Work

The feasibility of Nature-Based Solution (NBS) interventions: estimating the cost using the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The implementation of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) in urban contexts represents a sustainable strategy for climate change mitigation and adaptation and it is promoted by several national and international policies. However, despite their potential in supporting the transition towards more resilient and sustainable cities, their practical implementation remains limited and fragmented. Above the lack of knowledge and awareness regarding their benefits, the main criticalities which negatively affect their adoption concerns the absence of suitable tools for estimating costs related the entire life cycle of these solutions. This study aims to address this gap by proposing the use of the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) as a tool to hierarchical represent and describe NBS. This approach enables to simultaneously provide a detailed description of interventions and a clear classification of cost items, improving thus both the planning and the management of the economic resources for these solutions. The proposed model has been applied to estimate the overall life-cycle-costs of NBS designed for urban water management, or rather the Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS). This application demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed model in providing an analytical economic evaluation specifically tailored to the specific characteristics of each solution. One of the main strengths of the WBS method consists in its modular and flexible structure, which makes it a general reference model that can be applied and adapted to different project contexts. Furthermore, this research highlights the relevance of estimating costs across the entire life-cycle of NBS to ensure their sustainable implementation and management, thus contributing to their wider adoption and integration into urban climate adaptation strategies.

Source: Valori e Valutazioni

DOI: 10.48264/vvsiev-20253711

Authors: Giulia Datola, Andrea Ghisoni, Marta Dell’Ovo, Alessandra Oppio

Institution: Politecnico di Milano

Language: English

Topic: Urban Stormwater Management Solutions

Subfield: Environmental Engineering

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Sustainable cities and communities, Climate action, Clean water and sanitation

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $215