GREEN-INC
Growing Effective and Equitable Nature-based Solutions through Inclusive Climate Actions (GREEN-INC) explores how Nature-based Solutions can respond to climate change while supporting more inclusive and socially just urban environments.
GREEN-INC is a European research project supported by the Driving Urban Transitions Partnership (JPI-DUT). Running from 2024 to 2026, it brings together universities, civil society organisations and public authorities working in five Urban Living Labs in Amsterdam (NL), Brussels (BE), Bucharest (RO), Skellefteå (SE) and Turin (IT). GREEN-INC examines how Inclusive Climate Actions can support effective and socially just Nature-based solutions (NbS), considering both environmental performance and socio-spatial justice. It starts from the observation that NbS, such as rain gardens, parks and green infrastructure, can support climate adaptation and urban ecosystems, although their benefits and burdens may be unevenly distributed. The project brings together expertise in civil engineering, architecture and urban design, environmental policy and planning, and urban studies. It assesses existing initiatives, develops institutional conditions and design principles, and tests them with local partners in the five Urban Living Labs. The LoUIsE team contributes to mapping local socio-environmental challenges and needs, defining a shared vision for NbS implementation, and testing and refining design principles with local stakeholders. It also facilitates backcasting processes to identify how actors can work together and which implementation pathways can support this vision. Within the Brussels-Capital Region, LoUIsE works with VUB, EGEB, public institutions, practitioners and residents. Activities focus on assessing existing NbS in the Molenbeek watershed and co-designing future NbS through the Villas de Ganshoren neighbourhood contract. Through participatory research, co-design and modelling, the Brussels team works with local actors to explore more inclusive approaches to NbS.