Associate Professor Wei-Shan Chen from the Environmental Technology Group at Wageningen University, Netherlands, discusses the application and sustainable contributions of NbS in urban agglomeration planning

On December 5, 2024, Associate Professor Wei-Shan Chen from the Environmental Technology Group at Wageningen University, Netherlands, was invited to deliver an academic presentation titled "The Application and Sustainable Contributions of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in Urban Agglomeration Planning." The presentation was chaired by Professor Shaoqing Chen, Vice Dean of the Institute of Carbon Neutrality and Green Development at Sun Yat-sen University.
Associate Professor Chen systematically elaborated on the significant value of the NbS concept in addressing urbanization challenges and enhancing regional ecological functions. Through multiple international case studies, he analyzed the integration pathways of NbS measures—such as green infrastructure, ecological corridor restoration, and sponge cities—in urban agglomeration planning and governance. He highlighted that the current promotion of NbS faces challenges, including insufficient cross-scale coordination, lack of long-term performance evaluation, and incomplete funding mechanisms. He emphasized the need to strengthen coupled ecological-social system analysis and develop nature-positive planning to comprehensively enhance urban resilience, low-carbon development, and social inclusivity. During the event, students from the institute presented multiple reports and engaged in in-depth exchanges and discussions with Associate Professor Chen.