OPERANDUM has implemented over 10 different NBS in seven EU territories since its start in July 2018. These NBS has been co-designed, co-developed and implemented within the Open-Air Laboratories with the scope of demonstrating the efficacy in mitigating hydro-meteorological risks. In 2022, OPERANDUM will integrate the results to set-up a robust methodology for upscaling and replication of the tested solutions.
OPERANDUM (OPEn-air laboRAtories for Nature baseD solUtions to Manage hydro-meteorological risks) is a four- and half-year project funded by the European Commission within the H2020 programme that aims to demonstrate, through real-life implementation, the efficacy of so-called nature-based solutions (NBS) to mitigate the impact of extreme weather. Within OPERANDUM several hazards are studied such as river flooding, coastal erosion, shallow landslides, salt intrusion, droughts. The overarching idea of OPERANDUM is that nature-based solutions can be used in alternative to typical engineering design based on concrete to mitigate hazards driven by climatic conditions in the present and future years. At the core of the project, there is the set-up of laboratories (Open Air Laboratories) in several countries selected according to the specific hazard to be investigated in which different NBS are co-designed and implemented according to the local needs and tested through continuous monitoring and assessment. The overall objective of the project is to build a science-evidence protocol for the adoption of NBS according to hazards, climatic zones, cultural and economic settings in Europe and elsewhere. OPERANDUM intends to set up solid knowledge for the adoption of nature-friendly solutions by stimulating the dialogue with local authorities and policy makers.