June 15, 2026
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Demonstrating nature-based solutions (NbS) work in a specific location is an important first step in building the evidence base for their use. But how do we take the knowledge and lessons from one location and apply it more broadly? In other words, how do we scale up, out and deep?
Building on our 8 case studies, our RUCaS team, with inputs from local stakeholders through a series of knowledge exchanges, developed scaling roadmaps. Each country’s roadmap provides practical direction on where national and local partners could focus future effort and investment to mainstream NbS in urban climate resilience planning. The roadmaps also indicate how urban NbS can support delivery of climate, planning and/or development targets.
Across all 4 countries, the roadmaps are structured around 4 shared 5-year goals:
- Demonstrate and build acceptance of NbS value through country-specific evidence
- Put enabling policy, guidance, incentives and capacity in place
- Strengthen partnerships and coordination for greater impact
- Make GEDSI (gender equality, disability and social inclusion) a business-as-usual part of NbS planning, design, implementation and monitoring.
Each roadmap also identifies country-specific priorities.
Cambodia focuses on converting strong national policy momentum into practical implementation. The roadmap links NbS to Cambodia’s land use planning, green open space, climate resilience and urban development agendas. Priorities include supporting the national NbS guideline and public open space policy development process, strengthening practical planning tools, building on Battambang and Akreiy Ksatr demonstrations, improving coordination across technical working groups and embedding inclusive participation into routine urban planning.
Lao PDR positions NbS as a practical pathway for delivering urban ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA), wetland restoration and flood risk reduction commitments under Lao PDR’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP), Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) and green growth frameworks. The roadmap highlights Ban Mano and Nong Loup Ian as entry points for locally grounded evidence, community-led implementation and learning. The roadmap links RUCaS work with GRET, GGGI NATURA, national EbA guidance and university partners to strengthen monitoring, technical capacity and GEDSI-responsive wetland management.
Thailand focuses on turning strong technical and policy interest into consistent application across agencies and projects. The roadmap aligns with Thailand’s NAP, Climate Change Master Plan and Bio-Circular-Green agenda, and builds on On Nut, Makkasan and wider Bangkok collaborations. Priorities include local evidence on NbS performance, site risk assessment guidance for brownfield-to-greenfield transitions, Thai biofiltration guidance, integrated urban water management, university-led innovation and continued coordination through the Technical Working Group that guides RUCaS activities in Thailand.
Vietnam emphasises university-to-city scaling and evidence generation. The roadmap links RUCaS work at the Hanoi University of Civil Engineering (HUCE) and Can Tho University (CTU) to Vietnam’s NAP, green growth, climate change and urban development strategies. Priorities include producing Vietnam-specific monitoring evidence, using CTU’s campus NbS master planning and bioswale design as practical demonstrations, strengthening city-level engagement in Can Tho, and embedding NbS into research, teaching, planning guidance and future investment decisions.
Together, the 4 roadmaps provide a shared regional framework while recognising different national entry points. The roadmaps recognise that no one program or institution acting alone can scale NbS. They are intended as partner-facing tools to guide outreach, align future projects, and invite wider collaboration with government, universities, civil society, development partners and the private sector.
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