An increasingly important aspect of analyzing the challenges facing cities today is the integration of nature. Nature-based solutions have the potential to successfully cope with the adverse effects of extensive urbanization and climatic change. On the other hand, the incorporation of smartness in cities is a critical issue. This paper aims to analyze the steps towards integrating nature-based solutions and smart city aspects to develop a web-based data platform that focuses on tackling and investigating the role of nature-based solutions in city health and well-being and returns a digital twin of the natural and built environment, including health-related key performance indicators. Seven pilot cities are used as a basis for the analysis. The architecture of a smart green city data platform is described. The interaction with the citizens is ensured through apps and games. The paper lays the foundation for a future “phygital” NBS world.

This study constitutes a first step towards a better understanding of the associations between human Health and Well-Being (H&WB) and urban green space characteristics. Utilizing various Key Performance Indicators for two green spaces in the city of Chania, we report their capacities in terms of greenness availability, accessibility, usage, air temperature reduction, as well as air pollution removal. Our report consists of in-situ measurements, modelling results and questionnaire data. Despite Municipal Garden of Chania’s (MGC) lower total carbon storage, it demonstrates denser vegetation, leading to efficient carbon sequestration and higher Normalized Difference Vegetation Index values. Accessibility favors MGC, with both spaces offering similar attractiveness, safety and acoustic comfort. Saint Apostoles Park (SAP) proves more effective in air pollutant reduction. Temperature differentials between green and urban areas are pronounced, with SAP and MGC showing lower temperatures. The findings underscore the importance of strategic urban planning to bolster human H&WB.