Opinion: Urban Nature Plans Are a Vital Strategy for Resilient and Healthy Cities
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought many truths about our modern world to light, but none is more pressing than the undeniable link between human well-being and the health of natural ecosystems. We must recognise that the health of our society is inextricably linked to the health of our environment. The urgency to protect and restore nature has never been more apparent. However, this also means that we need to adapt our planning practices to successfully tackle the causes of biodiversity loss and reverse the current trend.
Human activity has long been the main cause of environmental degradation and biodiversity loss - from deforestation to urban sprawl, our footprint on the planet is large and growing. The loss of our biodiversity is not only a tragedy for nature, but also a direct threat to human health and survival. The degradation of ecosystems undermines the vital services they provide, such as clean air, water purification and climate regulation. The COVID-19 pandemic has given us a vivid reminder of what happens when the balance between human society and nature is disrupted.
This is where Urban Nature Plans (UNPs) come in. A strategic framework designed to bridge the gap between current policies and effective biodiversity conservation, UNPs provide a structured approach to integrating nature into urban development. These plans are more than just green spaces; they are about formalising a city's commitment to promoting biodiversity and urban nature, and ensuring that nature is considered in every aspect of urban planning. UNPs bring together different objectives - mobility, buildings and climate - to create a coherent strategy that supports biodiversity. They are instrumental in transforming our cities from places that contribute to environmental degradation to hubs of ecological restoration. By fostering collaboration across sectors and stakeholders, UNPs increase natural spaces and enhance biodiversity, which in turn supports healthy and thriving urban environments. This is crucial because cities are often the epicentre of environmental impacts, but they also hold immense potential for positive change.
The European Union is proactive in this regard: both the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030 and the Nature Restoration Law emphasise the importance of incorporating nature-based solutions through UNPs. These policies encourage cities, especially those with more than 20 000 inhabitants, to develop and implement UNPs as part of their broader sustainability strategies. In this way, cities can contribute to global environmental goals while improving the quality of life of their inhabitants. UNPs are an important tool to counteract the loss of biodiversity and climate change. By integrating nature into urban planning, cities can create an environment that is not only more sustainable, but also more resilient to the challenges of the future. As we move forward, it is imperative that more cities adopt UNPs and commit to protecting and restoring nature. The health of our societies - and our planet - depends on it.
Author: Almut Ballstaedt, ICLEI Europe
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