Project
NATURELAB
NATURELAB is an EU-funded project that aims to go beyond the present knowledge of the positive impact nature-based solutions offer to society. It has nature-based therapies for common health, well-being and community resilience at its core. As a means of developing collaborative and interdisciplinary research, the study development will count on several experts from different fields while analyzing diverse geographic areas in order to achieve a broader and holistic perspective.
Introduction
In the past years, societies have faced unprecedented challenges, above all in cities, where approximately 55% of the global population is gathered. Living in urban areas presents a number of opportunities, but can lead to some drawbacks, such as a lack of sense of belonging and the absence of attachment to nature. The contact with natural elements in cities allows the acknowledgment of the fact we are not separate from the ecosystems, and that humans are part of the many species in nature. This exposure to green and blue areas can also provide other numerous benefits, especially for health, including mental and physical well-being. To this end, fomenting urban nature infrastructure in cities brings up the chance for us to reconnect with the environment through our senses, and, consequently with ourselves. Interacting with nature can help to reduce stress levels, decrease anxiety and/or depression and promote positive emotions. It can also encourage physical activities, which helps to promote social interaction and increase social support.
Collaborative work and interdisciplinary approaches can bring innovation and creativity to implement better strategies that promote quality of life. NATURELAB aims to co-create a new way of living, enhancing and protecting nature-based solutions (NBS) to contribute to the common welfare, urban balance and sustainable development. For that purpose, the Horizonte Europe Nature Lab Project proposes an integrative and innovative approach to foster resilient communities. The consortium will work closely with stakeholders from health, social and educational areas, municipalities, NGOs and communities.
NBS involves strategically managing natural measures to address socio-environmental challenges. NATURELAB intends to use these resources as the base to investigate the potential of nature-based therapies (NBT) through a multidisciplinary approach. In parallel, the project will engage the dissemination of resilient communities, enhancing ecosystem services benefits, like adaptability to climate change, and better practices in terms of biodiversity protection and urban water management, while addressing different types of in situ pollution.
Objective
NATURELAB aims to increase the recognition, the promotion and the use of green and blue spaces as care providers, by investigating the benefits of nature-based therapies that promote well-being and support health prevention and rehabilitation. NBT involves more than simply recommending being in nature. There is a recognized need to develop and establish scientifically validated programs to support people to connect with nature in ways designed to respond to their specific personal needs.
Method
NATURELAB proposes an integrative and innovative approach to contribute to resilient communities with focus on health and care prevention. The project will enhance and expand the green and blue areas benefits - such as the resilience to climate change and urban water management – and link all of these to a Health Pillar and a Societal Pillar (Figure below). This will be done in close collaboration with stakeholders and communities.
(Expected) results
The expected outcomes of this study are: (1) NBT programs adjusted to different population needs; (2) Portfolio to classify nature’s healing potential & specific Guidelines to analyze the health benefits provided by green areas; (3) Guidelines for the development and maintenance of private and public healing gardens, horticulture/gardening spaces that can provide climate resilience and environmental sustainability; (4) Program Guide for financing strategies to support NBT in the health sector; (5) Guidelines to promote the integration of NBT care in the public health sector.
At the end, close to 600 health professionals worldwide will receive the NATURELAB NBT programs. Besides, around 8000-10000 innovative educational and training materials will be delivered. Among the many benefits the project development can promote, the fomentation of new jobs, such as therapists, horticulture & gardening industries will be analyzed.
Publications
Find our publications on https://naturelab-project.eu/resources/#publications.