Breadcrumb

The New Urban Conservation – meeting growing ambitions for green cities

Session 7

Introduction to the session

Urban nature is gaining attention in policy and research, with growing evidence that cities impact conservation, public health, and nature relationships. Urban ecosystems provide services and nature interactions for people living in cities (the majority of the world), shaping conservation support. Cities can also be biodiversity hotspots, offering refugia for species disfavored by intensive agriculture and forestry. 

Recognizing this, urban ecosystems are now highlighted for biodiversity conservation by the UN (2022) and EU (2024). However, these big ambitions and short time frames for creating green, sustainable cities pose challenges for stakeholders, practitioners, and researchers. What changes will the new conservation policies require from practitioners? What scientific evidence is needed for effective implementation? Most importantly, how do we translate knowledge into action? 

This transdisciplinary session explores how implementing new urban nature goals affects practice, research, and their cooperation. It covers urban conservation ecology, policy, and real-world implementation, from both research and practice. 

Session programme

11:00: Urban ecosystems – why they matter and current state  
The organisers

11:03: Social-Ecological Urbanism for a healthy city and healthy planet – the case of biodiversity and human-nature interaction 
Meta Berghauser Pont, Chalmers, Gothenburg

11:18: Restoration of Urban Ecosystems – goals and measures to increase quality and quantity of urban green areas and tree canopy cover in Swedish cities 
Ulrika Åkerlund, Boverket

11:34: How to effectively find areas where habitat restoration measures will be most successful     
Oskar Kindvall, Chalmers, Gothenburg; Calluna AB, Gothenburg

11:45: Planting forest in a residential area  
Fredrika Mårtensson, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp

11:56: Ecology vs. Bureaucracy: What 30 years of green planning taught us about power and practice
Hélène Littke, Ekologigruppen

12:07: Biodiversity in the Stone-built City – Evaluating Projects in Stockholm 
Martin Ehn Hillberg, White Arkitekter

12:18: Can an updated Biophilia hypothesis inform urban greenspace planning?
Bengt Gunnarsson, University of Gothenburg

Abstracts accepted for poster presentation:

  • Building Biodiversity: From evidence to action in urban landscapes 
    AnnaMaria Larson, Ekologigruppen
  • Poop scoops for bat conservation in Slottsskogen Park, Gothenburg, Sweden 
    Varsha Rai Chalise, University of Gothenburg 

Further information about the session

Keywords: biodiversity conservation; nature-based solutions; nature restoration; urban ecology; urban planning 
Language: English
Time and venue: 11:00-12:30, Europa.
Organisers:

  • Marcus Hedblom, Department of Urban & Rural Development, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
  • Anna S. Persson, Centre for Environmental and Climate Science, Lund University
  • Johan Kjellberg Jensen, Centre for Environmental and Climate Science, Lund University

Strategy for transformative change in focus for the session

IPBES highlights 5 complementary key strategies for transformative change: From conserving vital places to shifting values. Together these create pathways to just and sustainable futures. Learn more: IPBES Transformative Change Assessment: Chapter 5. Realizing a sustainable world for nature and people: transformative strategies, actions and roles for all

As indicated in the illustration below, session 7 focuses mainly on strategy 1: Conserve and regenerate places of value to nature and people.