Project and evaluation of nature-based solutions for the regeneration of public space

Abstract

The paper outlines the importance of project evaluations not only to measure the impacts of realizations but also to support decision-making and design processes forecasting the obtainable benefits. The potential of ex ante evaluations is particularly evident especially in the perspective of selecting effective and feasible solutions for dealing with environmental challenges. In these terms, nature-based solutions and green infrastructures are widely becoming central in architectural and urban projects, with particular reference to the role played by ecosystem services provided by these solutions in increasing the urban resilience and facing the negative trends due to climate change. Through the analysis of 72 case studies and the development of three pilot projects applied to open public spaces in the south-east context of the city of Milan (Italy), within the framework of a PRIN Project, the research reported in this paper identifies methods, tools and indicators in order to conduct ex ante evaluations.