Resource description:
New Capacity Building Resources for cities from UNP+
The UNP+ project is (Urban Nature Plans +) Project is proud to announce the addition of 3 key resources for cities to its Capacity Building Programme portfolio which is hosted on the UrbanbyNature website. The 3 resources are:
1) Nature-based Enterprises Guidebook: A Practical Guide for Cities
This guidebook is designed to support cities in implementing nature-postitive strategies that enhance biodiversity, restore ecosystems, strengthen climate resilience, and improve human well-being. The guidance can be applied across a range of local and regional plans, policies, and programmes aimed at increasing nature in cities.
One example is an Urban Nature Plan, which can help cities translate nature-positive ambitions into coordinated and actionable measures. While approaches may vary depending on local priorities and governance contexts, the principles and guidance presented in this guidebook are broadly applicable across different planning frameworks.
Nature-based Enterprises (NbEs) can help cities plan, deliver, maintain and scale Nature-based Solutions, supporting the implementation and delivery of nature-positive strategies, including Urban Nature Plans (UNPs) and helping to translate strategic ambitions into practical actions on the ground. Download the document here: Nature-based Enterprises Guidebook: A Practical Guide for Cities
2) Guidebook: Action Plan for Financing Urban Nature-Based Solutions
Urban Nature Plans (UNPs) provide a strategic framework for increasing and restoring nature within cities. And Nature-based Solutions (NbS) play an important role in successfully delivering a UNP. However, securing financing for implementation and maintenance of NbS remains a key challenge for cities.
This guidebook suggests some guiding steps that may help secure the necessary financing to implement and maintain NbS. Following the UNP Guidance, this guidebook naturally overlaps with the phases and steps involved in preparing and implementing a successful UNP. The guidance on financing should be considered throughout the UNP process, from the early stages of Preparation (Phase 1) through the Implementation, Monitoring, and Evaluation (Phase 3).
Author: Felipe Aguiar-Noury, Trinity College Dublin; Contributor: Siobhan McQuaid, Trinity Colleage Dublin. Download the document here: Guidebook: Action Plan for Financing Urban Nature-Based Solutions
3) Discussion Paper: Finding your way around Urban Nature Plans
Urban nature, from parks to green roofs, with its multi-functionality, provides a diversity of benefits for biodiversity, climate resilience and for quality of life in cities. The EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030 is calling on cities to protect and promote urban nature through Urban Nature Plans – a strategic framework for engaging people in a planning process and a product (in the form of a plan), which can open possibilities and shape municipal practices. But how can municipalities operationalise aspirations for urban nature to foster prosperous and resilient communities and cities? This discussion paper presents ten key lessons for shaping Urban Nature Plans. It is based on developing content for a Capacity Building Programme with the goal of advancing ambitious and robust Urban Nature Plans.
This discussion paper aims to spark critical thinking on urban nature plans. It is designed for a mixed audience of municipalities, communities and universities (and further education) with the ambition to provide insights to practitioners, stakeholders, researchers and students. Download the document here: Discussion Paper: Finding your way around Urban Nature Plans
The UNP+ project is striving to make urban nature the norm, not the exception. By working with cities, we aim to halt biodiversity loss and enhance urban ecosystems, fostering healthier and more resilient communities.
A primary goal for the UNP+ project is to develop a Capacity Building Programme (CBP) that facilitates urban nature plans in cities across Europe, heeding the call of the EU Biodiversity Strategy and the Nature Restoration Regulation.
The materials in the CBP bring together a diversity of perspectives and disciplines including the technical and social sciences. The CBP is a living programme developing over the life of the UNP+ project.
Author/Contact:
- Felipe Aguiar-Noury, Trinity College Dublin; Contributor: Siobhan McQuaid, Trinity Colleage Dublin.
- Hadiza Lemo and Isobel Fletcher CONTRIBUTORS Martina Brophy and Siobhan McQuaid
- Kes McCormick, Anna Bruen, Kelly Heid, Ian Whitehead & Misagh Mottaghi