Human Dimensionsof Urban Ecology
Human Dimensionsof Urban Ecology
Kathleen L. Wolf, Ph.D.
Research Social Scientist
U of WA - Forest Resources
Kathleen L. Wolf, Ph.D.
Research Social Scientist
U of WA - Forest Resources
Urban Ecology
biophysical complexitypsychosocial complexity
Urban Ecology
biophysical complexitypsychosocial complexity
EarthCorps
What Are “Human Dimensions?”What Are “Human Dimensions?” social benefits & impacts of resource non-market values community economics planning, policy & decision making stakeholder(s) values user(s) conflicts cultural/environmental justice perceptions, values & attitudes
social benefits & impacts of resource non-market values community economics planning, policy & decision making stakeholder(s) values user(s) conflicts cultural/environmental justice perceptions, values & attitudes
Social ScienceDisciplinesSocial ScienceDisciplines
psychology social psychology sociology economics political science anthropology geography
psychology social psychology sociology economics political science anthropology geography
Why is this Important?Why is this Important?
urban sustainability understand ecosystems functions &
benefits for society comprehensive systems, not site-by-site implementation & commitment
urban sustainability understand ecosystems functions &
benefits for society comprehensive systems, not site-by-site implementation & commitment
model of person/ecosystem interactionmodel of person/ecosystem interaction
“native nature”
“constructed nature”
“active experience”
eco-origineco-origin
human experiencehuman experience
“passive experience”
Eco-Originnative nature to constructed natureEco-Originnative nature to constructed nature
Pierce County, Chambers Creek Properties
urban forests? PNW lowland forestsurban forests? PNW lowland forests
urban forestsurban forests
Central WA U plazaCentral WA U plaza
Central WA U plazaCentral WA U plaza
REI retail, SeattleREI retail, Seattle
Pierce County WA, Chambers Creek PropertiesPierce County WA, Chambers Creek Properties
Pierce County WA, Chambers Creek Properties - 4 year growthPierce County WA, Chambers Creek Properties - 4 year growth
stormwater managementstormwater management
Parks & People Foundation, Baltimore
vertical vertical forestforest
structurestructure
roofs & structuresroofs & structures
City of Chicago, City Hall City of Chicago, City Hall roof gardens/ecosystemsroof gardens/ecosystems
Nashville, mixed use bldg Nashville, mixed use bldg roof gardens/ecosystemsroof gardens/ecosystems
High Line Railway High Line Railway - W Manhattan- W Manhattan
HighHighLineLine
Friends of the High LineFriends of the High Line
model of person/ecosystem interactionmodel of person/ecosystem interaction
“native nature”
“constructed nature”
“active experience”
eco-origineco-origin
human experiencehuman experience
“passive experience”
Human Experiencepassive to activeHuman Experiencepassive to active
“civic ecology”“civic ecology”
Parks & People Foundation, Baltimore
passive experiences of urban naturepassive experiences of urban nature
community gardenscommunity gardensParks & People Foundation, Baltimore
Psychological Benefits of Nearby NaturePsychological Benefits of Nearby Nature
Higher job satisfaction, reduced absenteeism (R. Kaplan)
Lower crime rates in well landscaped areas (Kuo, Sullivan)
Reduced violence and more constructive conflict resolution in domestic conflict (Kuo, Sullivan)
Reduced ADHD symptoms in children (Faber Taylor, Kuo)
Higher job satisfaction, reduced absenteeism (R. Kaplan)
Lower crime rates in well landscaped areas (Kuo, Sullivan)
Reduced violence and more constructive conflict resolution in domestic conflict (Kuo, Sullivan)
Reduced ADHD symptoms in children (Faber Taylor, Kuo)
recreational tree climbing - Japanrecreational tree climbing - Japan
nearby nature for allnearby nature for all20
Health & Well BeingHealth & Well Being Improved surgery and illness recovery (Ulrich)
Stress reduction in urban lifestyles (Ulrich)
Reduced driving stress response & frustration (Parsons et al., Nasar)
Improved community walkability, lower BMI (UW Urban Eco, Naderi et al.)
Improved surgery and illness recovery (Ulrich)
Stress reduction in urban lifestyles (Ulrich)
Reduced driving stress response & frustration (Parsons et al., Nasar)
Improved community walkability, lower BMI (UW Urban Eco, Naderi et al.)
Physical Activity & ObesityNature and Walkable PlacesPhysical Activity & ObesityNature and Walkable Places
majority of Americans not active enough
goal-30 minutes per day of moderate activity
risk factor for chronic diseases (heart, stroke, cancer, diabetes)
significant costs to national health services
majority of Americans not active enough
goal-30 minutes per day of moderate activity
risk factor for chronic diseases (heart, stroke, cancer, diabetes)
significant costs to national health services
310-580,000 deaths per year
$100 annual billion medical costs (1995)
9.4% of all U.S. medical costs
310-580,000 deaths per year
$100 annual billion medical costs (1995)
9.4% of all U.S. medical costs
Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, CDC.
Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults2004
No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% ≥25%
(*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs overweight for 5’ 4” person)
Doubling of adult obesity rate since 1980.
15
www.lhhl.uiuc.edu
parks, open spaces & trails
eco-restoration eco-restoration volunteers/employees - volunteers/employees - eco-literacyeco-literacy physical activityphysical activity
eco-restoration eco-restoration volunteers/employees - volunteers/employees - eco-literacyeco-literacy physical activityphysical activity
EarthCorpsEarthCorps
nature recovery nature recovery && schools schoolsParks & People Foundation, Baltimore
nature recovery & schoolsnature recovery & schoolsParks & People Foundation, Baltimore
first phase - reading circlefirst phase - reading circleParks & People Foundation, Baltimore
nature recovery nature recovery && schools schoolsParks & People Foundation, Baltimore
school asphalt recoveryschool asphalt recovery
Parks & People Foundation, Baltimore
planning skills planning skills && efficacy efficacy
community gardens - renewalcommunity gardens - renewal
““3rd place3rd place”” && social cohesion social cohesion
natural natural && social capital social capitalnatural natural && social capital social capital
active
native
constructed
eco-origineco-origin
human experiencehuman experience
passive
Why is this important?
individuals
Why is this important?
individuals
nature & human functioning public health & welfare transferable knowledge & skills, youth engaged in sustainability
nature & human functioning public health & welfare transferable knowledge & skills, youth engaged in sustainability
active
native
constructed
eco-origineco-origin
human experiencehuman experience
passive
Why is this important?communities
Why is this important?communities
vibrant, livable cities & towns environmental services human services across communities democracy & security through civic
engagement
vibrant, livable cities & towns environmental services human services across communities democracy & security through civic
engagement Wangari Maathai2004 Nobel Peace Prize
www.cfr.washington.edu/research.envmind
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