RECONECT demonstrates, references and upscales Nature-Based Solutions in rural and natural areas
Urgency of the situation
Economic and other losses from natural disasters are increasing throughout Europe.
In spite of technological capabilities have advanced rapidly, over the last years damages from hydro-meteorological events alone have shown the fastest rate of increase relative to any other type of disasters. Such evidence of a disconnection between the use of technological approaches in responding to natural disasters revealed the need to regenerate ecosystem services to cope with hydro-meteorological events since “grey infrastructures” are not always effective, adaptive and sized against climate changes.
Societal awareness
Rapid urbanisation and population growth are putting an increasing pressure on already scarce natural resources.
An urban development that integrates green infrastructure, or so-called Nature-Based Solutions (NBS), into planning practices makes urban and surrounding rural areas more resilient to the impacts of climate change, floods, droughts and other environmental shocks.
NBS also provide a wealth of social, environmental and economic benefits.
Transdisciplinary approach
The conceptual strength of Nature-Based Solutions to tackle multifaceted challenges faced by society resides in its integrative and systemic approach.
This approach is embedded in RECONECT, an unprecedented transdisciplinary partnership of researchers, industrial partners (SMEs and large consultancies) and authorities/agencies at local and watershed/regional level. They integrate different perspectives from relevant stakeholders so that the proposed “solutions” contribute not only to reduce hydro-meteorological risks, but also to enable multiple benefits for the governance.
Bridging science to policy
RECONECT brings scientific evidence about the exclusive benefits of Nature-Based Solutions to reduce the impacts of water-related climatic risks into policy-making to support adoption.
The outcomes of RECONECT provides policy makers and practitioners with the necessary capacities, knowledge and skills to scale up Nature-Based Solutions, as well as how to deploy and integrate them with traditional grey infrastructure solutions.
Latest news & events
First student to graduate within RECONECT
Nils van der Vliet is the first student to graduate (cum laude) within the RECONECT project, guided by the University of Delft and Tauw on the RECONECT pilot Demonstrator B case ‘Room for the river: de Ijssel’.
PhD in assessments of human benefits of NBS
DTU (Technical University of Denmark) offers a PhD scholarship in Quantitative Assessment of Human Benefits of Nature Based Solutions. The candidate will become part of the DTU Environment team, working mostly on the RECONECT project.
Practical exercise on NBS in Varna
On 30 May 2019, in the framework of the Annual Meeting of the chief safety and mobilisation officials from the Region of Varna (Bulgaria), the Regional Administration of Varna carried out a practical exercise with key stakeholders on design and implementation of Nature Based Solutions.