Nature can cool cities, but proceed with caution
Abstract Increased extreme heat events draw attention to the potential of urban nature as a heat adaptation strategy for cities. This is reflected in multiple scientific perspective pieces, policy documents and science media publications advocating for urban greening as a cooling approach. Although...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2023-09-01
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| Series: | Urban Transformations |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s42854-023-00057-9 |
| _version_ | 1797452451298672640 |
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| author | Leslie Mabon Ben Connor Alice Moncaster Catherine Pearce Eleanor Pratt Wan-Yu Shih Meng-Chin Tsai Jitka Vseteckova Verina Waights Ruth Wolstenholme |
| author_facet | Leslie Mabon Ben Connor Alice Moncaster Catherine Pearce Eleanor Pratt Wan-Yu Shih Meng-Chin Tsai Jitka Vseteckova Verina Waights Ruth Wolstenholme |
| author_sort | Leslie Mabon |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Increased extreme heat events draw attention to the potential of urban nature as a heat adaptation strategy for cities. This is reflected in multiple scientific perspective pieces, policy documents and science media publications advocating for urban greening as a cooling approach. Although attention to the dangers of heat and the benefits of urban nature is welcomed, it is vital that nature-based approaches to cooling are underpinned by diverse knowledge and a sound understanding of what nature in cities can and cannot do. We explain why an evidence-driven and cautious approach to heat adaptation through urban greening is so important, and propose three actions that urban actors can take towards effective and equitable long-term cooling through urban nature: enabling dialogue between different sectors with multiple remits; including diverse knowledge systems in planning and governance processes; and investing in long-term stewardship for the climatological and societal conditions of the coming decades. Policy and practice recommendation • Create fora for dialogue between governments, residents, civil society and developers from planning stage for green cooling; • Cooling through nature must be driven by expertise spanning diverse knowledge systems, combined with local knowledge and community needs; • Consider future climates and stewardship when planning urban cooling via nature. Science highlights • Understanding link between urban thermal environment and nature is an inter- and transdisciplinary task; • Critical need for evidence of how greening reduces heat impacts across different social and cultural contexts; • Evidence of how species perform under future climates required for stewardship of urban nature. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T15:08:58Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-84cf510e6b1d4950bfe30a088ff2ab96 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2524-8162 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T15:08:58Z |
| publishDate | 2023-09-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Urban Transformations |
| spelling | doaj.art-84cf510e6b1d4950bfe30a088ff2ab962023-11-26T13:31:00ZengBMCUrban Transformations2524-81622023-09-015111110.1186/s42854-023-00057-9Nature can cool cities, but proceed with cautionLeslie Mabon0Ben Connor1Alice Moncaster2Catherine Pearce3Eleanor Pratt4Wan-Yu Shih5Meng-Chin Tsai6Jitka Vseteckova7Verina Waights8Ruth Wolstenholme9The Open UniversitySNIFFERThe Open UniversitySNIFFERSNIFFERNational Taiwan UniversityThe Open UniversityThe Open UniversityThe Open UniversitySNIFFERAbstract Increased extreme heat events draw attention to the potential of urban nature as a heat adaptation strategy for cities. This is reflected in multiple scientific perspective pieces, policy documents and science media publications advocating for urban greening as a cooling approach. Although attention to the dangers of heat and the benefits of urban nature is welcomed, it is vital that nature-based approaches to cooling are underpinned by diverse knowledge and a sound understanding of what nature in cities can and cannot do. We explain why an evidence-driven and cautious approach to heat adaptation through urban greening is so important, and propose three actions that urban actors can take towards effective and equitable long-term cooling through urban nature: enabling dialogue between different sectors with multiple remits; including diverse knowledge systems in planning and governance processes; and investing in long-term stewardship for the climatological and societal conditions of the coming decades. Policy and practice recommendation • Create fora for dialogue between governments, residents, civil society and developers from planning stage for green cooling; • Cooling through nature must be driven by expertise spanning diverse knowledge systems, combined with local knowledge and community needs; • Consider future climates and stewardship when planning urban cooling via nature. Science highlights • Understanding link between urban thermal environment and nature is an inter- and transdisciplinary task; • Critical need for evidence of how greening reduces heat impacts across different social and cultural contexts; • Evidence of how species perform under future climates required for stewardship of urban nature.https://doi.org/10.1186/s42854-023-00057-9Climate change adaptationNature-based solutionsUrban greeningUrban heatUrban planning |
| spellingShingle | Leslie Mabon Ben Connor Alice Moncaster Catherine Pearce Eleanor Pratt Wan-Yu Shih Meng-Chin Tsai Jitka Vseteckova Verina Waights Ruth Wolstenholme Nature can cool cities, but proceed with caution Urban Transformations Climate change adaptation Nature-based solutions Urban greening Urban heat Urban planning |
| title | Nature can cool cities, but proceed with caution |
| title_full | Nature can cool cities, but proceed with caution |
| title_fullStr | Nature can cool cities, but proceed with caution |
| title_full_unstemmed | Nature can cool cities, but proceed with caution |
| title_short | Nature can cool cities, but proceed with caution |
| title_sort | nature can cool cities but proceed with caution |
| topic | Climate change adaptation Nature-based solutions Urban greening Urban heat Urban planning |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s42854-023-00057-9 |
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