Urban Biodiversity and Design

Dear colleagues,

The ongoing process of urban sprawl and densification of many cities worldwide has a negative impact on biodiversity, posing challenges to the existence of urban and native ecosystems and the survival of species within cities. In this regard, developing biodiversity-friendly cities is acknowledged as an essential element of sustainable urban development, resilience, and human wellbeing. This Topic is aiming to demonstrate and discuss the value of urban biodiversity in providing ecosystem services and the role of design and planning in mitigating urban environmental pressure on biodiversity. We also focus on the variety of approaches/pathways/perspectives developed in order to better understand and reinforce biodiversity in the urban environment; methods for assessing/evaluating urban biodiversity and practical measures for designing, restoring, and maintaining biodiversity in urban areas; interdisciplinary researches related to urban biodiversity; practical applications and guidelines related to urban biodiversity; theoretical overviews; cases studies of realised projects that are relevant to urban biodiversity and design. We welcome contributions that deal with the following topics:
 

• biological, cultural, and social values of urban biodiversity (linked to ecosystem services);

• urban flora and fauna, how to integrate nature into the urban neighborhood and achieve the balance (human–nature interaction);

• biodiversity-sensitive landscape design actions and other approaches/best practices for better integration of biodiversity into the urban planning process and landscape architecture practice;

• nature-based solutions and their multiple co-benefits linked to biodiversity aspects;

• methodical approaches (e.g., a variety of participatory processes) and practical implications used to co-create biodiversity objectives with diverse stakeholders;

• analysis, assessment, and evaluation of urban biodiversity linked to social and educational issues;

• urban conservation policies and their implementation in the development of sustainable cities: practical measures for restoring and maintaining biodiversity in urban areas;

• challenges and opportunities for the future of urban biodiversity (e.g., ongoing climate change, the impact of COVID-19 pandemics, other societal challenges).
  
   

Prof. Dr. Maria Ignatieva
Dr. Diana Dushkova
Prof. Dr. Charles Nilon

Topic Editors
 

Deadline for abstract submissions: 31 August 2022.
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 November 2022.
 

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Topic Board
 

Prof. Dr. Maria Ignatieva E-Mail

Topic Editor

School of Design, The University of Western Australia (UWA), 6009 Perth, Australia
Interests: sustainable blue-green infrastructure; urban biodiversity and design; nature-based solutions

Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
 

Dr. Diana Dushkova E-Mail Website

Topic Editor
 

Department of Urban and Environmental Sociology, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), 04318 Leipzig, Germany

Interests: landscape ecology; environmental sociology; human-environmental interaction; urban ecosystem services; nature-based solutions; therapeutic landscape
 

Prof. Dr. Charles Nilon E-Mail Website
Topic Editor
 

School of Natural Resources 302 ABNR, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
Interests: urban wildlife ecology and conservation; human dimensions in natural resources
 

Keywords
 

• urban biodiversity

• biodiversity-sensitive landscape design

• sustainable design

• nature-based solutions

• resilient cities
   

Relevant Journals List

 

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