The emergence of nature-based solutions in Latin American urban policies: A critical review. The case of Bogotá, Buenos Aires, Santiago de Chile and São Paulo

Latin America, where over 80 % of the population lives in cities, faces urgent challenges in supporting biodiversity, strengthening climate resilience, and fostering urban well-being and social cohesion. Nature-based solutions (NbS) offer a valuable approach to addressing these socio-environmental issues. However, NbS remain largely driven by Global North perspectives and its development in Latin American remains a question. In this research, we examine how NbS are being integrated into urban policies and plans through four case studies in Bogotá (Colombia), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Santiago (Chile), and São Paulo (Brazil). We combined a literature review, to assess how NbS are theoretically conceptualized and perceived in the region, with an analysis of official policy documents, to identify how the concept is being incorporated into local planning. We then analysed both datasets together to understand what NbS integration in urban policies should entail in the region. Our findings show that NbS integration is still at an early stage, with clear disparities in the policies between global and local agendas. Greater efforts and practical experiences are needed to align the concept with local realities and to strengthen its role in policy discourse. To respond to this gap, we identify five key factors that can support both the integration and advancement of NbS in Latin American urban policies and serve as guidance for other cities in the region. We conclude that advancing NbS in Latin America requires a systemic, context-specific approach, grounded in local knowledge and priorities, and sustained through joint efforts and political commitment.