Nature-based Urban Regeneration from edX

Cities around the world are seeking new, greener ways to transform their former industrial districts. These urban regeneration areas suffer from social and economic inequalities, lack quality green spaces and are significantly more vulnerable to climate change effects and natural hazards. Nature-based solutions (NBS) can contribute to improving environmental quality, social life and local economies in urban areas.

This course will show you how co-creating NBS can create liveable and productive green urban environments for empowered local communities and boost entrepreneurial value chains.

You will learn the basics of NBS in urban regeneration and how to co-design them with diverse stakeholders. A set of specific NBS in the fields of circular economy, urban food production and climate change adaption will be presented in detail. You will learn about NBS benefits for environmental quality, human health and wellbeing, socio-cultural inclusiveness and local economy and labour market, and how to apply scientific methods for monitoring and assessing them. Business models for NBS implementation and management will help you to set up your own nature-based renewal projects.

The course draws on research results of EU Horizon 2020 Innovation Action proGIreg. Living Labs in three European cities are developing, testing and assessing innovative NBS and will transfer their knowledge to you. Contributions come from leading universities and research institutions, practitioners from municipalities, NGOs and industry in this field.

As a major outcome, the course will guide you in setting up a nature-based regeneration project adapted to your local context from co-design to NBS implementation and benefit assessment.

Join us as you start on your journey to inclusive urban regeneration by using nature for renewal.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Defining the potential of nature-based solutions for urban regeneration
Leading co-creation processes for developing context-specific productive green infrastructure with citizens
Applying methods to monitor and assess nbs benefits

Identifying technical and non-techical barriers to nbs implementation and learning how to overcome them
Developing sustainable business models for nature-based solutions in urban regeneration
Building your own nature-based urban regeneration project

Defining the potential of nature-based solutions for urban regeneration
Leading co-creation processes for developing context-specific productive green infrastructure with citizens
Applying methods to monitor and assess nbs benefits
Identifying technical and non-techical barriers to nbs implementation and learning how to overcome them
Developing sustainable business models for nature-based solutions in urban regeneration
Building your own nature-based urban regeneration project

Syllabus

Week 1: The challenges of urban regeneration and the potential of NBS

The first module introduces you to the challenges of urban regeneration and the potential of NBS when transforming post-industrial cities, including the integration of NBS into wider regeneration approaches

Week 2: The City as a Living Lab for co-creating NBS

Module 2 introduces you to methods of context-specific analysis and locally adaptable trans-disciplinary innovation formats to engage local communities in developing liveable urban environments

Week 3: Productive solutions using nature for renewal

This module presents different types of productive nature-based solutions in detail incl. NBS such as urban agriculture, aquaponics and green roofs and walls and learn how to apply them

Week 4: NBS benefits and how to assess them

The fourth module introduces you to methods of monitoring and assessing a range of NBS benefits to society, economy and the environment

Week 5: Sustaining NBS: overcoming barriers, creating business models and Upscaling NBS

This module shows how to overcome barriers in NBS implementation and to create business models for productive green infrastructure to allow NBS upscaling to city level.

Week 6: Health and well-being impact of NBS

Module 6 shows in-depth how NBS impact urban health by using different assessment. Risk and modelling methods and approaches to strengthen human-nature relationships.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Introduces basic concepts of nature-based solutions for students interested in urban planning and ecological revitalization

Originates from a research initiative funded by the European Union Horizon 2020 program, indicating strong academic credibility

Instructors are leading researchers and practitioners in the field of urban regeneration and nature-based solutions

Course materials and knowledge are derived from real-world projects implemented in European cities, providing practical insights

Develops skills in monitoring and assessing the benefits of nature-based solutions, which are in high demand in urban planning and environmental management

Guides participants through the process of setting up their own nature-based regeneration projects, providing valuable hands-on experience

Reviews summary

Introductory course to nature-based urban regeneration

Learners say this introductory course on Nature-based Urban Regeneration is complete and good with engaging assignments.

Introduces interesting Nature-based Urban Regeneration concepts.

"It is a very interesting course that is worth taking."

Contains bugs in the platform that reduce user experience.

"It is a complete and good course, however there are still some improvements to be made, such as some platform bugs..."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Nature-based Urban Regeneration with these activities:

Review Urban Regeneration Concepts

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Refresh your knowledge of urban regeneration concepts and principles, preparing you for the course content on NBS in urban regeneration.

Browse courses on Urban Regeneration

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Review your notes or textbooks on urban regeneration.
Read articles or watch videos on current trends in urban regeneration.
Take a practice quiz on urban regeneration concepts.

NBS Resource Library

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Compile a collection of resources on NBS, including articles, reports, and case studies.

Browse courses on Urban Regeneration

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Search for resources on NBS.
Organize the resources into a coherent collection.
Share the resource library with others.

Identifying NBS Benefits

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Practice identifying and evaluating the benefits of nature-based solutions for urban regeneration.

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Read about the benefits of NBS.
Identify NBS benefits in a case study.
Evaluate the benefits of NBS for a specific urban regeneration project.

Four other activities

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NBS Discussion Group

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Engage in discussions with peers to exchange ideas and learn from others' experiences with NBS.

Browse courses on Urban Regeneration

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Join a discussion group focused on NBS.
Participate in discussions about NBS topics.
Share your own experiences and insights with the group.

NBS Software Training

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Enhance your skills in using software tools for designing and evaluating NBS.

Browse courses on Urban Planning

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Identify software tools relevant to NBS design and evaluation.
Find tutorials or training materials for the selected software.
Follow the tutorials or training materials to learn how to use the software.
Apply the software to a practical NBS project.

NBS Implementation Plan

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Develop a plan for implementing nature-based solutions in an urban regeneration project.

Browse courses on Project Planning

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Identify a potential NBS project site.
Develop a project plan, including goals, objectives, and implementation strategies.
Identify potential partners and stakeholders.
Develop a budget and timeline for the project.
Present your project plan to potential stakeholders.

NBS Design Proposal

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Design a nature-based solution for an urban regeneration project and create a proposal to present to stakeholders.

Browse courses on Urban Planning

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Research different types of NBS.
Develop a design concept for your NBS.
Create a proposal that includes your design concept, implementation plan, and budget.
Present your proposal to stakeholders.
Refine your design based on feedback from stakeholders.

Career center

Learners who complete Nature-based Urban Regeneration will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Community Development Specialist

Community Development Specialists develop and implement plans to improve the quality of life for residents in a community. This course may be useful to a Community Development Specialist as it provides knowledge and skills in developing and implementing nature-based solutions for urban regeneration. This knowledge can help the Specialist create and implement plans that are more sustainable and inclusive.

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Policymaker

Policymakers develop and implement policies. This course may be useful to a Policymaker as it provides knowledge about the potential of nature-based solutions for urban regeneration and how to overcome barriers to their implementation. This knowledge can help the Policymaker develop and implement policies that promote NBS and create more sustainable and livable urban environments.

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Climate Change Adaptation Specialist

Climate Change Adaptation Specialists develop and implement plans to help communities adapt to the effects of climate change. This course may be useful to a Climate Change Adaptation Specialist as it provides knowledge and skills in developing and implementing nature-based solutions for urban regeneration. This knowledge can help the Specialist create and implement plans that are more sustainable and effective.

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Researcher

Researchers conduct research to advance knowledge and understanding. This course may be useful to a Researcher as it provides knowledge about the latest research on nature-based solutions for urban regeneration. This knowledge can help the Researcher identify and develop new research projects and contribute to the advancement of the field.

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Urban Planner

Urban Planners develop plans for the development and use of land in urban areas. This course may be useful to an Urban Planner as it provides knowledge and skills in co-creating nature-based solutions with diverse stakeholders. This can help the Planner engage local communities in the planning process and develop plans that are more inclusive and sustainable.

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Resilience Officer

Resilience Officers develop and implement plans to improve the resilience of communities to shocks and stresses. This course may be useful to a Resilience Officer as it provides knowledge and skills in developing and implementing nature-based solutions for urban regeneration. This knowledge can help the Officer create and implement plans that are more sustainable and effective.

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Urban Revitalization Specialist

Urban Revitalization Specialists develop and implement plans to revitalize urban areas. This course may be useful to an Urban Revitalization Specialist as it provides knowledge and skills in developing and implementing nature-based solutions for urban regeneration. This knowledge can help the Specialist create and implement plans that are more sustainable and effective.

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Landscape Architect

Landscape Architects design and create outdoor spaces. This course may be useful to a Landscape Architect as it provides knowledge and skills in designing and implementing nature-based solutions for urban regeneration. This can help the Architect create more sustainable and livable urban environments.

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Educator

Educators teach and train students. This course may be useful to an Educator as it provides knowledge and skills in teaching about nature-based solutions for urban regeneration. This knowledge can help the Educator develop and deliver engaging and effective lessons and activities.

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Environmental Engineer

Environmental Engineers design and implement solutions to environmental problems. This course may be useful to an Environmental Engineer as it provides knowledge about the benefits of NBS for environmental quality, climate change adaption, and circular economy. This knowledge can help the Engineer develop and implement solutions that are more sustainable and effective.

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Social Entrepreneur

Social Entrepreneurs develop and implement solutions to social and environmental problems. This course may be useful to a Social Entrepreneur as it provides knowledge and skills in developing and implementing nature-based solutions for urban regeneration. This knowledge can help the Entrepreneur create and grow a sustainable business that makes a positive impact on the community.

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Project Manager

Project Managers plan, execute, and close projects. This course may be useful to a Project Manager as it provides knowledge and skills in developing and managing nature-based regeneration projects. This can help the Manager ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.

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Nonprofit Manager

Nonprofit Managers plan, execute, and close projects and programs for nonprofit organizations. This course may be useful to a Nonprofit Manager as it provides knowledge and skills in developing and managing nature-based regeneration projects. This knowledge can help the Manager ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.

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Sustainability Consultant

Sustainability Consultants help organizations develop and implement sustainability strategies. This course may be useful to a Sustainability Consultant as it provides knowledge about monitoring and assessing the benefits of NBS, such as their impact on environmental quality, human health and well-being, and socio-cultural inclusiveness. This knowledge can help the Consultant evaluate the effectiveness of organizational sustainability initiatives and develop strategies for improvement.

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Environmental Policy Analyst

Environmental Policy Analysts help governments create and implement policies that protect the environment. This course may be useful to an Environmental Policy Analyst as it provides in-depth knowledge about nature-based solutions for urban regeneration, such as green infrastructure and productive NBS like urban agriculture and aquaponics. Knowing about these can help the Analyst develop and evaluate policies that promote NBS in urban areas.

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