When we think of urban crises, we often imagine floods in coastal cities or heatwaves in drought-stricken regions - problems that seem far removed from our own neighbourhoods. Yet cities everywhere face urgent challenges, from social inequalities to biodiversity loss. With over 57% of the global population now living in cities - expected to rise to 67% by 2050 - urban crises affect millions at once, making it critical to ensure cities can adapt and thrive.

This World Habitat Day, ICLEI highlights the crucial role of urban nature in times of crisis. Green spaces cool our cities, store carbon, filter water, and provide vital habitats for biodiversity, while also contributing to the well-being of residents. However, the impacts of climate change and rapid urbanisation threaten these benefits, making it urgent to design cities that remain liveable and resilient. Nature - including the soil beneath our feet - can help us achieve this.

Healthy ecosystems are a key component of resilient urban habitats, and the importance of soils in particular should not be underestimated: they host 59 % of global biodiversity, regulate water, store carbon, and provide the foundation for urban ecosystems.

“Facing common city challenges such as heat, densification and competition for land, Mannheim harnesses an integrated approach using synergies of greening, sustainable construction and pollution-free environment measures to improve urban nature and quality of life.” - Frida Brett-Smith, City of Mannheim.

ICLEI member Mannheim is actively transforming industrial areas into urban nature hotspots and green corridors - continuous stretches of green space that connect natural areas with one another - supporting both biodiversity and residents’ access to nature. The city is implementing its Local Green Deal, its Municipal Biodiversity Strategy, and is participating in EU initiatives like Commit2Green and UNP+ to strengthen climate adaptation, biodiversity, and social inclusion. Further soil remediation ensures that brownfields can safely become parks, forests, and wetlands. From the historic Luisenpark to the 80-hectare Spinelli nature reserve, new green spaces have been added where they are most needed.

Citizen participation is central: online platforms, workshops and the city’s Participation Advisory Board ensure that residents, NGOs, scientists and municipal departments help shape projects from the start. By combining ecological restoration, sustainable planning and community engagement, Mannheim shows how formerly industrial cities can become liveable, climate-resilient and nature-rich.

EU policies such as the EU Directive on Soil Monitoring and Resilience and the EU Nature Restoration Regulation provide the framework for these efforts. ICLEI supports cities in addition with initiatives like SPADES, the Berlin Urban Nature Pact and SoilTRIBES in promoting soil-friendly urban planning and innovative restoration approaches to create more biodiverse habitats.

Want to learn more?

• SPADES - Diagnostic Workbook: a practical guide for integrating soil health into spatial planning.
• The Berlin Urban Nature Pact outlines 28 specific, measurable targets across seven key areas - such as green and blue infrastructure, soil health, and biodiversity education - to guide cities in reversing biodiversity loss and fostering nature-positive urban environments by 2030. Read the Berlin Urban Nature Pact.