Cities are feeling the pressure. Climate shocks, biodiversity loss, and shrinking natural resources are pushing urban systems to their limits. It’s clear we need to rethink how we build and the way we live with nature. Part of the problem is that ecosystems have long been treated as resources to extract from, rather than vital living systems we’re part of.
In this edition of Cities on the Frontline, we’ll explore how renaturing cities—bringing nature back into urban environments—can help restore ecosystems, build resilience, and improve quality of life. This session will highlight how cities are embedding nature into urban planning through both high-level strategies and localized solutions.
Testimonies from cities in Latin America and Europe will provide evidence on how biodiversity is being placed at the core of urban development by implementing strategies related to ecological connectivity and landscape integration, bioeconomy and citizen science. At the same time, identifying high-impact, localized solutions is key to putting these strategies into action. We’ll also look at regenerative agriculture as one example, and how cities can use organic waste to close local loops, strengthen food systems, and support circular economies.
Through expert insights and real-world case studies, we’ll explore why renaturing is both possible and essential for creating healthier, more livable cities.
Don’t forget to register!
Gara Villalba
Full professor, Dept. of Chemical, Biological & Environmental Engineering, Autonomous University of Barcelona
María Angélica Mejía
Regional Curator, Latin America & the Caribbean, The Nature of Cities (TNOC)
Leon Kapetas (Host)
Programs & Climate Resilience Lead, Resilient Cities Network
