#47: Primal City (Part 3) - Biophilia and Urban Ecology
Jun 20, 2022
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Learn about the concept of biophilia and its connection to human health. Explore the negative impact of urban environments on well-being and the importance of biodiversity. Discover how cities can create thriving ecosystems, apply a biofilic approach, and connect with local nature. Dive into the concept of cities as ecosystems and the evolution of urban species. Explore the National Park City movement and its potential for positive impact worldwide.
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Quick takeaways
Spending time in natural environments has numerous mental and physical health benefits, but equitable access to public green spaces is a challenge.
Creating bio-philic cities involves integrating nature into urban spaces and involving local communities in park design and management.
Deep dives
The Concept of Biophilia and Its Benefits
The concept of biophilia refers to humans' innate love and connection to other living things. Spending time in natural environments, such as forests and urban parks, has numerous mental and physical health benefits, including reduced stress, better sleep, improved mental health, reduced aggression, and improved child development. Contact with nature is also essential for our imaginations to thrive and for open-mindedness. However, it is important to note that the research on biophilia has primarily focused on white and wealthy populations, and access to and use of public green spaces is not equitable.
The Unnaturalness of the Urban Environment and its Effect on Health
Living in cities, which are dominated by artificial materials, air pollution, and noise, has negative impacts on our mental and physical health. Although we may think we live in the healthiest period, global rates of depression, anxiety, obesity, and other diseases have been rising. Additionally, we are globally in declining health. While spending more time in nature alone won't solve all our health problems, recreating our urban environments to resemble natural habitats can have a positive impact on our well-being.
The Importance of Designing Cities in Harmony with Nature
Creating bio-philic cities means integrating nature into urban spaces. Traditional approaches, such as focusing on green infrastructure and native plant species, have limitations. Instead, we should aim to create conditions for ecosystems to thrive in cities. This includes reducing hard surfaces and rewilding urban areas, as well as protecting existing pockets of non-urban habitat. It is also vital to involve local communities in the design and management of parks and green spaces, considering their preferences and needs.
Considering Evolution and Intertwining Urban Life with Nature
Cities are evolving ecosystems, and species in urban areas have adapted uniquely to their specific environments. We should recognize and protect these adaptations. Urban evolution challenges conventional notions of natural areas and corridors, suggesting that certain species may fare better in isolated urban pockets rather than interconnected habitats. Embracing a biofilic approach means treating urban ecosystems with care and generosity, valuing urban nature as much as we do protected wilderness. By understanding our interconnectedness with natural systems, we can coexist sustainably with nature in cities.
Biophilia is about how we as humans have an innate love and connection to other living things. It is no surprise then that spending time in natural environments such as forests, mountains and parks, is extremely beneficial to our mental and physical health. But how can we recreate our natural biophilic habitat in urban areas? Can we make cities good homes for other living things too?