| 1. |
- Andersson, Erik, et al.
(författare)
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A context-sensitive systems approach for understanding and enabling ecosystem service realization in cities
- 2021
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Ingår i: Ecology and Society. - : Resilience Alliance, Inc.. - 1708-3087. ; 26:2
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Understanding opportunities as well as constraints for people to benefit from and take care of urban nature is an important step toward more sustainable cities. In order to explore, engage, and enable strategies to improve urban quality of life, we combine a social-ecological-technological systems framework with a flexible methodological approach to urban studies. The framework focuses on context dependencies in the flow and distribution of ecosystem service benefits within cities. The shared conceptual system framework supports a clear positioning of individual cases and integration of multiple methods, while still allowing for flexibility for aligning with local circumstances and ensuring context-relevant knowledge. To illustrate this framework, we draw on insights from a set of exploratory case studies used to develop and test how the framework could guide research design and synthesis across multiple heterogeneous cases. Relying on transdisciplinary multi- and mixed methods research designs, our approach seeks to both enable within-case analyses and support and gradually build a cumulative understanding across cases and city contexts. Finally, we conclude by discussing key questions about green and blue infrastructure and its contributions to urban quality of life that the approach can help address, as well as remaining knowledge gaps both in our understanding of urban systems and of the methodological approaches we use to fill these gaps.
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| 2. |
- Andersson, Erik, et al.
(författare)
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Enabling Green and Blue Infrastructure to Improve Contributions to Human Well-Being and Equity in Urban Systems
- 2019
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Ingår i: BioScience. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0006-3568 .- 1525-3244. ; 69:7, s. 566-574
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The circumstances under which different ecosystem service benefits can be realized differ. The benefits tend to be coproduced and to be enabled by multiple interacting social, ecological, and technological factors, which is particularly evident in cities. As many cities are undergoing rapid change, these factors need to be better understood and accounted for, especially for those most in need of benefits. We propose a framework of three systemic filters that affect the flow of ecosystem service benefits: the interactions among green, blue, and built infrastructures; the regulatory power and governance of institutions; and people's individual and shared perceptions and values. We argue that more fully connecting green and blue infrastructure to its urban systems context and highlighting dynamic interactions among the three filters are key to understanding how and why ecosystem services have variable distribution, continuing inequities in who benefits, and the long-term resilience of the flows of benefits.
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| 3. |
- Czembrowski, Piotr, et al.
(författare)
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Valuing individual characteristics and the multifunctionality of urban green spaces : The integration of sociotope mapping and hedonic pricing
- 2019
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Ingår i: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 14:3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We categorize Stockholm's urban green spaces according to the use values and social meanings they support, based on a sociotope mapping, and estimate their impact on property prices with a hedonic pricing model. The approach allows us to identify the most and least desired green space characteristics (attributes) and to assess the willingness to pay for the multifunctionality of green spaces. To do this, we test the following hypotheses, each with a separate hedonic pricing model: .The proximity of all green space characteristics increases the property prices, but the specific monetary value of these characteristics differs; . the multifunctionality of green spaces is well recognized and highly valued by real estate buyers. We find partial support for the first hypothesis: the green space attributes of aesthetics, social activity and nature seem to be desired by real estate buyers, whereas physical activity and play seem not to be desired. We also find support for the second hypothesis: the higher the number of characteristics an urban green space has, the stronger its impact on property prices. This study furthers the discussion on the economic value of urban green spaces by assigning monetary value to their perceived character and use values. In doing so, it highlights the need to understand green spaces both as ecological features and social constructs.
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| 4. |
- Elmqvist, Thomas, et al.
(författare)
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Urban tinkering
- 2018
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Ingår i: Sustainability Science. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1862-4065 .- 1862-4057. ; 13:6, s. 1549-1564
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Cities are currently experiencing serious, multifaceted impacts from global environmental change, especially climate change, and the degree to which they will need to cope with and adapt to such challenges will continue to increase. A complex systems approach inspired by evolutionary theory can inform strategies for policies and interventions to deal with growing urban vulnerabilities. Such an approach would guide the design of new (and redesign of existing) urban structures, while promoting innovative integration of grey, green and blue infrastructure in service of environmental and health objectives. Moreover, it would contribute to more flexible, effective policies for urban management and the use of urban space. Four decades ago, in a seminal paper in Science, the French evolutionary biologist and philosopher Francois Jacob noted that evolution differs significantly in its characteristic modes of action from processes that are designed and engineered de novo (Jacob in Science 196(4295):1161-1166, 1977). He labeled the evolutionary process tinkering, recognizing its foundation in the modification and molding of existing traits and forms, with occasional dramatic shifts in function in the context of changing conditions. This contrasts greatly with conventional engineering and design approaches that apply tailor-made materials and tools to achieve well-defined functions that are specified a priori. We here propose that urban tinkering is the application of evolutionary thinking to urban design, engineering, ecological restoration, management and governance. We define urban tinkering as:A mode of operation, encompassing policy, planning and management processes, that seeks to transform the use of existing and design of new urban systems in ways that diversify their functions, anticipate new uses and enhance adaptability, to better meet the social, economic and ecological needs of cities under conditions of deep uncertainty about the future.This approach has the potential to substantially complement and augment conventional urban development, replacing predictability, linearity and monofunctional design with anticipation of uncertainty and non-linearity and design for multiple, potentially shifting functions. Urban tinkering can function by promoting a diversity of small-scale urban experiments that, in aggregate, lead to large-scale often playful innovative solutions to the problems of sustainable development. Moreover, the tinkering approach is naturally suited to exploring multi-functional uses and approaches (e.g., bricolage) for new and existing urban structures and policies through collaborative engagement and analysis. It is thus well worth exploring as a means of delivering co-benefits for environment and human health and wellbeing. Indeed, urban tinkering has close ties to systems approaches, which often are recognized as critical to sustainable development. We believe this concept can help forge much-closer, much-needed ties among engineers, architects, evolutionary ecologists, health specialists, and numerous other urban stakeholders in developing innovative, widely beneficial solutions for society and contribute to successful implementation of SDG11 and the New Urban Agenda.
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| 5. |
- Green, Tom L., et al.
(författare)
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Insurance Value of Green Infrastructure in and Around Cities
- 2016
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Ingår i: Ecosystems (New York. Print). - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1432-9840 .- 1435-0629. ; 19:6, s. 1051-1063
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The combination of climate change and urbanization projected to occur until 2050 poses new challenges for land-use planning, not least in terms of reducing urban vulnerability to hazards from projected increases in the frequency and intensity of climate extremes. Interest in investments in green infrastructure (interconnected systems of parks, wetlands, gardens and other green spaces), as well as in restoration of urban ecosystems as part of such adaptation strategies, is growing worldwide. Previous research has highlighted the insurance value of ecosystems in securing the supply of ecosystem services in the face of disturbance and change, yet this literature neglects urban areas even though urban populations are often highly vulnerable. We revisit the insurance value literature to examine the applicability of the concept in urban contexts, illustrating it with two case studies: watersheds providing drinking water for residents of Vancouver, Canada; and private gardens ensuring connectedness between other parts of urban green infrastructure in London, UK. Our research supports the notion that investments in green infrastructure can enhance insurance value, reducing vulnerability and the costs of adaptation to climate change and other environmental change. Although we recommend that urban authorities consider the insurance value of ecosystems in their decision-making matrix, we advise caution in relying upon monetary evaluations of insurance value. We conclude by identifying actions and management strategies oriented to maintain or enhance the insurance value of urban ecosystems. Ecosystems that are themselves resilient to external disturbances are better able to provide insurance for broader social-ecological systems.
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| 6. |
- Haase, Dagmar, et al.
(författare)
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Greening cities - To be socially inclusive? About the alleged paradox of society and ecology in cities
- 2017
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Ingår i: Habitat International. - : Elsevier BV. - 0197-3975 .- 1873-5428. ; 64, s. 41-48
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Greening cities, namely installing new parks, rooftop gardens or planting trees along the streets, undoubtedly contributes to an increase in wellbeing and enhances the attractiveness of open spaces in cities. At the same time, we observe an increasing use of greening strategies as ingredients of urban renewal, upgrading and urban revitalization as primarily market-driven endeavours targeting middle class and higher income groups sometimes at the expense of less privileged residents. This paper reflects on the current debate of the social effects of greening using selected examples. We discuss what tradeoffs between social and ecological developments in cities mean for the future debate on greening cities and a socially balanced and inclusive way of developing our cities for various groups of urban dwellers. We conclude that current and future functions and features of greening cities have to be discussed more critically including a greater awareness of social impacts.
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| 7. |
- Kaczorowska, Anna, 1971, et al.
(författare)
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Ecosystem Services in Urban Land-Use Planning: Integration Challenges in Complex Urban Settings - Case of Stockholm
- 2013
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Ingår i: 1st Congress of the Society for Urban Ecology 25-27 July 2013, Berlin, Germany.
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Ecosystem services depend on spatial structure of ecosystems. It is acknowledged the benefits humans can derive from biophysical processes depend on generation, distribution and articulation of ecosystem services through day-to-day management and urban development patterns. On the other hand the benefits from nature may place constraints on the choices how to use the land. The future capability of ecosystems to generate services is determined by changes in socio-economic structures, land use, biodiversity, and climate. Land use change has been recognized among many aspects of global changes as the key human-induced effect on ecosystems. Increased urbanisation in Europe in the recent decades led to development of new settlements, growing transport networks. New aspirations of citizens have resulted in higher use of land for recreation and leisure. These land-use changes have directly influenced the provision of ecosystem services. However, even if much has been written about ecosystem services and theirs multiple relationships in space, impact of ecosystem services approach on urban planning, policy making is still limited. Growing degradation and declining resilience of ecosystems along with escalation of impacts of natural hazards is assigned to the non-integration of ecosystem services in land-use planning. A framework of this paper is constructed to identify what kind of knowledge is currently missing in relation to ecosystem services, as well as challenges linked to integrating ecosystem services into land-use planning. Answering the question requires knowledge about relationship between land-use change and ecosystem services in urban regions. The first part of the paper reviewed the literature on the connections between ecosystem services and land use planning. The second part of the paper analysed material from interviews and workshop organized in Stockholm. The important outcomes of the study include identified uncertainties revealing particular challenges and knowledge gaps indicated and ranked by stakeholders to implement concept of ecosystem services in spatial planning in Stockholm but also proposed recommendations how to deal with recognized uncertainties.
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| 8. |
- Kaczorowska, Anna, 1971, et al.
(författare)
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Ecosystem services in urban land use planning: Integration challenges in complex urban settings-Case of Stockholm
- 2016
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Ingår i: Ecosystem Services. - : Elsevier BV. - 2212-0416. ; 22, s. 204-212
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The concept of urban ecosystem services (ES) is currently promoted in Sweden in the planning for more compact and sustainable cities. This study looks into how the implementation of the urban ES concept in Stockholm is understood by different urban professionals, based on semi-structured interviews and a stakeholder workshop. Although recognizing the usefulness of the ES concept, the professionals identified many remaining challenges linked to integrating the concept into land use planning. These are analyzed in relation to the gap between ES science and ES policy and structured according to the different types of planning uncertainties they represent. One issue that was persistently highlighted by stakeholders was that the promotion of urban ES - regardless of how beneficial it may be - will add further complexity to already strained workloads among planners, policy-makers and urban managers. Also, the political demand for increasing density in the urban areas of Stockholm seems to create a growing need for urban ES. Urban densification can thus potentially promote the interest in planning with ES as a vital parameter for urban qualities. They expressed a need for long term perspectives in planning with new tools and methods for valuing ES, supported through "high profile" projects. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 9. |
- Kremer, Peleg, et al.
(författare)
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Key insights for the future of urban ecosystem services research
- 2016
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Ingår i: Ecology and Society. - 1708-3087. ; 21:No.2, s. 29-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Understanding the dynamics of urban ecosystem services is a necessary requirement for adequate planning, management, and governance of urban green infrastructure. Through the three-year Urban Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (URBES) research project, we conducted case study and comparative research on urban biodiversity and ecosystem services across seven cities in Europe and the United States. Reviewing > 50 peer-reviewed publications from the project, we present and discuss seven key insights that reflect cumulative findings from the project as well as the state-of-the-art knowledge in urban ecosystem services research. The insights from our review indicate that cross-sectoral, multiscale, interdisciplinary research is beginning to provide a solid scientific foundation for applying the ecosystem services framework in urban areas and land management. Our review offers a foundation for seeking novel, nature-based solutions to emerging urban challenges such as wicked environmental change issues.
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| 10. |
- Kronenberg, Jakub, et al.
(författare)
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Connecting the social and the ecological in the focal species concept : case study of White Stork
- 2017
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Ingår i: Nature Conservation. - : Pensoft Publishers. - 1314-6947 .- 1314-3301. ; :22, s. 79-105
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In this article we provide an overview of five case studies of initiatives using the image of White Stork as a focal species. Our case studies are preceded by a short overview of existing approaches to achieve broader environmental goals through species conservation and a review of the social, ecological and social-ecological importance of White Stork. With the use of the above, we investigate linkages, complementarity and friction between the ecological, social and social-ecological perspectives on focal species, and eventually propose a framework for a more multi-targeted approach. The proposed concept of a social-ecological keystone species recognises social-ecological system complexity and goes beyond traditional divisions into ecological and social. Our approach extends the cultural keystone species concept to tie into new spheres -modern societies with more indirect connections to nature as well as indigenous communities, and all forms of human relationships with other species, not just for consumption -and to explicitly include the ecological significance of a species. Apart from serving as a potentially highly useful conservation proxy, a social-ecological keystone species emerges as a vehicle for ecological literacy, expanding from an interest in a species to learn more about the system of which it is part. White Stork, with its long history of coexistence with humans and many linkages with specific cultural practices offers an excellent example for discussing the broader social-ecological relevance of species in establishing meaningful connections to nature.
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