HORIZON Innovation ActionsForthcomingHORIZON-MISS-2027-07-CLIMA-CIT-NEB-01

Urban nature: supporting restoration of urban ecosystems, along urban transport networks and in the built environment

Horizon Europe

Per project€40M

1 phase

Deadline:2027-09-22

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Strategic Analysis

This Horizon Europe Innovation Action focuses on deploying and scaling innovative urban nature-based solutions to restore urban ecosystems, particularly along transport networks and in the built environment. A winning proposal will demonstrate concrete, replicable approaches for increasing urban green spaces and tree canopy cover, delivering measurable impacts on climate resilience, biodiversity, and human well-being, while actively engaging local communities and ensuring long-term sustainability.

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Suggested TRL Range

TRL 7 → 8

Scope Activities (8)

SC1

Develop and test approaches, tools and methods to understand how different patterns of urban green space and tree canopy cover impact on local temperature regulation / heat island effect, biodiversity, water scarcity, stormwater and landslide management, local air quality; and how changing / increasing the distribution / quantity / quality / connectivity of urban green space and tree canopy cover could help build more resilient and biodiverse urban ecosystems.

SC2

Identify obstacles and barriers limiting the development of urban green spaces and tree planting / maintenance, including governance aspects, interface issues between green structures and underground infrastructure (underground pipes, etc.) and overall root growth and survival, water scarcity and the shortage of supplies of native tree seedlings. Develop innovative solutions that address such barriers and ensure the sustainability of urban green spaces and trees.

SC3

Develop innovative measures and practices to increase urban green space and tree canopy cover, with consideration of what types of trees or other plants are best suited to enhancing local biodiversity, prioritizing native species, supporting climate mitigation and adaptation, reducing air pollution, improving human health and quality of life while ensuring connectivity to avoid isolated or fragmented solutions.

SC4

Explore multifunctional solutions, addressing infrastructure and urban planning that can bring co-benefits on aspects such as managing stormwater, enhancing biodiversity, providing recreational spaces, sheltering from extreme weather, reducing inequitable access to nature, improving air quality, reducing noise, improving accessibility.

SC5

deploy innovative measures and practices to increase urban green spaces and/or tree canopy cover in at least two pilot sites in two lead cities, including at least one pilot site along an urban transport network or in the built environment.

SC6

involve local communities, including disadvantaged groups, and local stakeholders, including public and private land and property owners, in the design and development of these measures and practices

SC7

monitor, evaluate and assess the environmental, economic, social and health impacts of the measures taken in the pilot sites [2] .

SC8

outline plans for ensuring the sustainability and legacy of the efforts beyond the project's duration.

Expected Outcomes (3)

EO1

Development of approaches, tools and methods, on how and where to restore, increase and maintain urban green space and tree canopy cover to achieve the greatest positive impacts - on climate mitigation, adaptation and resilience, biodiversity, soil, air and water quality, quality of life, and human health.

EO2

Uptake and deployment of solutions to map, restore, increase and maintain urban green space and tree canopy cover, via pilot sites in lead cities, including along urban transport networks [1] .

EO3

Monitoring, evaluation and assessment of the environmental, economic, social and health impacts of the solutions deployed in pilot sites, including co-benefits and trade-offs.