The solution we are proposing is an adaptive geospatial planning and operations toolkit that links stormwater hydraulics, soil characteristics, and micro-topography with plant functional traits and 3D rainfall simulations. Its
purpose is to optimize the spatial placement, type, and sizing of nature-based solutions (NBS), such as rain gardens, bioswales, tree pits, green streets, and retention areas, in pilot sites of partner cities. The toolkit would recommend locally adapted species mixes for each micro-site, drawing on an integrated knowledge base of plant traits and ecological indicators. It also provides a method to integrate realized NBS assets into existing 3D city models or digital twins, enabling simulation-based stress-testing and long-term monitoring.
Designed for interoperability with city digital twins, the platform ensures that cities maintain control over their models and data while gaining domain-specific intelligence for stormwater and biodiversity management.
Antscape’s contribution includes a plant library of around 900 species suited to the Baltic Sea region, each described by Ellenberg indicator values related to moisture, nutrients, light, and pH. This database allows precise matching between plant traits and local environmental conditions, supporting resilient, diverse, and high-functioning NBS.
By integrating hydrological, topographic, and ecological data, the toolkit helps cities design spatial green infrastructure that performs reliably under changing rainfall patterns. It guides the selection of plant species that improve infiltration, filtration, and durability while supporting biodiversity in urban microenvironments.
Continuous monitoring through digital twins enables adaptive management, proactive maintenance, and reduced lifecycle costs.
For urban planners, the solution delivers site-specific recommendations for NBS design and implementation, integrates biodiversity considerations, and enhances decision-making with spatially explicit data. This approach strengthens the ecological effectiveness, management efficiency, and long-term credibility of NBS as core components of sustainable urban water and landscape infrastructure.
