Nature-Based Solutions (NBS): An Overview

I have been learning about urban nature in cities, and a key takeaway so far has been the importance of nature-based solutions. I wanted to share some of the insights.

Nature-Based Solutions

So, what is a nature-based solution (NBS)?

At first, it seems obvious: a solution to an issue through nature, but it is more specific than that. The core of an NBS lies in its benefits, which are often multifaceted and address a range of societal problems while creating broader benefits for human well-being and biodiversity. The primary objectives include addressing climate change, improving water and food security, and enhancing the overall health and well-being of residents.

Saxon Villages, Transylvania, Romania

Romania, in Southeastern Europe, is an outstanding example of nature-based solutions in action. Known for its largest rural population in Europe, the area remains deeply connected to its natural environment and landscape. Here, rural communities practice farming methods that have been passed down for centuries, which not only sustain their livelihoods but also protect biodiversity on a large scale. This area also aims to restore its historical heritage while sustainably developing its tourism industry through nature-based tourism.

Daily Animal Grazing

In Viscri or Biertan (individual villages), livestock such as sheep and cattle graze freely during the day and return at night. This simple (yet not widely adopted) method offers numerous benefits, primarily preventing overgrazing and seed dispersal by animals (through their faeces), which enables meadows to support more than 50 species of plants in a single field. This, in turn, enriches the soil and helps prevent monoculture. Unlike large-scale, intensive farming, this system maintains the health of the soil, flora, and fauna.

Villages and Cultural Heritage

A significant part of the landscape is the Saxon Villages themselves, with many fortified churches among the collection of 7 that are recognised as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Protecting the culture of the villages also means protecting their fields, forests and farming practices.

Nature-Based Solutions in Hong Kong

Naturally, my exploration of nature-based solutions led me to look at examples in my city, Hong Kong. Given the city’s diverse terrain, some immediate examples that came to mind were mangroves and wetlands — ecosystems I’ve visited and learned about extensively on school trips. After conducting some preliminary research, I discovered that Hong Kong has also implemented green areas, often in the form of podiums in apartment complexes.

For example, there is a podium near where I live, which is used for walking and exercise — it also absorbs CO2 and cools the surrounding environment. I think these small-scale areas not only show the importance of NBS but also how highly urban regions like Hong Kong can adapt and become more sustainable.

An Open Question

If nature-based solutions are so impactful — from medieval villages to podium gardens in Hong Kong — why aren’t they implemented everywhere?

This is the big question I kept going back to. If the benefits are so clear, what is holding governments and individuals back? After looking into it, the last section of the course introduced some barriers.

One major hurdle is the cost. Like most sustainable endeavours, the start-up costs are more expensive, and conventional methods, such as industrial farming, are often cheaper in the short term, even if they are more damaging in the long run. It also requires a lot of planning, collaboration between different industries and policies that prioritise sustainable outcomes — things that governments don’t always put first.

Ultimately, NBS appears to thrive where there is a willingness to value both the planet’s health and cultural knowledge. The Saxon villages of Transylvania and the urban greenery in Hong Kong may look different. Yet, I think both show how solutions rooted in nature can create healthier places for people and wildlife alike.