Regional Perspectives of Nature-based Solutions for Water: Benefits and Challenges

Nature-based solutions (NbS) are solutions inspired or supported by nature. They include ecosystem conservation and restoration measures, as well as the creation or enhancement of natural processes in man-made ecosystems, such as cities. Recent interest in NbS has emphasized their importance for urban water management and cities across the world have begun to experiment with them. Experiences from different contexts, however, are not adequately captured and understood. This book aims to address this gap by compiling case studies and reviews that explore NbS for urban water management from different regions and perspectives and highlight emerging challenges and opportunities for harnessing their potential.

Nevelina Pachova: Research Fellow at RMIT Europe, the European hub of Australian University RMIT, where she conducts research and supports the development and implementation of research and innovation projects in the field of urban development and sustainability transitions with a focus on the integration of nature-based solutions in urban development and planning, network governance and social inclusion. Prior to joining RMIT, Nevelina worked in the field of natural resources management and poverty reduction at different agencies of the United Nations University in Tokyo and Bonn.

Perlie Velasco: Assistant Professor at the Department of Civil Engineering, University of the Philippines – Los Baños (DCE, UPLB). She is the lead faculty in Environmental Engineering at the department with research projects in constructed wetlands and integrated solid waste management. She got her undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering at UPLB (2005), Master’s degree in Water Resources Engineering at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium (2010), and PhD Degree in Environmental Engineering at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Australia (2022). Her research works focus on membrane-based recovery of dissolved methane from wastewater effluent and constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment.

Antonina Torrens Armengol: Adjunct Professor at Biology, Healthcare and Environment department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona (UB) and the coordinator of Water Hygiene and Sanitation (WASH) and Nature Based Solutions (NbS) for sustainable development programs at the Solidarity Foundation, UB. She has a PhD in Environmental Science and Technology at UB. Her main research expertise is in the field of NbS for sustainable water management, water quality, and water reuse. She’s involved in numerous European research projects on water resources and international cooperation projects relatedto WASH and NbS for sustainable water management in Asia, Africa, and South America.

Veeriah Jegatheesan (Jega): Professor of Environmental Engineering at RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia. Jega is co-founder and Chairman of the international conference series on Challenges in Environmental Science & Engineering (CESE) held annually since 2008. Jega has conducted extensive research on the application of membrane bioreactors, sugar cane juice clarification and seawater desalination. He has over 450 publications including more than 170 peer-reviewed journal articles and five edited books.In 2019, Stormwater Industry Association (Australia) has appointed him as one of the Governance Panel members for the Australian Stormwater Quality Improvement Device Evaluation Protocol (SQIDEP).