Dear Readers, 

In September, the project held its Closing Conference in the City of The Hague. The event enabled partners and participants, from the project countries and beyond, to share the results and experiences from the project. It was also an opportunity to officially launch the Nature Smart Cities Business Model. As project manager, I was extremely honoured to open the conference and I was asked to reflect on what I was most proud of. This was easy, the strong support and willingness of our partners to work together on so many levels to build climate resilience in cities and towns. We have seen strong collaboration within countries, across borders and across the science-policy interface. We have lots too be proud of!

Many of our investment pilots are now completed or entering their final stages, and we’ve put together some interesting stats on the level of green infrastructure that has been/is being delivered. In this edition of the newsletter, the pilot of Southend-on-Sea is put under the spotlight. This pilot is unique in being the only one to focus on incorporating GI as part of a new development.

As the project nears its end in March 2023, work has very much shifted to ensuring the legacy that the Nature Smart Cities project leaves behind. City Partners have taken the time to reflect on their learning and experience sharing through the project and have each developed a Nature Smart Cities Strategic Commitment. Each individual commitment is in itself ambitious, but when considered together, as done so by our independent researcher Phil Back, these commitments will have a significant impact in building climate resilience and improving health and well-being.

Enjoy reading!

Anna Oxenham, Project Lead Nature Smart Cities