Nature-Based Solutions in Urban Green Infrastructure: A Systematic Review of Success Factors and Implementation Challenges

Melika Zarei and Sina Shahab ()
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Melika Zarei: Department of Urban Planning and Design, School of Art and Architecture, Shiraz University, Shiraz 71877335, Iran
Sina Shahab: School of Geography and Planning, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3WT, UK

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 4, 1-26

Abstract: Nature-Based Solutions (NBSs) have gained prominence in urban planning as integrative strategies that utilize natural processes to address complex environmental and societal challenges while advancing green infrastructure development. Despite growing academic interest, the practical integration of NBSs into urban green infrastructure remains hindered by fragmented methodologies and limited understanding of context-specific implementation dynamics. This study contributes to addressing these gaps through a systematic review and bibliometric analysis of 90 peer-reviewed articles published between 2014 and 2024. It examines the range of NBSs employed in urban green infrastructure, the factors shaping their successful implementation, and the barriers, financial, technical, social, and political, that constrain their adoption. The analysis also explores the roles of key stakeholders, including local governments, private actors, and communities, in the planning, execution, and maintenance of NBS projects. The findings reveal both conceptual convergence and contextual variation in how NBSs are deployed and evaluated, highlighting critical enablers, such as spatial justice, governance integration, financial viability, and technical capacity. By clarifying the conditions under which NBSs function effectively, this review offers insights for researchers and policymakers seeking to embed these approaches within sustainable urban development frameworks.

Keywords: nature-based solutions; urban green infrastructure; environmental sustainability; implementation challenges; systematic review (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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