At the demo site along the Pekrski Creek in Maribor, established within the European project UPSURGE, it is becoming increasingly clear how nature-based solutions can connect the community and encourage collaboration among residents and local organisations. In recent months, trees and shrubs have been planted at the site, marking the first step towards creating a…

In complex urban transformation projects such as UPSURGE, the active involvement of diverse stakeholders is not just an added value – it is the foundation of sustainable urban transformation. Cities are living systems shaped by people, policies, and environments. To create solutions that are both innovative and sustainable, all these perspectives must be heard and…

Cities are growing fast – and with them, the pressure on people’s health and everyday life. More traffic, sealed surfaces, noise, and limited access to nature all contribute to stress, poorer air quality, and a sense of disconnection from the environment. The H2020 project UPSURGE explores how nature-based solutions (NBS) can counteract these effects and…

Edited by Vasileios Kantzaris (Municipality of Patras) Patras, Greece’s third-largest city and a key port in the Peloponnese, faces escalating urban challenges from climate change, including heatwaves, flooding, and social inequities in deprived neighborhoods. As a partner in the EU-funded UPSURGE project (2021–2025), Patras is actively piloting Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) to enhance urban resilience. UPSURGE…

As part of the Smart City Expo World Congress, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability will officially launch the UrbanByNature Platform (formerly known as Lighthouse), a new hub designed to support cities in advancing Nature-based Solutions (NbS). To celebrate this milestone, ICLEI will host a networking event at the ICLEI Stand on 5 November at…