Designing and implementing urban nature-based solutions on a scale that delivers economic, environmental and social co-benefits, builds resilience and benefits biodiversity but it is complex and sometimes overwhelming with so many different issues to consider:

• What is the best solution for the area?
• Who will manage it? How will it be financed?
• Who needs to be involved in the design, implementation and maintenance?
• How to measure economic, environmental and social impact?
• Will it support innovation and generate jobs?
• How to manage change?

Even identifying where to start can often be a challenge!

In response to this uncertainty, Connecting Nature (an EU funded partnership project innovating with nature-based solutions) has developed a process tool to help cities and other organisations navigate the path towards the large scale implementation of nature-based solutions. The Connecting Nature Framework places the nature-based solution at the core of an interactive process. The process runs through three distinct phases of development for a nature-based solution: planning, delivery and stewardship. Throughout each phase there are seven separate elements that cities and other entities need to consider to help them shape their individual nature-based solution: 

1. Technical solutions
2. Governance
3. Financing and business models
4. Nature-based enterprises
5. Co-production 
6. Impact assessment
7. Reflexive monitoring

Connecting Nature has developed an introductory guidebook to the overall Connecting Nature Framework and a series on each of the individual elements to assist you develop your nature-based solution.

View the Framework Guidebook

Connecting Nature is funded by the Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme of the European Union. As part of Connecting Nature, Glasgow is leading the way for cities embracing the multiple benefits of nature-based solutions by embedding this approach as part of their recently adopted open space strategy. greenspace scotland is a project partner and is supporting Glasgow in the delivery of the project.