Designing nature-building communities

Urban renaturing efforts increasingly emphasize the role of collaborative governance in managing nature-based solutions (NbS). However, existing frameworks often prioritize institutional perspectives and top-down participation, overlooking the early-stage design needs of grassroots initiatives. This study introduces the concept of Nature-Building Communities (NbCs)—voluntary, community-driven governance networks focused on creating and maintaining urban ecosystems. Using a design science research approach, we synthesize insights from socio-ecological systems, adaptive co-management, platform design, and energy communities to develop a practical design framework that supports the self-organization of NbCs. The framework identifies core design problems across five dimensions: scope, architecture, value logic, governance, and strategy. It is validated through a case study in Hungary, where a school-based NbC was initiated as part of an EU-funded greening intervention. Our findings provide actionable guidance for grassroots actors, intermediaries, and policymakers aiming to support autonomous community participation in the co-governance of urban NbS. This approach shifts the emphasis from institutional “reach down” to grassroots “reach up,” enabling more just and effective urban renaturing.