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Nature Based Solutions
– Technical Handbook
Version February 2019
Bernd Eisenberg & Vera Polcher

About UNaLab
UNaLab will develop, via co-creation with stakeholders and implementation of ‘living lab’
demonstration areas, a robust evidence base and European framework of innovative, replicable, and
locally-attuned nature-based solutions to enhance the climate and water resilience of cities. UNaLab
focuses on urban ecological water management, accompanied with greening measures, and innovative
and inclusive urban design. The UNaLab partners aim to develop smarter, more inclusive, more
resilient, and more sustainable local societies through nature based innovation jointly created with, and
for stakeholders and citizens. UNaLab’s 3 front runner cities: Tampere, Eindhoven and Genova, have
a track record in smart and citizen driven solutions for sustainable development. They support 7
follower cities: Stavanger, Prague, Castellon, Cannes, Basaksehir, Hong Kong and Buenos Aires plus
share experiences with observers as City of Guangzhou and the Brazilian network of Smart Cities.
Therefore UNaLab results will impact on different urban socio-economic realities, with diversity in
size, challenges and climate conditions. In order to create an EU reference demonstration and go-to-
market environment for NBS, UNaLab will use and further develop the ENoLL Urban Living Lab
model, and the European Awareness Scenario Workshop method for the co-creation of solutions, and
the roadmap approach, in this way achieving an innovative NBS toolbox.
Partners
NBS Technical Handbook - Part I Version February 2019

Authors:
Co author for Part I:

Cecilia Chiesa
Support:
Laura Eitler, Malte Krämer, Jasdeep Singh
Many thanks to our co-workers from the UnaLab project who gave valuable feedback and
comments on many occasions during the last year. To mention some but not all names and
institutions: Laura Wendling from VTT for the overall support of D 5.1, the Stuttgart partners
Sophie Mok from IAT and Tom Haxwell from Fraunhofer, Jan Dieterle and Hans-Georg-
Schwarz von Raumer from ILPÖ, Peter Reobling and his team for fruitful discussions about
indicators, the municipal partners Luuk Postmas, Maarit Särkilahti and Sonia Zarino, for
direct feedback on the handbook Andrea Ballestrini and Gijs Hoogmoet. Last but not least
many thanks to Cecilia Chiesa for the tremendous effort at the beginning of the project.
Stuttgart, June 2018
Contact:
Institute of Landscape Planning and Ecology
University of Stuttgart
Keplerstrasse 11
70174 Stuttgart

Table of contents
Part I (Bernd Eisenberg, Cecilia Chiesa)
Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 5
Part 1 .......................................................................................................................................... 1
1. Definitions and conceptual background.............................................................................. 1
1.1. Development of NBS as a concept .............................................................................. 1
1.2. Definitions ................................................................................................................... 2
1.3. NBS relation to existing key concepts ......................................................................... 2
2. Principal Goals of NBS and related actions of EU policies................................................ 4
2.1. Environmental and societal challenges that NBS address in UNaLab cities .............. 5
3. Characterizing NBS and how to put it into practice ........................................................... 6
3.1. Distinction between NBS and other “smart” solutions ............................................... 7
3.2. Example: Combination of NBS ................................................................................... 8
3.3. How to put the concept into practice ........................................................................... 8
4. Structure of the Catalogue ................................................................................................ 10
5. Performance indicators and ecological service ................................................................. 10
5.1. Performance indicators .............................................................................................. 10
5.2. Ecological services .................................................................................................... 11
Publication bibliography .......................................................................................................... 14

Introduction
The Technical Handbook for Nature Based Solutions was developed to deliver the knowledge
base for participants of visioning workshops within the UNaLab project. These participants
are decision makers, practitioners, and members of the civil society with diverse backgrounds
in Nature Based Solutions (NBS) as well as in planning and design aspects.
The first part of the handbook deals with the concept of Nature Based Solutions, its origins,
and similarities to other concepts that focus on natural process aimed at enhancing living
conditions. The overview builds up on a literature review and aims to illustrate the linkages of
NBS theory to earlier and possibly better known concepts. It is intended to provide a diverse
group of professionals and the interested public an easy access to the methodology and
terminology of the NBS concept.
The second part consists of a catalogue of NBS that are primarily useful for tackling UNaLab-
cities‘ challenges related to water and climate adaptation. The structure of the catalogue
follows planning and construction criteria, such as Green Roofs or Vertical Greening.
However the knowledge base (online catalogue) that is built eventually will contain further
information in order to group or select NBS based on further criteria.
The NBS also refer to case studies which are primarily best practice examples that combine
NBS in a real environment. These case studies are presented in the third part of the book.
They range from specific design solutions on a plot to municipal concepts for climate change
adaptation.
Draft-Version M9 M 12
M60
Figure 1: Structure of technical handbook and proposed steps toward final product of UNLAB NBS Implementation
Handbook
Depending on the development of the UNaLab-project, a fourth part with the documentation
of implemented NBS in project municipalities is assembled and introduced into the technical
handbook.

Part 1
1. Definitions and conceptual background
1.1. Development of NBS as a concept
The term Nature based Solutions (NBS) was coined towards the end of the 2000s and marked
a perspective shift in the relationship between people and nature, putting explicit emphasis on
solutions that use nature to tackle major societal challenges such as climate change
(Eggermont 2015; IUCN 2016; Nesshöver et al. 2016; Potschin et al. 2015). The IUCN report
is key to define NBS and the development of the concept.
The EC combines the approach with their research, and innovation agenda for economic
growth, and states: “Nature-based solutions harness the power and sophistication of nature to
turn environmental, social, and economic challenges into innovation opportunities.“
(European Commission 2015)
For the International Union for the Conservation of nature (IUCN) the development of NBS is
seen from a conservationist’s background and therefore the more recent inclusion of “benefits
for people” into sustainability and conservation strategies is one of the key elements:
“The international ambitions of both the sustainable development and biodiversity
conservation communities now clearly take into account the need to provide sustainable
benefits for people and the broader environment.”(IUCN 2016)
Figure 2: 50 years of development of Nature Based Solutions as a concept [Graph: ILPÖ based on Eggermont, 2015; IUCN,
2016; Nesshöver et al., 2016; Potschin et al., 2015; NAP 1996 (https://www.nap.edu/read/4919/chapter/9#113)]
NBS Technical Handbook - Part I Version February 2019 1

1.2. Definitions
The term NBS has been used widely and has been defined in a number of different ways by
varying organisations such as the European Commission and the IUCN. Although the
frequent appearance in a number of fields of action is a good indicator for its usefulness, in
general, there are dangers for the concept: „[…] as multiple definitions of NbS develop, they
may lead to some confusion about the concept and potentially hinder its development and
uptake.“ (IUCN 2016)
The technical handbook therefore only refers to the definition of NBS by the EC and that of
IUCN.
Both definitions share the overall goal of NBS of addressing major (societal) challenges
(highlighted in red). Even though both definitions understand NBS as actions, these have a
different target (green mark).
EC → actions are targeted at helping societies addressing major challenges (overall goal)
IUCN → actions are targeted at protecting, managing or restoring ecosystems in order to
address societal challenges (overall goal)
Differences of the concept can be seen in the way Nature is framed in the concept (black
frame).
EC → places emphasis on solutions that make use of nature and/or apply knowledge copied
or inspired by nature.
Summarized: Making use and looking to nature for design and process knowledge
IUCN → places emphasis on solutions that protect, restore and sustainably managed
ecosystems.
Summarized: Emphasis on ecosystem protection, restoration and management
European Commission (EC)

Nature-based solutions are actions inspired by, supported by or copied from nature and
which aim to help societies address a variety of environmental, social and economic
challenges in sustainable ways.
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

Nature-based solutions are actions to protect, sustainably manage and restore natural or
modified ecosystems that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively,
simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits.
1.3. NBS relation to existing key concepts

There is a wide range of publications that analyse the relation of NBS with concepts that have
developed earlier. One of the key terms that evolved in those discussions was that due to its
broader scope, NBS is considered as an umbrella concept as it “builds and supports other
closely related concepts” (Potschin et al. 2015)such as Ecosystem based Adaptation (EbA),
green and Blue Infrastructure (GBI), Ecosystem Services (ESS), etc.
However, the term NBS might prompt positive changes in framing of some of these concepts
considering that it has a distinct focus on the deployment of actions on the ground (Nesshöver
et al. 2017; Pauleit et al. 2017)
In order to explore the scope of NBS, the term can be unpacked in its different components
(Potschin et al. 2015):
→ Nature: relates to biodiversity (individual species, habitats, ecosystems), and/ or ecosystem
services
→ Nature-based: refers to ecosystem approaches…or direct utilization of elements of
biodiversity
→ solutions: refers to a specific problem or challenge for which some recognizable solution
or more beneficial outcomes exist
Figure 3: Nature Based Solutions relations to existing key concepts (graphic:ILPÖ)
Figure 3 illustrates the idea of an umbrella concept, with a ‘conceptual’ umbrella that covers
some parts but not necessarily everything of the related concept, depending on the view point.
(Pauleit et al.) have gone further and made an attempt to illustrate the extent by which the
neighbouring concepts overlap and differ. With regard to the purpose of the technical
handbook and its main target group such an analysis is too detailed.

2. Principal Goals of NBS and related actions of EU policies
The EC position paper on NBS identifies four principal goals that can be addressed by nature-
based solutions:
“Enhancing sustainable urbanisation through nature-based solutions can stimulate
economic growth as well as improving the environment, making cities more attractive, and
enhancing human well-being.
Restoring degraded ecosystems using nature-based solutions can improve the

resilience of ecosystems, enabling them to deliver vital ecosystem services and also to
meet other societal challenges.
Developing climate change adaptation and mitigation using nature-based solutions

can provide more resilient responses and enhance the storage of carbon.
Improving risk management and resilience using nature-based solutions can lead to
greater benefits than conventional methods and offer synergies in reducing multiple risks”
(European Commission 2015).
Figure 4: EU-Research and Innovation Agenda on Nature-Based Solutions ” (European Commission 2015).
2.1. Environmental and societal challenges that NBS address in UNaLab cities
Water and climate change related challenges are at the heart of the NBS application in UNaLab cities. Table 1 gives an overview of environmental
and societal challenges in UNaLab cities and the envisioned impact of NBS. The direct and indirect benefits as such are illustrated in Figure 5.
Table 1: Environmental and societal challenges in UNaLab cities, envisioned impact of NBS, their direct benefits and co-benefits
Main drivers Water- and climate- Objectives of associated NBS Direct benefits Co-benefits
related challenges
water scarcity water collection and reuse increase water use noise reduction
water and flood

wastewater remediation efficiency and
management
improve
water storage capacity availability
attractiveness
groundwater recharge
flooding peak flow control flood risk reduction recreational
runoff mitigation opportunities
erosion control social cohesion
water pollution soil erosion control improve water quality
pollution
increase awareness
manage-
minimize load discharge
ment
capture and removal of pollutants increase knowledge
runoff temperature regulation
educational
air pollution carbon sequestration improve air quality opportunities
house gas
urban growth removal of air pollutants (PM10, NO2, O3,
manage-
heat and
green
climate change CO, SO2) increase energy
heat stress reduce exposure to heat stress reduce air thermal comfort savings
temperature/cooling effect increase property
loss of biodiversity improved habitat connectivity increase biodiversity value
biological control
wildlife and flora habitats provision job opportunities
increasing density / connect and improve green/ blue green space provision eco-tourism
management
green space
rapid growth infrastructure opportunities
increase percentage of green surfaces
lower maintenance
reduce sealed surfaces
costs
climate driven health reduce risk factors improve public health
issues provide health benefits and well-being reduced damages
and related costs

Figure 5: NBS Benefits and co-benefits Graphics taken from: (Raymond et al. 2017)
3. Characterizing NBS and how to put it into practice

Nature based solutions can be described with the following features (ICLEI 2017; IUCN European
Regional Office in Brussels 2016; Pauleit et al. 2017) which are also illustrated in Figure 6:
→ action-oriented: NBS focus on the deployment of actions on the ground
→ multi-functional: NBS offer numerous co-benefits in terms of public health, social cohesion,
biodiversity, climate change mitigation, etc (see also Figure 5)
→ cost-effective: the direct and indirect benefits provided by NBS are likely to exceed the costs of
implementation and maintenance
→ multi-scale: can be implemented at different scales
→ context-specific: they need to be tailored to the specific conditions present
→ ‘co-co-co’: participatory approaches for co-designing, co-creation and co- management of NBS
are advocated in order to finding solutions that aim to meet the needs of a diverse range of
stakeholders.

Figure 6: Characteristics of NBS
3.1. Distinction between NBS and other “smart” solutions

Not all types of green solutions are considered nature based solutions. There is an ongoing debate
among the research community and the H2020 NBS-projects about the limits or the threshold for
NBS. Two examples shall illustrate where the threshold between NBS and non-NBS could be
drawn.
3.1.1. Green roof vs. white roof
Green roofs of various types are considered NBS because they deliver multiple ecological services,
such as habitat provision, reduced run-off and positive effects on urban climate and they help to
safe energy.
In some climatic conditions with rainy seasons and dry seasons, white roofs are recommended as
more efficient solutions for reducing the heat island effect than extensive green roofs (Couttes et al.
2014). During rainy seasons all water is collected from the white roof and stored for irrigation
purposes of green garden spaces during the dry season. Instead of providing comparatively low
performance with an extensive green roof and climatically adapted garden vegetation, a white roof
may perform better because of the reflection of the roof, and the irrigation of green garden space
and water features with stored water (Figure 7).
Although the overall measure is effective to combat urban heat island effects, the white roof itself is
not “inspired” by nature, rather it is a simple yet clever engineering solution.
Figure 7: Extensive Green Roof vs. White Roof (Coutts et al. 2014).

3.1.2. Trees, boulevards, group of trees
For many urban challenges a tree is “the solution delivered by nature”, it provides shade, slows
down run off and increases the amenity value of open spaces. Although these are undoubtedly
ecological services provided also by a single tree, we only consider groups of trees, lines of trees or
boulevards as NBS in the context of the NBS technical handbook. Single trees are often exposed to
more stress, because they lack the neighbouring effects of other trees.
Furthermore, a group of trees and street trees in urban settings convey the natural phenomenon of
an edge of the woods with semi shaded surfaces and mostly connected canopy layers. A higher
number of trees would also require more efficient management and maintenance, in turn improving
the quality of living conditions of street trees.
3.2. Example: Combination of NBS
While the “challenges differ depending on the local and regional context, NBS offer the potential to
address them, either on their own or coupled with other solutions” (ICLEI 2017). Figure 8 shows
how several NBS are interconnected, and combined with grey infrastructure measures. This is
important since NBS are not replacing grey, (and) technical solutions per se but work efficiently
when combined. Thus, NBS should not emphasize replacing grey solutions, but instead try to
integrate with them, as “nature can play a much stronger role in tackling these challenges and make
urban and rural ecosystems more resilient to change” (Haase 2016).
Figure 8: NBS and grey infrastructure measures are combined in order to address challenges most efficient (Graphics modified from
SAMUWA)
The improvement of the resilience fabric of urban and rural ecosystems is illustrated in Figure 8.
Here, the NBS act as natural water retention units, while the grey infrastructure delivers the
conventional piping system.
3.3. How to put the concept into practice
Considering the wide scope of NBS, it becomes necessary to get some clarification on possible
applications of the concept. In this regard, three different types of NBS have been proposed along
two axis. The required level of engineering or management involved in the solution is spread along
one axis and the number of services and stakeholder groups targeted by a given NBS denotes the
other. Three types of NBS can be identified, although, the boundary between these three types is not
clear cut and hence, hybrid solutions exist along this gradient.

Type 1 → solutions that involve making better use of existing natural or protected ecosystems
Type 2 → solutions based on developing sustainable management protocols and procedures for
managed or restored ecosystems
Type 3 → solutions that involve creating new ecosystems or managing them in a very intrusive way
(Eggermont et al. 2015; IUCN European Regional Office in Brussels 2016; Potschin et al. 2015)
Figure 9: NBS typology based on ecosystem service delivery and level of engineering (IUCN 2016, based on Eggermont et al. 2015)
Figure 10 illustrates the types with a focus on the actual action, further distinctions might be
process-oriented actions  interventions or single actions  combined actions. However, given
that these differentiations are meaningful, for the Technical Handbook they play a minor role at this
stage.
Figure 10: NBS actions, distinction according to type of actions

Structure of the Catalogue
Looking at NBS there are, as outlined in the previous chapter, various options for categorization.
The most obvious categories are “challenges tackled by the NBS”, “benefits” or “ecological service
of the NBS”. The EC compiles 310 NBS – many of them listed more than once - and structures
them according to the regulation function – air quality regulation, climate regulation, water flow
regulation, erosion regulation, water purification and waste treatment, disease regulation, pest
regulation, pollination, disaster risk reduction, soundscape management, health – and the land use
type forests, terrestrial wetlands, freshwater, coastal areas, agricultural land, and urban settings
(European Commission 2015).
However, for ordering the catalogue, a more pragmatic approach is proposed and the NBS are
structured according to planning and construction terminology, leaving the other categories as
attributes, as options to group, and preselect NBS in the future online version.
The categories are listed in Table 2, further clarification and some explanation is given in each
introductory paragraph of the catalogue. The list of selected NBS is not final and based on the
distinction described in chapter 3.1.
Table 2: Categories for NBS Catalogue and number of selected NBS type
No of selected NBS
No NBS
types
1. Greening Intervention 3
2. Public Green Space 2
3. Vertical Greening 8
4. Green Roof 4
5. Water sensitive urban design measure 13
6. (River) Restoration 7
7. Measure of Bioengineering 3
8. Other Nature Based Solutions 2
5. Performance indicators and ecological service

5.1. Performance indicators
The UNaLab-Project (WP3 and WP5) have developed a set of indicators for measuring
performance of Nature Based Solutions in general, on the city level and on neighbourhood / project
level. The technical handbook takes these Key Performance Indicators as a basis for its more
detailed evaluation of NBS. The general NBS indicators try to grasp what can be measured in
different cities in order to compare the overall performance. For example heat reduction is one
indicator and it is measured by temperature difference of the inner city heat island effect and
surrounding rural areas. When after implementing NBS (or other measures), the difference between
temperatures of inner city and rural areas decrease the success of the measures is indicated. On the
city level “Temperature and human comfort” is an indicator with e.g. mean or peak daytime local
temperatures, number of combined tropical nights, leaf area index as some of the criteria.
Evaluating the overall success of NBS or other measures implemented in a city can be done with
the performance indicators. But in order to identify the differences between various NBS another
evaluation is needed. Ecological services are at the heart of the NBS approach therefore the detailed
evaluation of the performance focusses on these services and processes.

5.2. Ecological services
The main challenges that UNaLab cities wish to address with NBS are water and climate related.
But no matter which challenge is tackled, the NBS rely on ecological services. For the UNaLab
NBS catalogue six services are relevant with altogether 18 specifications (see Table 3). They can be
related to key performance indicators (UNaLab 2018) at city to neighbourhood level.
For example the urban climate “cooling service” depends on evaporation of surfaces, transpiration
of vegetation, shading (shaded surfaces, air volume in shade) and reflection of surfaces (albedo). Of
course there are many more influencing factors, when it comes to the evaluation of urban climate
and potential heat stress for urban dwellers. Ventilation, for example, is important for thermal
comfort, humidity to name some more factors. However, these depend very much on specific
conditions like urban fabric or regional climate and cannot be assigned to one NBS in general.
The performance of ecological services is also influenced by vegetation type, selection of species
and the level of maintenance. Some of the NBS already indicate vegetation types (intensive,
extensive green roof) but for species there are often no further recommendations because local
conditions vary greatly. Often low maintenance level result in better performance with regard to
bio-diversity or water purification. In urban settings, however, low maintenance is sometimes in
conflict with intensive uses of multifunctional public spaces and therefore habitat provision is lower
than it could be.
For evaluating the NBS, good conditions for the performance are set and real, but special cases are
not considered.

Table 4 lists the challenges addressed by the front-runner cities with priority and assigns the
required ecological service.
Table 3: Ecological services and associated (natural) processes
Key Ecological Service Natural process/ ecological principle

P1 cooling service evaporation
transpiration
shading user
shading surfaces
P2 water balance regulation service water conveyance
water infiltration
water retention
water storage
water reuse
P3 water purification service water filtering
water bioremediation
P4 air purification service deposition
biofiltration
P5 biodiversity service habitat provision
connectivity
P6 amenity value service beauty/appearance
usability/functionality
social interaction

Table 4: Pressing challenges and Ecological Services
Challenge Eindhoven Genova Tampere
Ecological Services NBS rely on
Flooding Water balance regulation service
Water scarcity Water balance regulation service
Water pollution Water purification service
Air pollution Air purification service
Heat stress Cooling service
Rapid growth / increasing
densification Habitat provision service
Climate driven health issues Cooling service
Habitat loss or fragmentation Habitat provision service
Reduced biodiversity Habitat provision service
Table of Figures
Figure 1: Structure of technical handbook and proposed steps toward final product of UNLAB NBS
Implementation Handbook ................................................................................................................... 5
Figure 2: 50 years of development of Nature Based Solutions as a concept [Graph: ILPÖ based on
Eggermont, 2015; IUCN, 2016; Nesshöver et al., 2016; Potschin et al., 2015; NAP 1996
(https://www.nap.edu/read/4919/chapter/9#113)] .............................................................................. 1
Figure 3: Nature Based Solutions relations to existing key concepts (graphic:ILPÖ) ....................... 3
Figure 4: EU-Research and Innovation Agenda on Nature-Based Solutions ” (European
Commission 2015). .............................................................................................................................. 4
Figure 5: NBS Benefits and co-benefits Graphics taken from: (Raymond et al. 2017)....................... 6
Figure 6: Characteristics of NBS......................................................................................................... 7
Figure 7: Extensive Green Roof vs. White Roof (Coutts et al. 2014). ................................................. 7
Figure 8: NBS and grey infrastructure measures are combined in order to address challenges most
efficient (Graphics modified from SAMUWA) ..................................................................................... 8
Figure 9: NBS typology based on ecosystem service delivery and level of engineering (IUCN 2016,
based on Eggermont et al. 2015) ......................................................................................................... 9
Figure 10: NBS actions, distinction according to type of actions ....................................................... 9

Publication bibliography
Eggermont, Hilde; Balian, Estelle; Azevedo, José Manuel N.; Beumer, Victor; Brodin, Tomas;
Claudet, Joachim et al. (2015): Nature-based Solutions. New Influence for Environmental
Management and Research in Europe. In GAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society
24 (4), pp. 243–248. DOI: 10.14512/gaia.24.4.9.
European Commission (2015): Towards an EU research and innovation policy agenda for nature-
based solutions & re-naturing cities. Final report of the Horizon 2020 expert group on 'Nature-based
solutions and re-naturing cities' : (full version). Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European
Union (EDC collection).
Haase, Dagmar (2016): Nature-based solutions for cities: A new tool for sustainable urban land
development? Edited by UGEC Viewpoints. Humboldt University.
ICLEI (Ed.) (2017): Nature-based solutions for sustainable urban development. ICLEI Briefing
Sheet - Nature-based Solutions.
IUCN European Regional Office in Brussels (Ed.) (2016): IUCN European Work Programme 2017-
2020. Brussels.
Nesshöver, Carsten; Assmuth, Timo; Irvine, Katherine N.; Rusch, Graciela M.; Waylen, Kerry A.;
Delbaere, Ben et al. (2017): The science, policy and practice of nature-based solutions. An
interdisciplinary perspective. In The Science of the total environment 579, pp. 1215–1227. DOI:
10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.11.106.
Pauleit, Stephan; Zölch, Teresa; Hansen, Rieke; Randrup, Thomas B.; van den Bosch, Konijendijk:
Nature-Based Solutions and Climate Change – Four Shades of Green.
Pauleit, Stephan; Zölch, Teresa; Hansen, Rieke; Randrup, Thomas B.; van den Konijnendijk Bosch,
Cecil (2017): Nature-Based Solutions and Climate Change – Four Shades of Green. In Nadja
Kabisch, Horst Korn, Jutta Stadler, Aletta Bonn (Eds.): Nature-Based Solutions to Climate Change
Adaptation in Urban Areas, vol. 29. Cham: Springer International Publishing (Theory and Practice
of Urban Sustainability Transitions), pp. 29–49.
Potschin, Marion; Berry, P. M.; Haines-Young, Roy H.; Baró, Francesc (2015): Nature-Based
Solutions. In Openness, July 2015.
Raymond, Christopher M.; Frantzeskaki, Niki; Kabisch, Nadja; Berry, Pam; Breil, Margaretha;
Nita, Mihai Razvan et al. (2017): A framework for assessing and implementing the co-benefits of
nature-based solutions in urban areas. In Environmental Science & Policy 77, pp. 15–24. DOI:
10.1016/j.envsci.2017.07.008.
UNaLab (2018): Key Indicators of NBS Performance (KPIs) and Impact (KIIs). With assistance of
Laura Wendling, Peter Roebeling.

NBS Technical Handbook ‐ Version June 2018 Overview of ecological performance Overview "think nature" criteria
Suggested
Water Air Suggested region Suggested Goals Suggested Actions
Ecosystems
Cooling Function Surface Water Regulation Function Purifictation Purification Biodiversity Amenity Value Function
Function Function
Rivers and lakes
Mediterranean
c. c. mitigation
c.c adaption/
regeneration
management
urbanisation
ecosystems
sustainable
Temperate
watershed
well‐being
Northern
restoring
Wetlands
Evapotranspirati Insolati Water Water Water Water Water Water Water Deposit Biofiltra Beauty/ Usability/Multifu
Oceanic
NBS
No NBS Subtype
Urban
on Shading on convey infiltrat retenti storage reuse filtering biorem ion tion Habitat Provision Connectivity Appearance nctionality social interaction NBS Subtype No
Urban
Transpi Evapor
risk
ration ation User Surface
1.1.1. Tree lined streets ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Tree lined streets 1.1.1.
Greening
1.1.2. Boulevards ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Boulevards 1.1.2.
interventions
1.2.1. Arboretum (group of trees) ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Arboretum (group of trees) 1.2.1.
2.1. Public green spaces Residential park ‐ ‐ ‐ Residential park 2.1.

2.2. Green corridors ‐ ‐ ‐ Green corridors 2.2.
3.1.1. Green facades, facade‐bound ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Green facades, facade‐bound 3.1.1.

3.2. Green facades, ground‐bound ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Green facades, ground‐bound 3.2.
3.2.1. Noise barrier as ground‐based greening ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Noise barrier as ground‐based greening 3.2.1.
3.3. Free standing living wall ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Free standing living wall 3.3.
Vertical Greening
3.3.1. Noise barrier as living wall ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Noise barrier as living wall 3.3.1.
3.3.2. Mobile vertical greening ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Mobile vertical greening 3.3.2.
3.4.1. Moss wall, 'City tree' ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Moss wall, 'City tree' 3.4.1.
3.5. Living Plant Construction (Baubotanik) ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Living Plant Construction (Baubotanik) 3.5.
4.1. Intensive roof ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Intensive roof 4.1.

4.2. Extensive roof ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Extensive roof 4.2.
Green roofs
4.3. Smart roof ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Smart roof 4.3.
4.4. Constructed wet roof ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Constructed wet roof 4.4.
5.1. Bioswales ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Bioswales 5.1.

5.2. Infiltration basin ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Infiltration basin 5.2.
5.2.1. Detention ponds (dry) ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Detention ponds (dry) 5.2.1.
5.2.2. Retention ponds (wet) ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Retention ponds (wet) 5.2.2.
5.3. Rain gardens ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Rain gardens 5.3.
5.4.1. Water sensitive Permeable pavement ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Permeable pavement 5.4.1.
5.4.2. urban design Vegetated grid pave ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Vegetated grid pave 5.4.2.
5.4.3. measures Permeable concrete ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Permeable concrete 5.4.3.
5.4.4. Porous asphalt ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Porous asphalt 5.4.4.
5.4.5. Permeable stone carpet ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Permeable stone carpet 5.4.5.
5.5. Undergorund storage ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Undergorund storage 5.5.
5.6. Constructed wetlands ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Constructed wetlands 5.6.
5.7. Biofilter ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Biofilter 5.7.
6.1. Daylighting ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Daylighting 6.1.

6.2.1. Reprofiling, extending flood plain area ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Reprofiling, extending flood plain area 6.2.1.
6.2.2. Branches ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Branches 6.2.2.
(River)
6.2.3. Channel widening and length extension ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Channel widening and length extension 6.2.3.
Restoration
6.2.4. Reprofiling the channel cross‐section ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Reprofiling the channel cross‐section 6.2.4.
6.3. Diverting and deflecting elements ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Diverting and deflecting elements 6.3.
6.4. Living rewetment ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Living rewetment 6.4.
7.1. Living fascines ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Living fascines 7.1.

Measures of
7.2. Revetment with cuttings ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Revetment with cuttings 7.2.
bioengineering
7.3. Planted embankment mat ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Planted embankment mat 7.3.
8.1. Biofilter (air quality) ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Biofilter (air quality) 8.1.

other NBS
8.2. Mounds ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Mounds 8.2.
apply
‐ no function yes
Performance no
good
very good
Criteria relating to NBS Case Study Template powered by Oppla, H 2020 coordination and support actions in think nature.
Nature Based Solutions – Technical
Handbook
Part II
Version February 2019

NBS catalogue
Introduction - How to use the NBS catalogue? The NBS catalogue groups a range of nature based
solutions by categories according to planning and construction terminology. In total, the following
eight categories were identified and will be explained in detail in this document:
1) Greening interventions
2) Public Green Space
3) Vertical Greening
4) Green Roofs
5) Water sensitive urban design measure
6) (River) Restoration
7) Measure of Bioengineering
8) Other NBS
Each category starts with a general description and an explanation of main functions of the associated
NBS types as well as how the considered NBS type is inspired by nature.
Example: When describing Green Roofs, an overview of the structure and services of natural soils –
as the feature of nature that is adopted – is given. Additionally, the structure of green roof and its
services are specified.
Every thematic group contains a bundle of different nature based solutions. In some cases, nature
based solutions are further divided into different subtypes.
Example: The category Vertical Greening contains six nature based solutions. One of them free
standing living wall is sub-divided into noise protection walls and mobile green walls.
NBS Technical Handbook - Part II Version February 2019 1

For every nature based solution the information is structured in a table
The structure of the table is as follows:
i. basic information
- What kind of NBS is considered?
ii. general description
- What is it and what does it consist of?
iii. role of nature
- How it works? How it makes use and/or gets inspired by nature?
iv. technical and design parameters
- Which are the main technical/design considerations?
v. conditions for implementation
- Which site conditions should be considered?
vi. benefits and limitations
- How does it contribute to/ limit the urban ecosystems
vii. Performance
- What is the performance of the NBS? (P = performance of NBS with regard to
ecological services; P1 = cooling service; P2: water regulation service; P3:
water purification service; P4: air purification service; P5: biodiversity; P6:
amenity value service.
Performance of NBS is significantly/largely dependent on geographic (climate, geomorphology)

conditions. Ideally, a location specific evaluation of NBS, considering all factors that are relevant for
performance, is conducted. Such an endeavour is, however, not feasible for all the three UNaLab front-
runner cities, and the five follower cities for each permutation of conditions. Therefore for the performance
evaluation of NBS in the catalogue a generalized approach was chosen, evaluating the potential
performance in suitable conditions. The performance in those conditions should be at least good (1)
or very good (2). If a performance criteria is not applicable this is also indicated (-).
The overview table lists NBS types with their performance ratings on one page, in order to facilitate
the selection of suitable NBS with specific ecological services. The overview table also contains
further criteria for categorizing NBS according to the “NBS Case Study Template powered by
OPPLA” of the Horizon 2020 coordination and support action Think Nature.
During the internal consultation phase with partners additional issues, that should be incorporated,
were raised. Costs and maintenance are, for instance, very important when decision makers need to
decide on investing in NBS. These considerations will be part of the Replication Framework in WP6.
NBS Technical Handbook - Part II Version February 2019 Chapter 1 - 2

List of NBS
1. Greening interventions ................................................................................................................................ 5

1.1 Street trees .................................................................................................................................. 7
1.1.1 Single line trees ................................................................................................................................ 7
1.1.2 Boulevards ...................................................................................................................................... 10
1.2 Group of trees (Arboretum) ...................................................................................................... 12
2. Public Green Space................................................................................................................................... 14
2.1 Residential park ........................................................................................................................ 14
2.2 Green Corridors ........................................................................................................................ 16
3. Vertical greening ...................................................................................................................................... 19
3.1 Facade-bound greening ............................................................................................................ 19
3.2 Ground-based greening ............................................................................................................ 22
3.2.1 Noise barrier as ground-based greening ......................................................................................... 24
3.3 Free standing living wall .......................................................................................................... 26
3.3.1 Noise barrier as free standing living wall ....................................................................................... 28
3.3.2 Mobile vertical greening / Mobile Green Living Room ................................................................. 30
3.4. Moss wall ................................................................................................................................ 32
3.4.1 ‚City tree‘........................................................................................................................................ 32
3.5 Living Plant Constructions (Baubotanik) ................................................................................. 34
4. Green Roof ................................................................................................................................................. 37
4.1 Intensive green roof .................................................................................................................. 38
4.2 Extensive green roof................................................................................................................. 41
4.3 Smart roof ................................................................................................................................. 44
4.4 Constructed wet roof ................................................................................................................ 46
5. Water sensitive urban design measure .................................................................................................... 49
5.1 Bioswale ................................................................................................................................... 50
5.2 Infiltration basin ....................................................................................................................... 52
5.2.1 (Dry) Detention Pond ..................................................................................................................... 54
5.2.2 (Wet) Retention Pond ..................................................................................................................... 56
5.3 Rain garden............................................................................................................................... 58
5.4 Permeable paving system ......................................................................................................... 60
5.4.1 Permeable pavement ....................................................................................................................... 60
5.4.2 Vegetated grid pave ........................................................................................................................ 63
5.4.3 Permeable concrete ......................................................................................................................... 65
5.4.4 Porous asphalt ................................................................................................................................. 67
5.4.5 Permeable stone carpet ................................................................................................................... 69
NBS Technical Handbook - Part II Version February 2019 3

5.5 Underground water storage ...................................................................................................... 71
5.6 Constructed wetlands ............................................................................................................... 73
5.7 Biofilter (water purification) .................................................................................................... 76
6. (River) Restoration .................................................................................................................................... 78
6.1 Daylighting ............................................................................................................................... 79
6.2 River space extension ............................................................................................................... 81
6.2.1 Reprofiling/Extending flood plain area .......................................................................................... 81
6.2.2 Branches ......................................................................................................................................... 83
6.2.3 Channel widening and length extension ......................................................................................... 85
6.2.4 Reprofiling the channel cross-section............................................................................................. 87
6.3 Diverting and deflecting elements ............................................................................................ 89
6.4 Living revetment ...................................................................................................................... 92
7. Measures of bioengineering ...................................................................................................................... 94
7.1 Living Fascine .......................................................................................................................... 94
7.2 Revetment with cuttings (Spreitlage) ....................................................................................... 96
7.3 Planted embankment mat ......................................................................................................... 98
8. Other NBS ................................................................................................................................................ 100
8.1 Biofilter (air purification) ....................................................................................................... 100
8.2 Mounds ................................................................................................................................... 102
Bibliography/References ............................................................................................................................. 108

1. Greening interventions
The NBS catalogue enlists greening interventions, employing the use of trees, aimed at imparting several
positive effects on the urban ecosystems. Some main benefits are the provision of habitats for urban
wildlife, regulation of air temperature, pollution control, shading, CO2 absorption, and human
recreation. Some more direct and indirect benefits of urban trees are represented in Figure 1.
Greening interventions are described in the catalogue focusing on two different types of street trees
as well as on grouped trees represented by several trees. Single tree planting is not considered because
the positive effects of single trees on the environment are often local, and limited to the immediate
surroundings of a tree. Despite the local effects, the protection and conservation of all urban trees is
a very important issue.
The following greening interventions refer to the conservation of existing tree stocks and also to the
establishment of new trees within cities. The conservation and professional maintenance of larger,
older trees is even more important because positive effects on the environment are generally greater
in comparison to small, newly planted trees. Further benefits of existing trees stocks are e.g. the
improvement of microclimate, air and quality of life for people within the city reflecting the need to
protect them. Effective measures for conservation may be tree protecting statutes on public and
private property (Coutts n.d.; Norton et al. 2015).
Further greening options - e.g. shrubs, grassland, meadows or flowerbeds - that also have multiple
ecosystem benefits (infiltration, delayed runoff, biodiversity) are not considered as individual NBS
types in the catalogue. The main reason is that they often only differentiate other NBS as well. For
instance, intensive green roofs with shrubs or bio swales with flower rich meadows.
Fig. 1: Benefits of Urban Trees (source: https://thought-leadership-production.s3.amazonaws.com/2017/09/25/13/34/04/fab4e7a8-

2d03-4a7d-83d8-bdcff6d0ce22/Cities_Tree_Infographic-02.jpg

Although trees are very often “The Nature Solution” it has to be stated that there are potentially
ecological disservices related to (large scale) tree planting in urban areas because they have also an
effect on ventilation in street canyons and may therefore lead to higher concentrations of pollutants.
Furthermore, there are some tree species that cause negative effects such as BVOC emissions or have
a high allergenic potential (Grote et al. 2016).
Biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOC), emitted from some tree species in high quantities,
together with NOx and high solar radiation play a role in the formation of Ozone. BVOC release from
vegetation is governed by environmental conditions (e.g. sunlight, temperature, and water
availability) and is highly species-specific. Presently, the problem is primarily relevant for the
Mediterranean context but may increase in magnitude there and elsewhere due to climate change
(Grote et al. 2016). The allergenic potential of some tree species is well known but not always
considered when selecting plant species in urban areas.
Regardless, the interventions involving trees highlighted in the NBS catalogue possess promising potentials.
Many of the potential disservices are due to traffic related pollution, which may be less relevant in
the coming decades because of electrification of individual and public transport. Stopping or slowing
down the schemes for planting and raising trees is therefore not an option. Still the careful selection
of suitable tree species for urban environments should take new scientific evidence on disservices
into account, in order to make the tree planting schemes – the challenge for a generation - a real
success for all.

1.1 Street trees
1.1.1 Single line trees
Fig. 2: Townhall Square Eindhoven (source: Eisenberg) Fig. 3: Tree lined street (source: LAND;
https://www.landsrl.com/)
Type 1 2 3 action type: 1: protection/conservation; 2 = restoration + managing; 3 = retrofitting + creation
flooding water water/ air heat stress rapid growth health issues habitat loss biodiversity
addressed scarcity pollution (climate) loss
challenges x x x x x
reference to
key studies
Single line trees represent one possibility to establish several trees in urban areas. As the name implies,
single line trees are arranged along e.g. streets, bicycle paths and sidewalks and the trees are situated on
one side.
Trees have multiple effects on the local micro-climate conditions, absorb particular matter and provide
shade for people as well as for buildings. One of the main positive effects for the human well-being in
periods with high temperatures is the air cooling effect. The mentioned effect of street trees in general
depends on different factors such as tree size, canopy coverage, planting density, tree species, tree health,
location, availability of root water or leaf area index.
iii. role of nature
Single line trees simulate those trees growing at the edge of the woods and their effects on the surrounding
environment outside the tree-covered area. The trees shade adjoining land uses. As a result the shaded
surface is cooler than surfaces without a protecting tree cover.
Fig. 4: Role of single trees (source: ILPOE, 2018)

The shading effect is determined by the characteristics of the trees (tree and canopy density, season). Other
effects are a reduced wind velocity; transpiration/air cooling, air purification/absorption of particular
matter.
The most important aspect is the selection of suitable trees that serve the intended purpose and are fit for
the geobotanical conditions (see Annex 1)
The area of the root space for neighbouring trees can be connected in suitable conditions and if separated
root space should be 12 m³ with a minimum depth of 1.5 m (FLL 2015). Depending on local climatic
conditions, permanent or temporary irrigation facilities need to be considered. The distance between the
trees depend on the maximum size of adult tree but also on the size of the planted tree and design ideas.
Protection measures (e.g. poles, wire mesh against animals) may be needed as well.
Local circumstances (e.g. topography, route characteristics, surrounding land use, and underground uses)
need to be considered when planning and establishing new single line trees.
Suitable location for the establishment of trees should offer enough space for trees to grow. Depending on
the site conditions and available space, suitable tree species have to be selected. The consideration of the
maximum height of the trees is important to avoid space problems in the future.
Trees that are not sufficiently rooted may cause accidents and constitute a danger for peoples on or beside
the road. The soil and subsurface should generally be suitable for the establishment of street trees and may
need to be replaced by standard soils if necessary. The selection of suitable tree species should also
consider local conditions like topography: For the stabilization of banks or small hills steadfast trees are
necessary.
Species and sub species that are suitable for urban conditions should be planted.

Benefits: Single trees are associated with diverse benefits for urban ecosystems:
- Microclimate regulation
- Habitat provision
- Aesthetics/recreation
- Rainwater regulation (delayed runoff)
It takes decades until newly planted trees fulfil the services of adult trees, individually as well as in
combination. Therefore initiatives to protect existing trees are very important.
Potential limitations/disservices: Disservices of trees may be the allergenic potential of its pollen and
BVOC emissions, resulting in high O3 concentrations in summer.
vii. Performance
Transpiration 1
evapotranspiration
P1 Evaporation -
Population/User 1
shading
Surface 1
Insolation of building -
water conveyance -
water infiltration 1
P2 water retention 1
water storage -
water reuse -
water filtering -
P3
water bioremediation -
deposition 1
P4
biofiltration 1

habitat provision 1
P5
connectivity 1
beauty/appearance 2
P6 usability/functionality 1
social interaction 1
literature/source: (Burden 2006); (Kadir, Mohd Akmal Abd and Noriah Othman 2012); (Patterson n.d.); (Pearlmutter et al. 2017); (McDonald et al.
2016)
further reading: (Armson und Stringer, P. and A. R. Ennos 2013); (Grote et al. 2016)

1.1.2 Boulevards
Fig. 6: Kingsway, London circa 1950 (Photo: London County

Fig. 5: Boulevards between streetcar tracks Stuttgart (source: Council) (source: Administrative County of London
Eisenberg) Development Plan 1951, Analysis)
Fig. 7: Boulevard with three tree lines (source: LAND;

https://www.landsrl.com/) Fig. 8: Kingsway as it is today (Photo: Jim C. Smith, Forestry
Commission) (source: Forestry Commission England 2009)
type 1 2 3 action type: 1: protection/conservation; 2 = restoration + managing; 3 = retrofitting + creation
challenges x x x x
reference to Case Study: Boulevard de Magenta; Paris, France (source: Global Designing Cities Initiative (c/o NACTO). ;
key studies globaldesigningcities.org/)
Boulevards represent a possibility to establish several trees in cities amongst others to mitigate urban heat
stress. Within boulevards, trees are commonly arranged along streets, bicycle paths and sidewalks and - if
circumstances allow - established on both sides of the route. The treetops of opposite trees often form a
(nearly) closed canopy. As a result the street in die middle of two tree lines is protected, shaded and the
air temperature is lowered.
iii. role of nature
Boulevards simulate those trees growing at the edge of the woods (fringe area) and their effects on the
surrounding environment outside the tree-covered area. The trees shade adjoining land uses - in natural
forest commonly vegetated areas like fields, meadow or water surfaces. As a result the shaded surface is
cooler than surfaces without protection/tree cover). The shading effect is determined by the characteristics
of the trees (tree density, canopy density and season). Other effects are a reduced wind velocity;
transpiration/air cooling, air purification.

For boulevards in urban settings, only a limited number of tree species meet the selection criteria based on
design principles, durability and resistance against environmental stress. The area of the root space for
neighbouring trees can be connected in suitable conditions and if separated root space should be 12 m³
with a minimum depth of 1.5 m. In most urban conditions the root space need to be prepared with soil
substrates for trees. Depending on local climatic conditions, permanent or temporary irrigation facilities
need to be considered. The distance between the trees depend on road width, the maximum size of adult
trees, on the size of the tree when planted, and further design ideas. Protection measures (e.g. poles, wire
mesh against animals) may be needed as well.
Local circumstances (e.g. topography, route characteristics, surrounding land use, underground occupation
with cables etc.) need to be considered when planning and establishing new boulevards. Suitable location
for the establishment of trees should offer enough space for trees to grow. Depending on the site conditions
and available space, suitable tree species have to be selected. The consideration of the maximum height of
the trees is important to avoid space problems in the future. Trees, that are not sufficiently rooted, may
cause accidents and constitute a danger for people on or beside the road. The soil and subsurface should
generally be suitable for the establishment of street trees and may, if need to be, replaced by standard soils.
Species and sub species that are suitable for urban conditions should be planted.
Benefits: Boulevards are associated with diverse benefits for urban ecosystems:
- Microclimate regulation
- Habitat provision
- Aesthetics/recreation
- Rainwater regulation (delayed runoff)
Potential limitations/disservices:
- Reduced airflow Higher pollution in street canyon
- Disservices of trees may be the allergenic potential of its pollen and BVOC emissions.
vii. performance
Transpiration 2
evapotranspiration
P1 Evaporation 1
Population/User 2
shading
Surface 2
water conveyance -
water storage -
water reuse -
water filtering -
P3
deposition 1
P4
biofiltration 1
habitat provision 1
P5
connectivity 1
beauty/appearance 2
literature/source: (Burden 2006); (Pearlmutter et al. 2017; McDonald et al. 2016)
further reading:

1.2 Group of trees (Arboretum)
Fig. 9: Arboretum - A group of adult trees creates a Fig. 10: Small Arboretum with seats (source: LAND;
microclimatic environment that mitigates heat stress on hot https://www.landsrl.com/)
summer days (source: LAND; https://www.landsrl.com/)
reference to
key studies
Group of trees mimicking the gestalt of a forest in an urban setting. They may be an option for the design
of shaded squares and places or as a contrasting element in densely built up areas or for court yard design.
iii. role of nature
The group of trees create a shaded environment in summer which is similar to a small patch of forest or
the fringe area of larger forests.
In order to create a sufficient microclimate right from the start, mature trees from nurseries are needed.
Trees are planted in a rather dense grid and need to be irrigated during the first years and possibly
throughout the whole life time. Water for irrigation comes ideally from surfaces and roofs.
Fig. 11: Role of forests/group of trees (source: ILPOE, 2018)

Species and sub species that are suitable for urban conditions should be planted. The use of different
species (Arboretum) may enhance the chances for establishing more robust living conditions. The group
of trees may be planted on natural soils or on top of underground buildings if the soil depth is sufficient.

Benefits: Biodiversity/Habitat provision (depending on species selection)
- Improved aesthetics
- Meeting places
- Public spaces for heat reduction
Potential limitations/disservices: Disservices of trees may be the allergenic potential of its pollen and
BVOC emissions.
vii. performance
Transpiration 2
evapotranspiration 1
P1 Evaporation
Population/User 2
shading
Surface 2
water conveyance -
water storage -
water reuse -
water filtering -
P3
deposition 1
P4
biofiltration 1
habitat provision 2
P5
connectivity 2
beauty/appearance 2
literature/source: (Burden 2006); (Kadir, Mohd Akmal Abd and Noriah Othman 2012); (Patterson n.d.); (Pearlmutter et al. 2017); (McDonald et al.
2016)
further reading: (Armson und Stringer, P. and A. R. Ennos 2013); (Grote et al. 2016)

2. Public Green Space
Public green spaces are categorized according to size, catchment area, services provided and urban
design aspects. In an integrated system, often connected through tree lined streets, they serve as the
back bone of urban green infrastructure and provide many beneficial services for the city.
For the NBS catalogue two types are considered relevant, residential parks and green corridors. They
can have extra benefits for urban environments, if designed accordingly and placed well.
2.1 Residential park
Fig. 12: Innocentia Park, Hamburg (source: Bildarchiv der Fig. 13: Innocentia Park 2, Hamburg (source: BSU,
Behörde für Umwelt und Energie Hamburg, Abteilung Hamburg.de)
Stadtgrün)
Flooding water water/ air heat stress rapid growth health issues habitat loss biodiversity
challenges X x x x x x
reference to
key studies
Residential Parks are part of the Green Infrastructure (GI) of cities and serve the residential areas as the
nearest main entry point for nature based recreation. Larger spatial elements of GI are district parks that
often deliver more functions and combine various uses (e.g. sport fields). Smaller green spaces are often
playgrounds or connecting green strips of land.
iii. role of nature
The residential park acts like an oasis in an urban environment, with positive effects for urban climate,
recreation, and biodiversity into the neighbouring residential areas.
Residential parks should be well connected and accessible for pedestrians. The park should be at least 1.5
ha size and have a compact form (120m * 120 m) with high proportion of trees or small forest (>
50%) and a minimum of sealed surfaces. The layout of the typical London Residential Park with tree and
shrub plantations next to the streets and a central open area can be seen as a model.
New urban development areas provide the opportunity to locate residential parks at the most suitable
location maximising the effects on urban climate. But also in urban regeneration projects the establishment
of new parks is possible and may be very beneficial. In order to have a maximised impact on urban climate
the spatially equal distribution of parks is important.

Potentials: Residential parks are multifunctional and deliver all benefits of green infrastructure.
Potential limitations/disservices: Accessibility is a key factor for the success of residential parks.
vii. performance
Transpiration 2
evapotranspiration 2
P1 Evaporation
Population/User 2
shading
Surface 2
water conveyance 2
water storage 2
water reuse -
water filtering 2
P3
deposition 2
P4
biofiltration 2
habitat provision 2
P5
connectivity 2
beauty/appearance 2
literature/source: (Pearlmutter et al. 2017)
further reading:

2.2 Green Corridors
Fig. 14: Green Corridor along a cycle path (source: LAND; Fig. 15: Green Corridor over a bridge
https://www.landsrl.com/) (source: LAND; https://www.landsrl.com/)
reference to High Line Park
key studies
Areas of derelict infrastructure, e.g. railway lines, that are transformed into linear parks play an important
role in urban green infrastructure networks and help to re-nature cities. Also regeneration along waterways
and rivers often results in linear interconnecting parks.
iii. role of nature
Transition areas between biomes are called ecotones, green corridors with their linear natural elements can
be seen as ecotones that connect neighbouring areas as well as distant areas. Ecotones are often rich in
biodiversity because they are connected to two (or more) different biotopes.
When green corridors are based on derelict infrastructure the location and the network properties are more
or less fixed. For new developments green corridors can be designed as connecting elements.
Abandoned traffic infrastructure may be the most convenient way to establish linear parks and green
corridors. The lack of care and sustained neglect of the area leads to an automatic development of the
natural features in the space. For new urban developments linear elements can also be designed and build
Benefits: Linear elements are very important for GI connectivity, the re-use of old grey infrastructure opens
up a great potential for creating an interconnected system.
Potential limitations/disservices: Depending on the previous use the green corridor may need a high level
of maintenance (e.g. bridges).

vii. performance
Transpiration 1
evapotranspiration
P1 Evaporation 1
Population/User 2
shading
Building (insolation) 1
water conveyance 1
water storage 1
water reuse -
water filtering 1
P3
deposition 2
P4
biofiltration 1
habitat provision 2
P5
connectivity 2
beauty/appearance 2
literature/source:
further reading: http://www.fieldoperations.net/project-details/project/highline.html

3. Vertical greening
Vertical greening is used as the general term for any vegetation cover on vertical surfaces, no matter
where the roots are located. Similar to green roofs vertical greening can be differentiated according
to the level of technical support that is needed to sustain vegetation. However since vertical soil itself
has no model in natural settings, almost all types of vertical greening are “intensive” and therefore
different characteristics are used to describe vertical greening. The main differences of vertical
greening types are greening of facades (buildings), free standing living walls, moss walls, living plant
construction and potentially vertical open spaces. Vertical greening can be build indoor or outdoor.
For the catalogue we only consider outdoor solutions.
3.1 Facade-bound greening
Fig. 16: Vertical Garden Fig. 18: Green facade, Amsterdam (source: City of
Patrick Blanc, Paris (source: Fig. 17: Eindhoven ‚Medina‘ Tampere)
Eisenberg) (source: Eisenberg)
challenges x x x x
reference to
key studies Museé du Quai Branly, Paris ( source: Greenroofs.com)
Planted walls with controlled cultivation are called green facades. Facade greenings are divided in two
types. The facade-bound greening which is a part of the facade or uses the facade for fixing panels and
containers to it. The second type is the ground based facade greening (3.2.).
Facade-bound greening is in most cases very intensively using technology for irrigation, and special
substrates for reducing the weight of the green facade.
Precultivated panels or special plant pot systems are most often used. For light weight structures special
tissues are used. Because of the thinness of the soil/substrate layer temperatures below 0° C may be a
problem. Some greening systems allow to remove the panels during winter.
iii. role of nature
Facade-bound greening have similar services like a very thin natural soil which deals as a basis for
vegetation. Depending on the level of engineering for irrigation, for nutrition supply and for the substrate
the vegetation cover can perform highly.

Fig. 19: Facade-bound greening: substrate in planter (a-c); mesh bakets made of plastic or metal (d)
(source: ILPOE, 2018 based on Pfoser 2009 provided in: (Pfoser 2016a); page 58 ff.)
Options highly depend on the character of the building (new construction, refurbishment, restoration) and
secondly on structural engineering. For new constructions integrated facade systems can be used with
vegetation panels (0.5 m² - 1 m²).
For regeneration projects a separate scaffolding is often needed.
- Panel: 0.5 – 1.0 m²
- Variety of 10-15 species of plants is most often used
- Irrigation and special substrate is necessary
- Small plants (type depends on environmental factors)
- Mosses, perennial plants are appropriate
- Not very dry/hot/cold area
- All surfaces are potentially useable, but sun exposed facades perform best potentially due to
greatest light exposure (depends on the plants which are used)
- Risk of fire if substrate and / or vegetation dries out
- Temperature resistant material
- Special care of professional gardeners is needed for maintenance
Benefits: Air pollution is reduced by plants, they bind high proportions of the particulate matter and
polluting gases and green facades additional produce fresh air
- A greened facade reduces the temperature about 2-10 K (compared to natural stone)
- Green facades have good evaporation services
- Evapotranspiration: 5-20 % sunlight is used for photosynthesis, 20-40% is used for
evapotranspiration 10-50 % transformed into heat 5-30% reflection
- Water retention: 15-30%
- Biodiversity/Habitat provision: birds, bats (nesting and breeding)
- Natural noise protection
- Improved aesthetics
- High dependency on irrigation system,
- Frost risk

vii. performance
Transpiration 2
evapotranspiration
P1 Evaporation -
Population/User -
shading
Surface 2
water conveyance -
water infiltration -
P2 water retention -
water storage -
water reuse -
water filtering -
P3
deposition 1
P4
biofiltration -
habitat provision 1
P5
connectivity 1
beauty/appearance 2
P6 usability/functionality -
social interaction -
literature/source: (Blanc n.d.); (Pfoser 2016a) ; (Pfoser 2016b); (Pfoser 2017); (Hancvencl 2013);(Köhler, Manfred and Christian Rares Nistor 2015)
further reading: https://www.murvegetalpatrickblanc.com/; (Ottelé 2011); (Wong et al. 2010a); (Wong et al. 2010b);(Köhler 2008)

3.2 Ground-based greening
Fig. 20: University building, with supporting elements for

Fig. 21: Ground based greening with climbers
ground based greening, Berlin-Adlershof (source: Köhler,
(source: Eisenberg)
neuelandschaft.de)
challenges x x x x
reference to
key studies
Planted walls with controlled cultivation are called green facades. Ground-based green facades are made
of climbing plants. The climber plants get planted in the ground and grow directly on the wall, or climbs
on a frame that is connected to the wall and keeps a distance to it. The plants extract water and nutrient
from the soil.
iii. role of nature
Climbing plants are part of forests, rocks and shrub areas. The plants grow from rather small areas of
natural soil and often need supporting vertical elements or porous surface (roots). Comparable situation
are inner areas of forests.
(a) (b)
Fig. 22: Ground-based greening: direct vegetation/vegetation without construction (a); vegetation with construction 1. wood, 2.
rods, 3./4. ropes (b) (source: Pfoser 2009 provided in: (Pfoser 2016a); page 56 ff.)
- Differentiation of climber plants (self-climbing climbers or climber with supporting system)

- Plant type depends on environmental factors
- Facade without gaps is needed for self-climbers
- Supporting frame is needed for climbers
- Grows up to 25 m high

- Low number of species can be combined (usually one dominant species)

- No very dry/hot/cold area
- Good quality of the soil / substrate
- Enough sunlight (depends on the plants which are used)
- Risk of fire if plants are too dry
- Direct growing plants: strong facade (without gaps), moisture
- Ground based green facades need 5-20 years to cover a house facade.
Benefits:
- Ground-based green facades that are irrigated by surface water runoff replace a part of the surface
water regulation service of a naturally soil.
- Air purification depending of species, particulate matter and harmful gases
- A greened facade reduces the temperature about 2-10 K (compared to natural stone)
- Green walls have good evaporation services (65-75 % of the annual rainwater)
- Evapotranspiration: 5-20 % sunlight is used for photosynthesis, 20-40% is used for
evapotranspiration 10-50 % transformed into heat 5-30% reflection
- Dependent on natural water cycle, drought stress
- Climbing plants have origin in forests, often optimum of plants in shaded conditions. Relatively
long time span before walls are fully covered
vii. performance
Transpiration 1
evapotranspiration -
P1 Evaporation
Population/User -
shading
Surface 2
water conveyance -
water storage -
water reuse -
water filtering -
P3
deposition 1
P4
biofiltration 1
habitat provision 1
P5
connectivity 1
beauty/appearance 1
literature/source:(Pfoser 2016b);(Pitha et al. 2013);(Enzi 2010);(Enzi 2010)
further reading:(Köhler 2008);

3.2.1 Noise barrier as ground-based greening
Fig. 23: Ground based greening on noise barrier (source: Fig. 24:Green noise barrier along the National Road 405,
LAND; https://www.landsrl.com/) Århus Denmark (source: Danish Road Directorate (2009)
Noise Barrier Design. Danish and some European Examples.
Report 174)
challenges x x x x x x
reference to
key studies
Green noise barriers are effective measures to reduce noise emissions along highly frequented roads. They
are often designed as walls with a ground based greening. The construction is usually made of concrete,
brick or wood and is covered with a vertical plant layer. Ground based green barriers represents a
commonly used type of noise barriers along roads, especially in areas with limited space for earth walls.
iii. role of nature
Climbing plants are part of forests, rocks and shrub areas. The plants grow from rather small areas of
natural soil and often need supporting vertical elements or porous surface (roots).
Ground based green noise barriers need to be equipped with supporting facilities for plants e.g. wires and
trellis.
Sufficient root space at the bottom of the noise barrier is required in order to provide good growing
conditions for the plants.
Benefits: The plants absorb fine dust and often enhance the visual appearance of noise barriers. Vegetated
noise barriers reduce heat, depending on the coverage of the wall elements.

vii. performance
Transpiration 1
evapotranspiration -
P1 Evaporation
Population/User -
shading
Surface 2
water conveyance -
water storage -
water reuse -
water filtering -
P3
deposition 1
P4
biofiltration 1
habitat provision 1
P5
connectivity 1
beauty/appearance 1
literature/source: (Bendtsen 2009)
further reading: (Azkorra et al. 2015)

3.3 Free standing living wall
Fig. 25:Constructing a living wall, Ludwigsburg Fig. 26:Green Living Room Ludwigsburg
(souce: (Helix Pflanzensysteme GmbH n.d.) (souce:(Helix Pflanzensysteme GmbH n.d.)
reference to Green living room Ludwigsburg, part III
key studies
Verticalization of green spaces is an adequate way to increase vegetated surfaces with many ecological
services in urban environments. Free standing living walls serve as adaptation measures for the urban heat
island effect. Furthermore they create space with high amenity value and (potentially) high biodiversity
and reduce noise emissions. They are suitable to re-use run-off water and evapotranspirate highly. On the
contrary, with extensive vegetation they sustain also longer periods of drought.
iii. role of nature
Natural soil with vegetation cover (perennials and shrubs/trees) is the model for living walls. Vertical
layering of soil with plants growing on vertical surface as well as on top of the wall. Depending on the
thickness of the living wall (approx. 40 cm) as well as the height normal soil functions can evolve, with
filtering along the passage through the soil. Evaporation from vertical soil is one major effect.
Transpiration from vegetation depends on plant selection, exposition and level of irrigation.
Fig. 27: The functions of the green living room (souce:(Helix Pflanzensysteme GmbH n.d.)

Vertical layering of soil/substrate which is stored in metal cages with supporting elements to create walls
of up to 4 m. Fabric (organic or un organic) is used to prevent the substrate / soil from eroding from the
cages. Fairly heavy construction which rests on a simple strip foundation. Living wall needs to be
constructed in two segments (minimum) that form a right angle in order to stabilize the living wall.
Very flexible with regard to plant selection, as long as irrigation and fertilizer can be managed accordingly.
Because of the thickness of the living wall there is hardly any problem with central European frost periods
Underground needs to be loadable in order to support the wall. Little risk of fire because of constant
irrigation
Benefits: Living walls provide direct shelter from the sun and depending on the vegetation indirect shelter
(e.g. tree wall with trees growing from the wall). High evapotranspiration of vegetation also helps to
decrease heat island effect.
- Beneficial for selected species if respective plants are used.
- Noise reduction
- Surface water can be used for irrigation of living wall.
- Irrigation is needed (summer and winter) but it should not rely on drinking water.
- Supporting underground is needed.
- Free standing living wall may act as a barrier for pedestrian movement.
viii. performance
Transpiration 2
evapotranspiration
P1 Evaporation 1
Population/User 2
shading
Surface 2
water conveyance -
water storage -
water reuse -
water filtering -
P3
deposition 1
P4
biofiltration 1
habitat provision 2
P5
connectivity 1
beauty/appearance 2
literature/source: (Eisenberg et al. 2016)
further reading:

3.3.1 Noise barrier as free standing living wall
Fig. 28: Noise barrier as free standing living wall Fig. 29: Noise barrier as free standing living wall
(source: www.lueft.de) (source: Helix-Pflanzen)
reference to
key studies
Noise barrier as free standing living walls are constructions of baskets or different elements covered/filled
with soil substrate with the function to reduce noise emissions e.g. along highly frequented roads.
iii. role of nature
Natural soil with vegetation cover (perennials and shrubs/trees) is the model for noise barriers as free
standing living wall.
The underground soil of noise barrier needs to be suitable for heavy wall elements. The design options are
limited.
Green wall noise barriers need more space than non-vegetated noise barriers and some kind of (natural)
water supply is needed.
Benefits: Multiple benefits, partly similar to other living walls; great enhancement of visual appearance of
noise protection walls; potential for reuse of storm water
Potential limitations/disservices: Success often dependent on natural precipitation

vii. performance
Transpiration 1
evapotranspiration
P1 Evaporation 1
Population/User -
shading
Surface 2
water conveyance -
water storage -
water reuse -
water filtering -
P3
deposition 1
P4
biofiltration 1
habitat provision 1
P5
connectivity 1
beauty/appearance 1
literature/source:
further reading:

3.3.2 Mobile vertical greening / Mobile Green Living Room
Fig. 30: Mobile Green Living Room (source: Eisenberg)
challenges x x
reference to
key studies
Fig. 31: Mobile green living room (source: Ludwig.Schoenle)
The mobile Green Living Room consists of living wall modules (wire frame cubes) that are fixed to a hook
lift container platform. The vegetation cover is very diverse in order to illustrate the high potential of living
walls to increase amenity value and stimulate biodiversity. A light open roof structure, partly covered with
vegetation, provides shade. The Green Living Room provides instantly services for clean air provision,
cooling and shading, a habitat for urban biodiversity. It can be used as a mobile demonstration for green
infrastructure, as a test feature, a temporary green installation or as an open green office for information
and communication purposes.
iii. role of nature
Natural soil with vegetation cover (perennials and shrubs/trees) is the model for living walls but for
“mobile vegetation” there is no space for loading and unloading example from nature.

The Green Living Room can be trucked to any location that has truck access. It acts as a semi-autonomous
unit with an on-board water tank that lasts for up to a week and an irrigation system that needs a temporary
energy supply.

Space for loading and unloading is needed, surface has to be flat (<3°), permissions needed for installation.

Benefits: Mobile vertical elements serve as models for large scale interventions, they can be used for
testing the suitability of a location and in participation processes. In combination with more elements the
performance increases significantly. The average performance of vertical greening, such as heat reduction,
cannot be replicated completely in mobile elements due to the limited space.
Potential limitations/disservices: The requirements for transporting mobile elements dominate other
aspects of vertical greening. The height is limited, also width and length are smaller. Maintenance and
supervision is high.
Transportation and production produce emissions.
vii. Performance
Transpiration 1
evapotranspiration
P1 Evaporation -
Population/User 1
shading
Surface -
water conveyance -
water storage -
water reuse -
water filtering -
P3
deposition 1
P4
biofiltration -
habitat provision 1
P5
connectivity 1
beauty/appearance 1
literature/source: (Müller, H. & Eisenberg, B. 2016)
further reading:

3.4. Moss wall
3.4.1 ‚City tree‘
Fig. 32: MoosTex: Test site for pollution absorbing noise Fig. 33: City tree (source: Eisenberg)
protection wall (source: Helix-Pflanzen)
challenges x x
reference to City tree (source: greencitysolutions.de)
key studies
Mosses have compared to other plants a large bio-active surface, they transpire more and also actively
reduce some pollutants. There is a range of test sites with open air experiments in order to test the
effectiveness for fine dust and reduction and air quality improvement.
To exemplify the potential a product that makes use of the moss capacities is described for this NBS –
type: The City Tree. A City Tree is a bio-tech-filter with the aim to improve the air quality in cities. The
City Tree is a compact and mobile construction, vertically planted with different species of mosses on its
front and back side. The moss surface contribute to improve the air quality through the binding of air
pollutants like particulate matter and nitrogen oxide. Due to its large surface (in comparison to many other
plants), mosses store a relatively huge amount of water and at the same time provide a relatively large
surface area for water transpiration. As a consequence the transpiration of water leads to a reduction of air
temperature on a local scale.
iii. role of nature
- Maximizing the ecological function of natural moss capacity
- Mosses have huge surface area  filtering of air pollutants
- Transpiration
City trees are equipped with additional technical solutions: Ventilators inside the vertical construction and
underneath the moss surface strengthen the air flow through the installation and thus increase the air
filtering and the water transpiration. The ventilators are externally controllable.
Furthermore, the city tree is equipped with a technical device that provides real-time information about
the city tree as well as the surrounding environment conditions. Depending on the local climate conditions,
the city tree has an additional irrigation system. Additional solar panels supply electricity. Otherwise the
city tree is connected to the mains.

Flat surfaces for installation is needed, also enough space for loading and unloading.
Benefits:
- Air filtering
- Mitigation against heat stress
- Recreation/relaxing
- Real performance is still under discussion, further independent studies needed
- Transportation and production produce emissions.
vii. performance
Transpiration 1
evapotranspiration
P1 Evaporation -
Population/User 1
shading
Surface -
water conveyance -
water storage -
water reuse -
water filtering -
P3
deposition 1
P4
biofiltration 1
habitat provision -
P5
connectivity -
beauty/appearance 1
literature/source: (city tree solutions (n.d.). https://greencitysolutions.de/; (enercity 2017)
further reading:

3.5 Living Plant Constructions (Baubotanik)
Fig. 34: Living Bridge (source: Amos Chapple) Fig. 35: Plane-Tree-Cube, Nagold
(source: Ludwig.Schoenle;
https://www.baubotanik.org/de/bauten/kubus/)
challenges (x) x x x x x x
reference to
key studies
For hundreds of years, the Khasi people of the Meghalayan mountains in north-eastern India have built
bridges created with living plants by making use of natural growth processes. Roots of rubber trees are
used in order to construct a living bridge that regrows constantly and outperforms wooden bridges which
would rot away too quickly.
Living plant constructions is inspired by this approach and aims at using living trees with all their
biological services also for construction purposes in order to create living architecture.
An essential feature of Baubotanik buildings is that they fundamentally change their general shape,
appearance and spatial effect from season to season and over time. (Ludwig 2015).
Fig. 36: House of future competition, visualization of facade with living plant construction, winter and summer expression
(source: Ludwig.Schoenle)
iii. role of nature

Living plant constructions use the natural process of inosculation, a process that can occur in nature when
trunks, roots, or branches in close proximity slowly fuse together. This process also known as approach
grafting, can arise within a single tree or neighbouring trees of same or different species. Over time, as the

limbs grow, they exert increasing pressure on each other, similar to the friction between two palms rubbed
together. This causes the outer bark to slough off, exposing the inner tissue and allowing the vasculature
of both trees to intermingle, in essence joining their lifeblood (Oommen 2015).
Fig. 37: Principle sketch of plant addition (source: Ludwig.Schoenle)
Plant addition is one application of Baubotanik: Only the lowest plants are put in the ground, all others are
planted into special containers on a scaffolding or into living wall segments. The containers are fitted with
an automated system, which continuously supplies them with water and nutrients and allows them to grow
roots. As this network of plants develops, the roots embedded in the ground grow more vigorously than
those placed in containers because the ground provides more root space, which plants can exploit for
additional resources. Once the inosculations have developed, the artificially created plant structure can
transport water and nutrients from the roots in the ground to the upmost leaves, and the roots of the
container plants become obsolete.
Gradually, these high-level roots can be cut off, the automated watering system can be removed and,
finally, the living structure becomes self-sufficient. At the same time, the secondary growth in
circumference increases the strength of the plant structure and eventually it becomes self-supporting so
that the scaffolding, initially required to support the containers and young plants, can be removed.
Ultimately, this approach entails a completely new understanding of plants: the plant is no longer seen as
a single biological entity with a naturally determined development path (from sapling to tree), but rather
as a living construction material, materiality or element that is fused with other living material and
technical construction elements to form a unified whole. This process allows the creation of living
buildings at the scale of a fully-grown tree in a comparatively short time, or – if seen from another
perspective – it permits the construction of trees. The result is not only an amalgamation of the elements
“house” and “tree” but also an integration of the processes of building and growing (Ludwig 2015).
Living plant construction can be implemented on any site, also on top of buildings. For the upper containers
of the plants supporting structure is needed that either has a function in itself (e.g. staircase), is a living
wall (example Green Living Room), or a separate structure.
Due to regulations living plant construction may need special building permissions for implementation.

Benefits: The performance that adult trees deliver after decades can be achieved within a couple of years
by living plant construction. Depending on the implementation living plant constructions serve as green
facades or three dimensional open spaces and deliver respective services like heat reduction for buildings,
shading for people, cooling ambient temperature as well as improving the amenity value.
Potential limitations/disservices: Living plant constructions have a certain demand for maintenance and
supervision, also irrigation systems are essential in the initial phase. Retrofitting buildings with living plant
constructions is fairly difficult, for new constructions all required elements (supporting structures, access
etc.) can be integrated right from the beginning.
A Standardized procedure for building and maintaining needs to be developed.

vii. performance
Transpiration 1
evapotranspiration
P1 Evaporation -
Population/User 2
shading
Surface 1
water conveyance -
water storage -
water reuse -
water filtering -
P3
deposition 1
P4
biofiltration -
habitat provision 1
P5
connectivity 1
beauty/appearance 1
literature/source: (Ludwig 2015), ( Oommen 2015), (Ludwig, F; Schönle, D. Bellers, M. 2013)
further reading:

4. Green Roof
Green roofs are vegetative layers implemented on rooftops - especially in urban areas - with the aim to provide
green space for different purposes and mitigate against urban heat islands. Several types of green roofs with
varying coverings, complexity and scopes can be implemented on rooftops. Main positive effects associated
with green roofs are for instance cooling and evapotranspiration, which lead to a reduction of the roofs
temperature itself as well as of the surrounding air (= air cooling). As a result, green roofs contribute to
mitigating negative effects in urban areas, in particular caused by urban sealing, buildings and heat emissions.
The natural process, that green roofs are associated with, are evapotranspiration, temporary storing and
buffering rain as well as sunlight absorption. The main functions of each green roof will be explained briefly
below (see Figure 2) and will be addressed again in chapter iii/role of nature for each green roof type. The
NBS catalogue focusses on intensive and extensive green roof types, but intermediate systems (semi/simple-
intensive) also exist. The complete description of the different types of green roofs is given below in chapter
4.1 to 4.4.
For the NBS Catalogue a performance threshold is set for extensive green roofs. They should have at least 25
l/m² storing capacity and 95% coverage after three years. More extensive roof are not considered as NBS types.
Fig. 38: Upper row, comparison of the structure of natural soils (left) and extensive green roofs (right),
lower row, smart roof with extra water storing capacity (left) and intensive green roof (right) (source: ILPOE, 2018)

4.1 Intensive green roof
Fig. 39: Intensive green roof (source: LAND; Fig. 40: Intensive green roof Illustration (source:
https://www.landsrl.com/) myrooff.com)
challenges x x x x x x x
reference to
key studies
Intensive green roofs* are often associated with residential buildings, hotels or underground parkings. The
more complex and heavier greening systems are characterized by a higher installation, maintenance,
management effort (regular irrigation and fertilization) which leads to higher costs for the mentioned
system type compared to extensive green roofs (chapter 3.2). Intensive green vegetation is often
established on roofs that are accessible for public or recreation purposes and also for regular maintenance
measures. The intensive green roof type is regularly frequented by humans: Different activities including
gardening, relaxing and socializing are designated for intensive green roofs. To enable human activities
on green roofs and the integration of larger plants, trees and architectural elements, suitable rooftops need
to be relatively flat.
The choice of suitable plants has to be greater (than on extensive green roofs) because of the different
requirements and applications e.g. Aesthetic and ecological requirements. Appropriate plants for intensive
green roofs are mainly trees, shrubs and perennials. The growth media is relatively thick and notably
deeper than for extensive systems with integrated low-growing plants (see 3.2). The growth media of
intensive green roofs needs to be relatively deep and nutrient rich to support the growth of plants or bigger
trees. Beside a variety of plants, different kinds of architectural elements (buildings, solar panels) can be
established on intensive green roofs.
*different terms for intensive green roofs used in literature are high-profile/ roof gardens (source: "Green Roofs." Provided in:
Reducing Urban Heat Islands: Compendium of Strategies. Draft. https://www.epa.gov/heat-islands/heat-island-compendium)
iii. role of nature
As illustrated in Fehler! Verweisquelle konnte nicht gefunden werden. the model for a green roof is
natural soil with its vegetation cover. Through the establishment of (intensive) green roofs on buildings,
different services of natural vegetation layers are replicated. As a result, the potential to mitigate the urban
heat island effect is higher compared to sealed surfaces without any vegetation (black roof).
Intensive green roofs can provide a variety of ecosystem services and benefits for the surrounding
environment and microclimate. To enable these services, a natural, grown soil cover needs to be replicated.
The vegetation layer absorbs solar radiation for photosynthesis. Large trees and plants covering the
buildings surface and thus providing shade for resting user. Plants and trees as well protect from heat
transmission into the building.

Through the integration of vegetation, the 1) transpiration and 2) evaporation is increased (in comparison
to black roofs), reducing the surrounding air temperature (=cooling effect).
The retention of precipitation is a fundamental service of natural soils. Especially coarse-pored soils can
store storm water for a longer period before it is transported into receiving water. A green roof temporarily
stores rain-/wastewater, filters and binds impurities. The thick growing medium of intensive green roofs
is positive in the context of water filtration, storage and water retaining.
Different greening systems for intensive green roofs - and therefore no uniform construction - exist
(a) substrate fill  substrate mix that varies in height on drainage layer
(b) planters  substrate on drainage layer in plant
Beside the mentioned systems other/special constructions for intensive green roofs exist.
- plants: huge variety (trees, shrubs and perennials)
- water requirement: irrigation necessary
- growing medium: 6-15” (~ 15-38 cm)
- slope gradient: flat, 0-5° (a-b)
- weight: 190-680 kg/m (a); depends on plant and planters selection (b)
- water retention capacity: 30-160 l/m² (a)
- investment: 5 Euro/m²/cm substrate (a); > 500 Euro/m²
- investment: median to high
- maintenance: 3,50-5,00 Euro/m²a (a, b); medium to high
(Exemplary data source: Forschungsgesellschat Landschaftsentwicklung Landschaftsbau e.V., 2015; U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency. 2008. „Green Roofs“. In: Reducing Urban Heat Islands: Compendium of Strategies. Draft.
https://www.epa.gov/heat-island/heaut-idsland-compendium.)
- site characteristics often depend on project objectives
 e.g. objective = improving aesthetics; high density areas are preferred that are visible from
surrounding buildings
- solid, stable concrete buildings/bearing capacity
- flat or relatively flat concrete rooftops and underground concrete structures
- artificial irrigation but at least (rainwater) watering facility in critical/dry periods
- in some cases special plates distribute pressure on rooftop are needed (for planters)
Benefits:
- human health an quality of life
- storm water/rainwater management and quality
- improves air quality (reduction of greenhouse gas emissions)
- aesthetic value/visual attractiveness
- food production
- additional space (intensive roof)
- thermal performance/temperature reduction
- energy reduction for buildings (heating/cooling)
- reduction of noise/sound transmission
- habitat provision for urban wildlife
- limited development of undisturbed habitats because of human activities/public purposes
- limited spread of flora and fauna because of regular maintenance and management
- limited space for rooting (although the growing media is relatively thick)

vii. performance
Transpiration 2
evapotranspiration
P1 Evaporation 1
Population/User 1
shading
Surface 1
Insolation of building 2
water conveyance 2
water storage 1
water reuse -
water filtering 1
P3
deposition 1
P4
biofiltration -
habitat provision 1
P5
connectivity 1
beauty/appearance 2
literature/source: (International Green Roof Association e.V. (IGRA) 2018); (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2008)
McIntyre, L. & E. C. Snodgrass (2010): The Green Roof Manual: A Professional Guide to Design, Installation, and Maintenance. Timber Press.
Portland. London.
Forschungsgesellschaft Landschaftsentwicklung Landschaftsbau e.V., 2014 (FLL) – The landscaping and landscape development Research Society),
Guidelines for Planning, Executing and Upkeep of Green Roof Sites, 2002 edition.
further reading:

4.2 Extensive green roof
Fig. 41: Extensive green roof Oversum- Winterberg (source: Optigrün)
reference to Green roofs in Basel, Switzerland: combining mitigation and adaptation measures (2015); Urban storm
key studies water management in Augustenborg, Malmö (2014).(source (a, b): http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/)
Extensive green roofs* are basic, light weight systems, characterized by minimum maintenance and
management (artificial irrigation, fertilization) after establishment of the system. According to the NBS
catalogue, a minimum performance of 25 l/m² storing capacity and at least 95 % of vegetation coverage
after three years is needed. The installation and management/maintenance of extensive green roofs is less
expensive than that of intensive systems. Extensive green vegetation is often established on roofs that are
not accessible or with limited access for public or recreation purposes (but annual maintenance) and
partially characterized by steep slopes.
Appropriate plants for extensive green roofs are low growing, rapidly spreading and shallow-rooting
plants/hardy perennials (succulents such as sedums, herbs, wildflowers, grasses, mosses) that are able to
survive with minimum nutrient uptakes and without additional nutrient supply. The selected plants for
extensive green roofs are generally well adapted to alpine environments/climate and tolerate different
climate conditions (e.g. drought) and temperature fluctuations. The number of different plant species is
limited on extensive roofs, yet the biodiversity on extensive green roofs is generally greater than on other
(intensive) green roof types.
Through the establishment of (extensive) green roofs on rooftops, different services of natural vegetation
layers are replicated. As a result, the potential to mitigate the urban heat island effect is increased compared
to sealed surfaces without any vegetation.
Extensive green roofs provide limited services and benefits for the surrounding environment. As described
above, it is characterized by a low vegetation surface that covers the buildings surface. Although the
surface covering is the main service of extensive roofs, it also leads to positive effects on microclimate:
Evaporation is increased in comparison to black roofs and leads to a heat reduction of the surrounding air
temperature (=air cooling). Furthermore, the vegetation binds particular matter.
The growth medium is relatively thin compared to intensive green roofs. As a result the service of water
buffering, temporary storage, retention and filtration albeit lower than for intensive green roofs, yet exists.
*different terms for extensive green roofs used in literature are low-profile/Ecoroofs (source: "Green Roofs." Provided n:
Reducing Urban Heat Islands: Compendium of Strategies. Draft. https://www.epa.gov/heat-islands/heat-island-compendium)
iii. role of nature

natural soil with its vegetation cover. Through the establishment of green roofs on buildings, different
services of natural vegetation layers are replicated.
Different greening systems for extensive green roofs - and therefore no uniform technical/design
construction - exists.
a) direct  vegetation grows direct on concrete (special “biological concrete”)
b) textile systems  vegetation is established on synthetic fibre mats
c) textile-substrate-systems  vegetation is precultured on organic fibre mats + underlying substrate
d) substrate fill  substrate mix that varies in height on drainage layer
plants: less variety (moss, sedum, herbs, grasses)

-
water requirement: low
-
growing medium: 2-6” (~ 5-15 cm); reservoir board for extensive roofs is needed
-
slope gradient: 0-35° (a-d) (steeper slopes up to 85° (a-c)/ 45° (d) are possible with technical
-
devise)
- weight: 20 kg/m (b); 30-90 kg/m² (c); 50-190 kg/m² (d)
- water retention capacity: up to 20 l/m² (a, c), up to 24 l/m² (b); 30-50 l/m²
- investment: low (a); 45-60 Euro/m² (b), 55-70 E/m²; 15-35 Euro/m² (d)  low to medium
maintenance: low (a), 0,50 Euro/m²a (b), 1 Euro/m²a (c); 1,50-3,00 Euro/m²a
(exemplary data source: Forschungsgesellschat Landschaftsentwicklung Landschaftsbau e.V., 2014; U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency. 2008. „Green Roofs“. Provided in: Reducing Urban Heat Islands: Compendium of Strategies. Draft.
https://www.epa.gov/heat-island/heaut-idsland-compendium.)
- site characteristics often depend on project objectives
 e.g. objective = improving aesthetics  high density areas are preferred that are visible from
surrounding buildings
- solid, stable concrete buildings/bearing capacity
- flat or relatively flat concrete rooftops and underground concrete structures
- artificial irrigation but at least (rainwater) watering facility in critical/dry periods
- in some cases special plates are needed to distribute pressure on rooftop (for planters)
Benefits:
- human health and quality of life
- storm water/rainwater management and quality
- improved air quality
- aesthetic value/visual attractiveness
- thermal performance/temperature reduction
- energy reduction for buildings (heating/cooling)
- reduction of noise/sound transmission
- habitat provision for urban wildlife
- limited development of undisturbed habitats because of human activities/public purposes
- limited spread of flora and fauna because of regular maintenance and management
limited space for roots

vii. performance
Transpiration -
evapotranspiration
P1 Evaporation 1
Population/User -
shading
Surface 1
water conveyance 1
water storage -
water reuse -
water filtering -
P3
deposition -
P4
biofiltration -
habitat provision 1
P5
connectivity 1
beauty/appearance 1
literature/source: (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2008)
McIntyre, L. & E. C. Snodgrass (2010): The Green Roof Manual: A Professional Guide to Design, Installation, and Maintenance. Timber Press.
Portland. London.
Forschungsgesellschaft Landschaftsentwicklung Landschaftsbau e.V., 2014
further reading:
(Elliott et al. 2016)

4.3 Smart roof
Fig. 42:“Polderdaken” (smart retention roof Fig. 43: Smart roof, Amsterdam (source: City of Tampere)
(source: Amsterdam Rainroof ; www.rainproof.nl)
challenges x x x x
reference to Case Study: ABG blue roof installed for a green extensive roof
key studies (source: ABG Ltd.; http://www.abg-geosynthetics.com/)
Smart roofs are a special type of extensive green roofs that fulfil different services to protect ecosystems
in cities: (Capillar) smart roofs represent an extension of conventional green roofs because the system is
equipped with a drainage system under the vegetation layer. The drainage layer retains storm water.
Through capillary fibre cylinders water is naturally returned to the vegetation layer during dry periods.
Capillar smart roofs represent a cyclic water management where an additional plant irrigation is not needed
(100% of the storm water can be reused for irrigation). Furthermore technical devices (pumps, tanks,
valves) are redundant.
iii. role of nature
natural soil with its vegetation cover. Through the establishment of green roofs on buildings, different
services of natural vegetation layers are replicated.
Fig. 44:“Polderdaken” Illustration (smart retention roof (source: www.rainproof.nl)

- Waterproofing surface/roof
- sufficient roof load-bearing capacity

Benefits:
- Reduced flood risk
- Water scarcity
- Loss of biodiversity
vii. performance
Transpiration 1
evapotranspiration
P1 Evaporation 1
Population/User -
shading
Surface 1
water conveyance 2
water storage 2
water reuse 1
water filtering 1
P3
deposition 1
P4
biofiltration -
habitat provision -
P5
connectivity -
beauty/appearance 1
literature/source: Amsterdam Rainproof. https://www.rainproof.nl/project-smartroof-20.
ABG. http://www.abg-geosynthetics.com/case-studies/blueroof-green-extensive-roof-Huddersfield.
further reading:

4.4 Constructed wet roof
Fig. 45: Constrcuted wet roof (source: Rhizotech; www.rhizotech.com)
challenges x x x x
reference to
key studies
The idea of constructed wet roofs CWR is to connect (extensive) green roofs and constructed wetlands for
domestic wastewater (so-called grey water) treatment. Besides, constructed wet roofs retain storm water
for a certain period of time, gradually releasing rainwater and reducing the overall runoff. Furthermore,
CWRs have positive impacts on the microclimate.
Constructed wet roofs consists of precultured mats with evergreen vegetation that are installed on rooftops.
The plants are irrigated with storm- and wastewater to ensure the surface layer remains moist. Water
impurities are filtered during their way through the vegetation layer and absorbed as plant nutrients. Roofs
need to have a moderate to high slope gradient to enable the water runoff. The processed water is used for
irrigation as well as for disposal into receiving water or for toilet flushing. Besides the wastewater
maintains the green space on the rooftop.
*different term for constructed wet roofs used in literature is wetland roofs
(source: http://rhizotech.com/de/107/dachbegruenung)
iii. role of nature
Constructed wet roofs can provide a variety of benefits, replicated from natural processes especially in
soils. The most important service in the context of constructed wet roofs is the treatment of wastewater
e.g. domestic or industrial wastewater. Water impurities in grey water are filtered during their way through
the vegetation layer and absorbed as plant nutrients. Another important service is “storm and wastewater
storage and retention”. As a result, the risk for flooding during or after a storm water event is lowered.
Water evaporates from the water surface and transpires from the plants surface and stomata. This process
leads to a decrease of the air temperature.
- horizontal flow constructed wet roof (depth: 9 cm: shallow bed depth corresponds to an extensive
green roof) with four beds (3,0 x 25,5 m)
- roof slope: 14,3 degrees
- half retention time (HRT): 3,8 days
- CW construction (top - down):
- turf mats (height: 1,5 cm): sandy, highly fertilized soil (here: organic soil) and grass roots/seed (3
mixture of 3 types)

- stabilization plates (height: 3,5 cm)
- substratum (height: 7,5 cm): sand, light expanded clay aggregates (LECA), polylactic acid beads
(PLA)
- (Waterproofing surface (bituminous waterproofing))
- type of wastewater: domestic wastewater (effluent of kitchen-, bathroom-, toilets sink and dishwater
from considered building)
- additional technical devices (tanks and pumps): septic tank, inlet tank, pumps for each bed, pressure
pipes (influent and effluent pipe), infiltration pond
Fig. 46: Constrcuted wet roof (Zapater-Pereyra et al. 2016)
Exemplary technical design: Zapater-Perezra, M., Lavrnic, S., van Dien, F. van Bruggen, J.J.A. and P.N.L. Lens (2016):
Constructed wetroofs: A novel approach for the treatment and reuse of domestic wastewater (2016).
- Waterproofing surface/roof
- sufficient roof load-bearing capacity
- slope gradient to water outlets
- (emergency) overflows
Benefits:
- effect on microclimate: cooling of air temperature
- decreased probability and consequential effects of flooding (water retention)
- habitat for insects and birds/urban wildlife
- improves water quality
- (relative) water quantity (water can be used for different purposes after natural treatment)

vii. performance
Transpiration 2
evapotranspiration
P1 Evaporation 1
Population/User -
shading
Surface 1
water conveyance 1
water storage 1
water reuse 1
water filtering 1
P3
water bioremediation 1
deposition 1
P4
biofiltration -
habitat provision -
P5
connectivity -
beauty/appearance 1
literature/source: http://rhizotech.com/de/107/dachbegruenung; (Zapater-Pereyra et al. 2016)
further reading:

5. Water sensitive urban design measure
The urban water cycle differs greatly from the natural water cycle with regard to the main components
evapotranspiration, water run-off and infiltration (see Fehler! Verweisquelle konnte nicht gefunden werden.).
This has severe consequences with regard to urban climate, ground water recharge, and risk management. The
NBS that are listed in the catalogue aim to mitigate the effects and try to re-establish a more natural water
cycle.
Fig. 47: Comparison between natural and urban water cycle. Main components differ greatly
(source: freely adapted from SAMUWA)
Many of the NBS are integral part of concepts dealing with water such as water sensitive urban design or
sustainable drainage systems.

5.1 Bioswale
Fig. 48: Eindhoven, Bioswale (source: Eisenberg)
challenges x x x
reference to Case study: Queen Mary´s Walk, Llanelli,
key studies Case study: Houndsden Road Rain Gardens, Enfield. www.susdrain.org
A bioswale* is a vegetated, linear and low sloped pit often established in urban areas near/between roads
with the objective to reduce flood risk during or after heavy rain events. The intention of bioswales is
comparable to rain gardens. Bioswales absorb, store and convey surface water runoff (mainly draining
from roadways) and also remove pollutants and sediments, when the water trickles through the vegetation
and soil layer. The choice of vegetation for bioswales is variable but deep-rooted native plants are common
and preferred. To support infiltration of water runoff, some swales are equipped with dams or similar
constructions.
Bioswales are not limited to a certain region/country. If properly planned and planted with native plants,
a bioswale is a reasonable contribution to local storm water management and control.
* In literature refers to as swale (source: http://nwrm.eu/sites/default/files/nwrm_ressources/u4_-_swales.pdf)
iii. role of nature
- Processes in bioswales (vegetation, soil) that are inspired by nature:
- water retention and storage (vegetation and soil layer retains and stores water)
- water infiltration (water infiltrates into natural soils (soil substance has an influence on infiltration
rate)
- water filtering (plants and soil are natural filters for organic pollutants, sediments and other
substances)
- water conveyance (natural riverbed conveys water)
- water evapotranspiration (plants take up and transpires water)
- Medium to larger scale installations (larger than rain gardens)
- native deep-rooted plants that withstand occasional flooding (often grass, + other plants for esthetical
reasons)

- relatively dense vegetation (positive for slowing water; too dense vegetation would be negative for
water conveyance)
- regular maintenance and inspection (grass cutting and removal; removal of sediment)
- access for maintenance and management necessary
- combination with other SUDs ( e.g. rainwater harvesting and permeable paving)
- For planting suggestions see: (Bray et al. 2018)
Storm water from roofs or paved areas need to be collected in order to lead them into a bio swale. Space
for implementation is needed, multifunctional uses if possible.
Benefits:
- storm water management and control
- reduced flood risk
- improvement of water quality
- habitat provision for wildlife
- improvement of amenity value
- trees are limited  habitat provision limited on ground level
vii. performance
Transpiration -
evapotranspiration
P1 Evaporation 1
Population/User -
shading
Surface -
water conveyance 1
water storage 1
water reuse -
water filtering 1
P3
deposition -
P4
biofiltration -
habitat provision 1
P5
connectivity 1
beauty/appearance 2
literature/source: (European Commission n.d.b); (Natural Resources Conservation Service 2005); http://www.susdrain.org/delivering-suds/using-
suds/suds-components/swales-and-conveyance-channels/swales.html
further reading:

5.2 Infiltration basin
Fig. 49: Infiltration basin (source: www.susdrain.org) Fig. 50: Infiltration basin (source: SuDS Wales;
www.sudswales.com)
challenges
reference to Case study: Queen Mary´s Walk, Llanelli,

key studies Case study: Houndsden Road Rain Gardens, Enfield. www.susdrain.org

Infiltration basins are flat areas planted with grass and normally dry. After a heavy rain the water fills up
the basin and soaks into the ground.
Fig. 51: Infiltration basin Illustration (source: provided in: Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection;
geosyntec.com/)
iii. role of nature

Filtration of surface water by different soil layers (for example sand)
- Have to be lower than the ground level.
- Simple to construct
- Basin should be flat (water have to soaks equal)
- Grass should be longer than 3 inches (otherwise it will not survive flooding)
- Infiltrate 50% of their storage volume within 24 hours of filling

Available space
-
Local soil conditions
-
Highly specific rainwater intensities
-
Can be integrated in personal gardens, parks, driveways
-
- Should not be directly connected with aquifers (even if there are permeable layer in between)
Benefits:
- Remove pollution from the rainwater
vii. performance
Transpiration -
evapotranspiration
P1 Evaporation 1
Population/User -
shading
Surface -
water conveyance -
water storage -
water reuse -
water filtering 1
P3
deposition -
P4
biofiltration -
habitat provision 1
P5
connectivity 1
beauty/appearance 1
literature/source:
further reading:

5.2.1 (Dry) Detention Pond
Fig. 52: Detention Pond (source: www.susdrain.org) Fig. 53: Detention Pond (source: www.sudswales.com)
challenges
reference to
key studies
Dry detention ponds are surface storage basins that retain storm water. During periods of heavy rain, the
area gets flooded and could lead to filling up of the detention pond in cases of longer duration of rainfall.
After the rain ends, the water flows in the sewer system. If there is no event of heavy rainfall the detention
ponds are dry and could be used as a green area.
iii. role of nature
A natural landscape contains a heterogeneous surface with slightly elevated areas and lower parts in
close proximity, forming a mosaic of micro conditions. Water stays in the lower parts for some time until
it infiltrates or evaporates.
- Detention ponds can be part of public spaces (playground, sports field, …)
- Have to be at the lowest part of the park, green space
- could be considered into park planning (area can be used otherwise)
- Enough space to get flooded
Benefits:
- Regulates heavy rain
- Multifunctional use of detention pond is possible
Limitations/ disservice:
- Limited design options
- Green space with too many functions => reduced recreation space
vii. performance
Transpiration -
evapotranspiration
P1 Evaporation -
Population/User -
shading
Surface -

water conveyance -
water storage 1
water reuse -
water filtering 1
P3
deposition -
P4
biofiltration -
habitat provision 1
P5
connectivity 1
beauty/appearance 2
literature/source:
further reading:

5.2.2 (Wet) Retention Pond
Fig. 54: Wet Retention Pond in Vuores, Tampere(source: City Fig. 55: Wet Retention Pond in Vuores, Tampere(source: City
of Tampere) of Tampere)
challenges
reference to
key studies
Retention ponds retain storm water continuously. In dry periods they also hold water. The detention ponds
can improve the water quality (for example with downstream infiltration).
iii. role of nature

A natural landscape contains of a heterogeneous surface with slightly elevated areas and lower parts in
close proximity, forming a mosaic of micro conditions. Water stays in the lower parts for some time until
it infiltrates or evaporates.
- Water available within the city
- Has to be located at lowest point
- Area cannot be used otherwise
- Enough space to get flood
- Included in parks
Benefits:
- Retention of storm water
- Potentially re-use of water for irrigation
Limitations/ disservices:
- Green space with too many functions => reduced recreation space
vii. performance
Transpiration -
evapotranspiration
P1 Evaporation 1
Population/User -
shading
Surface -
water conveyance -
P2

water retention 2
water storage 2
water reuse -
water filtering 1
P3
deposition -
P4
biofiltration -
habitat provision 1
P5
connectivity 1
beauty/appearance 1
literature/source:
further reading:

5.3 Rain garden
Fig. 56:Small scale Raingarden (source: Andreas Kis provided in: (European Commission n.d.a)
challenges x x x
reference to Case study: Greening streets, retrofit rain gardens, Nottingham.
key studies Ashby Grove residential retrofit rain garden, London. www.susdrain.org
A rain garden* is a kind of garden that primarily serves as area for water control (storage and infiltration)
on a small-scale especially in urban areas. Rain gardens are established in artificial surroundings and
catches water runoff from roofs, roads and other (sealed) surfaces. Storm water runoff is drained into rain
gardens, where it is stored for a certain period, and infiltrates either into the ground soil or flows into the
sewage system. A certain amount of water is taken up and transpired by plants.
Different designs/arrangements of rain gardens are established and a variety of elements is used to create
a rain garden such as grass filter strips, water ponds, mulch areas, planting soil, plants (e.g. herbaceous
plants) or sand beds. All the mentioned elements have a particular function for example slow down, reduce,
filter and store water runoff or increase evapotranspiration. Beside their function to store and infiltrate
storm water, rain gardens have esthetical functions (amenity value).
Raingardens are not restricted to a certain climate condition and can be found in different European
countries. But, the selected components (plants) should be native and well adapted to local climate
conditions.
* In literature refers to as bioretention area (source: (European Commission n.d.a)
iii. role of nature
- Processes in rain gardens (vegetation, soil) that are inspired by nature:
- vegetation and soil layer retains and stores water, water infiltrates into natural soils (soil
substance has an influence on infiltration rate)
- plants and soil are natural filters for organic pollutants, sediments and other substances
- natural riverbed conveys water
- plants take up and transpires water
- small-scale installation (private gardens or public space)
- native plants that withstand occasional flooding
- relatively dense vegetation
- gentle slope is positive for infiltration
- regular maintenance and inspection
- access for maintenance and management

- can be combined e.g. with rainwater harvesting and permeable paving
- Space
Benefits:
- water retention and storage
- water infiltration
- water filtering
- water conveyance
- water evapotranspiration
vii. Performance
Transpiration 1
evapotranspiration
P1 Evaporation 1
Population/User -
shading
Surface -
water conveyance -
water storage 1
water reuse 2
water filtering 1
P3
deposition -
P4
biofiltration -
habitat provision 2
P5
connectivity 1
beauty/appearance 2
literature/source:(Braskerund, Bent, C. 2015); (European Commission n.d.a); (Bray et al. 2018); http://www.susdrain.org/delivering-suds/using-
suds/suds-components/infiltration/rain-gardens.html
further reading:

5.4 Permeable paving system
5.4.1 Permeable pavement
Fig. 57: Permeable pavement (source: LAND; Fig. 58: Eindhoven, permeable pavement (source: Eisenberg)
challenges x x x
reference to
key studies
Permeable paving systems are known as surfaces that are able to absorb storm water and thus, minimize
the surface water runoff. Different systems of permeable pavement surfaces exist. They are commonly
installed on car parks, residential streets or sidewalks.
Permeable pavers consist of concrete bricks with gaps or funnels between the single bricks
-
a variety of single rocks create the permeable paver surface
-
Gaps and funnels between bricks are commonly filled with stone and sand or grass (vegetated grid
-
pavers are further explained in 5.4.2)
- Concrete bricks are located on stone layer
- Bricks are not pervious! (gaps/funnels allows water infiltration)
- After storm water event: water trickles/infiltrates through gaps/funnels between bricks
- Water is temporary stored in underlying stone layer and infiltrates into the soil or to an additional
drainage layer conveys water into sewage system (subsurface drain)
- Water uptake by plants (if plants established in funnels between concrete bricks)
- Application area: parking lots, sidewalks, bike paths, driveways, streets…
- Function:
o reduced surface/storm water runoff
o water filtering  reduced amount of pollutants
o delayed runoff
iii. role of nature
- Imitating natural soils  natural soils are permeable
- Natural drainage effect of soils
- different permeability of soils depending on the soil type and the saturation with water
- different infiltration potential
- soil with large pores absorbs bigger amount of water compared to sealed surfaces
- filling material between bricks enables water infiltration on high level

- Single bricks create surface paver
- Relatively simple construction: bricks; underlying gravel layer; drainage layer; filling material
- Filling material: little stones or sand
- Maintenance necessary
Fig. 59: Permeable pavers

(source: https://www.watershedcouncil.org/permeable-pavers.html)

- Implementation on new or existing building sites
- Prior analysis of the soil is necessary
Benefits:
- Water quality protection
- Storm water management
- reduced surface runoff
- controlled infiltration
- temporary water storage
- water filtering
Limitations /disservices
- limited load on paved area
vii. performance
Transpiration -
evapotranspiration
P1 Evaporation -
Population/User -
shading
Surface -
water conveyance -
water storage -
water reuse -
water filtering 1
P3
deposition -
P4
biofiltration -
habitat provision -
P5
connectivity -
beauty/appearance -
P6
usability/functionality 1

literature/source: (Eisenberg et al. 2015); (Winnebago County Highway Department n.d.); Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council (n.d.):
https://www.watershedcouncil.org/permeable-pavers.html
further reading:

5.4.2 Vegetated grid pave
Fig. 60: Eindhoven, vegetated grid pave (source: Eisenberg Fig. 61: Eindhoven, vegetated grid pave (source: Eisenberg)
challenges x x
reference to
key studies
- Vegetated grid pavers consist of concrete bricks with gaps/funnels between the single bricks
- Use of concrete bricks or plastic grid
- Gaps/grid is filled with soil, grass seeds, rocks
- After storm water event: water trickles/infiltrates through gaps/funnels between bricks into the
underlying gravel and then into the soil or groundwater
- Infiltrated water is also taken up by plants
- Water is stored for a certain period in the soil and drainage layer
- Additional drainage conveys water into sewage system
- Used in parking areas and roadways
- Function:
o reduced surface runoff
o water filtering
o water storage
delayed runoff
iii. role of nature
- Imitating natural soils  natural soils are permeable
- Natural drainage effect of soils
- different permeability of soils depending on the soil type and the saturation with water
- different infiltration potential
- soil with large pores absorbs larger amount of water than sealed surface
- filling material between bricks enables water infiltration on high level
- Concrete bricks or plastic grids are filled with soil, seeds or stones
- Grass grows in concrete/plastic grid
- Maintenance necessary

Benefits:
- storm water management
- reduced surface runoff
- controlled infiltration
- temporary water storage
- water filtering
Limitations /disservices
- visual appearance
vii. performance
Transpiration 1
evapotranspiration
P1 Evaporation -
Population/User -
shading
Surface -
water conveyance -
water storage -
water reuse -
water filtering 1
P3
deposition -
P4
biofiltration -
habitat provision 1
P5
connectivity -
beauty/appearance 1
Literature/source: (Eisenberg et al. 2015); (Winnebago County Highway Department n.d.); Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council (n.d.):
https://www.watershedcouncil.org/permeable-pavers.html.; ESCOFET 1886 SA (n.d.).;
http://www.escofet.com/pages/productos/ficha_productos.aspx?IdP=288.
further reading:

5.4.3 Permeable concrete
Fig. 62: Permeable concrete (source: LAND; Fig. 63: Permeable concrete (source: New Dawn Permeable
https://www.landsrl.com/) Paving P/L; www. newdawnpermeablepaving.com.au)
challenges x x
reference to
key studies
- Permeable concrete is permeable to water (also described as heavy permeable surface)
- special material/cement mixture with larger stones that allows water to pass through the concrete
into the soil beneath the concrete layer
- Permeable concrete looks similar to standard concrete  different functionality/construction
- Holes/gaps/voids in the concrete layer enables water infiltration/drainage
- After a storm water event: rainwater soaks through the concrete layer (pores) in contrast to regular
concrete where water runs off on the surface and may cause flooding
- A porous medium for example an underground gravel bed, which also filters the water is installed
under the permeable concrete layer
- Permeable concrete is a hard surface ( roadways/areas with higher traffic)
- Application areas: parking lots, streets, driveways…
iii. role of nature
- Permeable paver are similar to other surfaces
- Cavity ≥ 15%
- Water permeability: kf >10 -³ m/s
- Asperity: at 4m length asperity cannot be more than 1,5 cm
- About 100 l/m² per second water passes
- Greater effort ( roads have to be relaid)
Benefits:
- Water regulation with space which is used for traffic (no more space is needed)
- Can be used to slow traffic and reduce noise
- Reduces storm runoff by 70-90 %

-Improves water quality (removes 85-95% suspended solids, 65-85% phosphorus, 80-85% nitrogen
30% nitrate, up to 98% metals)
vii. performance
Transpiration -
evapotranspiration
P1 Evaporation -
Population/User -
shading
Surface -
water conveyance -
water storage -
water reuse -
water filtering 1
P3
deposition -
P4
biofiltration -
habitat provision -
P5
connectivity -
beauty/appearance -
literature/source: (Eisenberg et al. 2015); (Winnebago County Highway Department n.d.);(Breitbüchner 2013); Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council
(n.d.): https://www.watershedcouncil.org/permeable-pavers.html.
further reading:

5.4.4 Porous asphalt
Fig. 64: Porous asphalt (source: New Dawn Permeable Paving P/L ; www.newdawnpermeablepaving.com.au)
challenges x x
reference to
key studies
- Porous asphalt is permeable to water
- Porous asphalt is similar to permeable/pervious concrete (function)
- Composed of larger stones in comparison to regular asphalt; different asphalt binders
- Material allows water to pass/drain through the asphalt layer
- Underlying open-graded stone bed
- After a storm water event: rainwater drains through the concrete layer into underlying stone bed
- Infiltration through stone bed into soil/groundwater
- Porous asphalt is a hard surface ( roadways/areas with higher traffic)
- Application areas: parking lots, streets, driveways…
iii. role of nature
- Permeable concrete  water regulation function
- Porous medium  inspired by natural soils  water drains/infiltrates into the soil
- Reduced flood risk compared to typical roads, where water runs off the surface
- Quite simple technology
- Porous asphalt consists of larger stones compared to regular asphalt
- Use of different asphalt binders
- Use of standard equipment that is used to build e.g. roads for regular asphalt
- Careful planning of the underlying bed size/depth to avoid that the water level rises into asphalt
layer (stone bed depth: 18-36 inches)
- Greater effort ( roads have to be repaid)
Benefits:
- Water regulation with space which is used for traffic (no more space is needed)
- Can be used to slow traffic and reduce noise
- Reduces storm runoff by 70-90 %

-Improves water quality (removes 85-95% suspended solids, 65-85% phosphorus, 80-85% nitrogen
30% nitrate, up to 98% metals)
vii. performance
Transpiration -
evapotranspiration
P1 Evaporation -
Population/User -
shading
Surface -
water conveyance -
water storage -
water reuse -
water filtering -
P3
deposition -
P4
biofiltration -
habitat provision -
P5
connectivity -
beauty/appearance -
literature/source:
(Eisenberg et al. 2015); (Winnebago County Highway Department n.d.); National Asphalt Pavement Association (n.d.):
http://www.asphaltpavement.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=359&Itemid=863
further reading:

5.4.5 Permeable stone carpet
Fig. 65: Permeable stone carpet (source: www.drenatech.it/) Fig. 66: Permeable stone carpet around a tree (source: LAND;
challenges x x
reference to
key studies
- High permeable material/special material that allows water to pass through into the soil
- underground gravel bed (additional filtering of storm water runoff)
- Flexible material; Application for car parks, parks, public spaces, bicycle path, private gardens…
- Example (Drenatech):
- Innovative flooring option: consists of stones and two-component resin
- Two-component resin  binds material; natural stones define appearance
- Use of different stone types
- Esthetical value: more attractive than regular floorings (e.g. asphalt; concrete)
- Frost- and wear-resistant
- High chemical + mechanical strength
iii. role of nature
- Permeable concrete  water regulation function
- Porous medium  inspired by natural soils  water drains/infiltrates into the soil
- Reduced flood risk compared to typical roads, where water runs off the surface
- Example (Drenatech):
- Environmentally friendly
- Resistant to heat and frost
- About 600-1000 l/m² per minute water passes
- Easy to apply ( two components to mix)

Benefits:
- Water regulation with space which is normal sealed
- Reduces storm runoff

- Improves water quality
- Mitigating the urban heat island effect
vii. performance
Transpiration -
evapotranspiration
P1 Evaporation -
Population/User -
shading
Surface -
water conveyance -
water storage -
water reuse -
water filtering -
P3
deposition -
P4
biofiltration -
habitat provision -
P5
connectivity -
beauty/appearance -
literature/source: (drenatech 2017); drenatech (n.d.): http://www.drenatech.it/
further reading:

5.5 Underground water storage
Fig. 67: Underground water storage (source: Commune di Fig. 68: Zollhallen Plaza (source: Land8 Media, LLC.;
Genova) land8.com)
challenges x x x
reference to
key studies Zollhallen Plaza
Underground systems below public open spaces (sport fields) composed of modular elements to retain
flash floods and to store water for irrigation purposes nearby.
iii. role of nature

Depending on the Geology of an area underground storage capacity retains and stores water after flash
floods. Examples from Peru show that already in Pre – Inca time, people made use of these qualities and
directed water in channels to storage areas or in order to feed artificial ponds or springs.
Fig. 69: Amuna in the Peruvian Andes (source: image concesa)
“Amunas, or ancient diversion channels, in select upper reaches of Lima’s watersheds historically
conveyed stream flows to infiltration ditches constructed laterally across mountainsides. Infiltrated water
would re-emerge in small, constructed micro-pools or in natural springs downslope, over several weeks or
months of lag time.” (Gammi & De Bievre 2015).


Space for underground storage needs to be excavated

Benefits
- On site storage of water helps minimizing /delay run-off
- Re-use of water on site => irrigation during hot season => more climate active vegetation
Limitations
- Minimum water quality needed for storage
- Space for underground storage required
vii. performance
Transpiration -
evapotranspiration
P1 Evaporation -
Population/User -
Shading
Surface -
water conveyance -
water storage 1
water reuse 2
water filtering 1
P3
deposition -
P4
biofiltration -
habitat provision 1
P5
connectivity 1
beauty/appearance -
literature/source:
further reading:

5.6 Constructed wetlands
Fig. 70:Urban Constructed wetland (source: LAND; Fig. 71: Constructed wetland (source: LAND;
https://www.landsrl.com/) https://www.landsrl.com/)
Case study: Trin Warren Tam-boore wetlands.(source: (City of Melbourne 2015)
reference to
key studies Urban wetland, Tanner Springs Park in Portland, Oregon (source: enclos*ure and Cynthia Goodson;
https://enclosuretakerefuge.com/)
Constructed wetlands represent artificial wetlands with the main objective to harvest, treat and store storm-
/grey water runoff in urban areas. Processes/services of natural wetlands are adapted to constructed
wetlands focusing on water purification and (underground) storage. Hydrological processes of natural
wetlands are simulated in constructed wetlands. Wetlands are complex systems: The established
vegetation, the soil and microbiological activity play an important role for the filter performance of
constructed wetlands. (salt) Marshes, swamps, peat bogs, coral reefs, mangroves or lagoons represent
different types of wetlands.
Constructed wetlands are basins (shallow) that are filled with substrate. The substrate type is variable but
usually CWs are filled with sand or gravel. The substrate layer is planted with vegetation/aquatic plants.
Constructed wetlands have an inlet (pipe) for storm water runoff. The water flows horizontal through the
wetland while it is naturally filtered and cleaned. The main processes in a constructed wet roof are: settling
of particles, filtration, chemical transformation, adsorption+ ion exchange e.g. on plants and substrates,
uptake/breakdown/transformation of pollutants and nutrients by microorganisms and plants.
The storm water runoff can flow over or through the substrate layer. The constructed wetland is equipped
with an outlet (pipe, weir) for a controlled water discharge. The purified water flows into another pond
where it is stored. The treated storm water can be used for different purposes (e.g. for irrigation within the
city in green areas). According to the type of constructed wetlands wastewater flows 1) horizontal over
the ground surface or 2) horizontal under the ground surface  through the substrate layer or 3) vertical
through the constructed wetland  hybrid systems.
iii. role of nature
Processes in/services of natural wetlands are adapted to constructed wetlands focusing on water
purification and storage. The main processes in a constructed wet roof are: settling of particles, filtration,
chemical transformation, adsorption+ ion exchange e.g. on plants and substrates,
uptake/breakdown/transformation of pollutants and nutrients by microorganisms and plants.

- less expensive than conventional wastewater treatment options
- installation of water control measures
- regular inspections, monitoring, maintenance
- cost-effective
Fig. 72:Constructed wetlands (source: (City of Melbourne 2015)

- suitable locations
- outside floodplains
-  protection of biodiversity
- upland location/gently sloped location
-  water flows by gravity through constructed wetland
- near source of wastewater
- enough land available
- compact soils (minimized water infiltration to groundwater)
- no endangered/threatened species
- no archaeological or historic resources
- accessible land
Benefits:
- Water supply regulation
- Water temperature control
- Improve water quality/water purification
- Provide water for different purposes (e.g. irrigation)
- Flood control/mitigation
- Habitat for wildlife/biodiversity
- Recreation (watching birds)
- Aesthetic value
- Require relatively large areas  implementation where free space is available
vii. performance
Transpiration 1
evapotranspiration
P1 Evaporation 2
Population/User -
shading
Surface -
water conveyance 1
P2 water infiltration 1
water retention 1

water storage 1
water reuse 2
water filtering 1
P3
deposition -
P4
biofiltration -
habitat provision 2
P5
connectivity 2
beauty/appearance 2
literature/source:(City of Melbourne 2015); (Davis 1994); (Sample und Wang Chih-Yu and Laurie J. Fox 2013); City of Melbourne (n.d.);
http://urbanwater.melbourne.vic.gov.au/industry/treatment-types/constructed-wetlands/; Kilian Water (n.d.): http://www.kilianwater.nl/en/constructed-
wetlands/solar-powered-water-treatment.html
https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPDF.cgi/30005UPS.PDF?Dockey=30005UPS.PDF
further reading: (Andreo-Martínez et al. 2017); (Jácome et al. 2016); (Moinier 2013)

5.7 Biofilter (water purification)
Fig. 73: Biofilter (source: Monash University; https://www.monash.edu)
challenges x x x x
Monash University: Case study: Biofilter: Providing a fresh approach to storm water.
(source: https://www.monash.edu)
reference to
key studies Feng, W., Hatt, B. E., McCarthy, D. T., Fletcher, T.D. and A- Deletic (2012): Biofilters for Stormwater
Harvesting: Understanding the Treatment Performance of Key Metals That Pose a Risk for Water Use.
Provided In: American Chemical Society. (Feng et al. 2012)
Biofilters (water) are developed to collect and purify storm- and wastewater and represent a promising
system for storm water treatment. Bacteria and microorganisms are located on a filter medium (biofilm),
which often consists of sand or granular activated carbon. The biofilm degrades nutrients and
contaminations in the wastewater (influent) that is piped through the filter material. As mentioned above,
the term “filter” is misleading. Biofilters separates/removes nutrients and organic carbons from
wastewater/storm water through biodegradation. As a result biofiltration improves the quality of
wastewater (reduction of nutrients, metals, sediments) and storm water and at the same time harvests storm
water and stores it for a certain period.
iii. role of nature
Biodegradation is a natural process e.g. in soils. This natural degradation is used for different processes
for example in anaerobic digestion (biogas production). Microorganisms and bacteria de
degrades/removes/ nutrients and contaminations and biological substances.
- Biofilter as demonstration for bioretention system
- Biofilter situated at the car park in Clayton Campus
- processed storm water per annum: 1.000.000 litres
- removal: nitrogen, phosphorus, 90% of heavy metals
- water storage in ornamental pond
- reuse of water runoff after treatment

Fig. 74: Innovative bioretention process (Davis et al. 2009) Fig. 75:
Improves the removal of difficult pollutants such as Nitrate

-
Uses shredded newspaper (a synthetic waste material), as it is an effective source of carbon for
-
denitrification
- Shredded newspaper is mixed with coarse sand to create a new layer under the soil media, which
is kept continuously saturated with water, to maintain an anaerobic condition
- Can be integrated to any bioretention facility
Space for construction needed, flat terrain
Benefits:
- water purification
- improving quantity of storm- and wastewater
- storm water regulation/management
- quality of live (reduction of odours)
- habitat for wildlife (limited service)
vii. performance
Transpiration -
evapotranspiration
P1 Evaporation -
Population/User -
shading
Surface -
water conveyance 1
water storage 2
water reuse 1
water filtering 2
P3
deposition -
P4
biofiltration -
habitat provision 1
P5
connectivity -
beauty/appearance 1
Literature/source: (Feng et al. 2012); Monash University (n.d.): https://www.monash.edu/environmental-sustainability/campus-initiative/water/water-
harvesting/case-study-biofilter-providing-a-fresh-approach-to-storm-water.

6. (River) Restoration
The following chapter deals with different measures focusing on the restoration of rivers. The
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) defines River restoration as […] “the re-
establishment of natural physical processes (e.g. variation of flow and sediment movement), features
(e.g. sediment sizes and river shape) and physical habitats of a river system (including submerged,
bank and floodplain areas).” (IUCN provided in: (The River Restoration Centre n.d.).
The main aim of restoration is to design rivers towards more near-natural state with the effect, that
the reinstated channels fulfil (again) important functions for the environment and for public
protection. After restoration the rivers are characterized by dynamic water courses and sediment
movements. Some of the mentioned functions are storm water regulation and flood risk reduction,
habitat provision, and the provision of public space for recreation. The measures of restoration are
diverse and modify different parts of the river e.g. the riverbed, the riverbank or floodplains and
include small-scale as well as larger scale interventions. Figure 4 represents an overview of different
restoration measures in and along rivers.
Fig. 76: Overview of restoration measures (source: ILPOE, 2018)

6.1 Daylighting
Fig. 77: Small stream after Dayligthing (source: LAND; Fig. 78: Daylighting of a small stream in work
https://www.landsrl.com/) (source: LAND; https://www.landsrl.com/)
challenges x x x x
http://daylighting.org.uk/Daylighting/
reference to Tanners Brook, Southampton. source: (European Centre for River Restoration (ECRR) n.d.b)
key studies Wandle Park River Restoration (National Environmental Assessment Service, Solent and South Downs Area, South
East Region n.d.a)
- opening of covered/buried watercourses (rivers, drainage systems) by removing concrete layers
- reason for culverting watercourses: need of space for buildings, parking lots, roads
- negative effects of culverting: degradation of habitats, pollution, flood risk
- daylighting leads to more space for the water; increased storage capacity of the channel
- daylighting results in a natural development of the riverbed and riparian zone
- storm water benefits/management; environmental, aesthetic co-benefits
- positive effects: flood risk reduction, amenity value/recreation, habitat quality
- difference between “natural restoration” and “architectural restoration”
- natural restoration refers to the daylighting of channels and a natural development of the riverbed
and riparian zone
- architectural restoration describes the daylighting of the channel that still follows a concrete/
constructed channel (less near-natural than channels of the first type)
iii. role of nature
- Daylighting allows the natural development of a water channel that fulfils services of a natural
water channel/river e.g. habitat for wildlife and aquatic life and plants; regulation/uptake of storm
water runoff
- natural channels enables the water to flow to/expand to its riversides; natural vegetation
contributes to slow down the water velocity
- Different designs are possible depending on the intention/planned project
- options: Removing whole culverted structure, parts of it (top layer) or making gabs
- a natural restoration is associated with greater effort than only removing the top layer of a
watercourse and receiving the constructed channel; the riparian zone gets a natural shape with
plants, rocks and a dynamic water channel shaped by nature

- restriction/limited possibilities in highly dense and build-up areas because of high cost for shifting
of infrastructure/removing of infrastructure
- enough space to deculvert the watercourse
- certain channel width
- need to assimilate knowledge about soil types under/surrounding the channel to guarantee the
performance of the daylighting measure

Benefits:
- storm water management
- benefits for aquatic organism (light plays important role for population movement)
- benefits for flora and fauna frequenting the banks/habitat provision for flora and fauna
- improving physical habitat conditions of the watercourse, habitat niches
- Natural bank development/profile; creating natural watercourses
- enables natural processes (erosion; deposition)
- aesthetic value; human recreation
- educational resource
- Architectural restoration is less near-natural than the natural restoration. As a result the
development and establishment of flora and fauna is limited
vii. performance
Transpiration 1
evapotranspiration
P1 Evaporation 1
Population/User -
shading
Surface -
reflection -
water conveyance 1
water storage -
water reuse -
water filtering 1
P3
deposition -
P4
biofiltration -
habitat provision 2
P5
connectivity 1
beauty/appearance 2
literature/source :(Addy et al. 2016) (Trice n.d.) (Parks & Open Spaces, London Borough of Croydon n.d.); (National Environmental Assessment
Service, Solent and South Downs Area, South East Region n.d.b); (American Planning Association, the American Society of Civil Engineers, the
Association of State Floodplain Managers and the National Association of Counties and The Nature Conservancy n.d.)
European Center for River Restoration (n.d.): http://www.ecrr.org/RiverRestoration/Floodriskmanagement/HealthyCatchments-
managingforfloodriskWFD/Environmentalimprovementscasestudies/Removeculverts/tabid/3125/Default.aspx
Miskell, B. (n.d.): http://www.boffamiskell.co.nz/project.php?v=stream-daylighting
Dutchwatersector.com. https://www.dutchwatersector.com/solutions/projects/283-room-for-the-river-programme.html
further reading:

6.2 River space extension
6.2.1 Reprofiling/Extending flood plain area
Fig. 79: Sandbank and flat riverbank, Isar, Munich Fig. 80: Extended flood plain area (source: LAND;
(source: ILPOE, 2018) https://www.landsrl.com/)
viii. basic information

challenges x x x
Allow the river to flood its floodplain. (European Centre for River Restoration (ECRR) n.d.a)
reference to
key studies Isar-Plan – Water management plan and restoration of the Isar River, Munich (Germany)
(source:(Schaufuß n.d.)
ix. general description
- expansion of the flood plain area
- providing additional flood space by excavating the lateral river bed (flood plain area)
- main purpose: flood/water control and management
- creation of relatively flat and accessible bank areas
- new created space can be used for e.g. public purposes (relaxing, leisure activities) or agricultural
purposes (farmland) during low water levels
x. role of nature
- replication of:
- natural river courses with relatively flat banks and natural floodplains
- natural river landscapes without sealed and cultivated areas
- temporary water storage and infiltration into the ground
- water filtration
xi. technical and design parameters
- Technical effort depends on project/design considerations and natural conditions of the channel
- Different designs are possible (see picture below) focusing e.g. on ecosystem development or
human recreation (or both)
xii. conditions for implementation
- Infrastructure near the river or other types of land use can be seen as an limitation for river
restoration, if there is an need for preservation (limited space)
xiii. benefits and limitations

Benefits:
- Flood control
- water storage
- Water conveyance

- Ecological benefits (habitat for wildlife; vegetation)
- Human recreation; Amenity value
- An intensive use of the new floodplain area for recreation (e.g. leisure activity) may restrict the
establishment of animals and plants and therefore limits the provision of ecosystems for wildlife
- Inversely: if the floodplain area is reserved for the development of ecosystems, the area does not
serve (primarily) for human recreation
xiv. performance
Transpiration 1
evapotranspiration
P1 Evaporation 1
Population/User -
shading
Surface -
reflection -
water conveyance 1
water storage -
water reuse -
water filtering 1
P3
deposition -
P4
biofiltration -
habitat provision 2
P5
connectivity 2
beauty/appearance 1
literature/source: (Environmental Agency 2006); (London Environment Team and Environment Agency n.d.); (Prominski et al., 2017)
further reading:

6.2.2 Branches
Fig. 81: New created branch for water retention, Neckar in Fig. 82: Vegetated island between side and main branch,
Wernau/Neckar (source: www.pfrommer-roeder.de) Neckar in Wernau/Neckar, 2014 (source: www.pfrommer-
roeder.de)
challenges x x x
reference to
key studies
- expansion of the flood plain area/water retention area
- providing additional flood space by dividing the discharge into two branches
- new branch is created which is characterized by relatively flat flood plains and e.g. space for
natural development
- main purpose: flood event control and management
- creation of relatively flat and accessible bank areas
- new created space can be used for e.g. public purposes (relaxing, leisure activities) or agricultural
purposes (farmland) during low water levels
- division and connection of new branch to main stream depends on project/intervention
- planners take water depth and (min) water flow into account
iii. role of nature

- replication of natural river courses
- replication of natural river landscapes without sealed and cultivated areas (river cleaves a natural
way through the landscape)

- Technical effort depends on project/design considerations and natural conditions of the channel
(e.g. length and width of new branch)
- More complex undertaking
- Enough space for additional branch
Benefits:
- flood event control and management

- amenity value/recreation
vii. performance
Transpiration 1
evapotranspiration
P1 Evaporation 1
population -
shading
building itself -
reflection -
water conveyance 2
water storage 1
water reuse -
water filtering 1
P3
deposition -
P4
biofiltration -
habitat provision 2
P5
connectivity 1
beauty/appearance 1
literature/source: (Prominski et al., 2017); (Addy et al. 2016)
further reading:

6.2.3 Channel widening and length extension
Fig. 83: Alb, Karlsruhe (source: Prominski et al., 2017) Fig. 84: Ahna, Kassel (source: Prominski et al., 2017)
challenges x x x
reference to
key studies
- measures lead to flow variation and sediment shifting processes  structural remodelling
- change of appearance  changing the length and depths of the river, current strength
- widening the channel describes the measure to broaden the riverbed at its sides
- as a result flow velocity of the water decreases and sediments accumulate to sand/gravel banks
- additional effort: Relocation of bank reinforcement to allow widening of the channel
- length extension: establishment of elements that alters the current as well as grading in the middle
of the current  the result is a curvy course of the channel with an increased length compared to
the initial current course
- appearance like a natural river
- cut and slip-off banks arise through the curvy course of the current
iii. role of nature
- replication of natural river courses with sediment shifting processes and changing depth and width
of the river
- natural processes occur (filtering, storage, infiltration)
- widening can be limited by bank reinforcement that cannot be relocated
- widening can be limited at one side
- protection against erosion is necessary at these parts of the river (length extension)
Fig. 85: Extension of the river length (left) (source: Freely adapted from Prominski et al., 2017)
Widening the channel (middle), extending the flow length (right) (source: Prominski et al., 2017)

- Enough space for widening and extension of the length
Benefits:
- Increased floodwater discharge capacity
- Limited space
- an (urban) surrounding (e.g. streets, public places) near the channel may restrict the
establishment of flora/fauna
vii. performance
Transpiration 1
evapotranspiration
P1 Evaporation 1
population -
shading
building itself -
reflection -
water conveyance 1
water storage -
water reuse -
water filtering 1
P3
deposition -
P4
biofiltration -
habitat provision 2
P5
connectivity 1
beauty/appearance 1
further reading:

6.2.4 Reprofiling the channel cross-section
Fig. 86: Isar, Munich 2018 (source: ILPOE 2017) Fig. 87: Isar, Munich (source: ILPOE 218)
flooding water scarcity water/ air heat stress rapid growth health issues habitat loss biodiversity
addressed pollution (climate) loss
challenges x x x
reference to
key studies
- measure to initiate channel dynamics
- enlarging the flood plain, shifting substrate within the river and bottom out banks
- result: river expansion; sinks; shallow water; fast and slow flowing areas
- sediments with different sizes accumulate (sand, gravel, stones) on the river ground
iii. role of nature

- replication of natural river courses with sediment shifting processes and changing depth and width
of the river
Fig. 88: Reprofiling the channel cross-section

(Prominski et al., 2017)

Benefits:
- Increased floodwater discharge capacity

- Habitat provision
vii. performance
Transpiration 1
evapotranspiration
P1 Evaporation 1
population -
shading
building itself -
reflection -
water conveyance 1
water storage -
water reuse -
water filtering 1
P3
deposition -
P4
biofiltration -
habitat provision 2
P5
connectivity 1
beauty/appearance 1
further reading:

6.3 Diverting and deflecting elements
Fig. 89: Group of large rocks, Isar, Munich Fig. 91: Tree trunk, Isar, Munich
(source: Prominski et al., 2017) (source: Prominski et al., 2017)
Fig. 90: Bioengineered groynes in Birs, Basel Fig. 92: Introducing disruptive elements in the Isar, Munich
(source: Prominski et al., 2017) (source: Prominski et al., 2017)
challenges x x x
reference to
key studies
- disruptive and diverting element are placed in a riverbed with the main objective to redirect,
disturb, divert and deflect the current and initiate water dynamics
- elements: larger single rocks - sometimes arranged in groups of several rocks, larger tree trunks,
willow branches (for groynes)
- the elements can be placed near the river bank or in the middle of a river, depending on the desired
effect (deflecting and redirecting the current, one-sided riverbank erosion, sediment accumulation)
- measures lead to flow variation and sediment shifting processes
- disruptive elements influence the development of the channel (length, depth)
- flow sediment variation; development/settlement of water-dependent habitats
- provide space for human interaction/playing/relaxing
- provide habitats for aquatic animals, small animals (bird, insects)
tree trunks and stones

- Tree trunks with or without branches
- either fixed in the riverbed, positioned with piles or steel cables
- if trunk is fixed only at one point  free floating of tree trunk in the current
- trees pointing downstream or horizontal to flow direction
- stones and trees can serve as stepping stones for public purposes and as a place to play
- stone type variation; often application of local available stones
- aesthetic value of elements
bioengineered groynes
- general objective of the following measure is to disturb, divert and deflect the current away from
the riverside/riparian for riverside protection against erosion
- groynes mainly consist of willow (whole plants or branches) or bundles of brushwood (fascines)
- roots of living willow and fascines grow vertically as well as horizontally and form relatively
stable, natural constructions
- initial construction of e.g. willow (pioneer species) is naturally extended through a gradual
establishment of other/different shrubs
- the naturally grown construction provides a habitat for various organisms and aquatic animals
iii. role of nature

- Replication of natural river channels with varying depth and width; natural elements (e.g. stones)
and vegetation within and at the river and at its riversides.
- replication of natural conditions (e.g. bushes or trees with branched roots) at the riverside that
stabilizes the soil, protects the river zone from erosion and slowdown water velocity
Fig. 93: Diverting and disruptive elements above and under water level (source: Freely adapted from Prominski et al., 2017)
Fig. 94: Large single rocks (left), dead wood (middle), bioengineered groynes) (source: Prominski et al., 2017)
Different elements are possible: stones, tree trunks, willow-groynes

- stones with sufficient size and weight to guarantee their stable position in the riverbed
- often used: local rocks
- Single rocks or group of rocks
- Materials for groynes: living willow, willow branches or fascines (pioneer plants)
- willow branches are arranged diagonally
- extension of the system through a natural establishment of different shrubs
- variable construction: extension of living system with stones and other materials that leads to a
higher construction stability  suitable for strong currents and large groynes

- limited use of living plants/willow because of limited stability in rivers with strong current
- different groynes layout and orientation possible (pointing upstream, downstream or to flow
direction)
- Provide space for human interaction/playing/relaxing
- Provide habitats for aquatic animals, small animals (bird, insects)
- Construction type of groynes depends on strength of the current and the size of the groynes (e.g.
living plants; additional stones)
Benefits:
- redirection and deflection of the current
- habitat for organisms, birds and aquatic animals
- reduction of water velocity (at the shore zone)
- protection against flooding
- provide space for human interaction/playing/relaxing
vii. performance
Transpiration -
evapotranspiration
P1 Evaporation -
population -
shading
building itself -
reflection -
water conveyance 1
water storage -
water reuse -
water filtering 1
P3
deposition -
P4
biofiltration -
habitat provision 1
P5
connectivity 1
beauty/appearance 1
literature/source: (Prominski et al., 2017); (King 2009); (Addy et al. 2016)
further reading:

6.4 Living revetment
Fig. 95: Living revetment (source: Salix; www.salixrw.com) Fig. 96: Living revetment (source: Salix; www.salixrw.com)
challenges x x x x
reference to
key studies
- varying the bank reinforcement
- plants/trees are planted along the riverside to stabilize the riverbank and thus avoid and retain
erosion
- constructions of living willow, timer, stone
- willow revetments are suitable for large channels
iii. role of nature

- Replication of natural rivers
- Replication of natural conditions (vegetation at the riverside) that stabilizes the soil, protects the
river zone from erosion and slowdowns water velocity
- Natural processes occur (filtering, storage, infiltration)
- Relatively simple design and technical knowledge
- Needs a certain time till plants/trees are grown up and living revetment is developed and fulfils its
service
Benefits:
- Erosion protection
- Filtering of water
- Storm water management
- Habitat provision (flora and fauna)
- Esthetical value/recreation
vii. performance
P1 Transpiration -
evapotranspiration
Evaporation -

population -
shading
building itself -
reflection -
water conveyance 1
water storage -
water reuse -
water filtering 1
P3
deposition -
P4
biofiltration -
habitat provision 2
P5
connectivity 2
beauty/appearance 1
literature/source: (Prominski et al., 2017); Salix. https://www.salixrw.com/product/live-willow-revetments/.
Further reading:

7. Measures of bioengineering
The measures of bioengineering that are included in the NBS-handbook focus on the protection of water banks
and hillsides with medium to high inclination against water and wind erosion. In total, three different measures
are discussed that make use of flexible living as well as dead wood branches (e.g. willow) for the construction.
7.1 Living Fascine
Fig. 97: Preparing a Living Fascine (source: Fig. 98: Living Fascine (source: freitag-weidenart.com)
Stowasserplan GmbH & Co. KG; stowasserplan.de)
challenges x x x
reference to
key studies
- natural and careful measure
- application for water bank protection and (strongly inclined) hillside stabilization
- consists of bundled tree brunches and twigs (max. length and diameter see technical and design
parameters)
- bundles consist of living wood; additional use of death wood (max. 50 %) possible
- plants/branches are fast rooting
- Common bundle material for hydraulic engineering  hazel, willow (branches): e.g. S. viminalis,
S. purpurea
- common bundle material for earthwork/hillside stabilization  shrub willow (branches): e.g. S.
fragilis, S. alba
- willow is commonly used because of its characteristics  length, flexibility, elasticity, form
- twigs are bundled with steel cables
- hardwood cuttings or dowels serve as fixation for the prepared bundles
- every bundle is fixed with several hardwood cuttings  willow is used for cuttings
- horizontal installation of fascines (see figure - left)
- rooting fascine branches give (additional) stabilization and reduce risk of erosion
- fascines are covered with bushes; bushes grow on fascine and support stability of the water bank
or hillside
- simpler forms of hillside stabilization exist
- use of fast rooting plants/cuttings
- Plants are established on hills with strong inclination (hazel, willow…)

iii. role of nature
imitation/simulation of natural vegetation layers with strong and branched root networks
Fig. 99: Living fascine after implementation (left) and older fascine(source: Jany und Geitz 2013)

Good timing for construction, planting is needed (low water flow, no rainfall)
Benefits
- Near-natural protection of hillsides and river banks,
- benefits for biodiversity
Limitations
- stability of river bank is difficult to calculate, foresee
- pre-selection of only robust species
vii. performance
Transpiration 1
evapotranspiration
P1 Evaporation -
population -
shading
building itself -
reflection
water conveyance -
water storage -
water reuse -
water filtering 1
P3
deposition -
P4
biofiltration -
habitat provision 2
P5
connectivity 1
beauty/appearance 1
literature/source: (Jany, Angeika and Peter Geitz 2013); (Graf et al. 2003)
further reading:

7.2 Revetment with cuttings (Spreitlage)
Fig. 100:Revetment under construction Fig. 101:Revetment with cutting

(source: (Jany, Angeika and Peter Geitz 2013) (source: (Jany, Angeika and Peter Geitz 2013)
challenges x x x
reference to
key studies
- covering construction consisting of willow (able to root) and brushwood (not able to root)
- installation and fixation on embankment
- protection against erosion (wind, water)
- intensive and fast rooting; “direct” effects
- use of simple and local available materials
iii. role of nature
- imitation/simulation of natural vegetation layers with strong and branched root networks
- natural protection against erosion; reduced erosion risk compared to bare hillsides with a high risk
of water, wind and soil erosion
Fig. 102: Rewetment with cuttings after implementation (left) and after a few years ) (source: (Jany, Angeika and Peter Geitz
2013)
Material for construction:

- branches: 2 to 5 years old
- commonly used: shrub branches
- height: 1,50 m
- local and typical plants for the specific location
- stake: length: 3 to 5m; diameter: 4 to 8 cm
Benefits:
- hillside stabilization
- protection against erosion
- water bank protection
- habitat for wildlife
vii. performance
Transpiration 1
evapotranspiration
P1 Evaporation -
population -
shading
building itself -
reflection
water conveyance -
water storage -
water reuse -
water filtering 1
P3
deposition -
P4
biofiltration -
habitat provision 1
P5
connectivity 1
beauty/appearance 1
literature/source: (Jany, Angeika and Peter Geitz 2013); (Graf et al. 2003)
further reading:

7.3 Planted embankment mat
Fig. 103:Planted embankment mat (source: (Jany, Angeika and Peter Geitz 2013)
challenges x x x
reference to
key studies
- combination of mats/covering with vegetation layer e.g. seeding and plants
- use of local plants/trees/scrubs/meadow
- simple construction, fast installation
- possible combination with fascines
- slow down water velocity,
- promote sedimentation
iii. role of nature
- imitation/simulation of natural vegetation layers with strong and branched root networks
- natural protection against erosion; reduced erosion risk compared to bare hillsides with a high risk
of water, wind and soil erosion
Fig. 104: Planted embankment mat (source: (Jany, Angeika and Peter Geitz 2013)
- mats  fast rotting  coconut fiber, jute

- simple construction

- fast installation

Benefits:
vii. performance
Transpiration 1
evapotranspiration
P1 Evaporation -
population -
shading
building itself -
reflection -
water conveyance -
water storage -
water reuse -
water filtering 1
P3
deposition -
P4
biofiltration -
habitat provision 1
P5
connectivity 1
beauty/appearance 1
literature/source:(Jany, Angeika and Peter Geitz 2013); (Graf et al. 2003)
further reading:

8. Other NBS
The following chapter is the most open chapter, a collection of NBS that range from technology oriented to
long term process oriented. They differ from the other NBS measures and therefore do not match the previous
seven categories but represent interesting measures for air purification (8.1) and flood protection (8.2).
8.1 Biofilter (air purification)
Fig. 105: Biofilter (source: FUCHS Enprotec GmbH; www.fuchs-germany.com)
challenges x x x
reference to
key studies
Biofilters (air) are facilities to control and purify biological waste gas. They are developed to reduce and
eliminate biogenic odours and represent a relatively simple technical installation. The application of
biofilters is diverse, including for example agriculture, sewage treatment plants, biogas plants, and
composting plants. The term “filter” is misleading in terms of their service: Biofilters (air) does not
separate solid particles from gas or water but separate gaseous/dissolved substances through bio-
degradation. Bacteria and microorganisms are located on a filter medium (breeding ground) that absorbs
odours of the air stream (e.g. peat, tree bark, and root wood fibre). The microorganisms on the filter degrade
the absorbed, biological substances (biological oxidation) and thus purifies the exhaust air passing the
filter material. Biofilters exist in different sizes and structural shapes (often in a box).
iii. role of nature
Biodegradation is a natural process e.g. in soils. This natural degradation is used for different processes
for example in anaerobic digestion (biogas production). Microorganisms and bacteria de degrade/remove/
nutrients contaminations, and biological substances.
- different sizes  flexible modules (expandable)
- different shapes  container/box as common construction
- low maintenance
- easy handling: easy exchange and disposal of filter material
- domestic filter materials
- ecological process
FUCHS-Biofilter (series: BAC): Air purification (example (FUCHS enprotec GmbH n.d.)

different applications
-
small to medium exhaust air stream (200 to 2.400 m³/h)
-
integrated facility to pre-damp the air flow (conditioning of exhaust air)
-
containers made from polyethylene (resistant)
-
filter covering for protection
-
natural filter material: bark compost (neutral pH value; balanced moisture  optimal conditions
-
for microorganisms, high degradation rate of organic air impurities)
- optimal conditions ensure microbiological activity and reduction of odorous and harmful
substances
FUCHS-Biofilter (series: BAC): Air purification (example (FUCHS enprotec GmbH n.d.)
physical and chemical conditions:
- Moisture content of filter material (40 % - 60 %)
- low pressure loss
- high buffering capacity
- high biodiversity
- (optimal) temperature
- (optimal) pH value
- (optimal) nutrient supply

Benefits:
- air purification
- reduced odour nuisance (increase quality of life)
- limited habitat provision for wildlife
vii. performance
Transpiration -
evapotranspiration
P1 Evaporation -
population -
shading
building itself -
reflection -
water conveyance -
water storage -
water reuse -
water filtering -
P3
deposition 2
P4
biofiltration 2
habitat provision -
P5
connectivity -
beauty/appearance -
literature/source: (FUCHS enprotec GmbH 2015); FUCHS http://www.fuchs-germany.com/; bioteg Biofilter Systems GmbH.
http://www.bioteg.de/info/definition_biofilter.htm; Anit, S. B. & R. J. Artuz. https://www.rpi.edu/dept/chem-eng/Biotech-
Environ/MISC/biofilt/biofiltration.htm
further reading:

8.2 Mounds
Fig. 106: Mound on Mandoe island, Denmark (source: Fig. 107: Mound on Mandoe island, Denmark (source:
mandoe.de) mandoe.de)
challenges x x x
reference to
key studies Mound on Mandoe island, Denmark (source: mandoe.de)
Mounds are a very old strategy to make use of natural processes for proving flood protection. They enable
settlement and livestock farming in areas that are affected by water/sea-level rises
- mounds represent higher ground above the water level during flood events
- mounds are connected with dikes to guarantee access to the dike
- mounds can be natural or manmade hills
- refuge for farm animals (cows, horses) and wild animals (contribution to nature conservation)
iii. role of nature
Sedimentation is a natural process that leads to increasing, upward “growing” soils. Mounds make use of
this natural process.
- fast rotting mats (coconut fibre, jute)
- simple construction
- fast installation
Time is a condition for success, mounds can be initiated through construction but can only develop over
decades.
- spatially concentrated flood protection has a potential as an alternative to costly dike construction

performance
Transpiration -
evapotranspiration
P1 Evaporation -
population -
shading
building itself -
reflection -
water conveyance -
water storage -
water reuse -
water filtering -
P3
deposition -
P4
biofiltration -
habitat provision 1
P5
connectivity 1
beauty/appearance 1
literature/source: (Prominski et al., 2017)
further reading:

Table of Figures
Fig. 1: Benefits of Urban Trees (source: https://thought-leadership-

production.s3.amazonaws.com/2017/09/25/13/34/04/fab4e7a8-2d03-4a7d-83d8-
bdcff6d0ce22/Cities_Tree_Infographic-02.jpg ................................................................................................. 5
Fig. 2: Townhall Square Eindhoven (source: Eisenberg) .................................................................................. 7
Fig. 3: Tree lined street (source: LAND; https://www.landsrl.com/) ................................................................ 7
Fig. 4: Role of single trees (source: ILPOE, 2018) .......................................................................................... 7
Fig. 5: Boulevards between streetcar tracks Stuttgart (source: Eisenberg) ..................................................... 10
Fig. 6: Kingsway, London circa 1950 (Photo: London County Council) (source: Administrative County of
London Development Plan 1951, Analysis) .................................................................................................... 10
Fig. 7: Boulevard with three tree lines (source: LAND; https://www.landsrl.com/)....................................... 10
Fig. 8: Kingsway as it is today (Photo: Jim C. Smith, Forestry Commission) (source: Forestry Commission
England 2009) ................................................................................................................................................. 10
Fig. 9: Arboretum - A group of adult trees creates a microclimatic environment that mitigates heat stress on
hot summer days (source: LAND; https://www.landsrl.com/) ........................................................................ 12
Fig. 10: Small Arboretum with seats (source: LAND; https://www.landsrl.com/) ......................................... 12
Fig. 11: Role of forests/group of trees (source: ILPOE, 2018) ....................................................................... 12
Fig. 12: Innocentia Park, Hamburg (source: Bildarchiv der Behörde für Umwelt und Energie Hamburg,
Abteilung Stadtgrün) ....................................................................................................................................... 14
Fig. 13: Innocentia Park 2, Hamburg (source: BSU, Hamburg.de) .............................................................. 14
Fig. 14: Green Corridor along a cycle path (source: LAND; https://www.landsrl.com/) .............................. 16
Fig. 15: Green Corridor over a bridge (source: LAND; https://www.landsrl.com/) ..................................... 16
Fig. 16: Vertical Garden Patrick Blanc, Paris (source: Eisenberg) ................................................................ 19
Fig. 17: Eindhoven ‚Medina‘ (source: Eisenberg) .......................................................................................... 19
Fig. 18: Green facade, Amsterdam (source: City of Tampere) ....................................................................... 19
Fig. 19: Facade-bound greening: substrate in planter (a-c); mesh bakets made of plastic or metal (d) (source:
ILPOE, 2018 based on Pfoser 2009 provided in: (Pfoser 2016a); page 58 ff.) ............................................... 20
Fig. 20: University building, with supporting elements for ground based greening, Berlin-Adlershof (source:
Köhler, neuelandschaft.de) .............................................................................................................................. 22
Fig. 21: Ground based greening with climbers (source: Eisenberg) .............................................................. 22
Fig. 22: Ground-based greening: direct vegetation/vegetation without construction (a); vegetation with
construction 1. wood, 2. rods, 3./4. ropes (b) (source: Pfoser 2009 provided in: (Pfoser 2016a); page 56 ff.)
......................................................................................................................................................................... 22
Fig. 23: Ground based greening on noise barrier (source: LAND; https://www.landsrl.com/)....................... 24
Fig. 24:Green noise barrier along the National Road 405, Århus Denmark (source: Danish Road Directorate
(2009) Noise Barrier Design. Danish and some European Examples. Report 174) ........................................ 24
Fig. 25:Constructing a living wall, Ludwigsburg (souce: (Helix Pflanzensysteme GmbH n.d.) .................... 26
Fig. 26:Green Living Room Ludwigsburg (souce:(Helix Pflanzensysteme GmbH n.d.)................................ 26
Fig. 27: The functions of the green living room (souce:(Helix Pflanzensysteme GmbH n.d.) ....................... 26
Fig. 28: Noise barrier as free standing living wall (source: www.lueft.de) ..................................................... 28
Fig. 29: Noise barrier as free standing living wall (source: Helix-Pflanzen) ................................................ 28
Fig. 30: Mobile Green Living Room (source: Eisenberg) .............................................................................. 30
Fig. 31: Mobile green living room (source: Ludwig.Schoenle)....................................................................... 30
Fig. 32: MoosTex: Test site for pollution absorbing noise protection wall (source: Helix-Pflanzen) ............ 32
Fig. 33: City tree (source: Eisenberg) .............................................................................................................. 32
Fig. 34: Living Bridge (source: Amos Chapple) ............................................................................................. 34
Fig. 35: Plane-Tree-Cube, Nagold .................................................................................................................. 34
Fig. 36: House of future competition, visualization of facade with living plant construction, winter and
summer expression (source: Ludwig.Schoenle) .............................................................................................. 34
Fig. 37: Principle sketch of plant addition (source: Ludwig.Schoenle)........................................................... 35
NBS Technical Handbook - Part II Version February 2019 References - 105

Fig. 38: Upper row, comparison of the structure of natural soils (left) and extensive green roofs (right),
lower row, smart roof with extra water storing capacity (left) and intensive green roof (right) (source:
ILPOE, 2018) .................................................................................................................................................. 37
Fig. 39: Intensive green roof (source: LAND; https://www.landsrl.com/) ...................................................... 38
Fig. 40: Intensive green roof Illustration (source: myrooff.com) .................................................................... 38
Fig. 41: Extensive green roof Oversum- Winterberg (source: Optigrün) ........................................................ 41
Fig. 42:“Polderdaken” (smart retention roof (source: Amsterdam Rainroof ; www.rainproof.nl)................. 44
Fig. 43: Smart roof, Amsterdam (source: City of Tampere) ........................................................................... 44
Fig. 44:“Polderdaken” Illustration (smart retention roof (source: www.rainproof.nl) .................................... 44
Fig. 45: Constrcuted wet roof (source: Rhizotech; www.rhizotech.com) ...................................................... 46
Fig. 46: Constrcuted wet roof (Zapater-Pereyra et al. 2016) ......................................................................... 47
Fig. 47: Comparison between natural and urban water cycle. Main components differ greatly (source: freely
adapted from SAMUWA) ............................................................................................................................... 49
Fig. 48: Eindhoven, Bioswale (source: Eisenberg) ......................................................................................... 50
Fig. 49: Infiltration basin (source: www.susdrain.org).................................................................................... 52
Fig. 50: Infiltration basin (source: SuDS Wales; www.sudswales.com) ......................................................... 52
Fig. 51: Infiltration basin Illustration (source: provided in: Massachusetts Department of Environmental
Protection; geosyntec.com/) ............................................................................................................................ 52
Fig. 52: Detention Pond (source: www.susdrain.org) ..................................................................................... 54
Fig. 53: Detention Pond (source: www.sudswales.com) ................................................................................. 54
Fig. 54: Wet Retention Pond in Vuores, Tampere(source: City of Tampere) ................................................. 56
Fig. 55: Wet Retention Pond in Vuores, Tampere(source: City of Tampere) ................................................. 56
Fig. 56:Small scale Raingarden (source: Andreas Kis provided in: (European Commission n.d.a) .............. 58
Fig. 57: Permeable pavement (source: LAND; https://www.landsrl.com/) .................................................... 60
Fig. 58: Eindhoven, permeable pavement (source: Eisenberg) ....................................................................... 60
Fig. 59: Permeable pavers (source: https://www.watershedcouncil.org/permeable-pavers.html)................... 61
Fig. 60: Eindhoven, vegetated grid pave (source: Eisenberg ......................................................................... 63
Fig. 61: Eindhoven, vegetated grid pave (source: Eisenberg) ......................................................................... 63
Fig. 62: Permeable concrete (source: LAND; https://www.landsrl.com/) ...................................................... 65
Fig. 63: Permeable concrete (source: New Dawn Permeable Paving P/L; www.
newdawnpermeablepaving.com.au) ................................................................................................................ 65
Fig. 64: Porous asphalt (source: New Dawn Permeable Paving P/L ;
www.newdawnpermeablepaving.com.au) ....................................................................................................... 67
Fig. 65: Permeable stone carpet (source: www.drenatech.it/) ......................................................................... 69
Fig. 66: Permeable stone carpet around a tree (source: LAND; https://www.landsrl.com/) ........................... 69
Fig. 67: Underground water storage (source: Commune di Genova) .............................................................. 71
Fig. 68: Zollhallen Plaza (source: Land8 Media, LLC.; land8.com) .............................................................. 71
Fig. 69: Amuna in the Peruvian Andes (source: image concesa) ................................................................... 71
Fig. 70:Urban Constructed wetland (source: LAND; https://www.landsrl.com/) ........................................... 73
Fig. 71: Constructed wetland (source: LAND; https://www.landsrl.com/) ..................................................... 73
Fig. 72:Constructed wetlands (source: (City of Melbourne 2015) .................................................................. 74
Fig. 73: Biofilter (source: Monash University; https://www.monash.edu) .................................................... 76
Fig. 74: Innovative bioretention process (Davis et al. 2009) Fig. 75: ........................................................... 77
Fig. 76: Overview of restoration measures (source: ILPOE, 2018) ................................................................ 78
Fig. 77: Small stream after Dayligthing (source: LAND; https://www.landsrl.com/) .................................... 79
Fig. 78: Daylighting of a small stream in work (source: LAND; https://www.landsrl.com/) ......................... 79
Fig. 79: Sandbank and flat riverbank, Isar, Munich (source: ILPOE, 2018) ................................................... 81
Fig. 80: Extended flood plain area (source: LAND; https://www.landsrl.com/) ............................................ 81
Fig. 81: New created branch for water retention, Neckar in Wernau/Neckar (source: www.pfrommer-
roeder.de) ......................................................................................................................................................... 83
Fig. 82: Vegetated island between side and main branch, Neckar in Wernau/Neckar, 2014 (source:
www.pfrommer-roeder.de) .............................................................................................................................. 83

Fig. 83: Alb, Karlsruhe (source: Prominski et al., 2017) ................................................................................. 85
Fig. 84: Ahna, Kassel (source: Prominski et al., 2017) ................................................................................... 85
Fig. 85: Extension of the river length (left) (source: Freely adapted from Prominski et al., 2017) Widening
the channel (middle), extending the flow length (right) (source: Prominski et al., 2017)............................... 85
Fig. 86: Isar, Munich 2018 (source: ILPOE 2017) .......................................................................................... 87
Fig. 87: Isar, Munich (source: ILPOE 218) ..................................................................................................... 87
Fig. 88: Reprofiling the channel cross-section (Prominski et al., 2017) ......................................................... 87
Fig. 89: Group of large rocks, Isar, Munich (source: Prominski et al., 2017) ............................................... 89
Fig. 90: Bioengineered groynes in Birs, Basel (source: Prominski et al., 2017) ............................................. 89
Fig. 91: Tree trunk, Isar, Munich (source: Prominski et al., 2017) ................................................................ 89
Fig. 92: Introducing disruptive elements in the Isar, Munich (source: Prominski et al., 2017) ...................... 89
Fig. 93: Diverting and disruptive elements above and under water level (source: Freely adapted from
Prominski et al., 2017)..................................................................................................................................... 90
Fig. 94: Large single rocks (left), dead wood (middle), bioengineered groynes) (source: Prominski et al.,
2017) ................................................................................................................................................................ 90
Fig. 95: Living revetment (source: Salix; www.salixrw.com) ........................................................................ 92
Fig. 96: Living revetment (source: Salix; www.salixrw.com) ........................................................................ 92
Fig. 97: Preparing a Living Fascine (source: Stowasserplan GmbH & Co. KG; stowasserplan.de) .............. 94
Fig. 98: Living Fascine (source: freitag-weidenart.com) ................................................................................ 94
Fig. 99: Living fascine after implementation (left) and older fascine(source: Jany und Geitz 2013) ............. 95
Fig. 100:Revetment under construction (source: (Jany, Angeika and Peter Geitz 2013) ............................... 96
Fig. 101:Revetment with cutting (source: (Jany, Angeika and Peter Geitz 2013) ......................................... 96
Fig. 102: Rewetment with cuttings after implementation (left) and after a few years ) (source: (Jany, Angeika
and Peter Geitz 2013) ...................................................................................................................................... 96
Fig. 103:Planted embankment mat (source: (Jany, Angeika and Peter Geitz 2013) ....................................... 98
Fig. 104: Planted embankment mat (source: (Jany, Angeika and Peter Geitz 2013) ...................................... 98
Fig. 105: Biofilter (source: FUCHS Enprotec GmbH; www.fuchs-germany.com) ..................................... 100
Fig. 106: Mound on Mandoe island, Denmark (source: mandoe.de) ............................................................ 102
Fig. 107: Mound on Mandoe island, Denmark (source: mandoe.de) ............................................................ 102

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Nature Based Solutions -Technical Handbook

Technical Report · April 2019

TURAS - Transitioning towards Urban Resilience and Sustainability View project

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Bernd Eisenberg & Vera Polcher

NBS Technical Handbook - Part I Version February 2019

Co author for Part I:

NBS Technical Handbook - Part I Version February 2019

NBS Technical Handbook - Part I Version February 2019

NBS Technical Handbook - Part I Version February 2019

NBS Technical Handbook - Part I Version February 2019 1

European Commission (EC)

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

1.3. NBS relation to existing key concepts

Figure 3: Nature Based Solutions relations to existing key concepts (graphic:ILPÖ)

NBS Technical Handbook - Part I Version February 2019 3

Restoring degraded ecosystems using nature-based solutions can improve the

Developing climate change adaptation and mitigation using nature-based solutions

water and flood

NBS Technical Handbook - Part I Version February 2019 5

3. Characterizing NBS and how to put it into practice

NBS Technical Handbook - Part I Version February 2019 6

3.1. Distinction between NBS and other “smart” solutions

NBS Technical Handbook - Part I Version February 2019 7

NBS Technical Handbook - Part I Version February 2019 8

Figure 10: NBS actions, distinction according to type of actions

NBS Technical Handbook - Part I Version February 2019 9

5. Performance indicators and ecological service

NBS Technical Handbook - Part I Version February 2019 10

NBS Technical Handbook - Part I Version February 2019 11

Key Ecological Service Natural process/ ecological principle

NBS Technical Handbook - Part I Version February 2019 12

NBS Technical Handbook - Part I Version February 2019 13

NBS Technical Handbook - Part I Version February 2019 14

2.1. Public green spaces Residential park ‐ ‐ ‐ Residential park 2.1.

3.1.1. Green facades, facade‐bound ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Green facades, facade‐bound 3.1.1.

4.1. Intensive roof ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Intensive roof 4.1.

5.1. Bioswales ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Bioswales 5.1.

6.1. Daylighting ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Daylighting 6.1.

7.1. Living fascines ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Living fascines 7.1.

8.1. Biofilter (air quality) ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Biofilter (air quality) 8.1.

Bernd Eisenberg & Vera Polcher

Version February 2019

NBS Technical Handbook - Part II Version February 2019 1

Performance of NBS is significantly/largely dependent on geographic (climate, geomorphology)

NBS Technical Handbook - Part II Version February 2019 Chapter 1 - 2

1. Greening interventions ................................................................................................................................ 5

NBS Technical Handbook - Part II Version February 2019 3

NBS Technical Handbook - Part II Version February 2019 Chapter 1 - 4

Fig. 1: Benefits of Urban Trees (source: https://thought-leadership-production.s3.amazonaws.com/2017/09/25/13/34/04/fab4e7a8-

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Fig. 4: Role of single trees (source: ILPOE, 2018)

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vi. benefits and limitations

NBS Technical Handbook - Part II Version February 2019 Chapter 1 - 8

NBS Technical Handbook - Part II Version February 2019 Chapter 1 - 9