Perspectives in Urban Ecology

This interdisciplinary overview of urban ecology uses the metropolitan region of Berlin as a case study and assesses not only empirical environmental data but also developments in social dimensions such as urban planning, traffic management and the economy.

This book gives an interdisciplinary overview on urban ecology. Basic understanding of urban nature development and its social reception are discussed for the European Metropolitan Area of Berlin. Furthermore, we investigate specific consequences for the environment, nature and the quality of life for city dwellers due to profound changes such as climate change and the demographic and economic developments associated with the phenomena of shrinking cities. Actual problems of urban ecology should be discussed not only in terms of natural dimensions such as atmosphere, biosphere, pedosphere and hydrosphere but also in terms of social and cultural dimensions such as urban planning, residence and recreation, traffic and mobility and economic values. Our research findings focus on streets, new urban landscapes, intermediate use of brown fields and the relationships between urban nature and the well-being of city dwellers. Finally, the book provides a contribution to the international discussion on urban ecology.

Interdisciplinary (social and natural) approach on urban ecology Case study Berlin as a Metropolitan Region New research findings taken into account profound changes of climate, city shrinking and demographic and economic development Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Inhalt
Introduction: From Urban Nature Studies to Ecosystem Services,- 1. Particulate Matter in the Urban Atmosphere: Concentration, Distribution, Reduction. Results of Studies in the Berlin Metropolitan Area,- 2. Contamination of Urban Surface and Ground Water Resources and Impact on Aquatic Species,- 3. Urban Soils in the Vadose Zone,- 4. Plants in Urban Settings: From Patterns to Mechanisms and Ecosystem Services,- 5. New Directions in Urban Avian Ecology: Reciprocal Connections Between Birds and Humans in Cities,- 6.Changes in the Urban Economy and New Locational Systems,- 7. Remote Sensing and Spatial Modeling of the Urban Environment,- 8. Social Dimensions of Urban Restructuring: Urban Gardening, Residents'Participation, Gardening Exhibitions,- 9. From L. Wirth to E. Wirth: Integrating Effects of the Organizational Division of Labour into the Study of Urban Life,- 10. Human Perception of Urban Environment and Consequences for its Design,- 11. The Social Construction of City Nature: Exploring Temporary Uses of Open Green Space in Berlin