Urban Nature-based Solutions Sessions - Sept 2026

Collaboratively shaping nature-rich, resilient urban spaces through leadership, learning and nature-based innovation.
About this Event

Hosted by the University of London and UCL Sustainability teams, this one-day event explores and celebrates how we can collaboratively shape nature-rich, resilient urban spaces through leadership, learning and nature-based innovation.

NB: There are two sessions, a morning ‘unconference’ (currently calling for expressions of interest due to limited capacity) followed by afternoon talks and discussions, with a celebration in Scarlett Westbrook Garden at 5pm. Feel free to book one or both sessions.

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MORNING SESSION:

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'Nature-Rich Cities'

• Are you interested in improving the quality, biodiversity and resilience of urban landscapes through nature-based approaches?

• Are you seeking a forum for collaborative discussion and fresh perspectives?

• Would you like to connect with others driving change across research, industry, local communities, the built environment and public sector?

• Do you have ideas for accelerating urban greening at scale?

If “yes” to any or all of the above then please join us at Senate House, University of London, for a mini-Unconference where you can bring your experiences and ideas, and hear from others - all coming together to share knowledge and look for answers to the session's question:

"HOW CAN LEADERSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND INNOVATION ACCELERATE THE TRANSFORMATION OF OUR CITIES INTO THRIVING PLACES FOR PEOPLE AND THE REST OF NATURE?"

Session format:

Rather than follow a fixed agenda, this Open space inspired session focuses on conversation, collaboration and shared learning around the session question. Structured facilitation will support an agenda created by participants. Register to propose and lead discussions that matter to you – new ideas, broad strategic themes or detailed issues, challenges, success stories, learning opportunities, policies or practical solutions.

The format helps create a space for all to contribute their experience, learn from others and shape meaningful conversations and collective actions for more biodiverse, resilient, engaging and healthier urban spaces where people and nature can thrive together.

Morning Itinerary:

• 9:30 - 10:00 Registration
• 10:00 - 10.45 Introduction to Open Space process, topic offers from participants
• 10:45 - 11:30 AM Session One (1 – 8 topics)
• 11:30 - 11:45 Break
• 11:45 - 12.30 AM Session Two (1 – 8 topics)
• 12:30 – 13.15 Come together
• 13:15 - 14:00 Lunch (TBC)
• 14:00 - 14:45 Tour of Scarlett Westbrook Garden and Gordon Street Living Labs, south end of Woburn Square, between the Institute of Education and SOAS (What3Words location of the garden: grace.crop.insert)
  

Session outcomes:

• Inspired people
• Collaboration opportunities
• Networking between people with similar goals who don’t often have the chance to meet
• New ideas on how to activate Nature-Rich Cities
• ...for some - experience of a new, more collaborative conference format

How to register your interest for the morning session:

1. Please select the UNBSS 'MORNING SESSION' ticket
2. Ignore the 'Sold Out' section (that appears with Waitlist format)
3. Complete the form

*** We will be in touch by early September to confirm places ***

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AFTERNOON SESSION: 'Wilding Cities, Student Net Gain'

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Sharing collaborative co-creation processes for Nature-based Living Learning Laboratories on and around university and college campuses.

Please select the UNBSS ' AFTERNOON SESSION' ticket

"HOW CAN WE EMPOWER COLLECTIVE WILDING AND CARE OF OUR URBAN CAMPUSES AND LANDSCAPES, FOR RESILIENT, ENGAGING, EDUCATIONAL SPACES FOR PEOPLE AND THE REST OF NATURE TO THRIVE TOGETHER?"

Why attend?

Meet people creating Nature-based Living Labs to discuss questions including:

• How can university and college campuses become havens for people and wildlife?
• How can students and staff be empowered to turn campuses and nearby areas into living, learning spaces?
• What benefits do biodiverse campuses bring to students, staff and local communities?
• What skills can be gained through hands-on creation of nature-based Living Labs?
• How important is ecologically-literate institutional leadership?

Includes:

• 14:00 - 14:45 Tour of Scarlett Westbrook Garden and Gordon Street Living Labs, south end of Woburn Square, between the Institute of Education and SOAS (What3Words location of the garden: grace.crop.insert)
• 14:45 - 15:00 Registration at Senate House

PM Session One

• 15.00 Wild Ideas: How can we design, create and care for more biodiverse cities and urban campuses and landscapes?

With ecologist Andy Phillips, urban activist and community gardener Carole Wright, gardener and garden designer Susanna Grant, biodiverse public realm innovator John Little, Steve Packman, Nurture Group

• 15.45 Break

PM Session Two

• 16.00 Student Net Gain: How can students and other communities be empowered to take action?

With Liz Morley, Wilding Campuses at Nottingham College, Lucy Walker on Manchester Metropolitan University’s Nature-based Living Lab, Evan Landy and Blanche Cameron, on UCL’s Nature-based Living Labs, Natalie Isaac, Emilia Mizielinska and Resource 12 on co-creating the University of London’s Nature-based Living Lab at Scarlett Westbrook Garden with Scarlett Westbrook (TBC).

17.00 Celebration in Scarlett Westbrook Garden, south end of Woburn Square, between the Institute of Education and SOAS (What3Words location of the garden: grace.crop.insert)

Who Should Attend and What We Will Cover

Aimed at: Educational institutions, local authorities, ecologists, educators, researchers, designers, planners, builders, developers, investors, health professionals, transport professionals, community organisations

Working Themes: urban wildlife, experimenting, empowerment, connection, co-creation, care, resilience, water and biodiversity, health and wellbeing, leadership, working for nature.