Cities and Climate Change: Urban Nature and Biodiversity

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Cities and Climate Change: Urban Nature and Biodiversity

In this series of articles we explore how cities and urban areas are affected by climate change. Besides introducing the challenges cities are facing, our aim is also to discover how cities can be the drivers of change. Therefore, we will also introduce solutions and best practices of enhancing cities’ resilience

Author: Ádám Varga, CEEweb | Date: November 17, 2022

Cities and Climate Change: Urban Nature and Biodiversity

Source: Pexels, photo by Nancy Bourque


The impacts of climate change in urban areas were already introduced in our first article. As cities are becoming centres of people, consumption and economic activities, urban areas are becoming a major source of greenhouse-gas emissions, too. However, cities also have the potential to tackle these challenges responsibly and provide a decent quality of life to their citizens. Urban green spaces, natural elements and biodiversity are key in this endeavour, as these elements are vastly contributing to the well-being of urban dwellers. Therefore, in the final article, we are exploring how urban nature and biodiversity are affected by urbanisation and climate change.

Urbanisation is posing vast threats to high-value ecosystems, as urban expansion is associated with high rates of land conversion, often resulting in biodiversity loss. Environmental effects may even go beyond the borders of cities, causing the intensification of agriculture in the remaining land or changing precipitation patterns beyond urban areas, with an effect on the global climate, too (Yale University). Outside of the city, urban expansion is also resulting in habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation of natural habitats. In urban areas, land use and land cover change is causing further issues and is the main driver for the urban heat island effect, water- air- noise and light pollution, too (Theodoru, 2022). 

The social and cultural aspects of urban biodiversity are reflected in how urban dwellers perceive biodiversity and ecosystem services. The primary value of natural areas for the urban population is often shown by the access to green spaces, aesthetics and opportunities for connecting with nature (Nilon, 2010). Recognising the value of different habitats and natural elements is essential, as cities are highly benefiting from these solutions. Urban biodiversity is able to enhance the cooling of the environment and flood prevention while increasing the quality of life and delivering health and education-related benefits. The development of permeable surfaces and vegetation is also contributing to tackling the impacts of climate change, as it’s improving air quality, counterbalancing the urban heat island effect and is effective in mitigating flood risks and helping manage rainwater runoff more efficiently. City parks, green roofs and corridors and other urban micro-ecosystems help wildlife to thrive in urban areas, too (Re-generation).

The implementation of appropriate adaptation measures is essential for cities in relation to urban biodiversity, too. Through sound urban development cities have the potential to increase resiliency and provide an increased quality of life to the urban population. Well-designed and conscious urban development plans – which are incorporating environmental aspects besides social and cultural ones - are effective in mitigating risks and adapting to the impacts of climate change, while advancing sustainable urban transformation. The implementation of ecosystem-based adaptation measures utilises the benefits deriving from biodiversity and ecosystem services, while they are easily adaptable for different scales and conditions of the urban environments. Ecosystem-based measures mainly include the development of urban green spaces, urban farming and gardening, rain gardens, urban forests and green roofs (Schmidt et al, 2021). The expansion of cities and loss of natural elements are posing threats to urban biodiversity, but there are several reasons for cities to promote urban biodiversity. Urban green spaces, parks and corridors are supporting the maintenance of healthy ecosystems, while enhancing air quality and sequestration of greenhouse gases, delivering health benefits for urban citizens. Furthermore, conserving urban biodiversity is enhancing water quality and accessibility, reducing risks of landslides and extreme weather events, promoting thermal comfort and ultimately, increasing the quality of life and well-being of urban citizens (City Talk).  

Figure 1 - Ijburg, Amsterdam - Source: Urban Green-Blue Girds, @dRO Amsterdam

There are several examples of promoting urban biodiversity in Europe. The Finnish approach, the National Urban Parks initiative, is a network of urban protected areas  - Natura 2000 sites, forest or even marine, lake and river ecosystems - aiming to conserve biodiversity in urban areas. There are already 9 Nature Urban Parks in Finland, creating undisturbed and extensive green infrastructure, ensuring ecological connectivity to encourage the migration of species, too. The residential development of Ijburg, Amsterdam implemented measures that provide accommodation, such as nesting bricks and bat boxes for birds and bats in residential buildings. Several species are benefiting from these solutions, sparrows became common in the area, bats and swifts are making use of the nesting bricks and boxes, while locals are less disturbed by insects and mosquitoes, as swifts and bats are consuming a large number of them (Gemeente Amsterdam, 2019).

In Switzerland, the city of Basel introduced a mixture of financial incentives and building regulations to increase the coverage of green roofs in the city. The programme was funded in several rounds, aiming to study and maximise biodiversity, while mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change. As experienced, green roofs are also contributing to indoor-and outdoor temperature decrease, and rainwater management while creating space for plants and wildlife. Several smaller-scale measures can also be implemented such as the biodiverse bus stops across Europe, the bee path in Ljubljana, or the insect hotels developed in Budapest.  

 

A living roof in Cardiff.

Figure 2 - Biodiverse bus stop in Cardiff - Source: Guardian

 

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