
The challenge for the next century is to make sure that “the edge” of human settlement is established and recognized around urban areas. As permaculturists often point out, it’s along the edges where life happens.
But unlike the usual approach, such as designing ecosystems into new developments or creating habitats that might attract a certain species, the case is made for “wilding” future cities.
“The key to future biodiversity, ironically, may be how we plan and adapt our cities. The World Health Organization predicts that by 2050, the number of people worldwide living in cities will almost double, “increasing from approximately 3.4 billion in 2009 to 6.4 billion in 2050.”
If this is true, then what does the future hold for suburbia?
“The good news is these communities tend to have a lot of room for ecological improvement, in the form of lawns, back yards, parks and sporting fields,” says Green Builder Editor in Chief Matt Power. “Here’s where one of the most vilified private organizations in American society can help: homeowner associations (HOAs). A recent study in Ecology found that homeowner associations could be a powerful force for adding biodiversity to the ‘burbs.”
An HOA with progressive policies can change the game. “HOAs can allow wild plants to flourish, restrict the use of toxic herbicides and limit aggressive landscaping, thereby becoming stewards of biodiversity,” Power says.
But they are just one piece of the biodiversity puzzle. Read more about future growth patterns, the Celestia Forecast, the role of nature in our health and happiness, how to restore habitats, and more . Plus, stay tuned for The Celestia Project Chapter 3: Congregation: Transportation and Density.
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