By reintroducing native plants, creating green spaces and reducing human intervention, urban rewilding aims to bring nature back to the concrete jungle.
When you think of a city, what comes to mind? Towering skyscrapers, busy streets and endless concrete? Now imagine if some of that gray was swapped for green: lush parks, rooftop forests and wildlife corridors that allow nature to thrive alongside us. That’s the essence of urban rewilding, which aims to restore biodiversity and natural ecosystems in urban areas to create healthier and more livable cities.
Unlike traditional greening projects that focus on manicured and often fragmented parks and gardens, urban rewilding takes a more natural approach. Ecosystems are allowed to regenerate with minimal human intervention. Instead of simply adding plants to a controlled environment, urban rewilding encourages nature to reclaim spaces in a way that sustains itself over time.
Put the clippers down and let it grow! Photo: Anastasia Miseyko / Connected Archives
Why we need urban rewilding
Cities have long been designed with efficiency and expansion in mind, often at the expense of the environment. Urban sprawl, pollution and habitat destruction have led to declining biodiversity and increased climate risks such as flooding and rising temperatures.
By incorporating more greenery, cities can create habitats for insects, birds and small mammals, helping to restore natural balance. Trees and plants also absorb pollutants and reduce the urban heat island effect, which is when concrete and asphalt trap excessive heat. This effect has led to the appointment of ‘chief heat officers’ (CHO) in a growing number of cities. In Los Angeles, where extreme heat is one of the deadliest hazards, CHO Marta Segura has been tasked with developing a range of sustainable cooling strategies. One of them is planting trees.
There’s another big reason to embrace urban rewilding. Rewilded spaces can help combat climate change in two major ways: by trapping carbon dioxide, one of the main greenhouse gases, and soaking up rainfall and floodwater.
Zhenjiang, on the Yangtze River in eastern China, is improving its ‘sponginess’ as a way to boost climate resilience. By adding more wetlands, parks and trees, the city is increasing the amount of water it can absorb and – just as importantly – retain for use during periods of drought.
Beyond environmental benefits, urban rewilding improves mental well-being. Studies have shown that access to green spaces reduces stress, anxiety and depression. Even a view of greenery from a window can have a profound impact on human health.
More from Imagine5
Examples of urban rewilding around the world
Several cities have implemented urban rewilding in unique ways. One of the best known examples is The High Line in New York City. Once an abandoned elevated railway, it has been transformed into a green corridor filled with native plants that attract pollinators, birds and other wildlife. This urban oasis shows how neglected spaces can be reimagined to support biodiversity and provide a recreational space for residents and visitors.
In Milan, Italy, Bosco Verticale – or Vertical Forest – is a pair of residential towers covered with thousands of trees and shrubs. These ‘living buildings’ not only provide homes for birds and insects but also absorb carbon dioxide and improve air quality. The towers’ architect, Stefano Boeri, says he never registered any copyrights for the buildings, hoping that their ideas would spread. “We wanted to demonstrate that this is possible,” he told Architectural Digest.
Meanwhile, Singapore is a leader in integrating nature into urban spaces. From the futuristic Supertree Grove to an extensive network of green roofs and vertical gardens, the Asian metropolis has shown how modern infrastructure and nature can coexist, even when space is limited.
These Supertrees in Singapore are home to over 162,900 plants and 200 species. Photo: Taylor Simpson / Unsplash
Things we can do to rewild our cities
Urban rewilding doesn’t have to be a massive, government-led initiative, however. If you have a garden, courtyard or balcony, consider planting native, pollinator-friendly plants. Even simple actions like installing bird boxes or leaving dead wood for insects can contribute to a healthier urban ecosystem.
As cities continue to grow, urban rewilding offers a hopeful and practical solution to nature restoration. By prioritizing nature in urban planning – and creating the conditions for nature to thrive – cities can become more resilient, sustainable and enjoyable places to live.
If you love the inspiring stories we tell at Imagine5, please donate so we can keep telling them! Become a supporter today.
