Île-de-France region. It offers local governments a curated collection of practical, replicable solutions to climate risks, including strategies to increase vegetation, enhance permeability and manage urban water more effectively.

The platform provides over 80 factsheets, thematic guides, case studies and technical resources to address challenges such as heatwaves, flooding, drought, and their impacts on biodiversity, health, food and energy systems. Through events, site visits, participatory workshops and a tailored support programme for municipalities, AdaptaVille also fosters stakeholder engagement and strengthens local capacity to implement NbS.

With its emphasis on multi-functional, community-friendly approaches, AdaptaVille is particularly valuable for densely populated urban areas. While designed for the Paris region, its structured methodology, stakeholder engagement model and wide-ranging solutions offer inspiration and relevance for cities across Europe.

Plus Fraîche Ma Ville

Presented by: Tanguy de Ferrières, French Agency for Ecological Transition

A publicly funded platform that supports local governments in France in selecting and implementing sustainable urban cooling solutions. The tool provides a step-by-step

process beginning with a climate audit and diagnostic, followed by tailored recommendations across different urban settings – such as public squares, residential zones, parks and schools.

Solutions are organised into four categories: green (e.g. vegetation), blue (e.g. water features), grey (e.g. reflective surfaces), and soft (e.g. behavioural or governance interventions). The platform includes decision trees, technical factsheets, cost estimates and real-life case studies to guide users through planning and implementation.

While funding information is specific to France, the underlying methodology is broadly transferable across Europe. The tool is especially valuable for small or under-resourced municipalities, offering accessible guidance and peer-driven insights to accelerate climate adaptation.

Panel Discussion Summary

The discussion explored how digital tools can accelerate the uptake of nature-based solutions by offering tailored, multilingual guidance that saves time and supports decision-making – especially in cities with limited capacity. Seeing how similar cities have successfully implemented NbS was noted as a key motivator for action.

Platforms were also seen as important spaces for peer learning and engagement, helping to bridge gaps between local governments, technical experts and policymakers. Providing accessible roadmaps, examples and cross-sector collaboration was highlighted as essential for effective NbS planning.

Speakers emphasised that cities new to NbS should start with cost-effective, combined solutions and take advantage of existing support. Raising awareness about available tools and funding was identified as a priority, particularly for smaller or under-resourced municipalities.

Finally, there was consensus that while formal definitions of NbS (e.g. from IUCN or the EU) are helpful, they should be applied flexibly to ensure that diverse, context-specific practices are not excluded.

Concluding Remarks

The webinar highlighted the growing power of digital platforms to bridge the gap between climate adaptation theory and practice. Tools like the Urban Governance Atlas, AdaptaVille and Plus Fraîche Ma Ville provide accessible, scalable and inclusive pathways to urban NbS implementation. The Adaptation AGORA project continues to foster such exchange through its Digital Academy and Community Hub, supporting cities and regions on their adaptation journeys.