workshop report:urbanbiodiversity

The connection between our actions, the degradation of our ecosystems and the acute loss of biodiversity is obvious. But what role do cities play in this global context? What effects do they have, who do they provide habitats for – and what possibilities do we have to act from cities and enable positive developments? These are questions that lala.ruhr also asks itself time and again, most recently in the context of a workshop during the Metropole Ruhr Landscape Festival.

The terminology

Urban biodiversity as a term refers to the biological diversity of cities themselves. By regional biodiversity flow we mean the influence of human life in the city on the surrounding countryside. Global biodiversity flow refers to our influence on distant countries and their ecosystems – which is drawn from our global consumption patterns.

Biodiversity in planning

In general, it can be said that “nature in the city” is still a fairly young phenomenon in research, which has only been scientifically explored since the 1970s with the emergence of the discipline of urban ecology. While nature and species conservation have a long tradition, little attention has been paid to animals and plants in the city. A weighty reason for this is seen in the long-prevailing separation between human space and nature, reflected in terms such as natural landscape and cultural landscape. In the meantime, planning concepts link spaces and functions – park areas, for example, are no longer defined only as places for recreation, but also with a view to the animal and plant species to be found on them – for lala.ruhr, too, nature already begins on the windowsill.

Biodiversity in the Metropole Ruhr

The Urban Biodiversity Network has been in existence in the Metropole Ruhr since 2012. It brings together important partners who work on the topic of biodiversity and promote a strategy for the Metropole Ruhr. Only a few weeks ago, position papers were published that focus on nine topics: Species and Biotope Protection, Industrial Nature, Urban Agriculture, Urban Forest Use, Open Space and Biotope Connectivity, Climate Change and Climate Adaptation, Urban Greenery and Social Responsibility, Urban Greenery and Health Care, and Environmental Education and Environmental Education Centres.In concrete terms, the Urban Biodiversity Network monitors the species in the Duisburg Landscape Park, for example – an extraordinary diversity with over 700 plant and animal species. An example of this is the 35 different dragonfly species on the grounds of the former industrial site alone.

Biodiversity also plays an important role in the Emschergenossenschaft’s action programme for the development of a climate-silient region through blue-green infrastructures. The necessary solutions for climate adaptation also open up a scope for action. For example, the way a green roof is constructed determines whether insects and birds also find a complementary habitat there.

NABU NRW is also involved in many projects. Thorsten Wiegers emphasised during the festival workshop that biodiversity can be an indicator for liveable cities – not only on the factually necessary level, but also emotionally with enthusiasm. According to a study by the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, 89% of people in Germany agreed with the statement that “biodiversity in nature promotes their well-being and quality of life”. It is important, especially in the city, that people connect with nature and biodiversity and perceive it as a natural part of their living space.

Another exciting project on the topic of urban biodiversity can be found in Dortmund: Naturfelder Dortmund e.V., embedded in the EU research project “productive Green Infrastructure for post-industrial urban regeneration” (proGIreg), which aims to strengthen the green infrastructure in formerly industrial areas. To this end, the association wants to upgrade areas in Dortmund with the municipality and citizens as flowering meadows with high biodiversity. The first areas were already sown in spring 2021.

Decade of Restoring Our Ecosystems

Together with climate change, the loss of biodiversity is one of the great named crises of our time. Against this background, the UN has declared the Decade of Ecosystem Restoration. Our cities play a major role in this, as they are increasingly evolving from the idea of a medieval bulwark to a real living space for their inhabitants. Animals also see an opportunity here and are migrating to the cities. Exciting in a global context: the work of ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability. The organisation’s website provides an overview of biodiversity activities in Europe. There is also a lively international exchange via the platform.

Conclusion of the workshop

The Metropole Ruhr can develop further qualities from its transformation, which are already manifesting themselves in many places that were formerly characterised by heavy industry. However, this will not be the solution to a global crisis. There is still a great need for action to also use urban biodiversity as a basis for a liveable and climate-adapted city, and in doing so to have a positive effect on the global situation – directly through the projects, indirectly through the emerging awareness. In this context, the fragmented structure of the Metropole Ruhr and the current climate adaptation activities offer a potent framework for action that can build on the successful transformation to date: Understanding the Metropole Ruhr as a functioning ecosystem and also shaping it as such.

Text: Sebastian Schlecht
Photo: Bille Helbig

A fox in the middle of a train station: even if we are not always immediately aware of it, our cities provide habitats for animals and plants. Even in places where we don’t suspect it.