UrbanSWARM

UrbanSWARM uses “Swarm Planning”, a method inspired by nature, to identify strategic “nucleation points” where small interventions can create a big ripple effect. The project focuses on three areas: implementing circular water systems, giving new life to construction and demolition waste, and boosting biodiversity in degraded areas. We will bring these ideas to life in four Urban Living Labs: Amsterdam and Utrecht (Netherlands), Sint-Niklaas (Belgium), Elliniko-Argyroupoli (Greece), and the Valencia Metropolitan Area (Spain). Each lab represents a real urban context, where solutions will be co-created through collaboration between local residents, municipal authorities, regional agencies, private sector partners, knowledge institutions, and other experts. Through mapping, digital modelling, and shared indicators, we will help cities make smart, evidence-based choices. The aim is to create multifunctional public spaces that cool and protect cities from climate impacts, enhance biodiversity, and strengthen social ties, proving that small-scale actions can lead to big changes.

UrbanSWARM will show how small-scale, strategically placed NbS in underutilized urban areas can catalyse broader circular, climate-resilient, and inclusive transformation. The project will generate evidence through research and practical application of their ecological, social, and spatial benefits, with measurable improvements in biodiversity, water management, heat reduction, material reuse, and community well-being. Partner cities will gain co-created tools, design guidelines, and governance models to support informed, adaptive decision-making. By embedding these approaches in Urban Living Labs, UrbanSWARM will build institutional capacity, foster cross-sector collaboration, and strengthen public trust in NbS-led urban regeneration. A strong network of consortium and cooperation partners, the U!REKA European University Alliance, and other supporters will ensure broad uptake, replication, and scaling. In the long term, UrbanSWARM aims to inspire cities across Europe to embed small-scale NbS into policy, planning, and social frameworks, accelerating progress towards EU climate and sustainability goals and supporting future-ready urban transformation.