Advancing the Global Roadmap on Urban Nature-based Solutions

BRIEFING

As the Nature-based solutions for Urban Resilience in the Anthropocene (NATURA) initiative enters its fifth year, the excitement is palpable. Launched in 2019 with support from the National Science Foundation, NATURA has been pioneering a novel network of networks model to advance research on Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in cities worldwide. The team is now diligently developing the Global Roadmap for Urban NbS (GRM). This comprehensive work includes two global reports (a synthesis and a long-form version) and seven regional reports from researchers across the world, each focusing on a specific continental region—North America, Latin America, Europe, Africa, Middle East, Asia, and Oceania. 

USL’s Postdoctoral Fellow Loan Diep is co-leading teams across these geographies with USL Director Timon McPhearson. A number of the GRM researchers are set to convene in Berlin in early June together with Lab Manager Natalie Pierson as part of The Nature of Cities Festival. Back in New York City, Veronica Olivotto is providing valuable research support, ensuring that no critical aspects are overlooked.

Additionally, two rising seniors from The New School are developing science communication materials to support the dissemination of the GRM’s findings. Chanda Cragnotti is working on an interview-based video project featuring members of each regional GRM team, while Anna Bui is developing a visual identity for the GRM reports.