Promoting urban biodiversity for the benefit of people and nature

Published: March 25, 2025

In an increasingly urbanized world, urban biodiversity is people's primary contact with nature. However, as cities expand and densify, green blue spaces their are under pressure, risking declines in liveability. This Review discusses the benefits of multiple challenges it faces, identifies opportunities pathways towards developing sustainable, biodiverse for both humans The substantial biological richness that areas can harbour helps to mitigate environmental pressures, address adapt climate change, human health well-being. challenged by competition space, pressures declining engagement residents Understanding underlying mechanisms informs efforts create maintain high-quality blue–green infrastructure. Biodiversity-sensitive socially inclusive governance planning key biodiverse, cities. Urban policies should move cross-sectional approaches coordinate sectors such health, education, design. Developing shared environments nature contributes global conservation offers solutions social faced underpins ecosystem services cities, but faces from activities, nature, inadequate systems. provided biodiversity, its promotion conservation.

Language: Английский

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Urban agriculture matters for sustainable development

Cell Reports Sustainability, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 1(9), P. 100217 - 100217

Published: Sept. 1, 2024

Language: Английский

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Biodiversity-friendly practices to support urban nature across ecosystem levels in green areas at different scales

Urban forestry & urban greening, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 128682 - 128682

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Pathways for Cleaner, Greener, Healthier Cities: What Is the Role of Urban Agriculture in the Circular Economy of Two Nordic Cities?

Sustainability, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 16(3), P. 1258 - 1258

Published: Feb. 2, 2024

As major hubs for energy and resource consumption carbon emissions, cities are at the forefront of discussion on impacts megatrends, such as demographic changes, technological advancements, shift toward climate neutrality. Despite growing literature suggesting pathways to cope with these challenges, intersection between circular economy urban agriculture sustainable development has been little explored, especially concerning practical applications. To bridge this gap, study aimed explore role in promoting circularity resources city level. Aarhus, Denmark, Ås, Norway, provide empirical context that uncovers barriers impact successful implementation C-E practices UA delves into how obstacles challenge transitioning food production models. Using a case approach qualitative data sources, findings suggest while demonstrates potential reducing consumption, it requires further evidence-based research clear monitoring tools assess its environmental economic viability. Obstacles include regulatory social acceptance waste, high investment costs, limited recognition indirect impacts. Concerning recommendations, local governance public policies were found play central fostering by collaboration, innovation, developing frameworks, showcasing examples.

Language: Английский

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The Emergence of Irrigated Agriculture in Semi-Arid Zones in the Face of Climate Change and Urbanization in Peri-Urban Areas in Setif, Algeria

Sustainability, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 16(3), P. 1112 - 1112

Published: Jan. 28, 2024

This article aims to investigate the complex relationship between a local population and its natural urban environment. The study area, which was previously dominated by cereal cultivation, is currently facing profitability challenges due climate change, water scarcity, rapid expansion, overexploitation of aquifers, influenced changes in agricultural practices, are disrupting ecosystem. relies on three interconnected indicators, growth, change effects agriculture, NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index), reveals impact these factors practices. Google Earth Engine employed determine urbanization greenness indices using scripts. significant findings this demonstrate remarkable demographic growth 49.96% during period (2000–2020). Furthermore, has led new trend towards intensive farming, with substantial increase irrigated lands 44.19% multiplication protected crop 20 times, rising from 19.88 405.89 hectares. Additionally, horticultural production surged 212.4% same period. Moreover, groundwater levels shifted less than 50 m northern regions 150 300 southern part area. potential zone cannot meet demands orientation, tends deplete groundwater, potentially causing recurrent shortages products. underscores importance incorporating into future planning development programs maintain renewed balance built environments agriculture peri-urban areas.

Language: Английский

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Urban Food Forests: Seeing the fruit for the trees - a Systematic Quantitative Literature Review and emerging research gaps

Journal of Cleaner Production, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 145358 - 145358

Published: March 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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A review study on nature-based solutions (NBS) for urban agriculture in southern Africa

Deleted Journal, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 2(1)

Published: March 25, 2025

Language: Английский

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Pollution gradients shape microbial communities associated with ae. albopictus larval habitats in urban community gardens

FEMS Microbiology Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 100(11)

Published: Sept. 26, 2024

Abstract The Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus is well adapted to urban environments and takes advantage of the artificial containers that proliferate in anthropized landscapes. Little known about physicochemical, pollutant, microbiota compositions Ae. albopictus-colonized aquatic habitats whether these properties differ with noncolonized habitats. We specifically addressed this question French community gardens by investigating pollution gradients (characterized either water physicochemical combined variables or presence organic molecules water) influence microbial composition then presence/absence mosquitoes. Interestingly, we showed colonized waters did not significantly differ, exception N2O CH4 concentrations, which were higher samples. Moreover, larval covaried differentially along according colonization status. This study opens new avenues on impact areas raises questions biotic abiotic interactions adult life-history traits their ability transmit pathogens humans.

Language: Английский

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The urbanisation of controlled environment agriculture: Why does it matter for urban studies?

Urban Studies, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 61(8), P. 1430 - 1450

Published: Oct. 9, 2023

This paper critically examines why urban studies should be interested in the emergence of controlled environment agriculture. Over last decade, there has been significant commercial and policy interest agriculture systems for producing food enclosed environments. Furthermore, a expansion research publications on agriculture, stressing novel character these complex relationships with conventional concerns The subjects claims to critical scrutiny then reconceptualises as an emergent infrastructure artificial, highly productive microclimates ecosystems non-human life designed increase use ‘surplus or under-utilised’ spaces. We argue that tries secure production through three spatial–temporal fixes: (1) enclosure move – holding closer by substituting increasingly hostile outdoors indoors order optimise yield, quality, efficiency ‘cleanness’ food; (2) city rural agricultural space shorten supply chains thereby help improve its green credentials; (3) combining 1 2, interiorisation yet still moving into buildings intricate infrastructural systems, increasing control securing total In ways, shows how selectively extends existing logics identifies future challenges studies.

Language: Английский

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Design factors promoting the benefits of an edible campus in China

Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 8

Published: March 1, 2024

Currently, most university campuses in China are plagued by issues such as high food demand, imbalanced diets, serious waste and poor environmental quality. Research has shown that the multiple benefits of an edible campus, which may also be referred to a school garden or farm catering various educational levels, can help alleviate aforementioned problems. However, there is limited research on how promote campus through design. Therefore, taking South Campus Hebei University Technology example, this paper aims explore correlation between design campus. The factors benefit related extracted literature search. preferences predictions obtained 261 questionnaire surveys interviews with 30 participants. During statistical analysis phase, principal component regression applied analyze factors. results indicate: (1) categorized into seven categories: spatial location, carrier, size, space function, facility configuration, planting crop varieties, technology application. (2) include education, physical mental health, social interaction, ecological protection, economic output. (3) There significant differences positively negatively correlate different benefits. Among them, strongest positive exists function five benefits, followed central landscape container planting. Furthermore, causes behind analyzed, strategies for under orientations proposed. findings study contribute sustainable development China.

Language: Английский

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