1. General information
Location and description of the intervention
City or FUA
Phoenix (FUA)
Region
Northern America
Short description of the intervention
For thousands of years the Rio Salado, also known as the Salt River, and its larger mainstem, the Gila River, served as an important perennial source of life and growth for indigenous people residing in central Arizona, including the Akimel and Piipaash (3). Today, the Salt River is an ephemeral river corridor connecting diverse urban communities across an expansive and growing Maricopa County (3). While the river is now typically defined by intermittent flow as a function of water conservation and distribution in an arid urban climate, it also has powerful flows during the Arizona monsoon season providing a diverse and unique ecosystem for the region (3). To foster the health of the River, a regional multi-decade project was initiated in 2018 called Rio Reimagined, which includes six cities and two tribal communities (1). Rio Reimagined is a planning initiative in a very early concept stage, centered around the mission to support and enhance this treasured river corridor (3). The goals of Rio Reimagined consist of connecting communities, Equitable & Sustainable Development, and Restoring and Revitalizing Healthy Rivers (3). As part of the Rio Reimagined, the City of Phoenix founded a collaborative project called Rio PHX that will help promote a 20-mile Rio Salado (Salt River) corridor as a local and regional destination that attracts positive investment for the benefit of existing/future businesses, residents, and tourists (1). The final aim with this project is to improve health outcomes for existing and future residents by address outstanding needs in the area and create opportunities for housing, employment, recreation, art, and ecological restoration (1). From May 2024 to May 2025 Rio PHX will engage in creating a community profile, an existing conditions assessment, community engagement & visioning, developing implementation strategies and drafting the master plan (1). Public hearings and final plan adoption are set to take place in fall 2025 (1).

Website of the intervention
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/d5b0d8db08294f9cbc0e69875a81dc4e
Principal problems
Environmental Degradation
Biodiversity loss
Land use and Socio-economic change
Economic losses due to disasters and environmental degradation
Limited economic opportunities and local livelihoods
Health, Well-being and Social cohesion
Inadequate access to recreational opportunities
Implementation area characterization
Climate
Arid (Desert, Steppe)
Ecosystem
Deserts
Urban or built environment
Address

United States

Location
The NBS is situated in an area, with clear delineation of boundaries and a specific shape (polygon). The NBS project can also have more than one area location (more than one polygon, situated close by).
Area boundary (map-based)
NBS area image
Source of NBS area image
Source: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/d5b0d8db08294f9cbc0e69875a81dc4e
Area description
Urban (main city)
Freshwater landscape (e.g. river, lake)
Type of area before implementation of the NBS
Freshwater setting (e.g. river, channel, lake, pond)
Timeline of intervention
Start date of the intervention (planning process)
2018
Start date of intervention (implementation process)
in planning stage
End date of the intervention
unknown
Present stage of the intervention
In planning stage
Objectives of the intervention
Goals of the intervention
The goals of Rio PHX as part of the larger Rio Reimagined Project are to:

1. Address outstanding needs in the area and create opportunities for housing, employment, recreation, art, and ecological restoration (1).
2. Improve health outcomes for existing and future residents (1).
3. Champion the transformation of the Salt river, redefining the evolving relationship with water and reconnecting our communities to one another and the environment (3).
4. Cultivate public spaces that unite Phoenix, enrich people’s lives through access to open space and recreation, create opportunities for education, and promote diverse programming to inspire support for a healthy river ecosystem (3).
5. Inspire and unite businesses and non-profits in the engagement of thoughtful and sustainable economic, recreational, and equitable development along the river (3).
6. Unite and inspire the community in the protection, preservation, and revitalization of the Salt Rivers unique and precious habitat (3).
7. Reignite a long-term effort of thoughtful restoration and a reimagining focused on cultural and physical history, revived riparian ecology, and the support of vast biodiversity (3).
Key Priorities
Biodiversity (conservation and/or restoration)
Social Justice and community
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Green space creation and/or management
Habitat and biodiversity restoration
Cultural heritage and cultural diversity
Preservation of natural heritage
Health and well-being (SDG 3)
Creation of opportunities for recreation
Improving physical health
Inclusive and effective governance (SDG 16)
Inclusive governance
Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
Social justice and equity
Environmental education
Sense of community and community engagement
Economic development and employment (SDG 8)
Tourism support
Employment/job creation
What types of restoration goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?
Species-focused
Ecosystem-focused
What activities are implemented to realize the restoration goals and targets?
Rehabilitate and restore damaged or destroyed ecosystems
Restore native species
Restore ecological connectivity
Implementation activities and NBS focus
Implementation activities
As part of the larger regional Rio Reimagined project, Rio PHX has engaged in a variety of activities including:

In 2024, the collaborative Rio Reimagined initiative was established to revitalize the 20-mile Rio Salado corridor across Phoenix and realize a unified vision for the area (1). The project has been structured into four phases, with clear boundaries defined for the initial phase (1). A step-by-step timeline guides this first phase: Step 1, "Who We Are," Step 2, "What We Want," Step 3, "How We Get There," and Step 4, "Public Hearing and Final Adoption" (1).

The planning process actively includes various property and business owners, alongside community stakeholders, to ensure diverse representation and input (1). To support sustainable development, an approved native plant list was published for use in areas near the Rio Salado (5). Additionally, a comprehensive Rio Reimagined Visual Guide was released, which outlines standards for building and site design, as well as guidelines for fencing and landscaping, to be incorporated into all future development proposals (6).

The project officially launched with initial activities, including an Existing Conditions Assessment and extensive Public Outreach and Visioning efforts, setting the groundwork for this transformative urban renewal (2).
Type of NBS project
Management and improved protection of rivers and other blue areas
River rehabilitation/ restoration
Restoration of riparian vegetation
Ecological restoration of ecosystems
Restoration and protection of ecosystems (including water ecosystems)
Knowledge creation and awareness raising
Educational and awareness raising programs
Strategy, plan or policy development
Creation of city-wide or neighborhood green and blue infrastrcuture protection or enhancement strategies/plans
Community-based programs (e.g. "Green Your Laneway Program")
Improved governance of green or blue areas
Establishment of inclusive governance mechanisms involving local communities
NBS domain and interventions
Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented
Blue infrastructure
Rivers/streams/canals/estuaries
Amenities offered by the NBS
Unknown
Design elements for well-being
None of the above
Services
Expected ecosystem services delivered
Habitat and supporting services
Habitats for species
Cultural services
Tourism
Mental and physical health and wellbeing
Intellectual interactions (scientific and / or educational)
Social and community interactions
Scale
Spatial scale
Micro-scale: District/neighbourhood level
Beneficiaries
Demographics in implementation area
The project takes place over a 32187 meter span along the Rio Salado in Phoenix. In the nearby area the average age range of individuals is between 25-35 (7). Over 80 percent of residents identify within a minority group primarily hispanic (7). 58 percent of households in the area are registered as family households with an average median income of $50,000 to $74,999 USD (7).
Socio-economic profile of the area
Middle-income
Communities vulnerable to environmental hazards or climate change impacts
Yes
Specification of climate or environmentally vulnerable communities
Riverfront communities
Urban heat islands
Minority or marginalized ethnic groups
Non-government actors
Non-governmental organisation (NGO) / Civil society / Churches
Private sector/Corporate/Business
Citizens or community groups
Primary Beneficiaries
Citizens or community groups
Specify primary beneficiaries
The goal behind Rio PHX is to create a policy document that will help promote a 20-mile Rio Salado (Salt River) corridor as a local and regional destination that attracts positive investment for the benefit of existing/future businesses, residents, and tourists which will benefit the larger Rio Reimagined project aiming to redefining our evolving relationship with water and reconnecting our communities to one another and the environment (1, 3).
Marginalized groups
Unknown
Other beneficiaries
Local wildlife (e.g., birds, pollinators)
Native plant vegetation
Natural habitats (e.g. wetland, forests, coastal areas)
Public health (e.g. increased physical activity opportunities, reduced stress)
Governance
Governance arrangements
Co-governance with government and non-government actors
Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative
-Local government: The city of Phoenix initiated and is leading the Rio PHX project (1-2).
-Regional government: The state of Arizona is a large stakeholder in the larger Rio Reimagined project and includes six cities and two tribal communities. (3-4).
-Citizens or community groups: In the first phase of Rio PHX the city placed significant emphasis on community engagement in the planning and design of the project (1).
-Private sector: Rio PHX is aimed at creating benefits for existing/future businesses and consulted local businesses during the design process (1).
-Non-governmental organisation (NGO): non-profit and community-based organizations will be incorporated as stakeholders in the project (4).
Key actors - initiating organization
Regional government
Local government/municipality
Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors)
Non-government organisation/civil society
Citizens or community group
Private sector/corporate actor/company
Stages of citizen and community engagement
Planning and design (e.g. site selection, identification of key priorities)
Development of project proposal
Decision-making among different alternative plans
Level of citizen and community engagement
High
Community empowerment or capacity-building initiatives
Creation of collaborative decision-making processes that actively involve community members
Participatory methods/forms of stakeholder involvement (all stakeholders)
Co-planning (e.g. stakeholder workshops, focus groups, participatory mapping)
Deliberative decision-making processes (e.g., consensus building, deliberative polling)
Dissemination of information and education
Consultation (e.g. workshop, surveys, community meetings, town halls)
Co-management/Joint management
Uncommon actors ("Missing actors")
Unknown
Land owners
Public space owned by the city
Policy drivers
NBS intervention implemented in response to a Regional Directive/Strategy
Unknown
NBS intervention implemented in response to a national regulations/strategy/plan
Unknown
NBS intervention implemented in response to a local regulation/strategy/plan
Yes
Please specify the "local regulation/strategy/plan"
Rio PHX is a local strategy to transform the 20-mile Rio Salado Corridor (Phoenix segment) as a defining feature that enriches the history, culture, and natural beauty while fostering vibrant, walkable communities along and beyond its banks and builds upon other existing infrastructure investments in the area (2).
Relevant strategy or plan
Municipal / city level environmental plan or programme
Urban redevelopment plan
Mandatory or voluntary intervention
Voluntary (spontaneous)
Enablers & Barriers
Type of enablers
Unknown
Governace and decison-making instruments
Strategic instruments (e.g. GI strategies, green space strategy or plans)
Public - community agreement (e.g. citizen science programs; citizen assemblies)
Arrangements for governance cooperation
Unknown
Barriers
Unknown.
Financing
Total cost
Unknown
Please specify total cost (EUR)
The funding for the project is not publicly disclosed, however it is a city led-initiative.
What is/was the Cost/Budget (EUR) of the NBS or green infrastructure elements?
n/a
Source(s) of funding
Public local authority budget
Type of fund(s) used
Earmarked public budget
Non-financial contribution
Yes
Who provided the non-financial contribution?
Citizens (e.g. volunteering)
Private sector (businesses, financial institution)
Type of non-financial contribution
Provision of expertise
Co-finance for NBS
No
Entrepreneurship opportunities
Unknown
Business models
Business models
Urban offsetting model (biodiversity or water)
Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model?
Public actor (e.g. municipality)
Impacts, benefits
Environmental impacts
Water management and blue areas
Enhanced protection and restoration of freshwater ecosystems
Expected enhanced protection and restoration of freshwater ecosystems
Green space and habitat
Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
Expected increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
Increased number of species present
Expected increased number of species present
Description of environmental benefits
1. Enhanced protection and restoration of freshwater ecosystems: "The initiative unites and inspires river communities in the protection, preservation, and revitalization of the Salt and Gila Rivers’ unique and precious habitat." (3)
2. Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems: "To this end, in 2018, Rio Reimagined reignited a long-term effort of thoughtful restoration and a reimagining focused on cultural and physical history, revived riparian ecology, and the support of vast biodiversity." (3)
3. Increased number of species present: "Drought-tolerant native plant material should be utilized
throughout the site. Plant materials along the river frontage should adhere to those listed in the “Approved Plants and Top-Dressing Application for Development Adjacent to Rio Salado” plant list. This list includes the use of milkweed shrubs and other drought-tolerant species." (6)
Economic impacts
Stimulate development in deprived areas
Expected stimulate development in deprived areas
Attraction of business and investment
Expected attraction of business and investment
Description of economic benefits
1. Attraction of business and investment: "RIO PHX is a collaborative effort by the City of Phoenix and various property/business owners and community stakeholders to create a policy document that will help promote a 20-mile Rio Salado (Salt River) corridor as a local and regional destination that attracts positive investment for the benefit of existing/future businesses, residents, and tourists. " (1)
2. Stimulate development in deprived areas: "
As a shared natural and cultural asset, the Salt and Gila river corridor provides a unique opportunity for Rio Reimagined to inspire and unite businesses and non-profits in the engagement of thoughtful and sustainable economic, recreational, and equitable development along the river." (3)
Social and cultural impacts
Social justice and cohesion
Improved social cohesion
Expected improved social cohesion
Improved access to urban green space
Expected improved access to urban green space
Health and wellbeing
Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
Expected gain in activities for recreation and exercise
Improved physical health
Expected improved physical health
Cultural heritage and sense of place
Improvement in people’s connection to nature
Expected improvement in people’s connection to nature
Education
Increased support for education and scientific research
Expected increased support for education and scientific research
Safety
Increased perception of safety
Expected increased perception of safety
Description of social and cultural benefits
1. Improvement in people’s connection to nature: "The Rio Reimagined initiative champions the transformation of the Salt and Gila rivers in the heart of the Valley, redefining our evolving relationship with water and reconnecting our communities to one another and the environment." (3)
2. Increased support for education and scientific research: "The work of Rio Reimagined is to cultivate public spaces that unite us, enrich people’s lives through access to open space and recreation, create opportunities for education, and promote diverse programming to inspire support for a healthy river ecosystem." (3)
3. Improved social cohesion: "OBJECTIVE: Transform the 20-mile Rio Salado Corridor (Phoenix segment) as a defining feature that enriches our history, culture, and natural beauty while fostering vibrant, walkable communities along and beyond its banks and builds upon other existing infrastructure investments in the area." (2)
4. Gain in activities for recreation and exercise: "Bicycle facilities and parking should be provided to encourage
multimodal transportation use." (6)
5. Improved physical health: "The final aim with this project is also to improve health outcomes for existing and future residents." (1)
6. Increased perception of safety: "Spaces should be designed to encourage a sense of safety using
crime prevention through environmental design principles (CPTED) and other techniques."
7. Improved access to urban green space: "Pedestrian connections should be provided to the closest public
street, and any trail/shared use pathway where allowed by Parks Department." (6)
Evidence for use of assessment
Presence of an assessment, evaluation and/or monitoring process
Yes
Actors involved in the assessment, monitoring or evaluation of NBS impacts
Local government/municipality
Presence of indicators used in reporting
No evidence in public records
Presence of monitoring/evaluation reports
No evidence in public records
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
Name of any specific impact assessment tools
unknown.
Use of GIS in mapping impacts
No evidence in public records
Cost-benefit analysis
Unknown
Transparency
Inclusion of diverse stakeholders in project governance processes (e.g. planning, implementation, monitoring, etc.)
Clear communication channels for stakeholders to provide feedback, raise concerns, and ask questions about the project
Justice
Community satisfaction
Unknown
Description of locals satisfaction with the project
No specific benefits or sentiments have been expressed by the community.
Trade-offs & Negative impacts
Unknown
Please specify Trade-offs & Negative impacts Selected
n/a
Emphasis of existing social inequalities or injustices
No information reported related to negative social justice-related impacts of the NBS project
Measures to prevent gentrification or displacement
No initiatives or policies were implemented
High-quality & Transformative NBS
Multiple impacts delivery (climate, biodiversity, just community)
No
Goal setting and impacts delivery
No, project goals were not set, and benefits were not delivered in all 3 key areas.
Reaching original project goals
Inconclusive as the project is still undergoing implementation, or is still on its planning stages
Long-term perspective
Unknown: No information about the project's long-term sustainability.
Cost-effective solutions
Unknown
Equitable impacts
C. Unknown
Transformative capacity
Systemic change (the NBS caused changes across the social, ecological and technological dimensions)
Magnitude of change
Reformist: by focusing on addressing underlying drivers of change but failing to address the problem structurally or systemically
Application of lessons learned
Unknown
Perception of Environmental Change
Unknown
References
1.
City of Phoenix (2024). RIO PHX. [Source link] [Archive];
2.
City of Phoenix (n.d.). Project Overview. [Source link] [Archive];
3.
Rio Reimagined (n.d.). ABOUT RIO REIMAGINED. [Source link] [Archive];
4.
Rio Reimagined (n.d.). RIO REIMAGINED REGIONAL VISION PLANNING PROCESS UPDATES. [Source link] [Archive];
5.
City of Phoenix (n.d.). APPROVED PLANTS AND TOP DRESSING APPLICATION FOR DEVELOPMENT ADJACENT TO THE RIO SALADO. [Source link] [Archive];
6.
City of Phoenix (n.d.). Rio Reimagined Visual Guide. [Source link] [Archive];
7.
Maricopa Association of Governments (n.d.). Phoenix Demographics . [Source link] [Archive];
Comments and notes
Comments
There is no address for the project as it spans a 20-mile Rio Salado corridor throughout Phoenix. This case is somewhat challenging because nothing has been implemented yet and it is largely still just in the planning phase while still being a part of the much larger Rio Reimagined project so a lot of the goals overlap.
Public Images
Rio
Rio
https://www.phoenix.gov/pdd/riophx