Trees, parks, wetlands and green roofs can no longer be seen as a ‘nice-to-have’ aesthetic enhancement but a vital component for creating climate-resilient, healthier and more equitable cities, say experts.
An international study involving the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) and led by University of Surrey, found that ‘urban greening’ has a range of benefits including cooler streets, cleaner air and water, improved mental health and greater biodiversity.
The team of 28 researchers from 11 countries calls for integrated action that embeds nature into every stage of planning and policy, including incentivising developers to prioritise nature-based infrastructure and securing long-term funding.
Global case studies highlighted in the paper demonstrate how different cities are making nature-based solutions work in practice.
For example, Singapore’s ‘City in Nature’ has seen major success with its green corridors and vertical gardens that help reduce heat and support biodiversity. In Cardiff, more than 80,000 trees have been planted as part of the city’s One Planet Strategy, while Copenhagen has integrated green roofs and climate-resilient neighbourhoods to manage flood risk and improve liveability.
Sharing knowledge
The study, published in the journal Frontiers’ Sustainable Cities, also stresses the importance of meaningful community involvement and equitable access to green spaces to avoid ‘green gentrification’ – where improvements risk pricing out the very communities they aim to support.
Professor Laurence Jones of UKCEH, one of the co-authors, said: “This study is a great example of researchers working together with city officials, charities and policymakers to better understand the challenges facing cities, and highlighting best-practice examples of urban greening initiatives.”
The research was part of RECLAIM Network Plus, funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). This network is a 'one-stop-shop’ for towns and cities to find information and support they need to install green and blue infrastructure in communities in order to reduce the effects of flooding, heat stress and air pollution.
It is led by University of Surrey’s Global Centre for Clean Air Research in collaboration with UKCEH and the Universities of Bath, Bangor and Warwick.
Paper information
Kumar et al. 2025 Urban greening for climate resilient and sustainable cities: grand challenges and opportunities. Frontiers in Sustainable Cities. DOI: 10.3389/frsc.2025.1595280