Cities currently house half of the world’s population. There are predictions that within the next three decades cities will absorb nearly all of the population growth. Cities currently occupy only three percent of the world’s land mass.
Skokie Lagoons, part of the Chicago Green Belt.
High concentrations of people in city environments leave little room for biodiversity. Very few cities provide for biodiversity within their limits. Biodiversity is a key element for the health of city dwellers and for the species cities can displace. It is not just the idea of having open green areas that provide recreational space for people who live in cities, but for the animals and plants that co-exist within those realms. Wetlands, and wildlife habitats that were once found in cities need to be integrated back into urban planning. Cities are quick to demolish old buildings, and use eminent domain to push people and buildings out of the way for large urban projects. None have used this power to restore wetlands and habitats within cities. This is a trend we would like to see. It would take political and economic will to restore green areas within their cities. But, the benefits would be great. It would improve the lifestyle of city residents, restore biodiversity, create a respect and appreciation for the natural world around us, and create new economic opportunities for cities that tout their green space and biodiversity. I live in the Chicago area, and there was an architect that had a vision for this city that was adopted and executed by past civic leaders. Daniel Burnham created the first green space plan for Chicago. The lakefront was kept as open green space for all residents. All building was banned on the lake shore. Green belts were created that surrounded the city. To this day these green belts are used by all residents to ride horses, bike, or just hike. Within these green belts are animals that include deer, and coyotes, and a rich plant diversity that is home to natural species. The only criticism that exists today, is that these green belts were never enlarged or added to as the advent of suburbia became a permanent landscape fixture. European cities have green belts, but very few cities in the U.S. have them. It seems the older ones, like New York City with Central Park and Chicago took nature into account for its residents. Green Belts need to become part of the urban planning for current and future generations, especially in light of the fact that we are only adding more people to the world each day.
John Vlahakis
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