Cultivating Urban Resilience: Green Infrastructure and Nature-Based Urban Solutions Training Course

Introduction

As cities grapple with the escalating impacts of climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource scarcity, traditional grey infrastructure solutions are proving insufficient to meet the multifaceted demands of sustainable urban development. Green Infrastructure and Nature-Based Urban Solutions offer a transformative paradigm, leveraging the power of natural systems to deliver a myriad of benefits, from managing stormwater and mitigating urban heat to enhancing air quality, supporting biodiversity, and fostering social well-being. This integrated approach is crucial for building resilient, livable, and ecologically vibrant urban environments.

This intensive training course is meticulously designed to equip urban planners, landscape architects, environmental specialists, city officials, real estate developers, and community leaders with the essential knowledge and practical tools to understand, design, and implement green infrastructure and nature-based urban solutions. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of ecological principles, design methodologies, policy frameworks, and financing mechanisms, empowering them to integrate natural systems into urban planning and contribute effectively to the creation of healthier, more sustainable, and climate-adaptive cities.

Target Audience

  • Urban Planners and City Officials.
  • Landscape Architects and Urban Designers.
  • Environmental Consultants and Scientists.
  • Civil Engineers involved in urban projects.
  • Real Estate Developers and Property Managers.
  • Public Health Professionals.
  • Community Development Professionals and Activists.
  • Students and aspiring professionals in urban sustainability.

Duration: 5 days

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this training course, participants will be able to:

  • Understand the fundamental concepts and rationale behind green infrastructure and nature-based solutions.
  • Grasp the various typologies and functions of green infrastructure in urban settings.
  • Analyze the multiple benefits (environmental, social, economic) of integrating nature into cities.
  • Comprehend methodologies for designing and implementing diverse green infrastructure elements.
  • Evaluate different policy and regulatory frameworks supporting nature-based urban solutions.
  • Develop practical skills in assessing urban ecological conditions and identifying opportunities.
  • Navigate the complexities of financing, governance, and maintenance for green infrastructure.
  • Formulate robust strategies for engaging communities in greening initiatives.
  • Understand the role of technology and data in enhancing nature-based solutions.
  • Champion a holistic and integrated approach to urban greening and resilience.

Course Content

  1. Foundations of Green Infrastructure and Nature-Based Solutions
  • Defining green infrastructure and nature-based solutions (NBS).
  • The rationale for integrating nature into urban planning.
  • Key principles: multifunctionality, connectivity, resilience.
  • Benefits: stormwater management, heat island reduction, biodiversity, well-being.
  • Overview of global trends and examples of green cities.
  1. Typologies of Green Infrastructure
  • Urban forests, street trees, and tree canopy management.
  • Green roofs and living walls.
  • Rain gardens, bioswales, and permeable pavements.
  • Urban parks, plazas, and open green spaces.
  • Restored wetlands, urban rivers, and blue infrastructure.
  1. Ecosystem Services and Urban Benefits
  • Understanding ecosystem services provided by urban nature (e.g., air purification, water filtration).
  • Quantifying the economic value of urban green infrastructure.
  • Health and well-being benefits of access to nature.
  • Social cohesion and community building through green spaces.
  • Climate change mitigation and adaptation co-benefits.
  1. Design and Planning for Green Infrastructure
  • Principles of ecological urban design.
  • Site analysis for green infrastructure implementation.
  • Integrating green infrastructure into urban master plans and zoning.
  • Designing for different scales: from parcel to city-wide networks.
  • Utilizing landscape architecture principles for functional and aesthetic outcomes.
  1. Stormwater Management and Water Sensitive Urban Design
  • Challenges of urban stormwater runoff and flooding.
  • Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) and their components.
  • Designing rain gardens, permeable surfaces, and retention ponds.
  • Water harvesting and reuse in urban contexts.
  • Principles of Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD).
  1. Urban Heat Island Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement
  • Understanding the urban heat island (UHI) effect.
  • Strategies for UHI mitigation: urban forests, green roofs, cool pavements.
  • The role of vegetation in improving urban air quality.
  • Designing for natural ventilation and shading.
  • Monitoring and evaluating thermal comfort.
  1. Biodiversity and Urban Ecology
  • Principles of urban ecology and biodiversity conservation.
  • Creating habitat networks and ecological corridors in cities.
  • Designing for pollinators and urban wildlife.
  • Native plant selection and invasive species management.
  • Citizen science and biodiversity monitoring in urban areas.
  1. Policy, Governance, and Financing
  • Developing supportive policies and regulations for green infrastructure.
  • Integrating green infrastructure into municipal budgets and capital improvement plans.
  • Innovative financing mechanisms: green bonds, impact fees, public-private partnerships.
  • Governance models for green infrastructure implementation and maintenance.
  • Overcoming institutional barriers to green infrastructure adoption.
  1. Community Engagement and Social Equity
  • The importance of engaging communities in greening initiatives.
  • Participatory design processes for public green spaces.
  • Ensuring equitable access to green infrastructure for all residents.
  • Addressing issues of green gentrification.
  • Promoting environmental education and stewardship.
  1. Technology, Monitoring, and Future Trends
  • Utilizing GIS for mapping and analyzing green infrastructure.
  • Remote sensing and drone technology for monitoring urban vegetation.
  • Smart sensors for environmental data collection (e.g., air quality, soil moisture).
  • Data analytics for optimizing green infrastructure performance.
  • Future outlook for nature-based solutions in smart and resilient cities.

CERTIFICATION

  • Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with Macskills Training and Development Institute Certificate

TRAINING VENUE

  • Training will be held at Macskills Training Centre. We also tailor make the training upon request at different locations across the world.

AIRPORT PICK UP AND ACCOMMODATION

  • Airport Pick Up is provided by the institute. Accommodation is arranged upon request

TERMS OF PAYMENT

Payment should be made to Macskills Development Institute bank account before the start of the training and receipts sent to info@macskillsdevelopment.com

For More Details call: +254-114-087-180

 

 

Cultivating Urban Resilience: Green Infrastructure And Nature-based Urban Solutions Training Course in Uruguay
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