On 24 March 2025, over 50 experts from across Europe and beyond came together for the international online conference “Bringing Forward Nature-Based Solutions in Major Cities.” As the final event of the EU-funded NICHES project, the conference offered a dynamic platform for scientists, policymakers, urban planners, and community leaders to explore how Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) can transform cities into more resilient, biodiverse, and livable spaces.

The event featured a series of insightful presentations and discussions spanning ecological, hydrological, socio-economic, and governance dimensions of NBS. From case studies in Rotterdam and Barcelona to theoretical frameworks and decision-support tools, speakers highlighted both the challenges and opportunities in implementing NBS at scale. Keynote speakers Kati Vierikko (SYKE) and Niki Frantzeskaki (Utrecht University) emphasized the importance of biodiversity-friendly water management and inclusive governance frameworks to bridge sectoral divides and promote long-term urban sustainability.

Participants stressed that while NBS can address issues like stormwater, heat, and biodiversity loss, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Integration with traditional infrastructure, local adaptation, and early stakeholder engagement were repeatedly emphasized as essential. Discussions also pointed to the importance of visibility, public trust, and targeted communication, particularly around the mental health and well-being benefits of NBS.

Panelists across the sessions, including voices from academia, NGOs, and city administrations, echoed a shared message: cities must embrace creativity, collaboration, and systems thinking. From overlooked spaces like harbors and cemeteries to the use of smart planning tools and spatial data, urban areas hold more potential for greening than often assumed. What’s needed now is stronger governance, clearer policies, and inclusive processes that bring together dispersed actors around shared goals.

The conference concluded with a strong call to action: protect what remains, plan wisely, and co-create nature-based futures that work for people, for nature, and for cities.

The full summary of the event is available here.

If you wish to refer to the event's agenda, you can find it here.

More information about the Centre for Nature-based Solutions from Aarhus University (Nikolai Friberg) can be found here.