Miniature urban forests are being touted as a way to rewild our cities and make them more sustainable. In the Netherlands, the Tiny Forest scheme has established more than 250 plots at places like business parks and schools.
Miniature urban forests are being touted as a way to rewild our cities and make them more sustainable. In the Netherlands, the Tiny Forest scheme has established more than 250 plots at places like business parks and schools.
IVN Natuureducatie
The Tiny Forest scheme is led by the not-for-profit Institute for Environmental Education (IVN). Researchers have found that the scheme can provide a cooling effect in nearby streets.
The Tiny Forest scheme is led by the not-for-profit Institute for Environmental Education (IVN). Researchers have found that the scheme can provide a cooling effect in nearby streets.
IVN Natuureducatie
Others are also looking to bring greenery into city centers. Designer Thomas Heatherwick has created designs for a "new green heart" for the city of Nottingham, England, shown in this rendering.
Others are also looking to bring greenery into city centers. Designer Thomas Heatherwick has created designs for a "new green heart" for the city of Nottingham, England, shown in this rendering.
Heatherwick Studio
It is described as "as a blueprint for sustainable city centers in a post-Covid world" that would deliver a hectare of new green space and additional wildlife habitat in the wider area.
It is described as "as a blueprint for sustainable city centers in a post-Covid world" that would deliver a hectare of new green space and additional wildlife habitat in the wider area.
Heatherwick Studio
A derelict shopping mall would become a flexible green space to bring people together.
A derelict shopping mall would become a flexible green space to bring people together.
Heatherwick Studio
Singapore has long been a proponent of green corridors. These high-tech "Supertrees" are surrounded by an oasis of urban greenery.
Singapore has long been a proponent of green corridors. These high-tech "Supertrees" are surrounded by an oasis of urban greenery.
ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP/AFP via Getty Images
The London Rewilding Task Force is supporting numerous schemes to encourage wildlife, including developing new woodlands.
The London Rewilding Task Force is supporting numerous schemes to encourage wildlife, including developing new woodlands.
David Fielding
Elsewhere in London, local authorities and activists have reintroduced beavers to the city for the first time in centuries.
Elsewhere in London, local authorities and activists have reintroduced beavers to the city for the first time in centuries.
courtesy Enfield Council
"We know that rewilding can restore ecosystems and grow the range and abundance of different species in an area, but it also has a much wider-reaching role in making cities greener, healthier and more resilient to the impacts of climate change," says Shirley Rodrigues, London's deputy mayor for the environment.
"We know that rewilding can restore ecosystems and grow the range and abundance of different species in an area, but it also has a much wider-reaching role in making cities greener, healthier and more resilient to the impacts of climate change," says Shirley Rodrigues, London's deputy mayor for the environment.
courtesy Enfield Council