Systemic approaches are increasingly relevant to account for the complexity involved in innovation, especially concerning the environment. In recent years, Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) have emerged as innovative and sustainable approaches to address urban, environmental, and social challenges. NBS represent several different potentialities and may be key means for targeting the goal of developing more sustainable and resilient alternative futures [1].
However, NBS should be understood as part of socio-technical systems, as they are deeply ingrained in social, political and cultural choices and interests. For NBS to succeed, they need to be consensualized and legitimized from the bottom up. This requires the use of participatory techniques that effectively engage people in the design and decision-making about their futures, and involve them from the beginning of the innovation processes. Therefore, NBS require deep and transparent methodologies of social engagement that bring scientists, decision-makers and people together to design and explore alternative futures - the “future we want” [1] [2].
This paper addresses the social engagement strategies employed in a specific project - the NBSINFRA, which aims to integrate NBS into urban infrastructure planning and development. Following different methods for stakeholder mapping, this project involved a comprehensive analysis of each stakeholder and was accompanied by an immersive fieldwork through which it was possible to reunite lay and scientific knowledge and create relevant synergies which are fundamental to increase social literacy on NBS, and bring people, with different ages, social status and interests, to the realm of the project development and continuity. Therefore, documenting all phases of the process, the paper will show how NBSINFRA project can showcase best practices in fostering community involvement and addressing socio-technical challenges in the implementation of NBS, so an early discussion on this topic can provide useful information for understanding the systemic nature of the NBS implementation process. This paper concludes by offering recommendations for scientists, policymakers, urban planners, and practitioners on how to effectively engage diverse stakeholders in NBS projects, ensuring their long-term viability and impact, contributing to enhancing social engagement in environmental sustainability actions.