Check out the episode:

You can find the shownotes through this link.

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Are you interested in urban nature futures?

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Our summary today works with the article titled Nature futures for the urban century: Integrating multiple values into urban management from 2022 by Andressa V. Mansur, Robert I. McDonald, Burak Güneralp, HyeJin Kim, Jose A. Puppim de Oliveira, Corey T. Callaghan, Perrine Hamel, Jan J. Kuiper, Manuel Wolff, Veronika Liebelt, Inês S. Martins, Thomas Elmqvist, and Henrique M. Pereira, published in the Environmental Science and Policy journal.

This is a great preparation to our next interview with Junaid Islam in episode 286 talking about the importance of non-tech zones in the city even though being a technology advocate.

Since we are investigating the future of cities, I thought it would be interesting to see how we can integrate nature into our urban futures. This article presents the Urban Nature Futures Framework (UNFF) to help cities envision sustainable futures by integrating different perspectives on the role of nature in urban development, addressing ecological, social, and cultural values.

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Welcome to today’s What is The Future For Cities podcast and its Research episode; my name is Fanni, and today I will introduce a research paper by summarising it. The episode really is just a short summary of the original paper, and, in case it is interesting enough, I would encourage everyone to check out the whole paper. This is also an experiment as I produced and generated the summary part with Notebook LM as two hosts dissecting the whole report.

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Speaker 1:

Welcome to a deep dive all about how cities can work better with nature. It’s all based on your research. So we’re looking at nature futures for the urban century. It’s an article from Environmental Science and Policy. Okay. It’s a little, it’s a little bit dense, but we’ll break it down. Yeah. We’ll get to the cool stuff, I promise.

Speaker 2:

I think there’s a lot of really interesting ideas in there that really make you think about how we relate to nature. Yeah, and especially how that works as more people are living in cities. Exactly. Which is like the big focus of the article, right? Yeah, for sure. The article starts off with this really striking statistic, I think.

It says, by 2050, cities are going to have to add another 2. 5 billion people. Wow. Which is like a whole nother continent. It’s mind blowing when you think about it like that. A whole other continent of city dwellers. The article isn’t just about all the challenges that come with growth, though. Yeah. No, not at all.

It’s really about reimagining cities as places where nature can thrive alongside human development. Like not just concrete jungles. Exactly. It challenges that whole idea. So, how do we actually do that? Like, how do we make cities more nature friendly? The article talks about this framework called the Nature Futures Framework.

And it has three different ways to think about nature in cities. What’s cool is that these aren’t just abstract ideas. They’re strategies we can use. They’re really practical legacies through which we can view and plan for how nature exists in cities. Yeah, so the first one is nature for nature.

Speaker 1:

Yeah. And this is all about letting ecosystems just be themselves. Minimal human interference. Imagine like having huge green spaces right in the middle of a city, like little mini wilderness areas. Yeah, it’s recognizing that nature has value in and of itself. It doesn’t have to serve a specific human purpose.

So it’s like a big nature preserve, but right in the heart of the city. Exactly. Like Central Park in New York City. Oh, that’s a good example. You’ve got this huge area of nature right in the middle of all those skyscrapers. Yeah, and all kinds of plants and animals live there. That’s right. It shows that you can have nature for nature, even in the busiest cities.

Then there’s nature for society, which is more about using nature to fix human problems. So we’re talking things like green infrastructure, rooftop gardens, parks that are designed to make people feel better. It’s about investing in nature to solve practical problems like cleaner air, managing storm water, reducing urban heat.

And even improving people’s health. Exactly. It’s a win for both people and the environment. Yeah, like those green walls on buildings. Yes. They not only look cool, but they can also help with insulation and reducing air pollution. They’re a great example of how nature for society can work in practice. And then finally, there’s nature as culture.

And this one I think really ties into your research on the cultural side of urban nature. It does. It’s something I’m really fascinated by. Nature as culture is all about the deep connections between people and nature. It’s about recognizing how our cultures and identities are shaped by the natural world.

So like community gardens that reflect different cultures. Exactly. Or protecting places that have Historical or spiritual significance to certain groups. Oh, yeah. Or even art that incorporates natural elements. Absolutely. It’s about integrating nature into the very fabric of our cultural identity. Like those amazing murals in some cities where they’ve actually incorporated plants as part of the artwork.

Speaker 2:

It’s a beautiful way to bring nature and culture together. So I’m curious, thinking about your own city. Which of these nature futures really speaks to you? What would you love to see in your neighborhood? It is an interesting question to think about. You know, what else is really fascinating is the fact that the choices we make in cities have consequences that reach far beyond our own backyards.

Speaker 1:

You mean like my lifestyle here could be affecting the environment and other parts of the world? Exactly. It’s what the article refers to as a city’s indirect impact. It’s like our actions have a ripple effect. Think of it like a domino effect. The food we eat, the materials we use, the energy we consume those things, come from somewhere.

Speaker 2:

And our choices in cities often have impacts on ecosystems way beyond our city limits. That’s a sobering thought. It is, but it also highlights the potential we have to make a positive impact. But how do you even begin to measure something like that? It seems really complex. It is complex, but the article points out that the food consumed in cities alone can indirectly impact an area 36 times greater than the global urban area itself.

That’s huge, but it means there’s potential for big positive change. If we’re mindful of our consumption. Yeah, it is a lot to consider, but there’s good news, too. We can definitely make choices that lessen our impact, like sourcing food locally, supporting energy efficient buildings. And promoting those sustainable practices in those far off supply chains that we rely on.

So it’s about being more mindful of those connections, even if we don’t always see them. Exactly. And the article really stresses how important it is to measure our impact, both within the city and outside of it. Okay. And this is where things get really interesting, especially given your interest in how we value nature.

Speaker 1:

You mean, like, how do you measure something like the cultural value of nature? Exactly. It’s not something you can just quantify with numbers. It’s not like counting trees or something. If we only focus on traditional metrics, we miss out on a whole dimension of how people connect with nature. Yeah, it’s like, how do you measure the joy someone gets from walking through a park or the peace they feel listening to birds singing?

Speaker 2:

It’s tough. The article talks about these socioecological memories. Which is basically the idea that our experiences in nature shape who we are. Oh, that makes sense. Like my grandparents were always telling me stories about this huge elm tree that used to be in their neighborhood. Everyone used to gather there.

Speaker 1:

It was more than just a tree. It was a symbol of community. Exactly. Those memories become part of the community story. So how do you measure that? Instead of counting trees, maybe we look at how many community gardens there are or how often nature themed events happen. Those are great ideas. The article suggests we need more creative indicators.

Speaker 2:

It’s not just about numbers. It’s about understanding the stories and experiences that tell us what a community values. So we need a whole new way of measuring things. In a way, yes. The article makes it clear that community involvement is super important. There’s no one solution that works for everyone.

It’s not like a cookie cutter approach. No. The best future for nature in a city is one that really reflects the people who live there. So it’s about listening to residents and figuring out solutions together. Exactly. The article really advocates for a more inclusive approach to planning where everyone’s voice is heard.

Speaker 1:

That makes me think about this project I read about where they were designing a new park. Instead of just putting in the usual playground stuff, they held workshops with the community and they found out that people really wanted a space for meditation and quiet reflection. That’s a great example. By involving the community, they created a park that truly met their needs.

And it probably helped people feel more connected to nature too. Absolutely. It makes me wonder, are there any cities out there that are already doing this well? Like incorporating nature in a way that reflects those nature futures we talked about. And that includes community input. There are some really great examples.

Speaker 2:

Singapore’s one that comes to mind. They have this city in a garden initiative with tons of green spaces, rooftop gardens, even vertical farms. Wow. It sounds like they’ve really found that balance between development and nature. They have. And it’s not just about the greenery. They’ve also developed amazing water management systems to reduce their reliance on outside sources.

They really embody that nature for society approach. I’m also really interested in that nature for nature idea. The cities that prioritize nature for its own sake. Are there any that stand out to you? Curitiba in Brazil is a great example. They’ve protected huge areas of nature within the city, creating a network of parks and green spaces that are home to a lot of different species.

Speaker 1:

So they’ve actually got those mini wildernesses we talked about. Exactly. That’s amazing. What about nature as culture? Are there any cities that are really doing that well? Melbourne, Australia is doing some really cool things. They’ve got a big urban agriculture scene with community gardens and rooftop farms.

Speaker 2:

Plus, they’re incorporating natural elements into buildings and public spaces using something called biophilic design. So it’s not just adding plants, it’s about designing the city in a way that recognizes our connection to nature. And they’re doing a great job of including diverse cultural perspectives.

Speaker 1:

These examples are really inspiring. It’s awesome to see how different cities are finding their own ways to bring nature in. It’s a global movement that’s really gaining traction. More and more cities are realizing that incorporating nature isn’t just a nice to have, it’s a must have. Yeah, it feels like a real shift is happening.

Speaker 2:

And this article is like a roadmap. It shows us that there isn’t one right answer. Each city has to figure out what works best for them. Exactly. It’s about finding that balance between the different nature futures and what the people in that city value. It’s a journey, not a destination. Exactly. So looking back at your own research, what’s the biggest takeaway for you?

Speaker 1:

I think for me, it’s about looking beyond the obvious. When we talk about bringing nature into cities, it’s easy to just think about parks and trees. Yeah. But it’s so much more than that. Yeah. It’s about those socio ecological memories we talked about, understanding the cultural meaning of nature and measuring our impact both locally and globally, recognizing that what we do here affects things far away.

Speaker 2:

It’s all connected. Exactly. And the most important thing is that people need to be at the center of all of this. We can’t just force solutions on people. I completely agree. It’s about engaging communities and working together to find solutions that benefit everyone. Because at the end of the day, cities are about people.

Speaker 1:

And if we want to create cities that are truly sustainable and nature rich, We need to make sure everyone feels connected to nature. I couldn’t agree more. That’s what makes me so optimistic about the future of our cities. Me too. And remember, the ideal future for nature in a city is one that reflects what the people who live there care about.

Speaker 2:

So what will your city’s future look like? That’s a great question for our listener to ponder. Even small actions can have a big impact. So get out there, explore nature in your city, and start imagining the possibilities.

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