Building upon these ideas, this section explores four distinctive approaches through which pathways towards nature-positive, just and equitable urban development are built in practice (Figure 5.10).
The case studies in this section show how initiatives and processes that are allowed to mature over time provide room for reflexive learning, which in turn expands the scope for transformative change.
5.5.1 Renaturing the city with equity
The notion that cities should be designed with and not against nature is not new, but has re-emerged in recent years (McHarg 1969; Steiner et al. 2019).8
Under the wide umbrella
of “urban greening”, “biophilic cities” and the “renaturing” of cities, there is a growing call for collective action to protect biodiversity in and around cities in order to ultimately prevent irreversible loss and damage to the natural systems on which humankind depends. This is known as a “nature-positive” approach to urban development.
In this pathway, nature-based solutions should be adopted across different urban systems and ecosystems, for example, in coastal cities where urban landscapes and seascapes meet and where human behaviour and urban development have profound impacts on both terrestrial and marine ecosystems (United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific 2019). This
field is now evolving from its original focus on economic and instrumental values to encompass a more critical and holistic perspective on justice and equity issues (Randrup et al. 2020).9
Responses to calls for renaturing cities include
Barcelona’s Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity Plan 2020, Melbourne’s vision to enhance the city’s biodiversity and human well-being by restoring native vegetation through nature-based solutions, and Shanghai’s ambition to become a “sponge city” for flood prevention through the replacement of concrete sidewalks with permeable pavements, street rain gardens and rooftop gardens.
Meanwhile, other cities are engaging in participatory processes that guide environmentally sustainable regeneration in targeted derelict areas, a trend observed across many American cities, which have transformed previous rail corridors into public greenways under the Rails-to-Trails initiative, while also providing havens and habitat for wildlife (Scherrer et al. 2021). A similar approach has been adopted in Berlin, where citizen action has led the transformation of the disused Tempelhof airport into one of the city’s most popular parks. Formerly, a symbol of Nazi megalomania, in 2014 the park was at risk of privatization due to pressure from investors to capitalize on its real estate development potential (Bijak and Racoń-Leja 2018). However, the site was reclaimed as part of the city’s commons, thanks to the action of 100% Tempelhofer Feld [100% Tempelhofer Field], a group of civil society organizations that act as environmental stewards to conserve the park’s biodiversity and prevent its development (Schalk 2014).
Figure 5.10: Pathways for nature-positive, just and equitable urban development
Securing the right to the city for multiple species by transforming and grounding urban gover nance processes and deepening democratic practices.
Building justice beyond the city, tackling the impacts that cities impose upon distant ‘elsewheres’.
Injecting equity considerations – such as racial justice- into the pursuit of environ- mental sustainability.
Re-naturing the city to enhance health and well-being of all citizens, urban biodiversity, the
provision of ecosystem services and resilience to climate change shocks. electrified transportation systems.
8 Since 2008, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has included a focus on cities and subnational governments. The Plan of Action on Subnational Governments, Cities and Other Local Authorities for Biodiversity (2011–2020), adopted in 2010, has helped cities coordinate local and national biodiversity strategies and action plans. The Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework will guide implementation for the coming decade in pursuit of the 2050 vision of “living in harmony with nature”. In addition, CitiesWithNature – a joint initiative by ICLEI, The Nature Conservancy and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with support from the CBD – provides an international platform for cities to enhance their urban nature and work towards greater sustainability.
9 Race and gender equality considerations have played a key role in expanding the scope of current debates and practices. For example, the work of GenderCC – Women for Climate Justice is an example of the emerging global networks that are seeking to overcome gender-blindness throughout the world. GenderCC is a broad coalition that works throughout the Global North and Global South to ensure that gender-responsive approaches are implemented in urban climate adaptation, mitigation and low-carbon development. For more information about GenderCC’s work, see https://
www.gendercc.net/
home.html.
Achieving Urban Transformation: From Visions to Pathways
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