Preliminary analyses to support nature-based solutions planning in the urban area around Valletta, Malta

Nature-based solutions (NbS) must be carefully planned and designed to target in space and time the issues affecting a city. This study briefly presents and discusses preliminary analyses to support NbS planning in the urban area around Valletta, Malta.
Methodological steps and results are presented for the identification of spatial opportunities for NbS on the ground and the analysis of planning actions and implementation tools currently adopted by urban planning instruments to implement NbS-related interventions. A total of 337 ha was identified as potential opportunity space for NbS. Most recurrent planning actions identified are aimed to create new ecosystems, especially in public spaces.
Among implementation tools, compulsory regulations are less widespread than non-compulsory
guidelines and principles, with a substantial lack of incentive-based tools and compensation measures. Future research directions and the contribution of such preliminary analyses to support NbS planning are then discussed.