Beyond ecosystem services approach. Exploring the Climate change Adaptation disservices of Nature-based solutions: empirical evidence from Barcelona (ES)

Abstract

In spatial planning research and practice, the narrative often employed in urban and rural climate change adaptation (CCA) policies, plans, and projects is that of green, blue-green, ecosystem-based, and nature-based solutions. Although the fact that these measures are necessary to address specific climatic and meteorological hazards and provide ecosystem services to urban and rural systems, they are often labelled as the ‘panacea for all ills’, i.e. all hazards and perils resulting from climate change (henceforth CC). Actually, the multi-hazard nature of CC and the inherent uncertainties it still holds force planners not to underestimate the planning and implementation of adaptation measures, with the aim of avoiding inefficiencies or even maladaptation. Therefore, this research focuses on adaptation services and disservices, with the latter still an unexplored field, of the “ecosystem-based” or “nature-based” measures with the aim of eliminating the naïve narrative with which they are often proposed in urban planning processes. An empirical case is critically analysed: the of the Barcelona City Council CC plan’s co-design and co-implementation processes.