Abstract
As humanity is becoming an ever more urban species, the role of cities on the global environmental agenda has never been as important. Mainstreaming natural capital in the field of urban planning can benefit both urban populations and the natural environment. Therefore, planners and decision makers need to understand when, how, and what type of nature-based solutions can address the specific challenges faced by their city. In this chapter, we present three case studies illustrating how nature’s benefits have been incorporated into urban planning decisions. The cases address contexts as varied as urban agriculture policy and strategic urban planning, in the French cities of Nantes and Bordeaux, and a citywide integrated urban water management strategy in Melbourne, Australia. They show that urban green space provides multiple benefits, including efficient water management, food production, recreation opportunities, and the protection of biodiversity. We identify key opportunities and barriers for incorporating urban nature in planning, in particular related to participatory approaches and the integration of bottom-up initiatives into formal urban planning processes, which help legitimize the implementation of nature-based solutions. Management challenges include the selection of the portfolios of nature-based solutions that are adapted to the social, ecological, and technical attributes of urban systems. We conclude with a discussion of the mechanisms—top-down and bottom-up—that are available and proven for implementing and maintaining nature-based solutions.