Green Urbanism and Nature in the City

Green Urbanism - Chapter 7
Nature in the City - Chapter 2
9/2/07

The authors of both texts were most in concert around the fundamental idea that to increase sustainable practices in American cities it is essential to reassess the separation of "city" and "urban" from "nature" and "environment." By seeing our cities as seamless homes integrated into larger systems we are ultimately taking care of our own safety and welfare, yet we are also existing with the ecosystems that extend within our cities. This is paramount now that a majority of the world's population lives in an urban environment. Both authors also emphasize change at the local level as opposed to state or national. Defor & Keil are primarliy concerned with a theorectical approaches to how our local goverments function, using Tornorto and LA as examples. Beatley provides numerous case studies highlighting the successes of local projects and funding programs.

I was particulary engaged by the example in Defor and Keil regarding LA air quality and the personal restrictions put on city residents. Restrictions on personal freedoms instead of broader policy changes which would have long term effect does little to improve air quality and a lot to alienate people from becoming part of the solution of their own free will. I am reminded of growing up in California in the 80's during a major drought. City residents were discouraged and restricted from watering their lawns and gardens, bathwater was used to water plants, etc. When I contrast this example with the statistics of over 60% groundwater retention of green roofs (albeit in the drought-less Northwest) I am surprised that California did not implement a more long-term solution. However, at the local level, there have been cities such as Davis which have undertaken more "progressive" approaches.

I enjoyed being reminded in the Beatley article about the necessity of eco-bridges in the system of urban greenspaces. It was a good reminder for someone like myself who might laud a new park or greenspace without really thinking about how it connects to other habitats. We can nurture the ecosystems within which our cities live by creating these connections. I found the Defor and Keil piece a bit alienating in its theorectical approach, though the piece was very engaging and I liked the emphasis on local government. My question is about making and implementing these major changes, especially in American society. What other disciplines can we engage with to educate people not only on the importance of having fresh air and food but also on exercise and enjoyment of these green spaces we are creating?