NBS (Nature-Based Solutions)

We design natural infrastructure that reduces flood and overheating risks, improves the quality of the urban environment and provides economically sound solutions that can be defended before investors and public authorities.

1. Territorial analysis:

• Territorial surveys and recording of baseline data, mapping: existing infrastructure, terrain, vegetation, erosion, etc.

• Analysis of available documentation

• Preliminary identification of areas at risk of flooding or degradation

• Study of current initiatives

• Engagement with stakeholders and residents

2. Regulatory analysis

• Gap analysis of national regulations (ShNK, SanPiN) and international practices.

• Identify provisions that facilitate implementation or, conversely, restrict the development of natural infrastructure

• Compare national regulations with selected international benchmarks (for example, the SITES rating system and the NBS Global Standard)

• Mapping of permitting procedures

3. Integration of nature-based engineering solutions:

• Development and preparation of sketches for a blue-green framework, blue-green infrastructure and green corridors along water bodies, with the distribution of fresh, clean air throughout the territory, including landscaped buffer strips, pedestrian and recreational areas, and elements that reduce flood risks and heat loads

• Development of an ecosystem services map for the territory or city

• Integration of public-realm elements for recreation

• Provision of flexible public areas and public access to high-quality green spaces

• Development of recommendations for reclamation/remediation and pollution prevention

• Development of design solutions ensuring a seamless connection between the new recreational area and the existing one

• Development of the conceptual design and segmentation of the territory

• Development of measures aimed at preventing waste accumulation in the territory

• Where necessary, transformation of degraded territories and soil reclamation/remediation zones, and development of basic erosion-control measures

• Slope stabilisation measures using terracing or vegetation mats

• Creation of green infrastructure elements to filter stormwater runoff

• Inclusion of proposals for creating shaded play areas and planting trees to reduce the heat-island effect.

• Improvement of the urban environment, enhancement of the microclimate and reduction of harsh climatic impacts.

• Reduction of noise levels in the territory

4. Cost-Benefit Analysis

• Preliminary cost-benefit analysis to substantiate design solutions and confirm financial feasibility.

• Economic assessment of the balance between the benefits of introducing “green infrastructure” (increased appeal of the territory as a place to live, costs arising from failure to value the social and environmental potential of urban territories, reduced flood damage, healthcare savings through recreation and improved public health) and the costs (construction, operation and maintenance), using a resource-based approach or benchmarking (order-of-magnitude estimates / order of magnitude).

• Inclusion of non-monetary indicators (for example, a biodiversity index and community satisfaction indicators).

5. Development of guiding principles for territorial management (Guiding Principles Development)

• Development of an NBS Handbook for a specific territory.

• Recommendations for creating sustainable urban territories aimed at addressing urbanisation challenges while preserving ecosystem potential and optimising urban economies.

Territories for which NBS solutions can be developed:

• cities of any size

• water infrastructure: canals, rivers, lakes

• park infrastructure and urban green spaces,

• special natural territories: protected natural areas and health resorts

• educational territories: schools, universities and campuses

• territories requiring restoration: former municipal solid waste landfills and agricultural land

Who it is for:

• khokimiyats and municipal services

• developers and territory owners

• banks/development institutions (ESG/green finance)

• schools, campuses and institutions

• management companies of parks/health resorts/protected natural areas

When it is needed:

• When an economic rationale for blue-green infrastructure is required

• regular flooding/heavy rainfall, mudflows and erosion

• overheating of neighbourhoods in summer and insufficient shade

• degraded sites, dumps, ravines and slopes

• a request for “quick improvements” with clear economics

What you will receive:

✅ A map of problems and risks (water/erosion/heat/pollution) + a baseline field survey

✅ A blue-green framework concept and a set of NBS interventions by zone

✅ 2–3 solution scenarios (quick/medium-term/capital-intensive)

✅ A set of standard solutions (catalogue) with operating principles

✅ A preliminary CAPEX/OPEX and cost-benefit estimate (order of magnitude)

✅ Compliance matrix: ShNK/SanPiN ↔ international benchmarks (SITES / NBS Global Standard)

✅ Approvals roadmap (flowchart: who, what and in what sequence)

✅ An “NBS Handbook” for the territory (management and scaling rules)

Why HPBS:

• an engineering approach: NBS as infrastructure, not merely landscaping

• integration of the environment + urban economics + design solutions

• we know how to work with stakeholders (city/schools/residents) and turn a request into a project

• we understand regulations (ShNK, SanPiN) and international standards

• we provide solutions that can be defended before an investor/bank/public authority

Typical time frames (depending on scale):

• Diagnostics and risk maps: 2–3 weeks

• NBS concept and roadmap: 3–5 weeks

• Preparation for implementation (detailing of assemblies/terms of reference/approvals): (4–12 weeks, depending on scale and data availability)

What is required from the client

• Pain points and project goals (where there is flooding/heat/waste/conflict)

• Access to the site and contact details of the responsible person

• Available materials (plans/networks/topographic survey/designs, if any)

• Contact details of key stakeholders (city/school/management company/residents)

Submit an application and we will conduct an express screening of the territory and propose the optimal scope of work and deliverables for your objective.