15 innovations bringing nature back into our cities

15 innovations bringing nature back into our cities

As cities expand faster than in any point in history, so does their ecological footprint

UpLink's BiodiverCities Challenge called for innovative solutions enabling cities to become net-zero and nature-positive

15 Top Innovators have now been announced and will receive support to scale their impact



We live in an urban era, by 2050 cities will host nearly 70% of humanity. If cities don’t heal their relationship with nature, our species will face increasing threats. In this foreseeable future we might forget that cities are living systems where the positive relationship between the natural and built environment can be enhanced. Natural ecosystems, green and blue infrastructure can therefore help mitigate pollution, reduce risks from floods, heat waves and provide healthy air and water. Actions for urban nature conservation, sustainable management and restoration together with increased citizen engagement pave the way for BiodiverCities or nature-positive cities where their economic, social and ecological function come together in harmony.

In October 2021 the BiodiverCities by 2030 initiative, a collaboration between the World Economic Forum, the Government of Colombia and Alexander Von Humboldt Biological Resources Research Institute launched the BiodiverCities Challenge. The challenge called for innovative solutions enabling cities to become nature-positive and to fulfil