Nature-positive cities: A vision for a sustainable future

The accelerating pace of urbanisation, coupled with the escalating crises of climate change and biodiversity loss, demands a radical reimagining of our cities. Cities are the engines of global economic activity, accounting for over 80% of global GDP. However, this economic prowess comes at a steep environmental cost. Cities consume a disproportionate share of the world’s resources and are responsible for more than 70% of global CO2 emissions. This stark reality underscores the urgent need for cities to transition towards a more sustainable and nature-positive model.

The concept of “nature-positive” cities has emerged as a powerful framework for envisioning urban environments that not only minimise harm to nature but actively contribute to its recovery and regeneration. It calls for a fundamental shift from a human-centric to an eco-centric perspective, recognising the intrinsic value of nature and its vital role in supporting human well-being. Nature-positive cities are designed to integrate nature into all aspects of urban life, fostering a harmonious coexistence between human and ecological systems contributing to the well-being of both.

Benefits of nature-positive cities

Climate change mitigation and adaptation are critical challenges that nature-positive cities are uniquely positioned to address. Urban nature plays a crucial role in regulating the urban climate, with trees and vegetation absorbing carbon dioxide, reducing the urban heat island effect, and improving air quality. Nature-based solutions, such as green roofs and permeable pavements, can help manage stormwater runoff, reducing the risk of flooding and improving water quality.

These climate-focused initiatives go hand in hand with efforts to enhance biodiversity. Nature-positive cities prioritise the conservation and restoration of native biodiversity, creating habitat corridors that protect endangered species, and promote ecological connectivity within and beyond the urban landscape. By fostering diverse ecosystems, these cities not only contribute to global conservation efforts but also create more resilient urban environments.

The benefits of nature-positive urban design extend beyond environmental concerns, significantly impacting social dynamics. These cities promote social equity and inclusivity by ensuring that all residents have access to the benefits of nature. Community gardens, urban parks, and green streets can foster a sense of community, belonging, and stewardship, contributing to stronger social cohesion.

Moreover, the presence of urban nature has profound effects on public health. Studies have shown that exposure to nature can reduce stress, improve mental well-being, and promote physical activity. Green spaces provide opportunities for recreation, social interaction, and a sense of connection to the natural world, all of which contribute to a higher quality of life for urban residents.

Nature-positive urban development also offers significant economic advantages. Investing in nature-positive infrastructure can create jobs, boost tourism, and increase property values. When this is coupled with their ability to reduce healthcare costs – by improving public health – they present a compelling economic argument for prioritising nature in urban planning and development.

Key principles and frameworks

Several key principles and frameworks guide the transition towards nature-positive cities.

The Urban Nature Futures Framework (UNFF), developed by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), provides a comprehensive framework for envisioning and planning nature-positive cities. It encourages cities to consider the various values of nature and to develop scenarios that explore different pathways for achieving a sustainable urban future.

The UNFF outlines three perspectives that can inform urban planning and decision-making: the “nature of nature”, the “nature of society”, and the “nature of culture”.

The “nature of nature” perspective emphasises the intrinsic value of biodiversity and ecological processes, where cities are designed to accommodate nature’s dynamics, allowing for natural regeneration and ecological resilience. A notable example of this is in Singapore where urban greening initiatives, biodiversity conservation policies and the development of sustainable urban parks, such as the Gardens by the Bay project, have sought to integrate biodiversity into urban planning.

The “nature of society” perspective highlights the tangible benefits of nature for human well-being, focusing on equitable access to those benefits. It advocates for the prioritisation of green-spaces, urban forestry, and nature-based solutions that enhance quality of life. An example of this can be found in Sentul City, where green spaces make up to 40-60% of the built environment. This provides recreational spaces that promote community and individual well-being and foster a harmonious relationship between the city’s inhabitants and nature.

The “nature as culture” perspective, recognises the diverse values and meanings associated with nature. Cities adopting this perspective promote human-nature connections that go beyond the purely utilitarian. Instead, they seek to incorporate traditional ecological knowledge, cultural heritage, and spiritual values. For instance, in Sydney Australia the Yarra River Protection Act and the establishment of the Birrarung council have helped to ensure that indigenous perspectives are integrated into the management and protection of the Yarra river.

Building on these perspectives, the AR3T framework offers a practical approach for cities to translate their nature-positive commitments into tangible actions. This framework outlines four levels of engagement that cities can adopt to foster environmental sustainability. The first level, “Avoid,” emphasises the importance of steering clear of actions that harm nature, such as deforestation, habitat fragmentation, and pollution. The “Reduce” level encourages cities to minimise their negative impacts on the environment by implementing sustainable practices like reducing energy consumption, minimising waste, and promoting green transportation. Following this, the framework advocates for cities to “Restore and Regenerate” degraded ecosystems through initiatives such as planting trees and creating wetlands. Finally, the “Transform” level challenges urban areas to fundamentally shift towards a nature-positive model by incorporating nature considerations into urban planning policies, building codes, and infrastructure development. By following the AR3T Framework, cities can systematically work towards becoming more nature-positive, ultimately enhancing both environmental health and urban liveability.

Planning and implementation strategies

Translating the vision of nature-positive cities into reality requires strategic planning and implementation strategies that integrate nature into all aspects of urban development. Evidence-based planning is crucial to this. Data collection, monitoring, and evaluation are essential for informing planning decisions and tracking progress. Cities should develop comprehensive urban ecosystem assessments to understand the current state of their natural assets, identify areas for improvement, and set realistic targets.

With this groundwork complete, the next step is to develop more integrated urban plans. Nature considerations should be incorporated into all levels of urban planning, from master plans to individual building designs. This includes zoning regulations, building codes, and infrastructure development guidelines. As part of this integrated approach, more biodiverse urban plans should be prioritised. Urban design should focus on creating habitat corridors, using native plant species, and integrating wildlife-friendly features into buildings and public spaces.

Significant investment and active participation, will be required to develop the necessary green infrastructure to support these designs. Developers and city planners will need to invest in features such as green roofs, urban forests, and rain gardens, while at the same time trying to foster community engagement for community gardens, and urban greening projects.

Ultimately the long term success of nature-positive cities will hinge on community engagement. These initiatives require the active participation of residents, businesses, and community organisations and so cities should actively encourage and empower communities to participate in planning and stewardship initiatives.

Challenges and opportunities

The transition towards nature-positive cities is not without its challenges, but it also presents significant opportunities for urban areas to reimagine their development and bring about sustainable change.

Arguably the biggest challenge is the competition for land use in urban areas. This often leads to conflicts between development and nature conservation. Cities must find creative ways to balance these competing demands, such as incorporating green spaces into mixed-use developments and utilising underutilised spaces like rooftops and abandoned lots for urban agriculture and habitat restoration. Additionally, funding constraints can pose significant hurdles, as implementing nature-positive initiatives often requires substantial financial investment. To address this, cities need to explore innovative financing mechanisms, such as green bonds, payments for ecosystem services, and public-private partnerships. Another key consideration is ensuring social equity, as it’s vital that all residents benefit from nature-positive development to avoid green gentrification.

Despite these challenges, successfully transitioning to nature-positive cities can drive economic growth by creating jobs, boosting tourism, and stimulating innovation in sectors such as green construction, urban agriculture, and ecotourism. Cities that work collaboratively with residents, businesses, and community organisations to transform their urban environments, will ultimately benefit from areas that are not only liveable but truly life-giving.

Here at Farrelly Mitchell, we work alongside governments and city planners to develop greener cities. We actively support clients with impact assessments, evidence-based research, stakeholder engagement, strategic sustainability advice and policy design. Our nature and biodiversity experts are highly experienced and uniquely capable of supporting cities in their journey to become nature-positive. Contact us today to find out more.