1. Scope

Keywords

Rationale

This guide will establish a comprehensive framework for the planning, selection, and implementation of Nature-based Solutions (NBS) aimed at mitigating urban heat exposure. It outlines voluntary, evidence-based strategies that integrate vegetation, water, and landscape features into the built environment to lower ambient temperatures and promote thermal comfort. Urban heat is an escalating threat to public health, infrastructure, and city livability. With heat now the leading weather-related cause of death in North America, there is an urgent need for structured guidance on how nature-based approaches can reduce exposure to extreme temperatures. This guide will provide a consistent framework to support planning and investment in NBS, especially in urban areas that face climate vulnerabilities. Users may include: • Urban planners and city engineers • Landscape architects and building professionals • Public health and emergency services • Housing developers and infrastructure managers • Municipal, state, provincial, and federal agencies