Nature-Based Solutions Exploration Seminar Brings Together a Growing Community of Changemakers in Vienna

Across the two-day programme, participants explored the city through guided walks, studio and workshop visits, and observations of existing nature-based interventions. These experiences encouraged participants to reflect on the relationship between urban and natural environments while discovering innovative approaches to biodiversity, climate adaptation, circular resource use, and regenerative design.
Working in multidisciplinary groups, participants developed ideas for small-scale nature-based solutions inspired by local challenges and opportunities. To support this process, the seminar introduced a Solution Evaluation Checklist, an interactive tool that helped participants assess their proposals from multiple perspectives, including ecological impact, climate adaptation, social benefit, feasibility, connectivity, and community ownership. This playful methodology encouraged critical thinking while demonstrating how creative ideas can be transformed into practical, reusable, and impactful projects. The seminar also featured a selection of inspiring international examples and research on nature-based solutions from Vienna and other European cities. These case studies highlighted how communities can integrate green infrastructure into everyday urban life while strengthening resilience to climate change and biodiversity loss. Perhaps the seminar's most valuable outcome was the community that emerged throughout the programme. Participants from different disciplines, professions, and backgrounds came together around a shared interest in nature-based solutions, creating new connections and laying the foundations for future collaboration.

To continue this shared learning journey, the seminar materials—including presentations, selected photographs, reflections, and the Solution Evaluation Checklist—have been shared with participants. These resources are intended to inspire future neighbourhood walks, workshops, conversations, and prototype experiments in public space, extending the impact of the seminar beyond the event itself.

On 26 June 2026, the Co-ADAPT Nature-Based Solutions Exploration Seminar brought together participants from diverse backgrounds in Vienna to exchange ideas, explore inspiring examples, and imagine how nature-based solutions can help create healthier, more resilient cities. Through presentations, site explorations, collaborative workshops, and open discussions, the seminar created a dynamic space for learning, creativity, and collective reflection.