Document: WIM-3-99-162

Urban Ecology in the Netherlands: The making of urban nature.

TIMMERMANS, W.*

Alterra Green World Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands ¹

Abstract:
Urban nature is important for biodiversity. Relevant aspects are basic factors, structural factors and conditions created by man. From an animal point of view the city is a human ecosystem: it is very dangerous; however there are also a lot of benefits. Urban green and buildings have a high potential for making urban nature, although it is not the main goal of planners and maintainers involved. To introduce new nature in an urban green area or a building it is necessary to be aware of the ecological conditions of the different species. Then a next step is necessary. The ecological conditions must be integrated in the functions of the urban green or the program which is the basis of a building. Urban green areas, fulfilling different social, regulation and economic functions, have already been colonised by animals and plants form the rural land. Also buildings have been colonised; especially many birds are already colonising the urban area, coming from the land. Most well known example is the swallow. From a planning or architectural point of view this means, that although the making of urban nature cannot be a main goal, urban nature can be made together with green areas or buildings. The result is that the habitat of a species will have a different form in the rural, the urban-rural or the urban area. Examples will be given.

Keywords: urban

This abstract is being presented at: 2:40 PM in session:
Symposium # 11: Urban Ecology: The Eastern and Western Perspectives.