1 / 48

Human Dimensions of Urban Ecology

Human Dimensions of Urban Ecology. Kathleen L. Wolf, Ph.D. Research Social Scientist U of WA - Forest Resources. Urban Ecology biophysical complexity psychosocial complexity. EarthCorps. What Are “ Human Dimensions? ”. social benefits & impacts of resource non-market values

tavi
Download Presentation

Human Dimensions of Urban Ecology

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Human Dimensionsof Urban Ecology Kathleen L. Wolf, Ph.D. Research Social Scientist U of WA - Forest Resources

  2. Urban Ecologybiophysical complexity psychosocial complexity EarthCorps

  3. What Are “Human Dimensions?” • social benefits & impacts of resource • non-market values • community economics • planning, policy & decision making • stakeholder(s) values • user(s) conflicts • cultural/environmental justice • perceptions, values & attitudes

  4. Social ScienceDisciplines • psychology • social psychology • sociology • economics • political science • anthropology • geography

  5. Why is this Important? • urban sustainability • understand ecosystems functions & benefits for society • comprehensive systems, not site-by-site • implementation & commitment

  6. model of person/ecosystem interaction eco-origin “native nature” human experience “active experience” “passive experience” “constructed nature”

  7. Eco-Originnative nature to constructed nature Pierce County, Chambers Creek Properties

  8. urban forests? PNW lowland forests

  9. urban forests

  10. Central WA U plaza

  11. Central WA U plaza

  12. REI retail, Seattle

  13. Pierce County WA, Chambers Creek Properties

  14. Pierce County WA, Chambers Creek Properties - 4 year growth

  15. stormwater management Parks & People Foundation, Baltimore

  16. vertical forest structure

  17. roofs & structures

  18. City of Chicago, City Hall roof gardens/ecosystems

  19. Nashville, mixed use bldg roof gardens/ecosystems

  20. High Line Railway - W Manhattan

  21. High Line

  22. Friends of the High Line

  23. model of person/ecosystem interaction eco-origin “native nature” human experience “active experience” “passive experience” “constructed nature”

  24. Human Experiencepassive to active Parks & People Foundation, Baltimore “civic ecology”

  25. passive experiences of urban nature

  26. community gardens Parks & People Foundation, Baltimore

  27. Psychological Benefits of Nearby Nature • Higher job satisfaction, reduced absenteeism (R. Kaplan) • Lower crime rates in well landscaped areas (Kuo, Sullivan) • Reduced violence and more constructive conflict resolution in domestic conflict (Kuo, Sullivan) • Reduced ADHD symptoms in children (Faber Taylor, Kuo)

  28. recreational tree climbing - Japan

  29. nearby nature for all 20

  30. Health & Well Being • Improved surgery and illness recovery (Ulrich) • Stress reduction in urban lifestyles (Ulrich) • Reduced driving stress response & frustration (Parsons et al., Nasar) • Improved community walkability, lower BMI • (UW Urban Eco, Naderi et al.)

  31. Physical Activity & ObesityNature and Walkable Places majority of Americans not active enough goal-30 minutes per day of moderate activity risk factor for chronic diseases (heart, stroke, cancer, diabetes) significant costs to national health services 310-580,000 deaths per year $100 annual billion medical costs (1995) 9.4% of all U.S. medical costs

  32. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults2004 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs overweight for 5’ 4” person) Doubling of adult obesity rate since 1980. No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% ≥25% 15

  33. www.lhhl.uiuc.edu

  34. parks, open spaces & trails

  35. eco-restoration volunteers/employees - eco-literacy physical activity EarthCorps

  36. nature recovery & schools Parks & People Foundation, Baltimore

  37. nature recovery & schools Parks & People Foundation, Baltimore

  38. first phase - reading circle Parks & People Foundation, Baltimore

  39. nature recovery & schools Parks & People Foundation, Baltimore

  40. Parks & People Foundation, Baltimore planning skills & efficacy school asphalt recovery

  41. community gardens - renewal

  42. “3rd place”& social cohesion

  43. natural & social capital

  44. Why is this important?individuals eco-origin native human experience • nature & human functioning • public health & welfare • transferable knowledge & skills, youth • engaged in sustainability active passive constructed

  45. Why is this important?communities eco-origin native human experience • vibrant, livable cities & towns • environmental services • human services across communities • democracy & security through civic engagement active passive constructed Wangari Maathai 2004 Nobel Peace Prize

  46. www.cfr.washington.edu/research.envmind

More Related