NBS Summit 2024 in Porto – the Epicenter of Sustainable Innovation in Urban Architecture
Following two days of intense debate and knowledge sharing, the NBS Summit Urban Edition concluded its first edition with resounding success at the Super Bock Arena in Porto. The event, which attracted over 500 participants, brought together numerous experts and international leaders in the field of urban sustainability, providing a platform for innovative discussions about the future of cities. The organizers: GREENROOFS® Innovated by Associação Nacional de Coberturas Verdes, Câmara Municipal do Porto and STAGE.
The NBS Summit Urban Edition began with the Vice-President of Porto City Council, Filipe Araújo, reaffirming the city’s commitment to Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) and green infrastructure. This was followed by Rúben Fernandes from Águas e Energia do Porto, who highlighted the successful applications of these solutions. The summit featured outstanding speakers such as Francisco Rocha Antunes, Menno Lammers, Luigi Petito, Paulo Palha, Steven L. Peck, Kevin Halpenny, João Torres, and José Miguel Lameiras. Furthermore, Filipe Mesquita (This is Pacifica) presented the launch of the new brand GREENROOFS® Innovated by Associação Nacional de Coberturas Verdes.
On the second day, Martin Kostal, Edmund Maurer, Jürgen Preiss, and Filipe Araújo presented practical examples of urban sustainability from Brno, Vienna, and Porto. Landscape architects Per Malmos, Laura Gatti, Valentina Galiulo, João Vaz, and João Jesus highlighted the crucial role of design in urban sustainability.
The two-day event was marked by standout masterclasses from Kongjian Yu and Nuno Brandão Costa, offering deep insights and sparking profound discussions. Brandão Costa, an architect from Porto, shared valuable reflections on integrating NBS into urban architecture, highlighting his multi-award-winning Campanhã Intermodal Terminal as a successful example of urban regeneration. Kongjian Yu, one of today’s most influential landscape architects, emphasized the urgency of creating greener and more resilient urban environments. Drawing on recent examples from Dubai and Rio Grande do Sul, Yu presented innovative solutions that balance contemporary architectural needs with the effectiveness and resilience required for sustainable urban development. His presentation concluded with a standing ovation, underscoring the significant impact of his ideas and inspiring a new generation of professionals to embrace sustainable practices.
NBS-Summit was accompanied by the exhibition showcasing products, services in nature-based solutions, green architecture, and eco-friendly urban planning.
European Federation of Green Roof and Green Wall Associations (EFB) showcased GoNaturePositive! Horizon Europe Project at the exhibition. This project aims to accelerate awareness and transformative action towards a nature-positive economy, representing the Green Buildings Pilot and the potential of nature-positive sectors.
About the GoNaturePositive! Project:
GoNaturePositive! is a collaborative initiative backed by the European Commission, dedicated to accelerating awareness and transformative action towards a nature-positive economy among policymakers, investors, businesses, and wider society. The project involves 20 partners across 14 countries, coordinated by Trinity College Dublin. It includes research institutions, non-profits, and environmental organizations leading the nature-positive agenda at global and European levels.
GoNaturePositive! Pilots are designed to bring research and innovation to life, showcasing real-world challenges and opportunities, and demonstrating the measurable contribution of project interventions. The project aims to compile and synthesize collective knowledge and insights on economic change, creating a manifesto for transformational leadership and co-creation.
GoNaturePositive! adopts a dual strategy, focusing on:
– Demonstrating the potential of nature-positive sectors such as green buildings, agroecology, forestry, tourism, and blue economy.
– Benchmarking the performance of mainstream businesses on nature-positive criteria and supporting them in implementing transition strategies.
Technical Visits: Inspiring Green Infrastructure Excursions in Porto
The NBS Summit 2024 featured technical visits to key green infrastructure locations in Porto, playing a significant role in inspiring and impressing participants. These excursions provided firsthand insights into the city’s innovative approaches to sustainability and urban regeneration.
Tour A included visits to Escola do Falcão, Horta da Oliveira, Parque da Alameda de Cartes, and Parque Oriental. Participants were impressed by the integration of educational spaces with sustainable gardening practices and the transformative impact of green spaces on urban living.
Tour B showcased Parque da Asprela and Nó do Regado, highlighting the importance of green corridors and interconnected urban parks in enhancing biodiversity and providing recreational areas for the community.
Tour C featured the Terminal Intermodal da Campanhã and Parque Oriental, demonstrating successful examples of urban regeneration and the seamless incorporation of nature-based solutions into public transportation hubs and urban parks.
The NBS Summit 2024 in Porto not only highlighted the importance of urban sustainability but also showcased the collaborative efforts required to achieve a nature-positive future.
At the end of the event, all participants reaffirmed their commitment to driving the transition toward a more sustainable and resilient urban future. The organization, comprising GREENROOFS® Innovated by Associação Nacional de Coberturas Verdes, Câmara Municipal do Porto, and STAGE, expressed great satisfaction with the outcomes of this first edition, celebrating the success and looking forward to a more sustainable future.
