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Diagram 'Ego-Eco'-Humankind is part of the ecosystem, not apart from or above it. This diagram depicts this simple fact clearly (diagram: S. Lehmann, 2010).
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Climate change is occurring around us and impacting on our daily lives, meaning that we have to deal with our cities in a different way. There is also increasing awareness of the need for daily contact with green spaces and the natural environment in order to live a happy, productive and meaningful life.
This reflective essay tells the narrative of...
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... for instance believed that animals had no feelings. His belief was: 'Man is at the top and Earth is here for us to use, to exploit' (see: Figure 1). The seminal book 'The limits to growth ' (Meadows et al., 1972) displayed the limits of finite resources and noted that the whole Industrial Revolution was about taking and extracting minerals and resources, and disposing of waste, with a complete disregard for the environment (see: Figure 2). ...
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In the face of the Covid-19 crisis, the city model of the new Leipzig Charter of the EU was re-evaluated. The existing urban development model of a mixed and compact city is to be mainly maintained because the urban density or building typology does not influence the spread of Covid-19. But the pandemic has made it clear how important green space a...
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... Bambine e bambini in questo senso dovrebbero poter abitare, incontrare e sperimentare l'ambiente circostante quale fonte di conoscenza e apprendimento costante, facendo esperienze dirette: infatti, l'interazione degli esseri viventi con il loro ambiente non dovrebbe essere trasmessa memorizzando contenuti astratti, ma dovrebbe realizzarsi attraverso esperienze empiriche, a partire dall'esplorazione e dalla conoscenza profonda dagli ambienti più prossimi , quali giardini, cortili, parchi cittadini, marciapiedi e altro ancora, anche se apparentemente più antropizzati ma invece ricchi di opportunità di scoperta (Guerra, 2022). Queste occasioni supportano la creazione di legami profondi con gli ambienti (Mahidin & Maulan, 2012;Lehmann, 2019), accrescendo l'empatia e il desiderio di riconnessione con gli stessi, un legame intenso e radicato capace di innescare quel desiderio di impegno e responsabilità nella conservazione di specie diverse quali soggetti degni di cura e protezione. Infatti, l'incremento di una coscienza ambientale riguarda in primo luogo lo sviluppo di un amore profondo per la natura, che può consentire a bambine e bambini di interagirvi secondo attitudini rispettose, consapevoli ed ecologiche (Mortari, 1998;, che permettono ad ognuno di sentirsi parte di un tutto, modificando sensibilmente i propri atteggiamenti: vivere un ambiente in prima persona può dunque permettere di comprenderlo appieno attraverso tutti i sensi, ristabilendo un legame più forte ed iniziando a capire più chiaramente le strette relazioni che intercorrono tra noi e il mondo circostante, favorendo una comprensione situata delle conseguenze dirette delle proprie azioni, determinate anche semplicemente December 2016), para 6; Human Rights Council, Rights of the Child: Realizing the Rights of the Child Through a Healthy Environment, UN Doc A/HRC/RES/45/30 (13 October 2020), para 9. dal nostro passaggio in un luogo, capace di alterare micro-dinamiche ed equilibri delicati. ...
... Urban parks play a diverse role in metropolitan surroundings' ecological, social, and economic aspects (Ayala-Azcárraga et al., 2019). Urban parks provide numerous ecological advantages, serving as reservoirs for carbon absorption to alleviate climate change, promoting biodiversity preservation, and enhancing air and water quality (Lehmann, 2023). Urban parks provide a social function by providing inclusive environments that promote community, improve mental well-being, and encourage physical health and leisure activities. ...
Urban parks have long been celebrated for their ecological, social, and economic benefits. However, their role in commercial gentrification, especially in rapidly developing urban landscapes like Shanghai, remains relatively unexplored. This research paper delves into this uncharted territory. The study employs a rigorous difference-in-differences (DID) model to examine the influence of newly established urban parks on commercial gentrification in Shanghai in 2019, covering an extensive area of 6340.5 km². The findings reveal a significant increase in gentrification-related businesses, particularly exotic eateries and coffee/tea beverage shops, in the vicinity of urban parks. This growth underscores the need to consider public health implications in urban design due to potential changes in food environments. Moreover, the research highlights diverse spillover effects, emphasizing that parks closer to city centers have a more substantial impact on commercial gentrification than those farther away. Community parks with extensive grounds and well-designed amenities also exhibit higher service concentrations, underlining the importance of meticulous urban planning to ensure equitable access to green spaces. The theoretical implications of this study challenge traditional notions of urban parks’ exclusively positive effects and call for a more nuanced approach in urban planning, considering potential unintended consequences like commercial gentrification. This research enriches academic discourse on the evolving dynamics of urban spaces. Furthermore, the policy implications stress the importance of comprehensive urban planning strategies, emphasizing the evaluation of park dimensions, placement, and amenities to maximize benefits while minimizing negative impacts. The study advocates for health-focused initiatives in park planning and the implementation of laws to ensure that expanded green spaces benefit all socio-economic groups, promoting socio-economic diversity while fostering dynamic, vibrant communities. This research offers valuable insights that extend beyond commercial gentrification, contributing to informed decision-making in urban green policy and sustainable development in China’s evolving urban landscape.
... In this sense, relevant reports in the field estimate that more than 2 billion people live in highly water-stressed countries, and this figure is expected to grow shortly (Caretta et al., 2022). In addition, the effects of climate change will probably spread the water stress problem to countries that have not previously experienced it (Lehmann, 2019). The alteration in the dynamics of rainfall has caused drought and flood situations to become more frequent, increasing the problems of water storage and water availability (Hadjikakou et al., 2013;Liu et al., 2017). ...
... For these reasons, strong relationships must be established between the shape of cities and climate change adaptation strategies (Gerundo, 2018). By restoring nature to the city, proposing NBSs and permeable materials, there is an overall improvement in soil ecosystem services, as they help cool city temperatures, better manage water drainage, increase biodiversity, improve air quality and generate well-being (Dessì et al., 2016;Lehmann, 2019;Cortinovis et al., 2022). Urban regeneration, in addition to limiting soil consumption by recovering obsolete and/or degraded urban fabric, can also activate soil de-sealing interventions, i.e., the removal of the surface impermeable layer, to increase the permeability of soils, their ecological performance and their capacity to provide ecosystem services (Science for Environment Policy, 2016; Maienza et al., 2021;Garda, 2022). ...
It is well known that extreme heat waves or weather events combined with the increased soil consumption and sealing processes are significantly affecting urban systems especially the most exposed and vulnerable. These urban challenges call for specific mitigation and adaptation actions; soil de-sealing (i.e., the removal of the impermeable surfaces for increasing green areas and restoring soil ecosystem functions) may be one of the possible solutions. However, this urban practice, to have meaningful outcomes, would need widespread and systematic application in urban areas that can be pursued only if supported by innovative programming and planning tools based on the construction of in-depth knowledge frameworks on the permeability and vulnerability of urban soils.
In this regard, the paper aims to outline a methodological approach, supported by GIS technology, to map in detail urban public soils and identify priority areas to be de-paved. In particular, the method assesses the permeability of public land in relation to hydraulic and heat island hazard exposure of potentially vulnerable urban systems. The methodological approach is applied to a pilot case in the city of Parma to test its potential and limitations, with the goal of creating a replicable procedure.
... Learning from nature has become increasingly recognised as a key driver in sustaining the surrounding man environment relation (Walker & Salt, 2012). Those who regularly visit green areas, or perceive a connection to nature, are generally increasingly inclined to act in directions that support environmental health, including recycling and conservation (Ives et al., 2018;Lehmann, 2019). Moreover, economically attractive NTFP of the local people help to reduce the deforestation and thus address conservation objectives. ...
As it is known that “reconnecting to nature” is essential for sustainability, there are few studies on why reconnecting humans to nature is essential and how it can be accomplished. This study is aimed at finding innovative, yet sustainable ways to reconnect people with nature. The objective of the paper is to enhance the biodiversity knowledge of local residents through conservation of non-timber forest products (NTFPs). In the study, urban respondents’ knowledge about biodiversity with particular reference to non-timber forest products (NTFPs) was analysed for the first time. To achieve the objective of this study, participatory appraisal, one-on-one interviews, dual moderator focus groups, ethnographic field research, and semi-structured questionnaire were used. Plant name boards with local names and their NTFP values for the selected species were also installed. Results suggest that NTFP-producing species played a vital role in making people interested in biodiversity. It can be considered as one of the innovative ways to improve surrounding biodiversity, for further enhancing biodiversity knowledge, based on archival study and local community’s knowledge about NTFP producing species, NTFPs plantation also done across the study area like parks, roadside, open space. This paper also explored how this study could contribute to the formulation of policies in terms of creating various urban green covers in Indian cities, following the strategies of joint forest management, social forestry, and agroforestry.
... One way of achieving that is by bringing children to natural areas and implement handson activities. The opportunity to experiment facilitates the creation of bonds with the environment, and the community (e.g., [20,23,30]). Also, children must have the opportunity to act and contribute to transformation from an early age and actively participate in decision-making processes [31]. ...
Blue and green ecosystems are considered a key for the improvement of cities sustainability, providing numerous ecosystem services and habitat for many species. However, urban streams are still neglected and degraded, specially in southern European countries. One important step towards the rehabilitation of these ecosystems is the awareness of their importance by citizens. This study aimed to assess the effect of 1-year of activities (field and laboratory) of an environmental education project on primary school children, in improving their knowledge on urban stream ecosystems and their problems. We analyzed students’ questionnaires before and after field and laboratory activities, drawings and group interviews. Initially, most children had incipient contact with rivers and streams, showing fears and lack of knowledge about them. As the project progressed, their perceptions changed, with a clear increase in the proportion of students recognizing the biodiversity associated to rivers (e.g., names of riparian trees, aquatic plants and invertebrates). Also, their fears decreased significantly, while their awareness to the impacts of artificialization and lack of riparian vegetation increased. Our results show that direct contact with nature have a positive role in the way it is understood by children, as well as promoting responsible and sustainable behaviors, being effective from the early primary-school years.
... The human reconnection with nature has been addressed as a challenging aspect in the urban context due to the complexity of achieving a tangible connection as well as the nature of urban expansion, which tends towards building rather than preserving. However, green urbanism in general is seen to be a promising alternative for reconnecting the urban space with the nature while preserving eco-diversity within the urban context [19,20]. ...
The concept of sustainable urban design has appeared in different perspectives to minimize and reduce the negative impacts of urban expansion in terms of climatic and environmental drawbacks. One of the undeniable approaches of sustainable urban design is the adoption of green urban roofs. Green roofs are seen to have a substantial role in addressing and resolving environmental issues in the context of climate change. Research investigations have indicated that green roofs have a remarkable impact on decreasing rainwater runoff, reducing the heat island effect in urban spaces, and increasing biodiversity. Nevertheless, green roofs in urban spaces as a competent alternative to nature remains a standing question. To what extent can green roofs mimic the biodiversity that is seen in nature? Moreover, to what level is this approach practical for achieving a tangible reconnection with nature, or so-called biophilia? This study attempts to discuss the essence and impact of green roofs in urban spaces based on a case study approach. The study reflected lessons from the New York High Line Green Roof regarding biophilia and biodiversity in this case study. It concludes with key lessons that can be transferred to other urban spaces with similar settings.
... Existing studies show some clear patterns with regards to the interplay of technology and experiences of the outdoors. There is a general consensus that unmediated contact with nature is beneficial for people's -especially children's -physical, emotional and mental wellbeing (Charles & Louv, 2009;Lehmann, 2019;Maller, Henderson-Wilson & Townsend, 2009;Muñoz, 2009;Russell et al., 2013;Wells & Lekies, 2006). Consequently, the increasing lack of direct and unmediated contact with nature can contribute to various physical, emotional and mental health issues (Charles & Louv, 2009;Louv, 2016;Otto & Pensini, 2017;Soga & Gaston, 2016). ...
This inquiry reports the findings of a systematized review of recent studies concerning the affordances associated with implementing mobile technol- ogy in outdoor learning. The emergent employment of mobile technolo- gies in education worldwide adds new layers of complexity to the field that require a better understanding. The review aims to summarize and critically interrogate peer-reviewed studies and identify gaps in current research. Taken collectively, the 33 reviewed articles mirror the dualism that is pre- sent within the field. Whilst some studies show that the portability and accessibility of mobile devices offer new opportunities, others point at issues of complexity, safety, and loss of experiential quality. The findings highlight three principal strategies that offer meaningful ways to manage the tensions between technology and outdoor learning: mitigation, inten- tionality, and adaptation. The review thus offers a deeper understanding of how outdoor learning programs can effectively integrate mobile technol- ogy to overcome the nature-technology dichotomy.
... In this case, again the focus is on the engineer and how the engineer applies his or her knowledge or skills to the solution. Figure 1 depicts how humans can interact with the rest of the ecosystem in either an egocentric way in which they look to exploit the rest of the ecosystem for their benefit, or in an ecocentric way in which they recognize parity and harmony as members, not exploiters of the ecosystem [3]. The conventional engineering mindset unfortunately aligns more with how humans have traditionally engaged as a member of our ecosystem in an egocentric way, in which the education focus is on the engineer to provide the knowledge skills and abilities to develop solutions with the rest of the ecosystem providing resources. ...
... Today, cities can possess degrading conditions-just think of windowless work environments, over-crowded housing, air pollution, noise, and the lack of any street trees (Lehmann, 2020;2019a). Cities are not obvious places to reconnect with the natural environment. ...
How are our cities confronting the challenges posed by a warming climate, the loss of biodiversity and major resource depletion? ―This article discusses the opportunities and benefits of applying the concepts of renaturalisiation and rewilding of cities. It introduces Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) in urban planning that are integrated with the aim to enhance urban resilience and to slow down the biodiversity decline, which can be applied in two areas: through the conception of new green neighbourhoods; and through the regeneration and re-greening of existing but neglected parts of the city, such as postindustrial brownfields or economically weak districts. Contact to nature is essential for human existence, urban wellbeing and a good quality of life. Green spaces in cities –big or small– all contribute to health and wellbeing. However, many cities, including in the U.S. and in Europe, do not offer residents easy access to green space within the city. Improving better access to green spaces and extending gardens and parks will deliver a large number of benefits, such as ecosystem services, better water management for enhanced urban flood control, slowing down the biodiversity loss, contributing to food security, with the potential to restore damaged ecosystems. Furthermore, additional green space and NBS help to keep cities cool during heatwaves and improve the urban microclimate. As most of our cities keep growing and warming, the scale of the issue is significant. For example, in 2020, cities in the European Union were home to over 70 percent of Europe’s population, and this figure is expected to increase to over 80 percent by the middle of the century. This translates to 36 million new urban citizens in Europe by 2050 alone, who will need housing, employment, health care and access to green spaces (EU-Commission, 2018). In this context, nature-based solutions and re-greening can generate significant benefits for citizens, improve urban health and well-being, and offer an opportunity to effectively deploy nature in helping to resolve major societal challenges ―such as social inclusion, food security and disaster risk reduction. However, as the discussion of this article shows, it is essential that the design of NBS is fully integrated with other complementary planning interventions and seeks synergies across all sectors.
