Wilding cities for biodiversity and people: a transdisciplinary framework

Area of Science:

• Urban Ecology
• Conservation Biology
• Environmental Psychology

Background:

• Urbanization leads to biodiversity loss and reduced human connection with nature.
• Current urban green spaces often prioritize aesthetics over ecological function.
• There's a need for strategies to enhance urban biodiversity and human wellbeing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and investigate urban wilding as a strategy to improve urban biodiversity.
• To explore how urban wilding can foster stronger human-nature connections in cities.
• To examine the ecological mechanisms, socio-ecological attitudes, and governance of urban wilding.

Main Methods:

• Interdisciplinary synthesis of ecological and social science research.
• Analysis of mechanisms promoting biodiversity through spontaneous vegetation.
• Investigation of public attitudes towards different stages of spontaneous urban vegetation.

Main Results:

• Reducing planting and maintenance interventions promotes plant diversity and resources for wildlife.
• Urban wilding can reverse biotic homogenization but requires further study on invasive species.
• Public acceptance of spontaneous vegetation varies, with grasslands and woodlands preferred over dense shrubs.

Conclusions:

• Urban wilding can enhance biodiversity and human-nature connections by valuing relational and intrinsic nature values.
• Successful implementation requires integrating wildness with cultural norms, urban functions, and inclusive governance.
• Collaboration between scientists and urban actors is crucial for designing and experimenting with effective urban wilding strategies.