Bluegreen nature-based solutions for climate change adaptation and citizen wellbeing

City Blues

Anna Vilhula

Study visit to the pilot site in Tampere

03 July 2025

On 22 May 2025, City Blues showcased how the City of Tampere is preparing for the consequences of climate change by using nature-based solutions in stormwater management and preventing flooding. Interreg BSR Programme Conference participants visited the construction site of Varsanpuisto park and its alluvial meadows. Tampere also presented a similar but already completed NBS site in Nallenpuisto park.

Technical details

Growing cities are facing negative effects of climate change, such as biodiversity loss, increased flooding, erosion of the stream banks, and pollution from the stormwater runoff. While the situation has been identified, many cities find it difficult to embark on a path of change.

During the study visit two sites in Tampere were explored where flooding problems have been solved and biodiversity has been increased by building nature-based solutions (NBS) and using local seeds and plants. Nature-based solutions also provide other benefits, such as enhancing water quality and making cities more pleasant to live in.

“A special feature of the Tampere pilot site is that a large number of invasive species were found, and efforts have been made to get rid of them during construction,” says the project manager Anna Vilhula.

“There is nothing more exciting than seeing an Interreg project in action,” states Susie Hacquin, one of the visitors, who also wrote an article about the visit.