5 times Nature influenced Urban Design for the better!

Extreme natural events are becoming increasingly frequent all over the world. Numerous studies indicate that floods, storms, and sea-level rise could affect more than 800 million people worldwide, ultimately costing cities $1 trillion per year by the middle of the century. This suggests that urban survival depends on addressing urban vulnerability as a matter of urgency to protect the city and the population.

Given the background, many urban design projects started to introduce nature-based solutions to provide sustainable management of ecosystems to tackle different environmental challenges. These solutions can reconnect the population with nature, mitigate air pollution, improve thermal comfort in the cities, reduce the effect of urban heat islands, and manage stormwater runoff. Among many other benefits to the environment, and to the physical and mental health of urban dwellers.

Here are 5 such urban projects that embody nature-based solutions addressing different challenges of the contemporary world.

1. Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, Singapore

The project provides flood prevention and improved water quality, increasing the benefits to the community. Combining natural materials, civil engineering techniques, and plants that can filter and absorb water was essential to stabilize riverbanks and prevent erosion.

Source: The Smart Local 

2. Green Corridors, Colombia

By planting trees along thoroughfares to mitigate the effect of urban heat islands caused mainly by the overuse of concrete and asphalt; this project managed to reduce air temperature by more than 2 degrees Celsius and won the 2019 Ashden Award for Cooling by Nature.

Source: C40 Knowledge

3. Rain Garden, Brazil

Rain gardens are specifically designed to reduce the flow rate, total quantity, and pollutant load of stormwater runoff. The concrete sidewalk in front of buildings began to be removed in Rio de Janeiro, to be replaced with 200 square meters of green space.  

Source: associate.consult2architect.com Credits: Luiz Franco

4. Lineal Gran Canal Park, Mexico

Based on environmental regeneration, through reforestation of the urban fabric and restoration of soil permeability, this project has resulted in a 16% increase in the relative humidity and a reduction of up to 5% in temperature, mitigating the effect of heat lands.  

Source: Archdaily

5. Stormwater Wetland Park, China

The strategy here was to transform a dying wetland into a ‘green sponge’, an urban stormwater park that not only rescues the disappearing wetland but also provides multiple services for the new urban community.

Source: Archdaily

In response to the escalating threat of extreme natural events, urban design initiatives have emerged globally, embracing nature-based solutions. These projects not only safeguard cities against floods, storms, and rising sea levels but also foster environmental sustainability and community well-being. 

By integrating natural elements and innovative techniques, such as those seen in Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park in Singapore and Green Corridors in Colombia, urban areas can mitigate climate-related risks while enhancing urban livability. Furthermore, initiatives like Rain Gardens in Brazil and Lineal Gran Canal Park in Mexico highlight the importance of green infrastructure in managing stormwater runoff and combating urban heat island effects. 

As cities continue to face mounting challenges, nature-based solutions offer a promising pathway towards resilience, connectivity with nature, and sustainable urban development.

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FAQs

Q1. What are nature-based solutions in urban design?

A1. Nature-based solutions in urban design refer to approaches that utilize natural materials, ecosystems, and processes to address various environmental challenges in cities. These solutions aim to integrate nature into urban landscapes to enhance sustainability, resilience, and the well-being of urban dwellers.

Q2. How do nature-based solutions benefit urban environments?

A2. Nature-based solutions offer numerous benefits to urban environments, including mitigation of air pollution, improvement of thermal comfort, reduction of urban heat island effect, management of stormwater runoff, promotion of biodiversity, and enhancement of physical and mental health among urban residents.

Q3. What is the significance of the Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park project in Singapore?

A3. The Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park project in Singapore provides flood prevention and improved water quality while increasing community benefits. By incorporating natural materials, civil engineering techniques, and water-absorbing plants, the project stabilizes riverbanks, prevents erosion, and enhances the overall resilience of the area to floods.

Q4. How did the Green Corridors project in Colombia address urban heat island effect?

A4. The Green Corridors project in Colombia mitigated the urban heat island effect by planting trees along thoroughfares, which reduced air temperatures by over 2 degrees Celsius. By increasing greenery and reducing the overuse of concrete and asphalt, the project created cooler microclimates, improving the comfort of urban environments.

Q5. What is the objective of the Stormwater Wetland Park project in China?

A5. The objective of the Stormwater Wetland Park project in China is to transform a dying wetland into a 'green sponge' urban stormwater park. This project not only revitalizes the wetland but also provides multiple services for the urban community, including stormwater management, biodiversity conservation, and recreational spaces.