Sesvete living lab
Image source: https://progireg.eu/zagreb/
CRITERIA COMMENTARY
1.
NbS effectively address societal challengesThe spatial scale of this project provides opportunities for a variety of NbS to be implemented, which address a wide range of societal challenges. The objective of creating business opportunity based directly in NbS is of particular interest.
2.
Design of NbS is informed by scaleThis project is informed by a comprehensive spatial analysis of a post-industrial urban district and specific development sites, set within the context of the city spatial plan and other policies.
3.
NbS result in a net gain to biodiversity and ecosystem integrityThis is particularly relevant for the green corridors that will connect the Living Lab to the Sava river, the ecosystems of the forest in the North with the river in the South, and the different parts of Sesvete being redeveloped.
4.
NbS are economically viableEconomic benefits of the NbS are evaluated through indicators for economics and labour market. Beyond that, market-ready business models for productive Green Infrastructure are explored, where the direct and indirect benefit and costs associated with the NbS, who pays and who benefits will be evaluated. Comprehensive data collection and analysis using a system of indicators will enable economic evaluation and calculation of direct and indirect benefits of the different NbS options.
5.
NbS are based on inclusive, transparent and empowering governance processesCo-design was based on 6 principles to guide planning and decision-making processes, and involved a three step process using workshops to bring together local stakeholders. Key activities included participants sharing their visions for Sesvete in 2030, and in-depth stakeholder mapping of the area. Partners also presented their initial co-design ideas, which included launching an architectural competition in the area, offering a ‘Walk around Sljeme’ for students, a museum exhibition on the meat industry and history of Sljeme, and introductions to aquaponics, urban farming and the concept of an inclusive ‘therapy garden’, which uses horticultural therapy to integrate minorities and people with disabilities.
6.
NbS equitably balances trade-offs between achievement of their primary goal(s) and the continued provision of multiple benefitsNo evidence found during the evaluation.
7.
NbS are managed adaptively, based on evidenceA spatial analysis constitutes the baseline for the NbS strategy in the living lab and the monitoring and evaluation plan. A Monitoring & Assessment Plan will be developed for the living lab, describing the procedure and indicators to be used to monitor and assess benefits of NbS. The monitoring and evaluation plan are configurated as a collaborative action involving local authorities, the civic sector, SMEs, and research institutes, with the aim of providing a significant and comprehensive evaluation of NbS.
8.
NbS are sustainable and mainstreamed within an appropriate jurisdictional contextZagreb will monitor and evaluate the environmental and social benefits of the nature-based solutions implemented and, if successful, integrate nature-based solutions into planning procedures and policy development at local level.
How well does the NbS meet the Standard’s criteria and what challenges were encountered?
How does the NbS meet the societal challenges?
The project has the objective of demonstrating the integration of NbS into business models that are economically self-sustaining and provide multiple benefits for the economic, ecological and social regeneration of deprived urban areas suffering from the consequences of deindustrialisation.
Economic innovation is one key aspect of the project. Therefore, market-ready business models for productive Green Infrastructure are explored, where the direct and indirect benefit and costs associated with the NbS, who pays and who benefits will be evaluated.
The Living Lab will implement different nature-based solutions, co-created with local stakeholders and citizens, that will create productive green infrastructure that not only helps improve living conditions and reduce vulnerability to climate change, but also provides measurable economic benefits to citizens and entrepreneurs in post-industrial urban districts. The choice and design of NbS are informed by a comprehensive spatial analysis covering the topics of socio-cultural inclusiveness, human health and wellbeing, ecological and environmental restoration, and the economic and labour market situation.
Further information: https://progireg.eu/zagreb/
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