Integrated NBS Urban Planning Methodology for Enhancing the Health and Well-Being of Citizens: The euPOLIS Approach
The euPOLIS aims to improve Public Health in cities by introducing nature-based solutions into urban planning practices.
That means that our experts are taking the best from nature’s ways to regulate and improve biodiversity by incorporating various BLUE (water) and GREEN (plant life) aspects of nature into urban open spaces where it can intensify people’s wellbeing in terms of climate, ecological and socio-economic conditions. Our methodology introduces several analytical procedures making the process more transparent and open to stronger IT support. One of the specialties is the planning of urban spaces populated with vegetation with a proven beneficial impact on cardiovascular, respiratory, and metabolic diseases. The philosophy is deeply grounded in the extensive and permanent citizens’ participation in urban-planning processes.
Unlike the "gray" infrastructural solutions that rely on finite, unrecyclable, and more often than not, harmful materials, the NBS includes restoring and conserving natural biodiversity in the endeavor to harness rising environmental issues in urban cores.
And while the traditional approach may appear quicker to solve many of the issues, it has to be maintained and restored, again causing more damage, waste, and vast interventions. NBS has to be kept up as well, but its maintenance is way less costly in money and finite natural resources, and it’s self-sustainable to the most extent. As a plus, it is proven that staying surrounded by natural elements improves our physical and mental health, thus magnifying all our capabilities.
We believe citizens are the ultimate experts on matters of the quality of their lives.
With participation being one of the crucial pillars of the euPOLIS philosophy, the Front-Runner cities are in a constant co-creative process that puts together a team of professionals with the genuine, grounded experience and needs of local citizens. That means collecting their insights, emotions, hopes, and even psycho-physical state (through wearing special biometrical devices) and including them in the designing processes of implementing the NBS. All these steps aim to help cities embrace the transition to bottom-up decision-making methods and empower citizens to participate in inventing their public environment.
Alongside nature’s solutions being reinaugurated into urban cores, the euPOLIS uses innovative technologies to support this process:
- The myFeel application - Existing and New Functions tailored to the euPOLIS project (Sentio Labs)
- The euPOLIS BioAssist application (BioAssist)
- The Urban Water simulation tools (NTUA - UWMH Lab)
- The network of permanent sensors (Plegma)
- The euPOLIS 4D Visualisation module (GSH)
- The euPOLIS Master Planning Methodology, the GDPM (EnPlus)
- Innovative Model of Cultural - Social Community Hub (Mikser)
Integrated NBS Urban Planning Methodology for Enhancing the Health and Well-Being of Citizens: The euPOLIS Approach
The euPOLIS aims to improve Public Health in cities by introducing nature-based solutions into urban planning practices.
That means that our experts are taking the best from nature’s ways to regulate and improve biodiversity by incorporating various BLUE (water) and GREEN (plant life) aspects of nature into urban open spaces where it can intensify people’s wellbeing in terms of climate, ecological and socio-economic conditions. Our methodology introduces several analytical procedures making the process more transparent and open to stronger IT support. One of the specialties is the planning of urban spaces populated with vegetation with a proven beneficial impact on cardiovascular, respiratory, and metabolic diseases. The philosophy is deeply grounded in the extensive and permanent citizens’ participation in urban-planning processes.
Unlike the "gray" infrastructural solutions that rely on finite, unrecyclable, and more often than not, harmful materials, the NBS includes restoring and conserving natural biodiversity in the endeavor to harness rising environmental issues in urban cores.
And while the traditional approach may appear quicker to solve many of the issues, it has to be maintained and restored, again causing more damage, waste, and vast interventions. NBS has to be kept up as well, but its maintenance is way less costly in money and finite natural resources, and it’s self-sustainable to the most extent. As a plus, it is proven that staying surrounded by natural elements improves our physical and mental health, thus magnifying all our capabilities.
We believe citizens are the ultimate experts on matters of the quality of their lives.
With participation being one of the crucial pillars of the euPOLIS philosophy, the Front-Runner cities are in a constant co-creative process that puts together a team of professionals with the genuine, grounded experience and needs of local citizens. That means collecting their insights, emotions, hopes, and even psycho-physical state (through wearing special biometrical devices) and including them in the designing processes of implementing the NBS. All these steps aim to help cities embrace the transition to bottom-up decision-making methods and empower citizens to participate in inventing their public environment.
Alongside nature’s solutions being reinaugurated into urban cores, the euPOLIS uses innovative technologies to support this process:
- The myFeel application - Existing and New Functions tailored to the euPOLIS project (Sentio Labs)
- The euPOLIS BioAssist application (BioAssist)
- The Urban Water simulation tools (NTUA - UWMH Lab)
- The network of permanent sensors (Plegma)
- The euPOLIS 4D Visualisation module (GSH)
- The euPOLIS Master Planning Methodology, the GDPM (EnPlus)
- Innovative Model of Cultural - Social Community Hub (Mikser)
euPOLIS Cities:
euPOLIS Cities:
News
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Greening of Trebinje: Nature-Based Solutions for Climate Resilience and Community Prosperity
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News
Capacity Building Training: Building Resilient Cities in Limassol
Join us on April 15th for an insightful and transformative online training session, “Building Resilient Cities: Participatory and Ecological Solutions for Urban Challenges.” Starting at 9:00 CEST, this event will bring together experts and practitioners to explore innovative approaches to urban challenges through participatory and…
euPOLIS Capacity Building Training in Trebinje: Empowering Citizens for Sustainable Urban Planning
On March 21, 2025, Trebinje hosted the euPOLIS Capacity Building Training at the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (IPC), bringing together over 30 participants, including citizens, city representatives, and experts. This event highlighted the importance of integrating nature-based solutions (NBS) into urban planning while addressing challenges…
Metabolic Network Reactor Technology for Healthy Urban Water Bodies
The EU-funded EuPolis project is developing a methodology for enhancing the health and well-being of citizens by creating urban ecosystems that harmonize the urban built environment with the natural environment through integrated nature-based solutions (NBS). The Urban Ecosystem Nature-based solutions in Gladsaxe offer multiple benefits…
Shaping Sustainable Cities – The euPOLIS Consensus Building Workshop in Berlin
The euPOLIS team is thrilled to invite you to an exclusive 1-day Consensus-Building Workshop, “Shaping Sustainable Cities” on March 27th, 2025 at WeWork Kemperplatz 1, 10785 Berlin, designed to showcase the innovative euPOLIS tools, methodologies, and the remarkable results achieved over the past 4.5 years….
Greening of Trebinje: Nature-Based Solutions for Climate Resilience and Community Prosperity
The euPolis experts cordially invite you to Trebinje for a unique workshop and expert training session, Greening of Trebinje: Nature-Based Solutions for Climate Resilience and Community Prosperity, presented by the euPOLIS project team. This event is designed to connect our rich agricultural traditions with innovative…
Revamping Urban Spaces: euPOLIS in Łódź, Poland
As European cities grapple with the whirlwind of urbanization, social upheaval, economic shifts, and climate crises, one thing is clear: the future of our cities depends on more than just economic calculations. In Lodz, Poland, the euPOLIS project is pioneering a new era of urban…