Nature Based Solutions: More than Just Greening the City?

Ryser, Judith and Franchini, Teresa (2023) Nature Based Solutions: More than Just Greening the City? LET IT GROW, LET US PLAN, LET IT GROW. Nature-based Solutions for Sustainable Resilient Smart Green and Blue Cities. Proceedings of REAL CORP 2023, 28th International Conference on Urban Development, Regional Planning and Information Society. pp. 525-533. ISSN 2521-3938

Text (Nature Based Solutions: More than Just Greening the City?) CORP2023_147.pdf - Published Version Download (169kB)

Abstract

Today’s relation between humans and nature is arguably still rooted in the enlightenment philosophy, or the “age of reason”, asserting that nature exists to be tamed and submitted to the needs and wants of humans(Wallace et. al. 1996). This premise shows scant concern for social, cultural or economic consequences, let alone care for the survival of the planet. Accelerating adverse effects of climate change and rapid decline of biodiversity demonstrate that this exploitation principle of nature by humans has severe limitations (Folkard-Tapp H et.al. 2021). Facing this undeniable evidence, science and technology are envisaging alternative approaches, such as applying Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) to benefit people and nature conjointly(British Ecological Society 2021). This raises the issue whether NBS would be capable of moving away from the antagonism between nature - narrowly understood as the physical world of plants, animals and inorganic matter- and the human-made environment and its uses, and instead to conceive humans and their actions as an integral part of nature. The paper attempts to explore this question from the perspective of physical planning of cities and territories by identifying the various and possibly contradictory characteristics of NBS and their interventions(Sowinska-Swierkosk et.al. 2022) and to discuss whether and how NBS may differ from previous measures to protect the environment and to combat adverse effects of climate change (StavroulaMelanidiset.al. 2022).To this end, the paperreflects on academic deliberations on the meaning (Osaka et.al. 2015) and purpose (Kiss et.al. 2019) of NBS and their site-specific, comprehensive, integrated and preferably co-beneficial effects at multiple spatial scales(Johnson et.al. 2022).It aims is to review how NBScurrently contribute to the protection of nature and biodiversity by reversing ecosystem degradation, and how they are applied to achieve a more sustainable and liveable built environment.Finally it identifies changes needed for the current fragmented planning system to become more NBS-friendly, and to prevent further inequalities (Herrmann-Pillath C 2022). The evidence-base of the paper relies on freely available references on the internet in solidarity with academics and professionals who are willing to share their knowledge and experiences widely.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	city planning, greening, nature-based solutions, urban planning, critical review
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor H Social Sciences > HM Sociology
Depositing User:	REAL CORP Administrator
Date Deposited:	03 Oct 2023 10:39
Last Modified:	04 Oct 2023 17:39
URI:	http://repository.corp.at/id/eprint/1013

Actions (login required)

View Item