Nature-Based Solutions Modeling and Cost-Benefit Analysis to Face Climate Change Risks in an Urban Area: The Case of Turin (Italy)

Increased urbanization and climate change challenges are creating significant environmental, economic, and social pressures in European cities, including increased flood risk and the urban heat island effect (UHI). Nature-based solutions (NBS) are increasingly recognized as strategies to provide multiple ecosystem services, mitigate existing risks, and make cities more resilient and livable. However, the implementation of NBSs still faces numerous technical and financial barriers.

The paper examines the potential of NBS in mitigating the effects of climate hazards, such as heat islands and urban flooding, in the Turin urban area. Four NBS-based intervention scenarios are developed to evaluate the ecosystem services provided and analyse associated costs and benefits. The results show differences in effectiveness and economic sustainability for each scenario and NBS, with a particularly significant impact of forested green areas and retention basins in flood risk mitigation. These results are relevant for suggesting policy mix strategies for integrating NBSs into urban planning.

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