Page 42 - Çevre Şehir İklim İngilizce - Sayı 2

Nature Based Solutions And Urban Resilience

The species and organisms that make up biodiversity in ecosystems work
like a complicated network to maintain natural balance and support life.
Biodiversity enable ecological processes to operate and ecosystem services
to continue. A well-operating natural system form the basis for a livable
climate and a quality life.
The loss of biodiversity is one of the leading risks that threaten life at a
gobal scale (WEF, 2022). Nature-based solutions are used as a valuable means
for handling a variety of social challenges such as preserving water and land
(including soil) ecosystems, strengthening ecosystems through conserving
their biodiversity, and accordingly, mitigating climate change adaptation and
disaster risk mitigation.

b. Social Benefits

Creating green areas in wasteland, areas inhabited by urban poor, sensitive
and vulnerable groups, will decrease social inequality. As in the examples of
High Line Park (New York) and Cheonggyecheon River (Seul), these areas will
increase the recreation and tourism potential of their regions. Nature-based
solutions also have educational and instructive qualities. They contribute to
the increase in the knowledge and awareness of their users and city inhabitants
about climate change and biodiversity.

c. Benefits for Health

Preservation and restoration of natural ecosystems and creating semi-
natural and cultural ecosystems in and around the city will improve physical
and mental health of people. Spending time in nature and engaging in
recreational activities reduces stress, lowers blood pressure and prevents
health issues and loss of life due to heat (WHO, 2005; Dacubo, 2011). This will
also lighten the burden of health sector and decrease health costs.
Human health is directly related to the health of the environment inhabited
by humans. Nature-based solutions contribute to the improvement and
maintenance of land and water ecosystems and provide a safe and healthy
living environment for all beings.

d. Economic Benefits

Nature-based solutions makes it possible to prevent the economic
consequences of the effects of extreme heat and extreme weather conditions
on urban systems, urban inhabitants, and their sources of income. Moreover,
they support economy by providing new job opportunities for different

Year 1 / Issue 2 / July 2022 28