[EVENT] Connecting Nature Impact Summit: URBiNAT to chair session

URBiNAT researchers will be participating in the Connecting Nature Impact Summit. Prof. Thomas Andersson, economist and co-author of an EU White Paper entitled From Nature-Based Solutions to the Nature-Based Economy will chair a session on Building with Nature Exploring the role of technology in upscaling Nature Based Solutions.

Session Overview: Technology plays an important role in today’s society. But how is it applied for nature-based solutions (NBS)? And what is the potential for using technology for upscaling NBS? In this session, we explore the role of technology for improving NBS effectiveness and decisionmaking, human-nature connections, citizen engagement for NBS, and the role of technology in the NBS market.

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Access to nature in our cities has never been more important. City residents have turned to nature in huge numbers and being able to access nature locally is a vital resource. Nature and natural environments also offer many services and solutions from improving the health and well-being of citizens to addressing contemporary (urban) problems like flooding, temperature control, and tackling air pollution.    How do cities develop inclusive nature-based strategies, that provide multiple benefits for citizens, biodiversity and tackle climate change and importantly, how do you capture the evidence that supports investment in nature?

From April 28 – 29, the Connecting Nature Impact Summit, Genk will bring together a wide range of local, regional and international participants to demonstrate how nature impacts our lives, socially, environmentally, economically and how Nature-based Solutions can provide a positive impact for urban environments and protect biodiversity.

This hybrid event, and the final summit in the Connecting Nature Summit series will include both online and in person presentations, workshops, round table discussions, site visits, exhibitions and performances, all in a creative and festive atmosphere at Thor Park in Genk.

THEMES

The event programme is based on three main building blocks of the Connecting Nature Framework:

1. ‘Thinking with nature’ explores the larger scale policy, strategy, planning and theoretical implications under the umbrella theme of Nature-based Solutions. Discussions include the impact of Nature-based Solutions on different policy levels; on the impact on climate resilience; etc.
2. ‘Building with nature’ focuses on translating ideas into action. It looks at the design and development process, from defining a project to the design and development process. The integrated approach needed because of the layered character of Nature-based Solutions has an impact on the organization of a cities administration.
3.  ‘Living with nature’ is about the governance, communities and stewardship of nature and natural environments. It is about the impact of Nature-based Solutions on the neighbourhoods and citizens involved. It will particularly offer community leaders to look at the longer-term care and management.