RUCaS Conference – Nature-based Solutions in Urban Contexts

Nature-based Solutions in Urban Contexts

Scaling NbS for Resilient and Inclusive Urban Futures

MAR
25—27
2025

CAMBODIA

LAO PDR

THAILAND

VIET NAM

Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are a powerful tool to deliver cost-effective and scalable urban resilience, climate adaptation and environmental sustainability in the Mekong subregion.

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The conference will be delivered in English, with interpretation to Mekong national languages available.

Hội thảo sẽ bố trí phiên dịch song song

ការបកប្រែនឹងត្រូវផ្តល់ជូននៅពេលសិក្ខាសាលា

ໃນກອງປະຊູມຈະໄດ້ນຳໃຊ້ພາສາແປ

มีล่ามบริการบรรยายงานประชุมเป็นภาษาไทย

Implementing NbS in urban environments is critical to mitigating risks of climate change and rapid urban growth, and building more resilient, water secure, inclusive and equitable communities.

NbS in Urban Contexts follows up the regional conference and training organised through the Resilient Urban Centres and Surrounds (RUCaS) Program delivered in 2023. The event will bring together stakeholders from government and intergovernmental agencies, civil society, academia and the private sector to foster collaborative action to advance sustainable and inclusive urban development across the Mekong subregion.

Hear global perspectives on urban NbS from international keynote speakers
Explore the opportunities and challenges in scaling NbS across cities, provinces, countries and the Mekong subregion with expert panellists
Identify and prioritise actions to advance urban NbS implementation in breakout sessions
Develop strategies for inclusive, equitable co-design
Investigate funding and financing options with finance specialists
See urban NbS in action at sites around Bangkok

This face-to-face event is invitation-only, with plenary sessions livestreamed for all interested.

The conference will include full interpretation between English and Mekong subregion languages.

Location: Bangkok, Thailand

Organisers: RUCaS Program, in partnership with the Department of Climate Change and Environment, Thailand, and supported by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) under the Mekong–Australia Partnership.

Recap video from the 2023 regional conference

Program Overview

Plenary – 14 November 2023

Thought leaders share their experiences with nature-based solutions and how they can be harnessed to create better outcomes for communities in very different urban settings.

Senior officials from Greater Mekong regional countries offer country-specific and regional perspectives on implementing nature-based solutions.

Practitioners, researchers and collaborators provide practical insights on opportunities and challenges in applying nature-based solutions for climate resilient development.

Workshops on application
– 15 November 2023

Practitioners and researchers from each country share the opportunities, progress and challenges of applying nature-based solutions in their country’s experience.

Via breakout sessions for each country, participants use RUCaS case studies to inform a wider discussion on the practical application of NbS. Case studies include:

Valuation and activation of ‘vacant’ urban land, Thailand
Universities as incubators of innovation, Viet Nam
Enhancing heritage wetland ponds for public and private benefits, Lao PDR
Urban green street park, Cambodia.

These discussions will include incorporating inclusion principles into conceptual plans for each case study, as well as considering the costs and benefits of NbS options. Discussions will also consider opportunities and barriers to broader application across each country.

Training

Training 1: Identifying urban nature-based solutions fundamentals
– 21 November 2023

This training introduces foundational concepts and examples of nature-based solutions as multifunctional water infrastructure. It dives deeper into international experience and RUCaS case studies to explore how appropriate green, blue and grey measures were selected and evaluated. Presentations will discuss catchment and site issues and opportunities, together with potential hybrid, nature-based and non-structural solutions.

The session will be interactive and aim to foster a network and community of practice around using NbS for integrated urban flood management. Collaborators will share their experiences from similar projects advancing nature-based solutions in urban contexts, focusing on identifying context specific opportunities and challenges.

The training will also begin to identify pathways for implementation and potential upscaling, and how to embed approaches for achieving equity and fairness in NbS options.

Training 2: Evaluating options and building the case for action
– 22 November 2023

This training introduces the principles for quantifying, valuing and comparing the economic benefits and costs of conventional and hybrid nature-based solutions, using the Benefit: Cost Analysis Tool and Value Tool developed by the CRC for Water Sensitive Cities. These have been updated with experience from the Mekong region, with extended values that centre on inclusion, equity and diversity. The session will engage participants in identifying the benefits and costs of different options and refining the selected NbS interventions to ensure measures are locally appropriate and effective.

Important benefits include non-traded benefits such as ecosystem services, recreation services, livelihood and cultural services and values, and general urban amenity services. Fundamental to all this work is understanding costs throughout the project lifecycle (e.g. construction, commission, operation and maintenance costs).

This training also helps identify pathways for implementing and upscaling measures, exploring opportunities for financing and funding, as well as policy and planning barriers and opportunities.

The RUCaS program is supported by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade under the Mekong–Australia Partnership. It is delivered by Water Sensitive Cities Australia (Monash University), with in-country partner the International Centre for Environmental Management.