Blending Nature with Technology: Integrating NBSs with RESs to Foster Carbon-Neutral Cities
Nature-based solutions (NBSs) offer a promising framework for addressing urban environmental challenges while also enhancing social and economic resilience. As cities seek to achieve carbon neutrality, the integration of NBSs with renewable energy sources (RESs) presents both an opportunity and a ch...
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Designs |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2411-9660/9/3/60 |
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| author | Anastasia Panori Nicos Komninos Dionysis Latinopoulos Ilektra Papadaki Elisavet Gkitsa Paraskevi Tarani |
| author_facet | Anastasia Panori Nicos Komninos Dionysis Latinopoulos Ilektra Papadaki Elisavet Gkitsa Paraskevi Tarani |
| author_sort | Anastasia Panori |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Nature-based solutions (NBSs) offer a promising framework for addressing urban environmental challenges while also enhancing social and economic resilience. As cities seek to achieve carbon neutrality, the integration of NBSs with renewable energy sources (RESs) presents both an opportunity and a challenge, requiring an interdisciplinary approach and an innovative planning strategy. This study aims to explore potential ways of achieving synergies between NBSs and RESs to contribute to urban resilience and climate neutrality. Focusing on the railway station district in western Thessaloniki (Greece), this research is situated within the ReGenWest project, part of the EU Cities Mission. This study develops a comprehensive, well-structured framework for integrating NBSs and RESs, drawing on principles of urban planning and energy systems to address the area’s specific spatial and ecological characteristics. Using the diverse typologies of open spaces in the district as a foundation, this research analyzes the potential for combining NBSs with RESs, such as green roofs with photovoltaic panels, solar-powered lighting, and solar parking shaders, while assessing the resulting impacts on ecosystem services. The findings reveal consistent benefits for cultural and regulatory services across all interventions, with provisioning and supporting services varying according to the specific solution applied. In addition, this study identifies larger-scale opportunities for integration, including the incorporation of NBSs and RESs into green and blue corridors and metropolitan mobility infrastructures and the development of virtual power plants to enable smart, decentralized energy management. A critical component of the proposed strategy is the implementation of an environmental monitoring system that combines hardware installation, real-time data collection and visualization, and citizen participation. Aligning NBS–RES integration with Positive Energy Districts is another aspect that is stressed in this paper, as achieving carbon neutrality demands broader systemic transformations. This approach supports iterative, adaptive planning processes that enhance the efficiency and responsiveness of NBS–RES integration in urban regeneration efforts. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-eaf7b77721844cada3b2b75aeefea074 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2411-9660 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Designs |
| spelling | doaj-art-eaf7b77721844cada3b2b75aeefea0742025-08-20T02:24:21ZengMDPI AGDesigns2411-96602025-05-01936010.3390/designs9030060Blending Nature with Technology: Integrating NBSs with RESs to Foster Carbon-Neutral CitiesAnastasia Panori0Nicos Komninos1Dionysis Latinopoulos2Ilektra Papadaki3Elisavet Gkitsa4Paraskevi Tarani5URENIO Research, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, GreeceURENIO Research, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, GreeceSchool of Spatial Planning and Development, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, GreeceURENIO Research, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, GreeceSchool of Spatial Planning and Development, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, GreeceDepartment of Sustainable Development, Major Development Agency Thessaloniki (MDAT S.A.), 54640 Thessaloniki, GreeceNature-based solutions (NBSs) offer a promising framework for addressing urban environmental challenges while also enhancing social and economic resilience. As cities seek to achieve carbon neutrality, the integration of NBSs with renewable energy sources (RESs) presents both an opportunity and a challenge, requiring an interdisciplinary approach and an innovative planning strategy. This study aims to explore potential ways of achieving synergies between NBSs and RESs to contribute to urban resilience and climate neutrality. Focusing on the railway station district in western Thessaloniki (Greece), this research is situated within the ReGenWest project, part of the EU Cities Mission. This study develops a comprehensive, well-structured framework for integrating NBSs and RESs, drawing on principles of urban planning and energy systems to address the area’s specific spatial and ecological characteristics. Using the diverse typologies of open spaces in the district as a foundation, this research analyzes the potential for combining NBSs with RESs, such as green roofs with photovoltaic panels, solar-powered lighting, and solar parking shaders, while assessing the resulting impacts on ecosystem services. The findings reveal consistent benefits for cultural and regulatory services across all interventions, with provisioning and supporting services varying according to the specific solution applied. In addition, this study identifies larger-scale opportunities for integration, including the incorporation of NBSs and RESs into green and blue corridors and metropolitan mobility infrastructures and the development of virtual power plants to enable smart, decentralized energy management. A critical component of the proposed strategy is the implementation of an environmental monitoring system that combines hardware installation, real-time data collection and visualization, and citizen participation. Aligning NBS–RES integration with Positive Energy Districts is another aspect that is stressed in this paper, as achieving carbon neutrality demands broader systemic transformations. This approach supports iterative, adaptive planning processes that enhance the efficiency and responsiveness of NBS–RES integration in urban regeneration efforts.https://www.mdpi.com/2411-9660/9/3/60nature-based solutionsrenewable energy sourcesclimate adaptationurban planning |
| spellingShingle | Anastasia Panori Nicos Komninos Dionysis Latinopoulos Ilektra Papadaki Elisavet Gkitsa Paraskevi Tarani Blending Nature with Technology: Integrating NBSs with RESs to Foster Carbon-Neutral Cities Designs nature-based solutions renewable energy sources climate adaptation urban planning |
| title | Blending Nature with Technology: Integrating NBSs with RESs to Foster Carbon-Neutral Cities |
| title_full | Blending Nature with Technology: Integrating NBSs with RESs to Foster Carbon-Neutral Cities |
| title_fullStr | Blending Nature with Technology: Integrating NBSs with RESs to Foster Carbon-Neutral Cities |
| title_full_unstemmed | Blending Nature with Technology: Integrating NBSs with RESs to Foster Carbon-Neutral Cities |
| title_short | Blending Nature with Technology: Integrating NBSs with RESs to Foster Carbon-Neutral Cities |
| title_sort | blending nature with technology integrating nbss with ress to foster carbon neutral cities |
| topic | nature-based solutions renewable energy sources climate adaptation urban planning |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2411-9660/9/3/60 |
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