Healthcare
anyTarget: Private clinic or rehabilitation center
If you are a clinic dealing with high rates of patient depression and hypertension — this project developed tailored NBT programs that use nature to improve recovery and prevention.
NATURELAB · Project
Nature-Based Therapy Systems for Urban Health and Climate Resilience
healthTestedTRL 5
Imagine using a city park or a community garden as a pharmacy where the 'medicine' is the environment itself. This work tests how spending time in specific green and blue spaces can lower blood pressure and treat depression. It creates a guidebook for designing these spaces so they help people heal while also fighting city heat and flooding.
By the numbers
4,000
participants in NBT programmes
15
Experimental Sites
600
health professionals trained
10,000
educational and training materials delivered
The business problem
What needed solving
Urban populations face rising cardio-respiratory and mental health issues due to stress and pollution. Current healthcare systems underutilize nature-based therapies because they lack scientific evidence and standardized design guidelines.
The solution
What was built
Tailored NBT programs, a portfolio of health indicators for nature spaces, and design guidelines for public and private healing gardens.
Audience
Who needs this
Urban landscape architectsPublic health administratorsRehabilitation clinic ownersCity water and environment managersCorporate wellness consultants
Business applications
Who can put this to work
Urban Planning & Landscaping
SMETarget: Commercial landscaping firm
If you are a landscaping firm dealing with a lack of scientific standards for health-focused gardens — this project developed guidelines for creating and managing public and private healing gardens.
Real Estate Development
enterpriseTarget: Residential property developer
If you are a developer dealing with strict urban water management and air pollution rules — this project developed a portfolio of indicators to classify the health potential of green areas to increase property value.
Frequently asked
Quick answers
What is the cost or price of implementing these therapies?
Based on available project data, specific pricing or implementation costs are not provided; however, the project is developing a Programme Guide for funding schemes to support NBT in the health sector.
Can this be scaled to an industrial level?
The project is testing these interventions across 15 Experimental Sites in five countries, involving 4,000 participants, which provides a scalable model for different urban and rural contexts.
How is the IP or licensing handled for the guidelines?
Based on available project data, there is no specific mention of licensing terms, but the project delivers guidelines for healing gardens and NBT programs intended for public health sector integration.
What regulations does this address?
The project addresses regulations regarding urban water management, air pollution, noise levels, and natural capital accounting.
What is the timeline for deployment?
The project period runs from 2023-06-01 to 2027-11-30, indicating that final guidelines and programs will be ready by late 2027.
Consortium
Who built it
The consortium is well-balanced for commercial transition, featuring a 29% industry ratio with 4 industrial partners and 3 SMEs. The mix of 4 universities and 2 research centers across 6 countries ensures a strong scientific base, while the inclusion of SMEs suggests a focus on practical, marketable deliverables like design guidelines and training materials.
How to reach the team
Contact Laboratorio Nacional de Engenharia Civil in Portugal
Next steps
Talk to the team behind this work.
Contact us to access the NBT design guidelines and health indicator portfolios.
More in Health & Biomedical
See all Health & Biomedical projects →