Barriers and Levers for the Implantation of Sustainable Nature-Based Solutions in Cities: Insights from France

Abstract

The challenges of the 21st century, namely, climate change and loss of biodiversity, especially present in heavily populated areas, should be addressed. Nature-based Solutions (NBS) seem to offer a suitable answer to these challenges. However, this new concept is not always easy to implement in a sustainable manner. In an effort to identify the barriers and levers for the implementation in cities of these sustainable NBS, several professionals working on them in France were interviewed. The first analysis with the most quoted words shows that the constraints would be mainly related to technique, management, biodiversity and people. The levers would be related to projects, roofs, people, legislation and services. Further analysis shows that most of the interviewees feel that the main barriers are the lack of knowledge, political will, financial resources and regulations. There are also cultural limitations, such as the use of exotic horticultural plants rather than wild local species. According to them, the technical problems should be easy to solve. To address these issues, the interviewees propose the development of transdisciplinary research disciplines, as well as on-field collaboration between all NBS actors in cities. They also recommend specific funds for NBS and their implication in related regulations. Demonstrative examples of urban NBS highlighting their multiple benefits are also needed to encourage their replication or upscaling. Education and communication are essential to shift the traditional points of view on nature in the city.