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Monitoring is an ongoing process that should begin during the operation and maintenance phase but has to continue for years or decades to assess performance. The monitoring of NBS performance is critical to ensuring that these solutions function as intended and provide the desired benefits, such as stormwater management, water quality improvement, and biodiversity
enhancement.
Effiecient monitoring depends on the objectives of NBS. When we know what the NBS is intended to do, it is easier to select and monitor key parameters, such as water retention, nutrient removal, and biodiversity levels. The monitoring data also support adaptive management, allowing cities to adjust maintenance or design practices based on actual performance. This ensures that NBS remain effective over time and can inform future planning efforts. On this site you can find the key NBS objectives together with suggested monitoring parameters and approaches.
Maintenance practices of cities
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Tampere treats nature-based solutions (NBS) as part of the city’s public infrastructure and has integrated their maintenance into existing municipal operations. A key feature of the approach is the use of GIS-based asset management, which supports the planning and coordination of maintenance activities, improves resource efficiency, and helps ensure consistent maintenance across the city.
Tampere has a comprehensive network of real-time sensors across the city to support decision-making, maintenance, stormwater planning and modeling. Precipitation, water level, flow and quality are monitored and the monitoring data is transferred to City’s IoT platform. Machine learning- based prediction models are built for flood protection.
Learning and adaptation are embedded in maintenance practices. Information on hydraulic performance, ecological condition, and operational challenges is collected through inspections, routine observations, and project evaluations. In addition, extreme weather events and other signs of system stress provide valuable insights into catchment behaviour, infrastructure performance, and maintenance needs.
Knowledge gained through implementation and maintenance is shared through regular reviews involving stormwater specialists, maintenance personnel, and asset managers. These discussions help incorporate lessons learned into future planning, design, operation, and maintenance practices.
Through the combination of GIS-supported asset management, evidence-based monitoring, and continuous learning, Tampere has established an adaptive approach to NBS management that supports long-term functionality and resilience of the urban stormwater system.
Monitoring and maintenance objectives
Additional reading
City Blues. 2025. Innovative monitoring approaches for nature-based solutions – Interreg Baltic Sea Region
UNaLab. 2019. Performance and Impact Monitoring of Nature-Based Solutions.