Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) in ground improvement

Submit your abstract here by 16 October 2026!

Introduction

Ground improvement is critical to the safe and sustainable development of infrastructure, yet some conventional approaches can be energy- and resource-intensive, and environmentally disruptive. In response to growing climate, biodiversity and resource challenges, Nature‑Based Solutions (NbS) are attracting increasing interest as complementary or alternative approaches that incorporate natural processes into engineering practice.

This special issue seeks to explore the current and future potential of NbS in ground improvement, including their capacity to provide resilient and low-carbon alternatives or complements to traditional techniques. The issue invites high‑quality contributions that investigate the use of vegetation, bio‑mediated processes, including bio-cementation, biopolymers and mycelium-based reinforcement, and ecological design to enhance soil properties, improve stability and mitigate geohazards. Submissions may include experimental studies, field applications, modelling approaches, long-term monitoring, sustainability assessments and critical reviews that advance theoretical understanding and practical implementation. Interdisciplinary perspectives are particularly encouraged, bridging geotechnical engineering and ground improvement with environmental science, biology, materials science and ecology.

By bringing together cutting‑edge research and real‑world case studies, this special issue aims to foster innovation, identify technical, environmental and implementation challenges, and support the responsible uptake of NbS in geotechnical practice, contributing to more sustainable and resilient infrastructure systems.

List of Topic Areas

Core technical themes

• Bio mediated and bio-inspired ground improvement and soil stabilisation, including MICP, EICP, bio mineralisation, microbial processes, fungal systems, biopolymers and living materials
• Vegetation based soil reinforcement, root-soil interaction, slope stabilisation and erosion control
• Hybrid NbS-conventional ground improvement techniques
• Use of natural fibres and biodegradable materials in ground improvement
• Treatment delivery, spatial uniformity and optimisation of bio-mediated processes
• Numerical and analytical modelling of NbS in ground improvement
• Laboratory validation, field trials, case studies and long term performance monitoring
• Durability, resilience and whole-life performance of NbS
• Upscaling, standardisation and reliability of NbS in ground improvement projects
• Environmental assessment, carbon impacts and ecological co-benefits and trade-offs
• Bio-based protection and rehabilitation of foundations and underground infrastructure

Submission Information

Submit your abstract here

Author guidelines must be followed

Submissions are made using River Valley. Registration and access are available at: https://ice-review.rivervalley.io/journal/jgrim
 

Once you have registered, navigate to the journal that you wish to submit to. Choose article type "Special Issue" and then the specific name from the drop-down menu on screen.