Renaturalization of Platja de Palma

The Platja de Palma renaturalization project, a case study in the scientific journal Global Sustainability.

The Platja de Palma renaturalization project, developed by LANDLAB in collaboration with architect Victoria Fiol, has been presented as a case study for the implementation of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) at the local scale in an article published in the international scientific journal Global Sustainability.

The publication analyzes the growing role of NbS as a key tool in addressing the effects of climate change, especially in coastal urban environments, where phenomena such as flooding, sea-level rise, and heat waves are becoming increasingly frequent and intense.

The article focuses on the need to incorporate ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) strategies into urban planning, with the aim of enhancing resilience and reducing cities’ vulnerability to climate risks.

To this end, the research proposes a comprehensive evaluation framework that guides the process of implementing NbS at the local level. The study identifies three decisive dimensions for the success of these initiatives:

Governance system: institutional cooperation, decision-making processes, political support, and transfer of scientific knowledge.

Regulatory framework: strategic plans, regulations, and international agreements that facilitate the integration of EbA into urban design.

Funding models: sustainable mechanisms such as public-private partnerships or tax incentives to ensure long-term viability.

The proposed framework has been tested by evaluating 10 pilot projects in Spain and Portugal, including the renaturalization project at Platja de Palma. The results highlight the importance of adaptive governance and the involvement of multiple stakeholders—government, the local community, experts, and the private sector—in driving effective and replicable climate solutions.

The research concludes that urban adaptation to climate change requires a systemic vision capable of connecting science, urban planning, public policies, and innovative financing. Bridging the gap between research and professional practice emerges as a key challenge in advancing more resilient, livable coastal cities prepared for the climate future.

More information about the project here.

You can read the full article here.