Nature-based solutions for climate change adaptation in urban areas: A Norwegian planning perspective

In recent years scholars and policy makers have recognized nature-based solutions (NBS) as key tools to address climate change adaptation and mitigation, and to support vital ecosystem services and biodiversity. Despite the rise and active promotion of NBS in international and local debates, relatively little is known about what has been effectively done (and not yet done) in terms of integrating NBS at the various levels of urban planning – from planning strategies to zoning plans. Firstly, the study discusses the evolving conceptualization of NBS, challenges and opportunities in implementing NBS in urban planning practices related to climate change adaptation, as well as the prevalence of NBS approaches in international and Norwegian policies. Secondly, the study presents the main outcomes from a multiple-case analysis of four selected Norwegian municipalities. A planning document analysis – encompassing all levels of municipal planning (from strategic to regulatory levels), focus groups and interviews with the municipal practitioners, as well as two final workshops were conducted. The main findings reveal that the selected municipalities have acknowledged the relevance and need for NBS to tackle climate change. In the planning strategies investigated, particular types of NBS are listed to contribute to ecosystem restoration, flood protection and water retention, as well as soil restoration and heat regulation. The area zoning and detailed zoning plans show some provisions and guidelines for the effective implementation of NBS. Nonetheless, some barriers remain in implementing NBS in planning practices and on the ground, namely understanding of the concept itself among practitioners and local private actors, and uncertainties related to the maintenance of NBS. The study contributes to the current debate on the implementation and upscaling of NBS to further address climate, biodiversity and water in municipal planning practices.