Water environments are dynamic and strongly impacted by humans and climate change. To ensure long-term functionality, developments that interface with these environments must be designed with respect for local natural, physical and biological processes. This is also DHI’s approach: working with nature from start to finish.

DHI partners with the public and private sectors – including governments, non-profits and developers – to develop impactful, nature-based solutions (NbS) and nature restoration that address water challenges with a strong environmental focus. Examples of NbS and nature restoration include artificial reefs, barrier re-vegetation, sand dune re-creation and rainwater harvesting in cities, among others. We support all phases of NbS implementation with specialised and science-based advisory services, tailored to the scale and needs of each project.

The issue

Climate change, the biodiversity crisis, impacts from coastal infrastructure and a growing population present significant challenges for the planet. Balancing the needs of nature and people with practical funding, space and technical constraints poses additional challenges. It is clear that we need to find new, innovative solutions to use, manage and live with water and to protect water-related ecosystems while enhancing socio-economic benefits. NbS provide a significant opportunity to solve many of these social and environmental challenges using natural features and processes tailored to the local environment.