Smart Nature-Based Solutions for Stormwater Management in Urban Areas—An Analysis of Pilot Cases

Nature-based solutions (NBSs) have been shown to be effective at addressing urban challenges such as flooding, poor water quality, biodiversity loss, and promoting public health and well-being. The European Commission mandates that cities implement NBSs for stormwater management by 2026 to deal with changing climate conditions like heavy rainfall events. Recent flooding events in Germany, France, and Belgium have demonstrated that the rainfall regime has shifted considerably over the last several decades. This study demonstrates, using 7 pilot areas near Baltic Sea region, that the transition from no- and low-tech to high-tech NBSs can have significant positive impacts on flood protection and water quality, as well co-benefits such as public health, highlighting NBSs’ multifaceted advantages.