Seth Magle
- Published in print:
- 2018
- Published Online:
- February 2019
- ISBN:
- 9780198753629
- eISBN:
- 9780191815225
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780198753629.003.0007
- Subject:
- Biology, Animal Biology
As our planet continues to urbanise, an increasing abundance and diversity of wildlife find ways to persist within cities and towns. I summarise general patterns of urban wildlife and also describe ...
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As our planet continues to urbanise, an increasing abundance and diversity of wildlife find ways to persist within cities and towns. I summarise general patterns of urban wildlife and also describe common interactions between people and wildlife in cities. Some of these encounters are very harmful, including property damage, transmission of disease, or attacks against humans or their pets. However, urban wildlife also have positive impacts on cities and urban residents, by providing ecosystem services such as pest control, and by inspiring a feeling of connection with nature. I discuss the implications of human attitudes for long-term coexistence between people and animals in cities, and point to areas for future research. As the biodiversity crisis continues to worsen, and as the planet continues to be modified by humans at an unprecedented rate, it is imperative that we make a place for wildlife within and near to our cities.Less
As our planet continues to urbanise, an increasing abundance and diversity of wildlife find ways to persist within cities and towns. I summarise general patterns of urban wildlife and also describe common interactions between people and wildlife in cities. Some of these encounters are very harmful, including property damage, transmission of disease, or attacks against humans or their pets. However, urban wildlife also have positive impacts on cities and urban residents, by providing ecosystem services such as pest control, and by inspiring a feeling of connection with nature. I discuss the implications of human attitudes for long-term coexistence between people and animals in cities, and point to areas for future research. As the biodiversity crisis continues to worsen, and as the planet continues to be modified by humans at an unprecedented rate, it is imperative that we make a place for wildlife within and near to our cities.
Jukka Jokimäki, Marja-Liisa Kaisanlahti-Jokimäki, and Pilar Carbó-Ramírez
- Published in print:
- 2013
- Published Online:
- May 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780199661572
- eISBN:
- 9780191810176
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:osobl/9780199661572.003.0016
- Subject:
- Biology, Ecology
This chapter analyses the impact of urban wooded green areas on assemblages of breeding birds, using case data from the town of Rovaniemi in northern Finland. It shows that breeding populations are ...
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This chapter analyses the impact of urban wooded green areas on assemblages of breeding birds, using case data from the town of Rovaniemi in northern Finland. It shows that breeding populations are influenced by factors such as the size of urban wooded green areas, their location, tree heights, and species occurrence and abundance in the immediate surroundings of wooded green areas. The traits of individual bird species also affect the occurrence of species in specific wooded green areas. Humans can help birds settle in urban wooded green areas by building nest boxes or by arranging (winter) feeding. The chapter concludes by urging more research on the factors affecting the behaviour of birds in urban environments, especially in urban green areas that are hotspots of urban biodiversity.Less
This chapter analyses the impact of urban wooded green areas on assemblages of breeding birds, using case data from the town of Rovaniemi in northern Finland. It shows that breeding populations are influenced by factors such as the size of urban wooded green areas, their location, tree heights, and species occurrence and abundance in the immediate surroundings of wooded green areas. The traits of individual bird species also affect the occurrence of species in specific wooded green areas. Humans can help birds settle in urban wooded green areas by building nest boxes or by arranging (winter) feeding. The chapter concludes by urging more research on the factors affecting the behaviour of birds in urban environments, especially in urban green areas that are hotspots of urban biodiversity.
Lindsay K. Campbell
- Published in print:
- 2017
- Published Online:
- May 2018
- ISBN:
- 9781501707506
- eISBN:
- 9781501714795
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Cornell University Press
- DOI:
- 10.7591/cornell/9781501707506.001.0001
- Subject:
- Environmental Science, Environmental Studies
This book begins with the question of why PlaNYC2030—New York City’s municipal, long-term sustainability plan, launched during the Mayor Michael Bloomberg administration—had a robust urban forestry ...
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This book begins with the question of why PlaNYC2030—New York City’s municipal, long-term sustainability plan, launched during the Mayor Michael Bloomberg administration—had a robust urban forestry agenda, but lacked an urban agriculture agenda. PlaNYC launched the MillionTreesNYC campaign, investing over $400 million in city funds and leveraging a public-private partnership to plant one million trees citywide. Meanwhile, despite NYC having a long tradition of community gardening and burgeoning interest in local food systems, the plan contained no mention of community gardens or urban farms. In contrasting the top-down, centralized investment in the urban forest with the dispersed and decentralized social movement around urban agriculture, the book describes the ways in which political, discursive, and material processes intertwine to construct nature in the city. Urban greening unfolds through the strategic interplay of actors, the deployment of different narrative frames, and the mobilizing and manipulation of the physical environment—including other living, non-human entities. Understanding how and why the sustainability agenda is set and implemented provides crucial lessons to scholars, policymakers, and activists alike as they engage in the greening of cities.Less
This book begins with the question of why PlaNYC2030—New York City’s municipal, long-term sustainability plan, launched during the Mayor Michael Bloomberg administration—had a robust urban forestry agenda, but lacked an urban agriculture agenda. PlaNYC launched the MillionTreesNYC campaign, investing over $400 million in city funds and leveraging a public-private partnership to plant one million trees citywide. Meanwhile, despite NYC having a long tradition of community gardening and burgeoning interest in local food systems, the plan contained no mention of community gardens or urban farms. In contrasting the top-down, centralized investment in the urban forest with the dispersed and decentralized social movement around urban agriculture, the book describes the ways in which political, discursive, and material processes intertwine to construct nature in the city. Urban greening unfolds through the strategic interplay of actors, the deployment of different narrative frames, and the mobilizing and manipulation of the physical environment—including other living, non-human entities. Understanding how and why the sustainability agenda is set and implemented provides crucial lessons to scholars, policymakers, and activists alike as they engage in the greening of cities.
Jürgen H. Breuste
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- December 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780199563562
- eISBN:
- 9780191774713
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199563562.003.0008
- Subject:
- Biology, Ecology
This section has provided an overview of the basic physical elements of urban ecosystems: climate, water, and soil. It has discussed the impact of human activities on these elements and how they are ...
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This section has provided an overview of the basic physical elements of urban ecosystems: climate, water, and soil. It has discussed the impact of human activities on these elements and how they are connected to the idea of land use as a key factor that drives ecologically relevant change. It has also emphasised the importance of the relationships between land use and urban form and the ecosystem process, how they influence urban ecosystem processes, and how they can be influenced by urban planning. In addition, it has considered the interaction between urban grey and urban green, along with the ecological relevance and physical functionality of the former; the impact of paved and built surfaces on urban climate, the urban heat island phenomenon, and urban hydrology; the stormwater retention capacities of paved and unpaved surfaces, which affect the surface runoff process; and water balance components.Less
This section has provided an overview of the basic physical elements of urban ecosystems: climate, water, and soil. It has discussed the impact of human activities on these elements and how they are connected to the idea of land use as a key factor that drives ecologically relevant change. It has also emphasised the importance of the relationships between land use and urban form and the ecosystem process, how they influence urban ecosystem processes, and how they can be influenced by urban planning. In addition, it has considered the interaction between urban grey and urban green, along with the ecological relevance and physical functionality of the former; the impact of paved and built surfaces on urban climate, the urban heat island phenomenon, and urban hydrology; the stormwater retention capacities of paved and unpaved surfaces, which affect the surface runoff process; and water balance components.
Konstantinos Tzoulas and Kim Greening
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- December 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780199563562
- eISBN:
- 9780191774713
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199563562.003.0032
- Subject:
- Biology, Ecology
Contact with nature is a determinant of health. In order to promote the health benefits of contact with nature in cities the design, management, and maintenance of urban green space require ...
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Contact with nature is a determinant of health. In order to promote the health benefits of contact with nature in cities the design, management, and maintenance of urban green space require integration of ecological, public health, and planning knowledge. The aim of this chapter is to provide an overview of the role that urban ecological knowledge can play in health promotion and disease prevention. This is achieved through a critical review of the literature and of public health activities from a range of countries. The first part of the chapter focuses on physical health and addresses the contributions of urban green space, through opportunities for physical activity, to the prevention of cardiovascular disease, some types of cancer, and type II diabetes. The effects of urban green space on the mental health and wellbeing of people may have a role to play in the treatment of depression and anxiety. Thus the psychological health effects of contact with nature are outlined in the second part of the chapter. The third part is concerned with the contributions of urban green space to the social determinants of health such as community wellbeing, social inclusion, and quality of life. This chapter highlights that urban ecological knowledge can play a principal role in improving the physical, biological, and social urban environments. Furthermore, it establishes how ecological knowledge can be integrated in the planning, design, and management of cities and of healthcare facilities and initiatives.Less
Contact with nature is a determinant of health. In order to promote the health benefits of contact with nature in cities the design, management, and maintenance of urban green space require integration of ecological, public health, and planning knowledge. The aim of this chapter is to provide an overview of the role that urban ecological knowledge can play in health promotion and disease prevention. This is achieved through a critical review of the literature and of public health activities from a range of countries. The first part of the chapter focuses on physical health and addresses the contributions of urban green space, through opportunities for physical activity, to the prevention of cardiovascular disease, some types of cancer, and type II diabetes. The effects of urban green space on the mental health and wellbeing of people may have a role to play in the treatment of depression and anxiety. Thus the psychological health effects of contact with nature are outlined in the second part of the chapter. The third part is concerned with the contributions of urban green space to the social determinants of health such as community wellbeing, social inclusion, and quality of life. This chapter highlights that urban ecological knowledge can play a principal role in improving the physical, biological, and social urban environments. Furthermore, it establishes how ecological knowledge can be integrated in the planning, design, and management of cities and of healthcare facilities and initiatives.
William G. Wilson
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- February 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780226901459
- eISBN:
- 9780226901473
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- University of Chicago Press
- DOI:
- 10.7208/chicago/9780226901473.001.0001
- Subject:
- Biology, Biodiversity / Conservation Biology
As our world becomes increasingly urbanized, an understanding of the context, mechanisms, and consequences of city and suburban environments becomes more critical. Without a sense of what open spaces ...
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As our world becomes increasingly urbanized, an understanding of the context, mechanisms, and consequences of city and suburban environments becomes more critical. Without a sense of what open spaces such as parks and gardens contribute, it is difficult to argue for their creation and maintenance: in the face of schools needing resources, roads and sewers needing maintenance, and people suffering at the hands of others, why should cities and counties spend scarce dollars planting trees and preserving parks? This book demonstrates the value of urban green. Focusing specifically on the role of vegetation and trees, the book shows the costs and benefits reaped from urban open spaces, from cooler temperatures to better quality ground water—and why it all matters. While this book is a work of science, it does not ignore the social component. The book looks at low-income areas that have poor vegetation, and shows how enhancing these areas through the planting of community gardens and trees can alleviate social ills.Less
As our world becomes increasingly urbanized, an understanding of the context, mechanisms, and consequences of city and suburban environments becomes more critical. Without a sense of what open spaces such as parks and gardens contribute, it is difficult to argue for their creation and maintenance: in the face of schools needing resources, roads and sewers needing maintenance, and people suffering at the hands of others, why should cities and counties spend scarce dollars planting trees and preserving parks? This book demonstrates the value of urban green. Focusing specifically on the role of vegetation and trees, the book shows the costs and benefits reaped from urban open spaces, from cooler temperatures to better quality ground water—and why it all matters. While this book is a work of science, it does not ignore the social component. The book looks at low-income areas that have poor vegetation, and shows how enhancing these areas through the planting of community gardens and trees can alleviate social ills.
Colin Fisher
- Published in print:
- 2015
- Published Online:
- January 2016
- ISBN:
- 9781469619958
- eISBN:
- 9781469619972
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of North Carolina Press
- DOI:
- 10.5149/northcarolina/9781469619958.003.0006
- Subject:
- History, Environmental History
This chapter describes how workers used rural and wild landscapes as well as urban green spaces to forge community and to make a working class. These laborers typically used these spaces to imagine a ...
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This chapter describes how workers used rural and wild landscapes as well as urban green spaces to forge community and to make a working class. These laborers typically used these spaces to imagine a reformed and sometimes utopian future, thereby adding a “green” dimension to Chicago’s labor movement during the early twentieth century. Trade unionists often held demonstrations along Ogden’s Grove, a popular place used by trade unionists to organize meetings and voice out concerns regarding labor conditions. Labor leaders spoke of a reformed society, a future world which workers would have eight hours for work, eight hours for rest, and eight hours to do “what we will.” These meetings eventually became large-scale demonstrations that conducted parades along the city and is usually ended with a picnic at various parks. Unionists view the picnic as an opportunity for workers to bridge ethnic and craft divisions.Less
This chapter describes how workers used rural and wild landscapes as well as urban green spaces to forge community and to make a working class. These laborers typically used these spaces to imagine a reformed and sometimes utopian future, thereby adding a “green” dimension to Chicago’s labor movement during the early twentieth century. Trade unionists often held demonstrations along Ogden’s Grove, a popular place used by trade unionists to organize meetings and voice out concerns regarding labor conditions. Labor leaders spoke of a reformed society, a future world which workers would have eight hours for work, eight hours for rest, and eight hours to do “what we will.” These meetings eventually became large-scale demonstrations that conducted parades along the city and is usually ended with a picnic at various parks. Unionists view the picnic as an opportunity for workers to bridge ethnic and craft divisions.
