Publication: Urban Nature and Biodiversity for Cities: Policy Brief
Date
2021-09
ISSN
Published
2021-09
Author(s)
Guerry, Anne D.
Smith, Jeffrey R.
Lonsdorf, Eric
Daily, Gretchen C.
Wang, Xueman
Chun, Yuna
Abstract
This is the urban century; over half of
humanity now lives in cities and more than 70 percent are
expected to do so by 2050. Today, cities are hubs of social
interchange, economic vitality, and innovation. Yet the pace
and scale of global transformation in where and how people
live pose threats to biodiversity and nature that demand
serious attention. In today’s complex world, it is natural -
and sometimes necessary - to compartmentalize sectors and
realms of experience. Thus, urban planning traditionally
occurs without much consideration of biodiversity and
nature. It is therefore imperative that cities are designed
in ways that maintain the provision of ecosystem services
and that national and international conservation plans
consider urban centers. This report presents the scientific
basis for why and how incorporating biodiversity and nature
into urban design is crucial for achieving sustainability,
livability, resilience, and equity in cities and beyond.
Section one defines key terms and concepts, section two
examines what is at stake regarding urban nature and
biodiversity, section three explores what urban leaders can
do to promote them, section four offers some practical tools
and approaches for incorporating urban nature and
biodiversity into urban decision-making, and section five concludes.
Link to Data Set
Citation
“Guerry, Anne D.; Smith, Jeffrey R.; Lonsdorf, Eric; Daily, Gretchen C.; Wang, Xueman; Chun, Yuna; Smith, Jeffrey. 2021. Urban Nature and Biodiversity for Cities: Policy Brief. © World Bank, Washington, DC. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/36325 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”