CONE

CONE - Cities of nature: nature-based-solutions in urban living labs

The project aims to establish a multidimensional “Living Lab” to apply nature-based solutions in local contexts as a cross-sectoral, more digital, and democratic approach to mitigating and adapting to climate change. The project contributes to increasing resilience to climate change and natural disasters by implementing tailored measures with a participatory approach and supporting integrated climate adaptation policies at the local and regional levels.

Due to significant environmental, socio-economic, and human health impacts, Central European regions must increase resilience to climate change. According to the conceptual framework of the Joint Research Centre (JRC) on resilience, it is defined as the ability to face shocks and lasting structural changes in such a way that social welfare is maintained without compromising the heritage of future generations (JRC). To achieve this and ensure further urban development and adaptation of the local urban environment, CONE aims to address identified challenges and needs through local innovation living labs that engage actors from the quadruple helix: public sector, private sector, civil society, and academia.

The Urban Living Lab method includes three implementation phases:

1. Joint research and context analysis to confirm identified challenges and recognize needs and barriers in the local context.
2. Experimental phase, which includes ideation of innovative solutions, their incubation, and strategy development.
3. Experiments and feedback: testing the implemented solution, collecting feedback, suggestions for improvements, validation, and replication.

There is a strong need to incorporate climate change issues into strategic risk-based planning and resilience-enhancing measures. Therefore, the innovation lies in a more democratic and data-driven approach that leads to community empowerment and raising awareness regarding climate change and potential mitigation and adaptation solutions. Within this framework, even if not technologically advanced, nature-based solutions can be a valuable and sustainable ally in combination with a participatory approach.

The CONE project will explore how the Urban Living Lab approach can be scalable and adaptable in more rural, small, and medium-sized settlements in Europe. The partnership will select co-creation / participatory design, implementation, and monitoring methods for NBS that are feasible and affordable in such Central European municipalities. The main focus will be on exploring and testing specific “living lab” methods that help municipalities design and implement - based on broader citizen engagement and better data collection, management, and use.

Link to the external project website