#034 - Laia Bonet: How Restoring Nature Can Save Cities from Floods and Rising Seas

What can we learn from communities and ecosystems to create greener, safer cities?In this episode, Laia Bonet shares her inspiring journey from designing buildings in Switzerland to tackling climate resilience challenges across Africa. After moving to Cameroon and later Nairobi to work with UN-Habitat, Laia shifted her focus from architecture to creating solutions for rapidly growing urban areas in Sub-Saharan countries like Comoros, Mozambique, Madagascar, Malawi and in the Sahel region.She explains the power of nature-based solutions, like restoring mangroves in Madagascar, which protect against floods, absorb CO2, and support local ecosystems. Laia also talks about the cultural challenges of promoting sustainable materials like bricks over concrete and highlights the role of participatory planning in creating long-term solutions.From the devastating floods in Valencia to urban strategies in Africa, Laia reflects on the challenges cities face in adapting to climate change and shares valuable insights from her experiences. This episode highlights stories of collaboration, innovation, and the collective effort needed to build a greener, more resilient future!To explore more about Laia Bonet and her work, you can follow her on Linkedin.Join me, Ladina, on this green journey, and don't forget to subscribe for more insightful conversations about sustainable living and architecture and drop us a review. If you have suggestions for future guests or topics, I'd love to hear from you on my socials!Let's explore the world of green architecture, one conversation at a time.Contact: Ladina ⁠⁠@ladinaschoepf⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠buildinggreenshow.comProduced by: ⁠⁠marketyourarchitecture.com⁠