Urbanization effects on biodiversity are no longer neutral—relationships between urbanization and biodiversity have become a global concern. Biodiversity is a hot topic, and it’s inextricably linked to sustainable urban development. Urban planners must understand the importance of biodiversity in urban environments and create biodiverse urban scenes that contribute to human wellbeing.
Section 1: The Importance of Urban Biodiversity
Biodiversity in the City: A Necessity, Not a Choice
From urban heat island mitigation to conservation, biodiversity in cities plays a critical role in enhancing urban ecosystems. Opportunities for conserving biodiversity within urban landscapes, including urban green spaces, help connect urban habitats for various species. These elements are vital for promoting biodiversity and improving urban residents’ lives.
Section 2: Strategies for Biodiversity Conservation
Integrating Biodiversity in Urban Planning and Design
Local biodiversity conservation and sustainable urban development require integrating both native and non-native propagules from both urban and rural sources. Urban planning must emphasize protecting urban biodiversity and the development of more biodiverse urban environments. Strategies such as green roofs illustrate the role of urban environments in biodiversity conservation and support urban conservation policies.
“Building Sustainable Cities that Address Critical Needs”
To address the loss of biodiversity, urban design must shift towards developing more biodiverse urban environments. From informal ecosystems into the urban infrastructure, to untangling the role of urban habitats, urban planners have promising opportunities to create sustainable cities that address critical pressures exerted by urban environments on nature.
Section 3: Research and Future Perspectives
Understanding Patterns of Urban Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
The assessment on biodiversity and ecosystem services, as well as biodiversity research over the last decade, highlights new approaches to supporting biodiversity. By recognizing the biodiversity impact of green infrastructure, urban conservation and sustainable urban development can be reimagined.
Global Biodiversity and Urban Development
The role of urban ecosystems as habitats and the global assessment on biodiversity show how urban biodiversity and related ecosystem services are essential. The conceptual development of urban biodiversity research paves the way for innovative practices to support and enhance biodiversity in public and private areas for biodiversity conservation.
Conclusion: Biodiversity and the Future of Urban Living
The integration of biodiversity in sustainable urban planning has become a necessity for the future. By creating, conserving, and supporting urban biodiversity, cities are taking significant strides towards a sustainable and thriving ecosystem. Biodiversity in urban areas is no longer a concept; it’s a reality shaping the cities of tomorrow.
