Social housing neighbourhoods, often located on the outskirts of urban areas, are frequently disconnected from the cities they belong to. Typically built following the destruction of the Second World War, these areas were designed without integration into the broader urban landscape, leaving residents feeling isolated.
“When we spoke to people in these areas, they often said, ‘I’m going into Porto’ or ‘I’m going into Sofia’,” says Isabel Ferreira, URBiNAT co-coordinator. “This revealed a lack of connection to the city as a whole, even though they felt a strong sense of belonging to their immediate neighbourhood.”
To tackle this, the project focused on reconnecting these areas through both physical infrastructure and social-cultural initiatives, addressing fragmentation in a way that encouraged inclusivity and strengthened a sense of belonging.
Connection and belonging
The project brought together seven European cities – Porto, Nantes, Sofia, Siena, Nova Gorica, Brussels and Høje-Taastrup – alongside experts in urban planning, human rights, geography, social sciences and humanities – to develop a collaborative, inclusive methodology and expand the meaning of nature-based solutions.
“We needed to address urban planning while integrating participation, alternative economies and human rights,” explains project co-coordinator Gonçalo Canto Moniz. “By combining these perspectives, we created an approach that was holistic and grounded in real-world challenges.”
At the heart of the project was the concept of ‘healthy corridors’ – nature-based solutions that went beyond traditional parks and green infrastructure. These corridors combined physical improvements, such as greenery and pathways, with community-driven activities that enhanced social cohesion.
URBiNAT’s approach was to rethink nature-based solutions with a focus on their human aspect. By making participation a central element, people were able to co-create their spaces, transforming both the environment, and their relationships with one another.
The project then developed a flexible and extensive catalogue of nature-based solutions, including participatory workshops, social currencies, shared gardening and cultural events, which each city could adapt to their unique needs. These included a social and solidarity market in Porto, an open-air auditorium in Sofia and an urban garden in Nantes.
These corridors reconnected neighbourhoods to the urban fabric while adding a sense of identity and community pride.
Central to the project’s success was its commitment to co-creation through co-governance. Residents, policymakers, practitioners, academics and businesses were involved from the earliest stages, ensuring that decisions reflected the needs and aspirations of the entire community.
“Involving all multiple stakeholders from the beginning made a huge difference,” adds Beatriz Caitana, one of the project’s co-coordinators. “Even the selection of intervention areas was done collaboratively, giving residents a real sense of ownership.”
This also created a strong community of practice across the seven cities, bringing together local associations, researchers and international experts to exchange knowledge and share best practices.
Transformative impact
The healthy corridors have already delivered significant results to the participating pilots. For example, in Porto, an informal, muddy crossing was transformed into a safe, well-lit corridor with greenery and pathways, significantly improving residents’ daily lives.
In Sofia, an underused area was transformed into a vibrant public space, bringing together residents of all ages through events, sport and workshops. These solutions also improved physical mobility and safety, especially for vulnerable groups.
And the corridors strengthened community bonds as well. Associations that had never collaborated before began working together, encouraging a stronger sense of belonging and shared purpose.
The project’s outcomes also go beyond physical changes. The development of an open access Nature-Based Solutions Catalogue has allowed other cities and organisations to replicate URBiNAT’s methods, while the URBiNAT Observatory monitors the social, economic and urban impacts of these interventions, ensuring their long-term sustainability.
Future models
URBiNAT’s healthy corridors offer a sustainable model for inclusive urban regeneration. Integrating nature-based solutions, co-creation and solidarity, it has shown that even the most fragile communities can come together to create change.
And looking ahead, the tools and methodologies developed are being implemented in new initiatives and replicated through workshops, publications and an international network of partners, namely EU-funded projects TRANS-Lighthouses and GreenInCities.
“We’ve shown that urban regeneration isn’t just about infrastructure,” concludes Ferreira. “It’s about people, their connections and their sense of belonging. That’s where real transformation begins.”
