The coexistence of amenity and biodiversity in urban landscapes
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In: Landscape Research, Vol. 41, No. 5, 03.07.2016, p. 495-509.
Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - The coexistence of amenity and biodiversity in urban landscapes
AU - Ives, Christopher D.
AU - Kelly, Andrew H.
PY - 2016/7/3
Y1 - 2016/7/3
N2 - Amenity is a long-standing component of town planning and municipal governance. Biodiversity is a far more recent concept, yet interpreting the conservation mandate in a local context is a significant challenge for landscape and urban planners. This article explores the concepts of amenity and biodiversity and investigates their compatibility in an urbanising world. Their historical expression in law and urban planning is considered, and empirical research on the links between human well-being, green environments and biodiversity is reviewed. We argue that amenity is an underutilised vehicle for achieving biodiversity goals in line with new urban greening paradigms because of its long-standing currency with planning professionals. However, conflict between biodiversity and amenity can arise in practice, depending on a city’s social–ecological context. These challenges can be overcome through setting clear objectives, utilising scientific evidence, engaging with local communities and ensuring landscape policy is sufficiently flexible to accommodate local needs and characteristics.
AB - Amenity is a long-standing component of town planning and municipal governance. Biodiversity is a far more recent concept, yet interpreting the conservation mandate in a local context is a significant challenge for landscape and urban planners. This article explores the concepts of amenity and biodiversity and investigates their compatibility in an urbanising world. Their historical expression in law and urban planning is considered, and empirical research on the links between human well-being, green environments and biodiversity is reviewed. We argue that amenity is an underutilised vehicle for achieving biodiversity goals in line with new urban greening paradigms because of its long-standing currency with planning professionals. However, conflict between biodiversity and amenity can arise in practice, depending on a city’s social–ecological context. These challenges can be overcome through setting clear objectives, utilising scientific evidence, engaging with local communities and ensuring landscape policy is sufficiently flexible to accommodate local needs and characteristics.
KW - amenity
KW - Biodiversity
KW - conservation
KW - landscape aesthetics
KW - local government
KW - planning
KW - Environmental planning
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84944937585&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/01426397.2015.1081161
DO - 10.1080/01426397.2015.1081161
M3 - Journal articles
AN - SCOPUS:84944937585
VL - 41
SP - 495
EP - 509
JO - Landscape Research
JF - Landscape Research
SN - 0142-6397
IS - 5
ER -