Brief description of the project

The NaBa – Nature-Based Resilient Cities project aims to strengthen urban resilience to climate change by planning, designing, and implementing Nature-based Solutions (NbS), integrating them into the land-use planning and risk management instruments of six Colombian cities. Through participatory processes, ecosystem-based climate risk analysis, mapping of nature's contributions to people, strengthening institutional capacities, and multisectoral collaboration, NaBa supported local governments in reducing risks associated with floods, droughts, and landslides, while also contributing to ecosystem restoration, improved human well-being, and social inclusion.

Implementation period:

May 18, 2022 – September 30, 2024

Funders: FCDO and UK PACT Colombia

Implementing organizations:

ICLEI Colombia

Alexander Von Humboldt Institute

WRI Colombia

Territory(ies) where it was implemented: Pereira, Pasto, Villavicencio, Bucaramanga, Montería, Yopal, 

Products developed:

• Gender and Nature Webinar
• Online course: Climate change risk and vulnerability assessments
• Diagnostic maps of contributions: the contributions of nature to people
• Climate change risk and vulnerability assessments focused on urban communities and the city's ecological assets.

• A series of webinars focused on land-use planning around water
• Structuring pilot projects

• Recommendations for territorial planning and management instruments with a resilient and nature-based approach

Key results:

Cities more resilient to climate change
NaBa strengthened the capacity of six Colombian municipalities to integrate Nature-based Solutions into urban planning and climate risk management. Through ecosystem-based risk and vulnerability analysis, the cities improved their preparedness for extreme events such as floods, droughts, and landslides, building technical capacities with high potential for replication in other regions.

Urban biodiversity and strengthened ecosystem services
The project promoted the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of urban biodiversity, contributing to the protection of habitats and strengthening nature's contributions to people, such as regulating water resources, improving air quality, and reducing impacts associated with climate change.

Well-being, participation and local capacities
NaBa promoted healthier and more livable urban environments by strengthening institutional and community capacities through participatory processes, environmental education, and the development of the project's toolkit. These processes fostered social ownership, multi-sectoral collaboration, and a shared vision of a more sustainable and resilient city.