A new Sweco study highlights the potential of 22 European cities to enhance liveability, sustainability, and resilience through regenerative design in the built environment. By adopting the principles of regenerative design, these cities can increase the size of their green-blue areas by 42 percent – and align with the new EU nature restoration law related to urban ecosystems.
Visualization by Sweco of "Almanakken", a vision project by Sweco Architects, highlighting a regenerative neighbourhood. The name of the project, the Almanac, refers to the changing seasons and cyclic regularity of nature. Image Credit: Sweco Architects
Currently, 75 percent of EU citizens reside in urban areas. As cities expand, green-blue spaces tend to be sacrificed for grey infrastructure, thereby negatively impacting biodiversity. By paving over natural surfaces, removing trees, and channelling waterways, urban development has led to ecological “dead zones” and increased vulnerability to floods and heatwaves.
“The decline of biodiversity is progressing at an alarming rate and scale, triggering a chain reaction. This also threatens the essential ecosystem services that citizens rely on, such as clean water and air and pollinating crops,” says Tobias Nauwelaers, a Sweco expert in nature restoration and urban ecology, and one of the authors of the report.
Recent data from the European Environment Agency shows that 81 percent of protected habitats are in poor condition, with only 9 percent improving. Under the new EU Nature Restoration Law, which aims to restore degraded ecosystems, member states are required to plan and follow up on their contribution to reversing this trend.
“One solution to Europe’s city biodiversity problem is applying the principles of regenerative design. By incorporating natural systems and semi-natural systems to achieve more green-blue areas, the cities can not only minimise environmental harm, but also start ‘giving back’ by contributing positively to ecosystems and boosting biodiversity. There is EU funding available to address this problem, as at least EUR 20 billion a year will be allocated from the 2021-2027 EU budget for spending on biodiversity,” says Tobias Nauwelaers.
Sweco has studied 22 cities: Amsterdam, Antwerp, Bergen, Berlin, Brno, Brussels, Copenhagen, Dublin, Gothenburg, Helsinki, Krakow, London, Munich, Oslo, Prague, Rotterdam, Stockholm, Stuttgart, Tallinn, Tampere, Vilnius and Warsaw. As seen in the attached graph, Tampere, Bergen and Oslo have the potential to become some of Europe’s greenest cities, while other cities in the study would need to take additional measures to meet the 30 percent green rule.
Sweco’s report highlights several recommendations for decision makers in European cities and municipalities to consider to become regenerative cities:
- Use nature-based solutions that utilise green-blue infrastructure to support biodiversity, manage water, and create healthy spaces.
- Prioritise native plants to boost biodiversity, control invasive species, and restore degraded areas for a healthier ecosystem.
- Establish green corridors to connect natural areas, enabling species movement and supporting biodiversity.
- Use permeable surfaces, rainwater harvesting, and wetlands to absorb rain, prevent flooding, and support water quality and wildlife.
- Engage residents in planning and projects to foster inclusivity, collaboration, and shared responsibility.
- Establish closed-loop systems to minimise waste, recycle resources, and generate renewable energy.
- Promote urban agriculture with community gardens to boost local food production, cut transport emissions, and support the local economy.
- Create resilient, net-zero infrastructure that adapts to climate change and supports health, sustainability, and future needs.
- Promote 15-minute access to key services, sustainable transit, and walkable, bike-friendly, car-free neighbourhoods.