Living Cities:Towards Ecological Urbanism

scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk

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Dougie PeedleHead of Policy

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Overview

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• Why

• What

• How

• Where

• Benefits/costs

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Why: Biodiversity lossrelative abundance of priority species

Why: Climate change

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Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) special report:

• Benefits of rise in global temperatures of 1.5 v 2.0°C• We are on course for 3.0°C• Need to halve emissions by 2030• Humans “at the centre of global climate change”• Need substantial changes in our lifestyle and

behaviour

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Why: Homo Urbanus

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Why: Homo Urbanus

Source: Office for National Statistics

% change in population 2015-25

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What: Ecological Urbanism

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What: Ecological Urbanism

Not only about ‘more and better greenspaces’…

….ecological urbanism is about embedding nature into the very fabric of the city

….and building whole system resilience

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What: Nature-based solutions

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“….actions to protect, sustainably

manage, and restore natural or

modified ecosystems, that address

societal challenges effectively and

adaptively, simultaneously

providing human well-being and

biodiversity benefits.”

What: Nature-based solutions

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Building integrated habitat

Surface greening

Green roofs

Gardens and allotments

Pockets parks and squares

Large parks

Green and blue networks

Street trees

Scale of u

rban

ecosystem

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Where: Viikki, Helsinki

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Where: Hammarby, Stockholm

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Where: Hammarby, Stockholm

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Where: Edinburgh

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Where: Edinburgh

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Where: Edinburgh

Edinburgh Living Landscapewill create, restore and connect green areas of the city and influence the design of green buildings and infrastructure

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Where: Edinburgh

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Where: Edinburgh

Edinburgh Living LandscapeSquare metre for butterflies

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Where: Edinburgh

Edinburgh Living LandscapeNature in your neighbourhood

Benefits: Health

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• Increased physical activity

• Stress reduction

• Feelings of happiness

• Reduce heat island effects

• Reduce behavioural andemotional problems

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Benefits: Social/community

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• Managing major life issues

• No correlation with crime/safety issues

• Improved social cohesion

• Outdoor learning

• Green routes to work

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Benefits: Economic

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• Attract and retain people

• Potential positive impact oninward investment

• Cost savings

• Productivity

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Benefits: Environment

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• Improve air quality

• Reduce heat island effect

• Reduce traffic noisepollution/visual intrusion

• Diverse habitats

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Costs: Investment required

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• Can be cost savings

• Look beyond short-term

• Impacts land values not prices

• Solutions to large investments

• Example of Gothenburg…..

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Costs: Gothenburg 2013

Summary

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• Why: Biodiversity, climate change, urban expansion

• What: Embedding nature, whole system resilience

• How: Nature based solutions

• Where: Here, There and Everywhere

• Wide ranging benefits > costs

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Scotland noun nation of spectacular wildlife including red squirrels, golden eagles, dolphins and Caledonian pine forest. The Scottish Wildlife Trust has fought to protect Scotland’s wildlife for nearly 50 years and provides safe havens for wildlife on over 120 reserves.

If you love Scotland, join theScottish Wildlife Trust today.

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