Identifying Spatial Opportunities for Nature-Based Solutions Planning in Cities: A Case Study in the Area of Valletta, Malta

Nature-based solutions (NbS) in cities are actions that utilize ecosystem processes of green-blue infrastructure to safeguard or enhance the delivery of ecosystem services and contribute to address urban challenges. The identification of spatial opportunities for NbS can support the development of concrete options of NbS planning and implementation. This research presents an approach to identify spatial opportunities to implement NbS within the urban agglomeration around Valletta, Malta. Spatial opportunities for NbS are identified through spatial analysis of available open spaces and content analysis of the spatial policies promoting NbS interventions. Overall spatial opportunities cover the 14% of the case study area. They include open spaces that are potentially available for the creation of new ecosystems, built-up areas where it is possible to integrate green elements, and existing ecosystems to conserve and/or enhance. The identification and mapping of spatial opportunities can support the NbS planning and implementation on the ground, while highlighting in which city areas there is the need to integrate alternative solutions because of the lack of space.