Transition stories describe pilot cities’ journeys towards water-sensitive city planning

In the project City Blues, five cities develop plans for their urban waters and green areas to better respond to the negative effects of climate change, like floods and pollution, and create liveable areas for people at the same time. How has the piloting cities’ journey been and what could be the lessons learned?

Aarhus integrates nature-based solutions tightly in municipal planning

Aarhus became committed to nature‑based solutions (NBS) in 2010 when it revised its wastewater plan and decided to separate all rainwater from sewage by 2085. This shift positioned NBS as the primary method for purifying rainwater before release into natural waterways. The city began implementing these solutions in less complex outer areas, gradually learning and refining its approach before moving into denser urban zones. Today, NBS are visible throughout Aarhus, supported by municipal guidelines. Ponds, wetlands, and restored streams illustrate Aarhus’s long-term strategy toward becoming a water‑cycle city.

Beyond water purification, Aarhus has seen multiple additional benefits from NBS. Biodiversity has increased through the integration of ponds and wetlands. Economic gains have also emerged and recreational value has improved. Aarhus advices other cities to start small and build from there, and to make sure all permissions and planning processes are aligned with local plan and EU directives of stormwater.

In Malmö stormwater is seen as a resource

Malmö began implementing nature‑based stormwater solutions in the early 1990s, long before the term “NBS” was in use. The shift started when a visionary engineer in the technical department promoted the idea of treating stormwater as a resource instead of a something to be piped underground. Teams from different departments began experimenting with open water features, green areas, and multifunctional stormwater systems. Now, stormwater management is systematically embedded in planning for all new urban areas, supported by strong political commitment and stable funding.

Malmö is now at an advanced stage of water‑sensitive urban development in newly planned districts, although retrofitting the dense older city centre remains difficult. The main challenges include limited space, high costs and legal constraints tied to property ownership. The city is working to build networks with property owners and encourage them to adopt solutions on their own land. Looking ahead, Malmö emphasises the importance of early planning in new developments and encourages other cities to start with small pilot projects to build experience, improve collaboration between departments, and scale up effective solutions.

Stavanger prepares for heavier rainfall events

Stavanger has been integrating nature‑based solutions (NBS) into its urban planning since early 2000s. Participation in projects such as UNaLab helped formalise this work and introduced tools like the blue‑green factor to quantify green infrastructure in planning. Today, Stavanger benefits from improved water quality—including fewer algae blooms—and has positioned itself close to a “water cycle city,” with strong political backing and NBS well embedded in strategic documents.

Despite progress, Stavanger still faces challenges such as limited space in dense areas, technical constraints like poor infiltration conditions, and working with fragmented catchment areas. The city seeks more hands‑on experience with solutions like rain beds recently added at Nytorget. Stakeholder engagement is addressed through planning processes, dialogue with planning firms, and targeted communication in central projects. Stavanger also emphasizes involving politicians—for example through study visits to other cities —which has strengthened political ownership and helped advance strategic NBS implementation.

Tampere is a Finnish pioneer in use of nature-based solutions

Tampere’s interest in nature‑based solutions (NBS) emerged in the late 2000s, driven by local concerns about the health of small streams and lakes and the ambitions linked to the 2012 Housing Fair. Since then, NBS has become an integral part of planning in new residential areas and construction projects. The benefits have been significant: improved purification of rainwater and meltwater, controlled stormwater flows that reduce flooding, and enhanced biodiversity. Monitoring shows that water quality in streams and ditches has remained stable or even improved, and residents report positive experiences regarding the environmental quality and attractiveness of their neighborhoods.

Tampere’s work is at an advanced stage of transition, supported by strong strategic integration, political backing, and clear operational routines. Challenges remain, particularly the limited space in the built environment, and difficult soil conditions that hinder infiltration. Additionally, cultural and ecological values—such as habitats for species like the Siberian flying squirrel—can restrict NBS placement. Looking ahead, Tampere aims to improve flood‑route functionality and develop better purification methods for densely sewered areas. The city advises others that even when installing purifiers is not feasible, basin solutions in catchment areas can significantly reduce erosion and pollutant loads, helping to protect small water bodies and improve overall water quality.

Tartu is on its way to becoming a water-sensitive city

Tartu’s first nature‑based solutions date back to the Soviet era, when rainwater was guided through open street‑side ditches instead of underground pipes. Some of these ditches still function today where space allows. More intentional, modern NBS appeared about a decade ago, such as a roundabout project on the city’s edge where rainwater was routed through planted areas for natural filtration. The city now considers NBS in new developments. However, these solutions are not yet applied systematically across all planning processes, and Tartu is still in the “drained city” stage.

Tartu faces several obstacles in scaling up NBS, including inconsistent stormwater planning in building projects, limited collaboration among design firms, shortages of specialists, and unclear maintenance responsibilities. There is also insufficient funding due to the absence of a stormwater fee, and lack of collaboration between city departments. To improve, Tartu aims to develop larger-scale planning, refine risk assessment methods, increase interdepartmental cooperation, and create more pilot projects that demonstrate the value of NBS. The city highlights the importance of experience exchange, site visits, and a willingness to experiment as key drivers for future progress.

More information available

Read the full stories about the cities’ journeys towards water-sensitive city planning through the link below.

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