New study explores the integration of wildlife and denser populations in urban planning

by British Ecological Society

Relationship between nature, biodiversity, and ecosystem provision. (a) The relationship

 between habitat area and avian species richness in New York City (La Sorte et al., 2020).

(b) Conceptual drawing of urban development (gray) near a waterbody (blue) in a matrix of

 remnant habitat (green), with important biodiversity areas protected with corridors between

 them (McDonald, 2015). Note that small green spaces within the urban area (not shown) 

can improve matrix quality and help maintain biodiversity as well (Forman, 2008).

 (c) Neighborhood vegetation cover and the odds of having depression, from a study in

 southern England. Shown is the reduction in the odds of having depression, relative to 

the base case, if a vegetative cover threshold is exceeded (Cox et al., 2017). 

(d) Conceptual drawing of urban development (gray) near a waterbody (blue) in a matrix 

of green spaces (green), where each urban neighborhood is surrounded by green spaces

 that can provide benefits to residents (McDonald, 2015). Credit: People and Nature (2023)

. DOI: 10.1002/pan3.10423

A new study from The Nature Conservancy (TNC) explores how we can make our cities work better for people and wildlife, challenging longstanding assumptions about the merit of green spaces in our communities

Urban planners have long debated the value of building more green spaces such as parks and gardens—amenities that benefit both humans and wildlife—into city plans, versus the creation of denser urban developments that allow the natural habitat to thrive beyond city limits.

However, a recent study published in the open-access journal People and Nature explores a new option of urban planning that allows the accommodation of dense populations common in cities, whilst simultaneously meeting the needs of the natural world more effectively.

The study, conducted by TNC, challenged established assumptions within the scientific and planning community. For example, tree cover percentage declining as cities become more densely populated, was proven to be less pronounced than previously thought.

By analyzing existing approaches, as well as highlighting cities already creating the right balance of people and wildlife, the study pioneers an alternative method of city design that allows for the accommodation of both denser populations as well as wildlife.

"This needn't be a zero-sum game," explains senior author and TNC lead scientist for nature-based solutions, Rob Mcdonald. "Having denser cities doesn't automatically mean less space for nature."

Elaborating on the study's recommendations, senior co-author Erica Spotswood describes the creation of the paper's "nine green interventions", inspired by cities like Singapore and Curibita in Brazil, that act as guidelines for "urban planners to balance denser development with the needs of nature. Encompassing everything from urban parks to 'green' roofs."

More information: Robert I. McDonald et al, Denser and greener cities: Green interventions to achieve both urban density and nature, People and Nature (2023). DOI: 10.1002/pan3.10423

Provided by British Ecological Society Green streets: Why protecting urban parks and bush is vital as our cities grow and become denser