Distribution of Nature-based Solutions in cities across Europe
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Journal ArticleDate:
2024Access:
openAccessCitation:
Cooper, C.; Cunningham, N.; Bracken, L.J.; Collier, M.J., Distribution of Nature-based Solutions in cities across Europe, Land Use Policy, 141, 2024, 107160Download Item:
Cooper et al 2024.pdf (PDF) 6.222Mb
Abstract:
Nature-based Solutions (NBS) is a conceptual framework that seeks to use properties of nature to co-produce
ecosystem services to build climate change resilience and improve quality of life by mitigating the relation-
ship between health inequality and socio-economic adversity. This study investigates how the distribution of
these forms of urban nature relate to trends in demographic change and social and economic indicators that
influence material aspects of quality of life (QoL) in cities. Using macro-scale spatial mapping and descriptive
pattern identification, we examine the relationship of distribution trends in the key characteristics of NBS across
European cities and social and material factors that influence QoL. Our findings suggest that less than 6% of NBS
aim to address poverty or deprivation and fewer than 25% relate to housing or neighbourhood regeneration. We
argue inattention to the complex intersectional relationship of socio-economic disparities, historical structural
conditions, and the impact of changes to the structural policy on economic convergence across regions leading to
the concept being used to address green-growth imperatives in Western Europe rather than mitigate inequalities
across eastern and parts of Southern Europe. Failure to address these considerations in the design and deploy-
ment of NBS could lead to cities reinforcing or even worsening inequalities within deprived communities,
particularly in these areas.
Sponsor
Grant Number
European Union Framework Programme 7 (FP7)
730243
Author's Homepage:
http://people.tcd.ie/colliemahttp://people.tcd.ie/cooperc2
Author: Collier, Marcus; Cooper, Clair
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Journal ArticleCollections:
Series/Report no:
Land Use Policy;141;
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Full text availableSubject (TCD):
Inclusive Society , Smart & Sustainable Planet , CITIES , EUROPE , NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS , QUALITY OF LIFE , Smart Cities , Structural ConditionsDOI:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2024.107160Licences: