Nature Based Solutions (NBS) as Policy and Spatial Planning Measures to Mitigate the Impacts of Disasters and Climate Change with a Special Focus on Nature (Blue and Green Infrastructure)

“Nature-based solutions” (NBS) or “building with nature” have received global attention as a multidimensional approach to reduce impacts of climate change and associated meteorological disaster risks, such as heat waves, droughts, and floods, as well as provide solutions to global challenges, such as poverty and social justice. The European Commission (EC) recognizes that NBS can support innovation and address social, economic and environmental challenges. NBS can be the use of green areas in cities to tackle the adverse impacts of heatwaves in addition to improving air quality, promoting urban farming, or providing areas for water detention. In this research, together with students, we would like to analyse the relation between NBS and mitigation of climate change impacts in urban areas and to investigate potential ways to integrate multiple dimensions (social, economic and environmental) and mitigate climate change impacts. 

The list of the previously supervised theses will give you an idea about the potential thesis research options. 

The list of previous theses for further information: 

Frimpong, F. (2025). Nature-based Solutions for Reducing Flood Risk: A Case Study in South Tongu District, Ghana.

Grutters, L. (2025). Influence of Nature-based Solutions on Active Mobility in the Context of Urban Heat. 

Ghosh P. (2024). Harnessing Nature: Integrated management for urban flood mitigation using the Nature Based Solutions in East Kolkata Wetlands, India. 

Ghani, A.Z. (2023) ‘Environmental Justice: Assessing the scope of Small Scale Nature-based Solutions with the Capability Approach’. The thesis won the DAIDA Award 3rd place. 

Kamwele, N.M., (2023) ‘Integrating Nature-Based Solutions to Mitigate the IntraUrban Heat Island using 3D Modelling. A Case Study for Zwolle, The Netherlands. 

Bos, D.M. (2023) ‘Design principles and policies on ecotourism as a way to preserve mangrove forest and the local culture of Panju Island, India’. 

Kotecha, M. (2022) Interlinking lakes: Decision support tool for sustainable lake ecosystem, Ahmedabad, India.

Asare, P. (2021) Nature-based solutions (NBS) as an urban flood mitigation measure: the case of Ga East Municipality, Accra, Ghana. 

Shrestha, S. (2021) Nature-based Solution (NbS) for local adaptation of neighborhood to urban flooding: A case study of Enschede, Netherlands.

Gebremeryam, N. (2021). Exploring the barriers to solar energy development in the expansion areas of Addis Ababa. 

Somadas, A.T. (2020) ‘Rethinking ecosystem services in the urban fringe, opportunities in human well-being - The case of Panju Island, Mumbai.’