NATWIP - nature based solutions for water problems in the peri-urban

In the recent years, the European Commission has devoted considerable attention to Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) as a way forward for achieving sustainable development. Specific objectives of NATWIP are to:

1. Review international experiences to identify barriers, lessons learned & challenges in implementing NBS for water management in peri-urban
    
2. Establish a methodological framework for analyzing potentials, content & benefits of NBS in the peri-urban, considering ecological, social & economic dimensions
    
3. Apply the methodological framework to conduct an analysis at a number of case study sites across the seven partner countries to compare situations & draw generalizations, including comparisons with conventional (grey) solutions
    
4. Create a common narrative for implementing NBS for dealing with water challenges in peri-urban areas, through best practices guidelines & policy recommendations.

Details related to the work package NGI is involved in, as well as those led by others can be found in the subprojects section.

Nature Based Solutions (NBS)

NBS are defined as solutions that are "inspired and supported by nature, which are cost-effective, simultaneously provide environmental, social and economic benefits and help build resilience. NBS have emerged to be at the science-policy-practice interface. One of the NBS´ key attractions is their multi- functionality as blue-green infrastructure can perform a number of functions and provide several co-benefits for the same spatial area. These functions can be ecological, social, or economic which also are mirrored in ecosystem services.

Work packages (WP)

1. Reviewing international experiences
2. Creating a methodological framework to assess nature based solutions
3. Applying NBS assessment framework to case study sites (NGI is leading WP3)
4. Creating a common narrative

The NATWIP project is led by Södertörn University, Stockholm, with partners from the following countries:

• Sweden: KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm (‘affiliated entity’)
  S. Africa: Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch
• Brazil: Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, International Institute for Sustainability (IIS)
• Spain: Technical University of Catalonia (UPC), Barcelona
• Norway: Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI), Oslo
• India: A.N. College, Patliputra University, Patna

The partners represent different knowledge backgrounds and specializations, and the consortium includes not only academic institutions but also research foundations and private sector, further facilitating development of collaborative action in the field. Knowledge transfer within the consortium will be within the following: 1) cross-disciplinary, 2) spatial, 3) methodological.