Handbook of tools for informing and monitoring urban greening strategies and nature plans

This handbook is the response to a policy request submitted by DG Environment to the Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity (KCBD) through the KCBD ticketing system. Europe’s cities are facing challenges to protect, maintain, restore, and improve their nature and green space. A broad and diverse set of tools has been developed to support city planners and policymakers in tackling these challenges. This handbook maps out 59 of these tools (software, methods and modelling approaches) to assist urban decision-makers in implementing EU policies such as the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the Nature Restoration Regulation. These tools range from simple dashboards to advanced spatial models, designed to plan, monitor, and expand urban green space. Tools were evaluated by experts for ease of use, cost, data needs, and policy relevance, and then grouped into five clusters. These clusters include tools that (1) help with benchmarking based on indicators, (2) help explore and understand challenges, (3) are developed to support specific policies or projects, (4) provide multi-purpose spatial information, and (5) have specialized focus on specific challenges (e.g., air quality, ecological connectivity). Factsheets provide overviews for each tool based on the assessed criteria and information. Real-life case studies show how cities across Europe are already using these tools to cool streets, boost biodiversity, and improve public health. This handbook gives decision-makers the digital edge they need to green cities faster and smarter.