The Importance of Unintentional Nature in Cities

A new book argues in favor of spontaneous, informal natural spaces.

2 minute read

March 14, 2022, 11:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Vacant Lot

Amy Gahran / Flickr

Bloomberg CityLab's Linda Poon interviews Matthew Gandy, author of Natura Urbana: Ecological Constellations in Urban Space. The book "explores the longstanding cultural and scientific fascination" with "the 'unintentional nature' that springs up in urban spaces and is often neglected by humans." Inspired by an "accidental garden" that sprung up in a bombed-out lot in his inner London neighborhood, Gandy makes the argument that liminal, marginal, 'accidentally natural' spaces in cities "not only serve as mini laboratories for studying urban biodiversity, but can also reveal as much about a city’s history and political tensions as ruins, or the intentionally built environment."

Gandy also highlights the importance of nature in central cities as an equity issue:

Poor neighborhoods or ethnic minority neighborhoods in cities are often much more poorly served by access to parks and public space than richer neighborhoods. And for people of color, some parks and public spaces do not feel very safe or welcoming, and often this is even more the case if people travel outside of cities to rural or non-metropolitan spaces of nature. Therefore, urban nature in the heart of the city is much more open to a diverse public.

A critical analysis of the human-nature relationship is urgently needed, says Gandy. "[S]ince more than half the global population now live in cities, if we don’t have a better relationship with and understanding of urban nature, how will we build different responses to environmental questions more generally?"

Thursday, March 10, 2022 in Bloomberg CityLab

courses user

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges. Corey D, Transportation Planner

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges.

Corey D, Transportation Planner

Ready to give your planning career a boost?

Commercial street in small rural U.S. town with storefronts and clocktower.

Progressive Planning in Ideologically Conservative Communities

Planners must work in diverse political environments including conservative jurisdictions that are skeptical of new issues and perspectives. Here are ways to reconcile conflicting goals.

November 7, 2024 - Todd Litman

Amtrak Coast Starlight passenger train passing over bridge in Altamont Pass, California.

Amtrak Expanding Service in California’s Central Valley

Amtrak is planning a major expansion to the passenger rail lines connecting the Central Valley and the Bay Area.

November 4, 2024 - The Modesto Bee

Overhead view of white Waymo self-driving car in San Francisco, California with shared bikes and scooters visible on adjacent sidewalk.

Robotaxis Wreak Havoc on Urban Transit

In cities across the United States, robotaxis, championed by companies like Waymo and Cruise, are a marvel of modern technology and a flashpoint for debate over their place in urban transit.

November 11, 2024 - Cities of the Future

Busy subway station with people walking on platform and train stopped.

How Good Transit Benefits Communities Beyond its Users

Robust, efficient transit networks can have an outsized impact on vehicle miles traveled, even by non-transit users.

1 hour ago - State Smart Transportation Initiative

Solar and Wind Energy

Why Renewables Aren’t Going Anywhere

The worldwide transition to renewable energy sources is already underway as climate change creates more significant impacts on the global supply chain and economy.

2 hours ago - Forbes

Close-up of charging port on yellow electric school bus plugged in at charging station.

Opinion: Supporting Electric School Buses is the Right Thing to Do — and Fiscally Conservative

Why switching school bus fleets to electric vehicles is good for students, the environment, and school districts’ finances.

3 hours ago - Governing

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.