Interview: Regreening Cities
The Topic
The world population will reach 8 billions very soon and by 2050, with the urban population more than doubling its current size, nearly 7 of 10 people in the world will live in cities putting even more pressure on how we integrate nature as part of it.
With the knowledge and awareness that human activity is already the dominant impact on the environment, today architects, leaders, permaculture specialists, and many other people are putting plans into action to regreen and rewild our cities, rethinking and rescripting our relationship with nature and our environment at the same time.
This trend has only been accelerated by Covid since last year as it acted as a trigger to rekindle our relationship with nature as we were forced to pause, slow down and especially recognise both the impact, we, humans, have on nature but also, in reverse, the impact nature actually has on us too and how important and precious it is.
So what can we do to regreen our cities and where do we start?
In this interview, we are speaking to two specialists working on the creation of regeneration projects in London and The Hague to bring some answers and inspire with ideas.
Our Guests
Zairah Khan, founder of BlueO2, representing The Future Garden project in The Hague, in The Netherlands.
The project aims to transform an abandoned piece of land into a green oasis for people and nature in the middle of the district. With more and more people being aware of climate change, but not forcefully knowing what to do about it and how we can make our city future-proof, the future garden is an opportunity to co-create a (climate) resilient design for a public space that creates opportunities for residents to connect with nature and with each other.
Lenka Moore, representing The Golden Leaf of London, in the UK.
The project aspires to rewild the A4 highway - which runs through Central London - lacing urban areas with ribbons of vegetation that become unique living sculptures. Inspired by the structure of a leaf, smaller veins connect the wild, natural and educational spaces to a central spine, all of which can be explored on foot or by bike so we can embrace healthier living, learn to coexist with Nature and imagine a future where, together, we thrive not survive.
In this interview we chat about:
REGENERATION FOR NATURE RECONNECTION
How regenerative solutions can help restore the human-nature relationship
Why it is a good idea for all of us to start taking on the role of Custodians of the Earth
What the principles of permaculture are and how they can be applied in an urban environment
Why an organic approach is more effective than ready-made solutions
SOCIAL IMPACT
How regeneration can help mitigate the effects of climate change in cities and make us more resilient
The impact of nature-poor environments on our mental health, but also on poorer communities in cities
Why natural beauty is underrated and we need to bring more of it
Why it’s important to evolve designing cities for infrastructure to designing cities for people
REFRAMING PROBLEMS
How to turn challenges and issues into the solution
Why depressing pieces of land nobody cares about can actually become your most exciting project
How to deal with vandalism
How creating art can help turn trash into something positive
COUNTERINTUITIVE IS GOOD
Why acting small and local can have a bigger impact... especially if we all do it!
The benefits of observing rather than doing as a first step in the regeneration process
Why it’s useful to think of a pizza when it comes to regeneration!
Why having a tap in a garden may not be the most effective solution for water needs
COLLABORATION & UNITING
Why co-creation at all levels is absolutely key in the success of a design
Why opening the conversation is essential if we want to create something new together
What you can do to empower people locally and invite them to become active participants
How to harness everyone’s gifts to make change happen