Urban Ecology 1

General Ecology/Urban Ecology
Raji Michael
May 15, 2024
Objective: 1
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to define Urban Ecology,
understand the importance of Urban Ecology and identify some
environmental challenges in Urban Areas.
Introduction to Urban Ecology
Ecology is the study of how organisms interact with each

other and their environment at the population, community,
and ecosystem levels
Urban Ecology…
…how plants, animals & people interact in an

urban setting…adapting our behavior to
improve those interactions and lessen our
impact on the environment.
OR
What is urban Ecology?
Urban Ecology is the study of the relationships between living organisms and their
environment in urban areas. This includes the interactions between plants, animals,
and humans with their physical and social surroundings."
Importance of Urban Ecology?
"Urban Ecology is important for several reasons.
First, urban areas are home to
more than half of the world's
population, and this number is
expected to increase.
Understanding how to manage
urban ecosystems is critical for
ensuring the health and well-
being of urban residents.
Second, urban ecosystems provide a range of ecosystem services, such as air and
water purification, carbon sequestration, and recreational opportunities.
Finally, urban ecology can help us understand and address environmental challenges
that urban areas face."
ECOCITY
An eco-city/Ecologically sound urban/ is a city built off the

principles of living within the means of the environment.
media/image3.jpeg
The concept of Eco-City has a balanced relationship between the urban

(city) and the rural (countryside).
The ultimate goal of many eco-cities is
✓ to eliminate all carbon waste,
✓ to produce energy entirely through renewable
sources, and
✓ to incorporate the environment into the city;
Eco-cities also have

✓ the intentions of stimulating economic
growth,
✓ reducing poverty,
✓ organizing cities to have higher population
densities, and
✓ higher efficiency, and
✓ improving health.
Environmental Challenges in Urban Areas
Urban areas face a range of environmental challenges, such as
✓ air and water pollution,
✓ urban heat islands, and
✓ loss of biodiversity.
Environmental Challenges in Urban Areas
These challenges can have negative
impacts on the health and well-
being of urban residents and the
ecosystem services provided by
urban ecosystems."
Brainstorming Question
✓ What is Urban Ecology?
✓ Why is it important?
✓ What are some environmental challenges in Urban
Areas?“
Interactive Activity: Reflection

✓ Think about a city that you have lived in or visited. Reflect on the environmental
challenges that you have observed in that city and how Urban Ecology can help
address those challenges. Write down your thoughts and share them with the class.
THE CONCEPT OF URBAN ECOLOGY?
✓ The concept of the urban Ecology (“eco-city”) was
born out of one of the first organizations focused on
eco-city development, “Urban Ecology.”
✓ The group was founded by RICHARD REGISTER in

Berkeley, California in 1975, and was founded with
the idea of reconstructing cities to be in balance with
nature.
✓ They worked to plant trees along the main streets, built solar greenhouses,
and worked within the Berkeley legal system to pass environmentally
friendly policies and encourage public transportation.
✓ Urban Ecology then took the movement another step further with the
creation of The Urban Ecologist, a journal they started publishing in 1987.
THE IDEAL ECO CITY/Ecologically sound urban
The Ideal Ecologically sound urban is a city that fulfils the following criteria:
An urban ecosystem which is ecologically sound minimizing the negative
impact of development on the environment.
Reduction of ecological footprint , waste management and its utilization.
Achieving environmental sustainability through reduced greenhouse gas
emissions, utilization of renewable energy, and green transportation.
Creation of a vibrant economy through environment-friendly production and
industry that supports high capita gross domestic product (GDP) level
Maintaining high air and water quality standards and an
above-average ratio of green space per capita
Rain water harvesting systems, least usage of fossil fuels
Protection of ecologically sensitive habitats, physical and nonphysical
cultural legacies and promotion of green lifestyles and regional integration.
This rain garden takes almost all the water from the entire roof, keeping it from going down t
so to speak. The original bed was planted with topiary shrubs and bushes which had to be remo
Several residents worked with me to dig the bed out, mix in sand and manure. I was able to us
all of the rocks I moved from my old house to form a sort of stream bed, taking the water dow
second level. The rain chain is in mission style like the house and is not only beautiful, but the
water flows down it is mesmerizing. Next spring it will be alive with native wildflowers , attra
butterflies and birds to the yard and I shouldn't have to do much watering. (Ken R.)
Native Wildflower Bed 600 Enright
Bamboo Compost Bin
(using homegrown bamboo)
530 Enright
Rain Tank
530 Enrigh
Rain Barrel
530 Enright
Streetscaping…Replacing Grass with No-Mow Alternative Gardens
Perennial Garden
Chicken Run
Made From
Salvaged
Materials
Worm Bin Composting
Garden at 600 Enright
Objective: 4
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to understand
✓ The influence of human social and economic preferences, needs, and values on urban
ecological processes and functions;
✓ Human perception of the urban ecosystems and the impact of humans on the urban
environmental problems;
✓ The skills for ecologically-based urban planning;
The influence of human social and
economic preferences, needs, and
values on urban ecological processes
and functions
Urban Farming
What is urban farming
• Urban Farming
• It is a process of growing and distributing food, as
well as raising animals, in and around a city.
• This method of food cultivation saves energy in

food transportation and saves costs
To make it successful - cities must allot a common
area for community gardens or farms.
• As well as a common area for a farmer’s market in

which the foodstuffs grown within the city which can
be sold to the residents of the urban system.
Urban farming
Transportation
Sustainable transportation attempts to
reduce a use of greenhouse emitting gases by:
• Eco friendly urban planning, low environmental

impact vehicles,
• to create an urban center that has greater
environmental responsibility and social equity.
Car free Space,
• Currently, transportation systems account for
nearly a quarter of the world’s energy
consumption and carbon dioxide emission.
• So there are two major solution for this

problem to make a city healthy and productive.
Emphasis on Proximity
• This requires cities be built at landmark density so

that destinations are reached.
• This reduces time in transit, reduces fuel

expenditure & also choosing other alternative
transports like walking.
• Implementing sustainable transportation must
include access to transportation by all levels of
society.
• For this we need to make public
transportation more accessible and cheap.
• By this economic and social conditions are
developed.
Urban Heat Islands.
• An urban heat island (UHI) is an urban area or metropolitan
area that is significantly warmer than its surrounding rural
areas due to human activities.
• The temperature difference is usually larger at night than during
the day, and is most apparent when winds are weak. UHI is most
noticeable during the summer and winter.
• The main cause of the urban heat island effect is from the
modification of land surfaces. Waste heat generated by energy
usage is a secondary contributor.
• As a population center grows, it tends to expand its area and
increase its average temperature.
• The less-used term heat island refers to any area, populated or
not, which is consistently hotter than the surrounding area.
5. The skills for ecologically-
based urban planning
Urban Agriculture and Energy
• Different agricultural systems -

agricultural plots within the city – reduces
distance.
• Renewable energy sources - wind
turbines, solar panels, or bio-gas created
from sewage.
Urban Heat Island
Methods to reduce air conditioning -
planting trees and lightening surface
colors, natural ventilation systems, an
increase in water features, and green
spaces equal to at least 20% of the city's
surface.
Transportation
• Transportation planning- Improved public

transport and an increase in pedestrian routes to
reduce car emissions - requires a radically different
approach to city planning.
Buildings and Transportation
• Optimal building density - make public transport
sustainable - avoid the creation of urban heat
islands.
• Green roofs
• Zero-emission transport
• Zero-energy building
Green roofs
Masdar City in Abu Dahbi
Design for a 180 meter tall tower in
Paris
Singapore
ARCHITECTURE
• Eco industrial park
• Urban farming
• Walkable urbanism
• Individual buildings
• Urban infill
• Reduces environmental impact
• Improves economic performance
Industrial park in Michigan built by Phoenix Designs that is made
almost entirely from recycled materials.
• ECO-INDUSTRIAL PARK
• This helps – as native trees, grasses, and
flowers, and the landscaping design will
act as climate shelter for the facility.
• They are using from one plant to another
• Steam connections from firms provide

heating for homes in that area
•ECO-INDUSTRIAL PARK
Using renewable energy such as wind and solar power.
Creating more efficient water flows.
Principles of
Urban Ecology
What’s a principle?
Components of Theory
• Domain
• Assumptions
• Concepts
• Definitions
• Facts
• Confirmed generalizations
• Laws
• Models
• Translation modes
• Hypotheses
• Framework
Senses of “urban”
• Broad – inclusive
• Narrow – specific
P1
Towns/urban/Cities are about people and
ecosystems
.
• Human ecosystems
The Tansleyan Ecosystem Concept
Biotic complex Physical complex
Social complex Built complex
The Human Ecosystem Concept

P2
Cities have multiple and changing forms.

Burgess Model
Central Business District

Transitional zone: recent immigrants, deteriorating
housing, factories, abandonment
Working class zone: single family tenements
Residential zone: single family homes with yards and garage
Commuter zone: suburbs
P3
Cities are mosaics extending into surroundings
Components of change
• Urban design
• Urban planning
• Topography
• Ecology
• Social-cultural
• Economic
P5
Urban designs as experiments

P7
Social, cultural, economic complexity

P8
Flux of water, and water infrastructure.

Thank you

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General Ecology/Urban Ecology

Ecology is the study of how organisms interact with each

…how plants, animals & people interact in an

An eco-city/Ecologically sound urban/ is a city built off the

The concept of Eco-City has a balanced relationship between the urban

Eco-cities also have

Interactive Activity: Reflection

✓ The group was founded by RICHARD REGISTER in

• This method of food cultivation saves energy in

• As well as a common area for a farmer’s market in

• Eco friendly urban planning, low environmental

• So there are two major solution for this

• This requires cities be built at landmark density so

• This reduces time in transit, reduces fuel

• Different agricultural systems -

• Transportation planning- Improved public

• They are using from one plant to another

• Steam connections from firms provide

Biotic complex Physical complex

Social complex Built complex

The Human Ecosystem Concept

Cities have multiple and changing forms.

Central Business District

Urban designs as experiments

Social, cultural, economic complexity

Flux of water, and water infrastructure.

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