event

Workshop: Nature-Based Solutions in Cities

10

May

This workshop will be delivered within the context of the project “Nature-based solutions for a cleaner and safer Macao” implemented by the Institute of Science and Environment at USJ and supported by the Drop by Drop Project, Clean the World Foundation and Las Vegas Sands.

Workshop framework

The increase of population in cities associated with climate change impacts can create innumerable environmental, economic and social problems, around the world. Urban areas have become more impermeable, with an increase fragmentation of habitats, ecosystem degradation, intensification of the heat island effect, water, air and land pollution and consequently leading to deterioration of human wellbeing and disconnection to nature. 

The strategy for changing territories dynamics involves the use of Nature-Based Solutions to promote multifunctional areas, operating at different scales and relying on nature to generate environmental (e.g., biodiversity conservation or adaptation to climate change), economic (e.g., job creation and property valuation) and social (e.g., water drainage) advantages. Nature-Based Solutions also play an important role in mitigating the effects of urbanization, aiming to strengthen urban ecosystems in order to be more resilient to the challenges of climate change and contributing to the transition to a low carbon economy. To meet the ambitious goals of the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement, there is a need to entail substantial global investments and an unprecedented transformation of the infrastructure system.

This workshop will address the Nature-based solutions principles, concepts, barriers and opportunities for action. Strategies for Nature-based solutions landscape integration in cities will be delivered as their contribution to climate change mitigation and adaptation. Examples of Nature-Based solutions will be closely looked at, such as, green roofs and walls, mangroves and constructed wetlands. Expert views and practical experiences will be shared.

This workshop will be delivered within the context of the project “Nature-based solutions for a cleaner and safer Macao” implemented by the Institute of Science and Environment at USJ and supported by the Drop by Drop Project, Clean the World Foundation and Las Vegas Sands. It also aligns to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

Engagement time: 20 hours
Schedule: 14h-18 hours
Course type: online-course + 2 presential technical visits
Instruction Language: English
Certificate of participation will be awarded to participants who complete at least 80% of the Sessions.

Registration:

You may register here until May, 3, 2021. 

For other inquiries about the workshop, contact 201900464@usj.edu.mo

Participants will be limited to 30 individuals, and registration is on a first-come-first served basis. The link for Sessions 1 to 3 (online) of the workshop will be sent to applicants after successful registration.

Schedule:

Program Contents:

Session 1

• Nature-based solutions: Principles and concepts.
• Nature-based solutions for climate change mitigation and adaptation.
• Barriers and opportunities for action.
• Strategies for NBS landscape integration in cities.

Session 2

• Case studies.
• Invited speaker: Günter Langergraber, Ph.D. / Title of the talk: Nature-based solutions and circular cities.
• Invited speaker: Sofia Pereira, Ph.D. / Title of the talk: Phytotechnologies for soil management.

Session 3

• Case studies.
• Invited speaker: Bernhard Pucher, Dipl.-Ing. / Title of the talk: Water use and reuse at the building scale – applying circular economy concepts using nature-based solutions.
• Invited speaker: Alexandros I. Stefanakis, Ph.D. / Title of the talk: Constructed Wetlands for sustainable wastewater treatment and reuse: case studies and opportunities.

Session 4

• Technical visit – Green roof -Taipa.

Session 5

• Technical visit to Macao wetlands: A boat trip to explore the mangroves from the coastal areas in Taipa, Cotai and Coloane will be arranged, subject to weather conditions. Alternative visits to the wetlands by land will be arranged in case weather issues arise.

Moderator: Karen Araño Tagulao (ISE/USJ)

About the Speakers:

Course Instructor:  Cristina Calheiros (CIIMAR/USJ)

Cristina Calheiros is Environmental Engineer and holds a PhD in Biotechnology. Currently works as a Research Scientist at CIIMAR – Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research of the University of Porto in the field of Nature-Based Solutions. Closely collaborates with the Institute of Science and Environment-University of Saint Joseph-Macau SAR/China, where is invited Professor. She is Board Member at Ordem dos Engenheiros and Vice-President at The Portuguese National Association of Green Roof (ANCV). She is also a Climate Reality Leader. Recently has integrated the international network of COST Action – Implementing nature-based solutions for creating a resourceful circular city. Her work focuses on water management and treatment solutions, phytoremediation, climate change adaptation and mitigation through nature-based solutions (e.g., green roofs and walls, constructed and floating wetlands) and education for sustainability.

Invited Speakers: