Human Dimensions of Urban Ecology

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