Exploring Citizens’ Preferences for the Temporal Effectiveness of Urban Nature-Based Solutions through Participatory GIS

Temporal dynamics remain an understudied aspect of nature-based solutions (NBS) literature, particularly in relation to public preferences. This study introduces the concept of NBS temporal effectiveness, defined as the ability of NBS to provide co-benefits over short, medium, and long terms with varying intensities, as perceived by urban residents. Specifically, we investigated the potential conflicts in the temporal effectiveness in Trento, Italy, through a public participation GIS (PPGIS) approach (n = 286). Our findings reveal that the intensity and directionality of conflict change across short, medium and long-term NBS, respondent groups, and the spatial context of implementation. Contrary to the common perception that immediate solutions are always preferred, NBS with long-term effectiveness can gain significant public support, particularly when they demonstrate greater benefits than short-term alternatives. This study contributes to the NBS literature by being the first to explore the concept of temporal effectiveness and its implications for public preferences, demonstrating that considerations regarding temporalities must be made when planning NBS interventions, as conflicts may arise in relation to interventions with different temporal effectiveness.