ABOUT
The operational framework as shown above, has three main stages: (1) Context, (2) Process and (3) Results. This structure is based on theory of change (ToC), which allows to identify short, middle and long-term results. In the first stage – ‘context’ - the characterization of the peri-urban and its specificities is the starting point. It is necessary to identify the settlement threats and opportunities. The peri-urban has different characteristics in every place. The second step is to identify the problem addressed, and its scale. That detailing will be necessary to develop and monitor a NBS suitable for a problem and its scale. In addition, the actors related do the problem and its engagement have to be explored as well as other projects that already work to address this problem or part of it. Based on this the targets have to be established. In this first stage, after establishing targets is necessary evaluate the baseline indicators, the main aspects that will be analyzed in the results stage to let a comparation and changes identification.
In the second stage - the ‘process’ of NBS implementation and adaptation - it is necessary to define the NBS type that will be adopted/developed and its scale. In this step, the actors engaged with NBS have to be identified and process-based indicators applied to monitor short and middle term results related to project actions. Some categories of indicators were proposed related to sustainability dimensions. These categories are a start point and can be adapted to different contexts. In the environmental dimension it's the interventions category. This category will allow to identify interventions done by the NBS implementation in the short and middle term. An example is: the number of seedlings planted. In the social dimension the categories proposed are project management (e.g., number of people hired), political support (e.g., existing policies related to the NBS), cultural (e.g., community cultural aspects), commitment (e.g., number of community actors engaged).
The third stage of the framework proposes categories of indicators to evaluate the long-term results. This stage is directly related to the targets and aims to identify whether these are achieved or not and what needs to be adjusted in order to improve the results. The categories proposed in the environmental dimension are ecosystem services (e.g., increase the water flow) and biodiversity conservation (e.g., increase areas of conservation). As this step is related to long term, it will be possible to identify how the NBS improves the ecosystem services and biodiversity, which are essential to promote many benefits and co benefits. In the social dimension the categories proposed are cultural (e.g., changes in community habits) and political and governance (e.g., new laws). In the social dimension the categories proposed are income and jobs (e.g., jobs generated) and avoided costs (e.g., savings generated in the long term by the NBS implementation).
*Source: Lima, A.P.M., Rodrigues, A.F., Latawiec, A.E., Dib, V., Gomes, F. Maioli, V. Pena, I. Tubenclack, F., Oen, A.M.P, Rebelo, A. J. Esler, K.J., Agudelo, A.R., Bosch, E.R., Singh, N. Suleiman, L. Hale, S.E. (2022). Framework for planning and evaluation of nature-based solutions. Sustainability, 14, 7952.