Enhancing Nature-Based Solutions Through the Bioregional Approach: The Case Study of Agri Park of Florentine Piana, Italy

Nature is increasingly recognized as a key ally in addressing a wide range of societal challenges, including microclimate regulation, climate change mitigation, water management, the creation of green jobs, and the promotion of health and well-being. Nature-based solutions (NbS) are defined as approaches that are inspired by and work with nature, providing cost-effective strategies that deliver simultaneous environmental, social, and economic benefits. However, as highlighted in the literature, significant challenges remain in fully realizing the transformative potential of NbS. This paper explores how current NbS methodologies and practices can be enhanced by critically addressing the limitations in their conception, design, and implementation. Presenting the case study of the Agri Park of the Florentine Piana, in Italy, we propose the adoption of the Urban Bioregion approach—a design framework aimed at rebalancing the relationship between built and open spaces—as a means to enrich NbS strategies and foster a renewed co-evolution between human communities and the natural environment.