ABSTRACT

Small-scale urban greening projects are changing the urban landscape, shifting our experience and understanding of greenspaces in our cities. This book argues that including power dynamics, symbolism, and aesthetics in our understanding of the human relationship to urban nature can help us create places that nurture ecological and human health and promote successful and equitable urban communities. Using an interdisciplinary approach to current research debates and new comparative case studies on community perceptions of these urban greening projects and policies, this book explores how small-scale urban greening projects can impact our sense of place, health, creativity, and concentration while also being part of a successful urban greening program. Arguing that wildness, emotion, and sense of place are key components of our human–nature relationship, this book will be of interest to designers, academics, and policy makers.

chapter |14 pages

Introduction

Urbanites, nature, and re-thinking urban greenspace

chapter 1|40 pages

Nature, health, well-being, and sense of place

What do we know? What don’t we agree on?

chapter 2|49 pages

Ecology in the margins

Green infrastructure and stormwater management

chapter 3|41 pages

Meadows in the sky

A green roof case study

chapter 4|60 pages

Reclaiming the city

Vacant lots and post-industrial corridors

chapter |35 pages

Conclusion

Policy lessons and research implications: Connecting urbanites to nature and re-thinking urban greenspace