Building with Nature

Organised by UNEP & UN-Habitat Brussels, in partnership with Eurocities, ICLEI and the European Parliament.

Building with Nature: Responding to the Demand for Urban Development and Affordable Housing through a Biodiversity Lens examines how integrating biodiversity and nature-based solutions into urban planning and housing policies can help meet urgent needs for affordable housing, while also enhancing climate resilience and protecting ecosystems.

Why Attend

• Engage with policy developments around the European Housing Plan and the EU Biodiversity Strategy.
• Explore how spatial development, nature-based approaches (e.g. green infrastructure, urban vegetation) and large-scale retrofits can mitigate climate impacts like heat stress in dense urban environments.
• Hear from a range of practitioners, city planners, policymakers and European institutions as they address the triple planetary crisis (climate, biodiversity loss, pollution) through inclusive housing and urban design.

Format & Speakers

• In-person event, moderated by Dyfed Aubrey (UN Habitat Brussels).
• Speakers include Veronika Hunt Safrankova (UNEP Brussels), Francisco Carvalho (EUROCITIES), MEP Marcos Ros Sempere, Harriët Tiemens (Green Metropolitan Region of Arnhem-Nijmegen). Topics cover integrating biodiversity into housing, overheating in cities, policy frameworks, and inclusive spatial planning.

• Register here before 30 September 2025
• Official Link: https://www.unep.org/events/conference/building-nature