Why nature-positive cities can help transform the planet

Urban areas produce 44% of global GDP, yet only 37% of the largest cities have strategies for nature preservation. With 70% of the global population expected to live in cities by 2050, urban leadership is critical to meet goals in the Global Biodiversity Framework and the Paris Agreement. Cities like Montería, Barranquilla, Salvador and Quito show how integrating river restoration, green spaces and compact planning enhances resilience and liveability.

Cultivating nature, cooling cities: An urban future grown to last

Projects such as Green Riyadh aim to plant 7.5 million trees, potentially reducing local temperatures by up to 15°C and CO₂ by 3–6%. Green cover of 10% can lower urban temperatures by 2°C. Native planting, stormwater recycling and methods like the Miyawaki forest model support biodiversity and lower water use while improving public health and air quality.

Urban sprawl and the nature opportunity of compact cities

Urban sprawl may result in 11–33 million hectares of habitat loss by 2100. Cities already consume 70–75% of natural resources, expected to rise to 90 billion tonnes by 2050. Compact city strategies, such as growth boundaries, affordable housing incentives and value capture, reduce environmental pressure. Examples from Kuala Lumpur and Bogotá highlight success in aligning densification with sustainability.

Nature-positive urban waterways: solutions for inequality and climate resilience

Bangkok and Belém show how nature-based solutions can manage flood risk and restore urban water ecosystems. Chulalongkorn Centenary Park and Thammasat Rooftop Farm collect rainwater and enhance biodiversity. Belém’s Matafome and São Joaquim projects combine infrastructure, housing and ecological recovery, benefiting over 70% of the city’s residents.

Greenways for nature-positive living: Shaping nature-based urban mobility

Urban mobility integrated with nature enhances resilience. Rutas Naturbanas in Costa Rica and Guangzhou’s 600 km of greenways combine mobility with biodiversity. Guangzhou’s efforts could prevent 16,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually. Effective integration requires supportive policy frameworks, participatory planning and economic incentives for developers.

Beyond concrete: The building blocks of nature-positive cities

The construction sector can reduce its environmental impact through circular practices and nature-integrated design. Holcim’s ECOCycle® reuses construction waste, while HCC uses modular, low-impact building approaches. Zurich mandates 25% recycled concrete in public buildings. Government procurement and standards are key to scaling nature-positive construction.

Nature first: A city identity grown to last

Singapore’s “City in Nature” strategy includes 7,800 hectares of green space, 370 km of park connectors, and half a million trees. Barranquilla’s Gran Malecón and Ciénaga de Mallorquín projects combine public access and ecosystem recovery. Private sector partnerships have supported housing and park development, linking green growth to economic outcomes.

Cultivating resilience: San Francisco’s pledge to nature and community

San Francisco ensures all residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park and is targeting 30% biodiverse green space by 2030. Supported by C40 and 1t.org, the city received $12 million in 2023 to plant 3,500 trees. Nature-based strategies improve urban resilience and community health.

Innovative multistakeholder finance for nature-based urban resilience in Africa

Durban’s infrastructure challenges are addressed through The Urban Resilience Fund (TURF), which blends public-private finance. Tools like MetroView support climate risk modelling. In Mauritania, coastal resilience and urban development are jointly delivered via a public-private entity.

From Africa to Ecuador: Lessons for financing resilient and sustainable urban development

Quito’s $2 billion metro project, funded by multilateral development banks, cut emissions and travel times while creating 20,000 jobs. Soil from excavation was repurposed for green space. Strong coordination and high environmental standards enabled success.

Incheon’s green vision: Building an ecological hub for a nature-positive future

Incheon’s conservation strategy includes expanding protected areas, private sector incentives and citizen engagement. The city also supports the East Asia–Australasian Flyway Partnership to protect migratory birds, linking local actions to global biodiversity goals.