Nature-based solutions (NBS) are increasingly reckoned as viable solutions to address water related societal challenges and as a sustainable strategic approach to manage water in terms of quality, quantity and flow. NATWIP, an EU-Cooperation Water-JPI Project, within which this abstract is produced, aims to contribute to closing the water cycle gap by exploring these questions in the peri-urban context, being transitional zones in the process of increasing urbanization. An assessment framework has been developed in NATWIP as a tool to analyze the contextual factors and driving forces, governance processes and the sustainability criteria of NBS projects in the peri-urban context of 6 countries in Europe and outside. 

This presentation will focus on the findings from two case studies conducted in Stockholm County, Sweden that apply varied types of NBS interventions at different scales and to deal with different water challenges. The first case explores NBS application at decentralized scale as a means for improving wastewater treatment and management in Stockholm Archipelago and its environmental impact on the Baltic Sea, where many of the summerhouses lie outside the municipal network. The second case addresses various water pressures including climate change impacts and flooding at the sub-urban scale with the aim of planning an urban district that integrate spatially ambitious NBS in the form of blue-green structures for multifunctional urban spaces and improving ecosystem services.    

The findings of the case studies will be presented to draw parallels and contrasts regarding their contexts, and the processes and socioeconomic and environmental benefits concerning NBS and to conclude on general lessons regarding opportunities and constraints for sustainable up-taking of NBS measures.