The information shown taken directly from the Environment Agency working with natural processes maps. Our maps are intended for information only.
Traditional flood risk management at site level has limited impact in the control of flooding. You can get involved in projects that can deliver environmental and flood risk benefits alike while protecting your development from flooding.
Explore our database and get involve in natural Based Flood Management initiatives that protect your development and community.
Nature-based solutions use natural systems such aswetlands, forests, beaches or meadows to manage and mitigate flooding. Nature-based solutions can reduce flood risks, while improving water quality and enhancing wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities.learn more
We have included the maps results of the Environment Agency work on Natural Process to reduce flooding learn more
We have also plotted case studies on the maps so you can get exaples of the work done for similar catchments.
We aim to give you sufficient information to help you explore alternatives to protect your developement and assets.
Urban ecosystems, including street trees, parks, green roofs, and walls, provide several benefits for the local climate, such as cooling the air and controlling air pollution. They also help to reduce noise levels. In addition to these environmental benefits, urban ecosystems can positively affect citizens' mental and physical health by reducing stress and promoting relaxation.
The installation of green and blue spaces provides the opportunity to experience nature and enhance public ecological knowledge and awareness of nature conservation.
NBS for flood mitigation:
Co-benefits of NBS to climate change in urban areas:
Nature-based solutions
The challenges relate to social inclusiveness. For instance, all population groups should benefit, not only those having a higher social status. Also, the accessibility to urban green spaces should be considered during design. Finally, the displacement of people should be avoided.
Another challenge is the period of nature-based solutions projects—ideally, long-term projects funding projects that allow for monitoring the impact on human-environment relations.
Barrier 1- The fear of the unknown by several stakeholders, including policy, practice, and residents. It relates to uncertainties and risks of implementing nature-based solutions and the resulting changes this may bring in planning.
Barrier 2- Includes the disconnection between long-term and short-term benefits. Changes in administration, for example, often need a long-term process which also involves costs.
Barrier 3-Lack of awareness regarding climate change-induced problems and the benefits Nature-based solutions provide to city residents.
Barrier 4- Existing administrative infrastructure where work is carried out in silos.
Barrier 5- Cities often prioritize economic growth and demographic expansion, leading to a focus on growth-oriented strategies and goals. While significant attention is given to generating jobs and attracting investments, less attention is given to developing urban green spaces and their benefits, such as natural and built systems (NBS). More resources and attention should be directed towards urban green areas and their benefits to address this imbalance.
Opportunity 1 - Bring knowledge of Nature-based solutions together. For instance, policymakers, policy advisors, urban citizens, researchers, and urban planners sharing lessons learned are essential for effectively employing nature-based solutions in urban planning.
Opportunity 2 - Create governance models in which policy officers collaborate with citizens, businesses, civil society, and NGOs. The partnering of different actors may reduce barriers or constraints to adopting nature-based solutions and their implementation in cities (Frantzeskaki & Tilie 2014).
- Increased air temperature due to climate change can lead to increased heat-related illness and mortality. There is also evidence for disproportionate heat-related health burdens associated with the unequal distribution of green space in urban areas.
- Accessibility to or living close to an urban green space was found to have several additional positive health effects, such as perceived general health and morbidity from diseases or stress.
-Urban green spaces also provide ecosystem services, which decrease next to reducing the urban heat island other risk factors and mortality in vulnerable groups, for example, reducing noise and air pollution.
- Access to green spaces is essential for children and their cognitive development, offering places to play and be physically active while fostering a genuine connectedness to the natural environment
- Urban green spaces such as parks increase house and rent prices and can potentially lead to the displacement of those residents. The green space was beneficial. Such effects are called “green paradox” or “eco gentrification.”
