A policy of regenerative design in the built environment of cities could significantly enhance urban sustainability, a new report by Sweco has suggested.
The architecture and engineering firm said that while currently, 75% of EU citizens live in urban areas, access to ‘green-blue spaces’, aka parks, forests, grasslands and waterways, is being increasingly sacrificed in favour of new development, negatively impacting biodiversity and increasing the likelihood of vulnerability to floods and heatwaves.
‘An alarming rate’
“The decline of biodiversity is progressing at an alarming rate and scale, triggering a chain reaction,” commented Tobias Nauwelaers, a Sweco expert in nature restoration and urban ecology, and one of the authors of the report. “This also threatens the essential ecosystem services that citizens rely on, such as clean water and air and pollinating crops.”
Sweco also cited recent data that indicates that 81% of protected habitats are currently in poor condition, with only 9% seeing improvements. The new EU Nature Restoration Law requires EU member states to invest in reversing this trend.
Natural systems
“One solution to Europe’s city biodiversity problem is applying the principles of regenerative design,” Nauwelaers added. “By incorporating natural systems and semi-natural systems to achieve more green-blue areas, the cities can not only minimise environmental harm, but also start ‘giving back’ by contributing positively to ecosystems and boosting biodiversity.
“There is EU funding available to address this problem, as at least €20 billion a year will be allocated from the 2021-2027 EU budget for spending on biodiversity.”
Sweco’s analysis of 22 European cities, including Amsterdam, Oslo, Berlin, and Stockholm, identifies significant potential for urban green-blue space expansion. In particular, cities such as Tampere, Bergen, and Oslo are well-positioned to become leaders in green urbanism, it noted.
Recommendations for city officials
Sweco has outlined a number of recommendations to enable decision makers in European cities and municipalities to foster a regenerative cities culture:
- Use nature-based solutions that utilise green-blue infrastructure to support biodiversity, manage water, and create healthy spaces.
- Prioritise native plants to boost biodiversity, control invasive species, and restore degraded areas for a healthier ecosystem.
- Establish green corridors to connect natural areas, enabling species movement and supporting biodiversity.
- Use permeable surfaces, rainwater harvesting, and wetlands to absorb rain, prevent flooding, and support water quality and wildlife.
- Engage residents in planning and projects to foster inclusivity, collaboration, and shared responsibility.
- Establish closed-loop systems to minimise waste, recycle resources, and generate renewable energy.
- Promote urban agriculture with community gardens to boost local food production, cut transport emissions, and support the local economy.
- Create resilient, net-zero infrastructure that adapts to climate change and supports health, sustainability, and future needs.
- Promote 15-minute access to key services, sustainable transit, and walkable, bike-friendly, car-free neighbourhoods.
Read Sweco’s full report here.
