Nature can cool cities, but proceed with caution

Mabon, Leslie; Connor, Ben; Moncaster, Alice; Pearce, Catherine; Pratt, Eleanor; Shih, Wan-Yu; Tsai, Meng-Chin; Vseteckova, Jitka; Waights, Verina; Wolstenholme, Ruth

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.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 6, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Sep 21, 2023
• Publication Date: Sep 21, 2023
• Deposit Date: Sep 22, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 26, 2023
• Journal: Urban Transformations
• Print ISSN: 2524-8162
• Publisher: BioMed Central
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 5
• Issue: 1
• Article Number: 11
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s42854-023-00057-9
• Keywords: General Medicine
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/11130977
• Additional Information: Received: 17 April 2023; Accepted: 6 September 2023; First Online: 21 September 2023; : ; : The authors have no competing interests to declare and do not stand to benefit financially or otherwise from the content of the paper.