Governance, financing, and business models are deeply interlinked and relevant for the successful implementation of urban nature-based solutions (NBS). However, during the definition of urban NBS projects the importance and interrelation of these models are usually neglected. To overcome this limitation, this paper presents an overarching framework (conceptual and operational) and a derived preselection web tool which interrelate governance, financing, and business models for NBS projects. First, based on recent literature, governance, financing, and business models that could be applied to NBS were mapped, and their integration proposed. Later, key contextual factors influencing NBS implementation were identified. They form the basis of a WHAT–WHO–HOW framework that structures the links between specific NBS projects, their implementation context, and the most suitable models. From that framework, and an analysis of 50 successful NBS case studies, a suitability matrix was developed with known models. The matrix allows pairing types of NBS and their initiating actors with suitable financing and governance models. Lastly, a tailored NBS business model canvas was designed to evaluate the business model components. From the overarching framework, the preselection web tool was created to guide decision-making on suitable governance, finance, and business models in the early phases of NBS projects.

Conceptual and Operational Integration of Governance, Financing, and Business Models for Urban Nature-Based Solutions

Operation and maintenance optimization of offshore wind farms based on digital twin: A review

Cities, and in particular those in coastal low-lying areas, are becoming increasingly susceptible to climate change, the impact of which is worsened by the tendency for population concentration in these areas. Therefore, comprehensive early warning systems are necessary to minimize harm from extreme climate events on communities. Ideally, such a system would allow all stakeholders to acquire accurate up-to-date information and respond effectively. This paper presents a systematic review that highlights the significance, potential, and future directions of 3D city modelling, early warning systems, and digital twins in the creation of technology for building climate resilience through the effective management of smart cities. In total, 68 papers were identified through the PRISMA approach. A total of 37 case studies were included, among which (n = 10) define the framework for a digital twin technology, (n = 14) involve the design of 3D virtual city models, and (n = 13) entail the generation of early warning alerts using the real-time sensor data. This review concludes that the bidirectional flow of data between a digital model and the real physical environment is an emerging concept for enhancing climate resilience. However, the research is primarily in the phase of theoretical concepts and discussion, and numerous research gaps remain regarding the implementation and use of a bidirectional data flow in a true digital twin. Nonetheless, ongoing innovative research projects are exploring the potential of digital twin technology to address the challenges faced by communities in vulnerable areas, which will hopefully lead to practical solutions for enhancing climate resilience in the near future.

/pdf/management-of-climate-resilience-exploring-the-potential-of-1dd864t8.pdf

Management of Climate Resilience: Exploring the Potential of Digital Twin Technology, 3D City Modelling, and Early Warning Systems

Global climate change and growing urbanization pose a threat to both natural and urban ecosystems. In these, one of the most impacted elements is water, which is responsible for a large variety of ecosystem services and benefits to society. Mathematical models can be used to simulate the implementation of Nature-Based Solutions (NBSs), thus helping to quantify these issues in a practical and efficient manner. This paper presents a rapid review of literature in which the effects of NBS on water quality were assessed with the help of modelling methods. It was found that only 14 papers deal with the topic in regard to NBSs. Most of these papers were published in European countries, using Nitrogen and/or Phosphorus as the studied water quality indicators and focusing predominantly on wetlands. The literature suggests that NBS can positively impact surface water quality, even under future climate conditions, while being a justified investment from an economic standpoint. It is suggested that more information is required in order to expand the evidence base on the effectiveness of NBS for water quality improvement as well as to develop better and more standardized methods to model NBS impacts on water quality.

/pdf/modelling-impacts-of-nature-based-solutions-on-surface-water-2v1tghlc.pdf

Modelling Impacts of Nature-Based Solutions on Surface Water Quality: A Rapid Review

A modeling application of integrated nature based solutions (NBS) for coastal erosion and flooding mitigation in the Emilia-Romagna coastline (Northeast Italy).

The adoption of Nature-Based Solutions (NBSs) represents a novel means to mitigate natural hazards. In the framework of the OPERANDUM project, this study introduces a methodology to assess the efficiency of the NBSs and a series of Open-Air Laboratories (OALs) regarded as a proof-of-concept for the wider uptake of NBSs. The OALs are located in Finland, Greece, UK, Italy, and Ireland. The methodology is based on a wide modeling activity, incorporated in the context of future climate scenarios. Herein, we present a series of models’ chains able to estimate the efficiency of the NBSs. While the presented models are mainly well-established, their coupling represents a first fundamental step in the study of the long-term efficacy and impact of the NBSs. In the selected sites, NBSs are utilized to cope with distinct natural hazards: floods, droughts, landslides, salt intrusion, and nutrient and sediment loading. The study of the efficacy of NBSs to mitigate these hazards belongs to a series of works devoted to the implementation of NBSs for environmental purposes. Our findings prove that land management plays a crucial role in the process. Specifically, the selected NBSs include intensive forestry; the conversion of urban areas to grassland; dunes; marine seagrass; water retention ponds; live cribwalls; and high-density plantations of woody vegetation and deep-rooted herbaceous vegetation. The management of natural resources should eventually consider the effect of NBSs on urban and rural areas, as their employment is becoming widespread.

https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9276/10/4/36/pdf

On the management of nature-based solutions in open-air laboratories: New insights and future perspectives

A Digital Twin modelling framework for the assessment of seagrass Nature Based Solutions against storm surges.

This study examines the wind-wave characteristics along the Emilia-Romagna coasts (northern Adriatic Sea, Italy) with a 10-year wave simulation for the period 2010–2019 performed with the high-resolution unstructured-grid WW3 coastal wave model. The wave parameters (significant wave height, mean and peak wave period, and direction) were validated with the in-situ measurements at a coastal station Cesenatico. In the coastal belt, the annual mean wave heights varied from 0.2–0.4 m, and the seasonal mean was highest for the winter period (> 0.4m). The Emilia-Romagna coastal belt was characterized by wave and spectra seasonal signals with two dominant frequencies of the order of 10 s/ 5–6 s for autumn and winter, and 7–9 s/4 s for spring and summer. The wavelet power spectra of significant wave height for 10-years show considerable variability, having monthly and seasonal periods. This validated and calibrated data set enabled us to study the probability distributions of the significant wave height along the coasts and define a hazard index based on a fitted Weibull probability distribution function. 

Reply on RC1

<p>Nature based solutions (NBSs) address key societal challenges through the protection, sustainable management and restoration of both natural and modified ecosystems.&#160;In this work we present a modeling application of this innovative approach, inspired by nature, with the goal of mitigating coastal erosion. Within the framework of the OPEn-air laboRAtories for Nature baseD solUtions to Manage environmental risks (OPERANDUM) project, the natural reserve of Bellocchio in Lido di Spina (Italy) faces frequent marine floods and intense erosive phenomena, hence being chosen as Open-Air Laboratory for the NBS implementation. The project aims to mitigate coastal erosion through the realization of an artificial sand dune made of natural materials, such as sand, wood, geotextiles and geomembranes and covered by native herbaceous and shrubby vegetation. We present the modeling activities carried out in the context of the project, aiming on the performance and efficiency evaluation&#160; of the designed NBS, with a specific focus on the coastal morphological modelling. Thus, a numerical modeling chain has been set-up to simulate a long-term current scenario with and without the NBS. The chain is composed of the wave model WAVEWATCH III, the oceanographic model SHYFEM and the morphodynamic model XBeach for the coastal area.</p><p>XBeach was validated with available and specific (for the project) topo-bathymetric surveys of the area of interest as means to define the more accurate set-up of the model parameters. The 10 years period 2010-2019 was defined as the time range for modelling simulations. Sea level outputs from SHYFEM and wave outputs from WAVEWATCH III for the 10 years simulations are used to force the coastal model XBeach. Given the huge computational costs related to long-term simulations, an input-schematization was applied (so called &#8220;input reduction&#8221;). The approach followed for the long-term morphodynamic modelling of the NBS-XBeach setting will be shown. Moreover, the chosen coastal model domain, the model set-up and the input reduction applied will be presented.</p>

Umesh Pranavam Ayyappan Pillai

Papers

On the management of nature-based solutions in open-air laboratories: New insights and future perspectives

A Digital Twin modelling framework for the assessment of seagrass Nature Based Solutions against storm surges.

A modeling application of integrated nature based solutions (NBS) for coastal erosion and flooding mitigation in the Emilia-Romagna coastline (Northeast Italy).

Reply on RC1

Modelling Nature-based Solutions: an application to mitigate coastal erosion