Urban Wilding and Co-Design
RESEARCH SUMMARY
How can co-design reshape our relationship with urban wild spaces?
By Mairéad O'Donnell
Mairéad is a PhD candidate in the Department of Botany at Trinity College Dublin. She is a member of the European Research Council project, NovelEco. Her research investigates the processes of co-design and urban rewilding. As a Fulbright-EPA Awardee, Mairéad is a visiting scholar at the Urban Systems Lab in The New School. During this time, she is examining co-design in-depth, working with a case study community in New York City to conduct co-design workshops and develop guidelines to incorporate urban wilding along the North Brooklyn waterfront. Previously, Mairéad completed an MSc in Development Practice and a BSc Hons in Environmental & Geographical Sciences.
As cities grapple with the dual challenges of urbanization and biodiversity loss, my PhD research explores an innovative approach to urban green spaces that could benefit both nature and city dwellers. My project, "Connecting Nature and People: A Collaborative Approach to Designing Urban Wild Spaces," investigates how we can reimagine urban ecosystems through the lens of "urban wilding" and collaborative design.
Urban wilding is an emerging concept that extends the idea of rewilding to city environments. Unlike traditional urban green spaces, which are often heavily managed, urban wild spaces are allowed to develop more naturally, fostering biodiversity and creating novel ecosystems. These spaces can range from abandoned lots to waterfront areas, and they offer unique opportunities for both ecological restoration and community engagement.
At the heart of my research is the idea that successful urban wilding requires collaboration between diverse stakeholders, including ecologists, urban planners, and local communities. To explore this, I'm using a mix of methods, including workshops that combine exploratory walks, storytelling exercises, and multi-species role-playing. These creative approaches aim to shift perspectives and foster empathy for non-human species, ultimately leading to more inclusive urban planning.
One of the most intriguing findings so far has been the potential for these collaborative exercises to change participants' perceptions of urban ecosystems. For instance, many participants initially viewed non-native species negatively, but through role-playing and discussion, they began to recognize the ecological roles these species play. This shift in perspective could have significant implications for urban biodiversity management.
My research also delves into the concept of "novel ecosystems" - environments that have been irreversibly altered by human influence but have the potential to support new forms of biodiversity. By embracing these ecosystems rather than trying to restore them to a historical state, we might find innovative solutions to urban environmental challenges.
As part of my project, I'm currently conducting workshops at Bushwick Inlet Park in New York City, collaborating with North Brooklyn Parks Alliance and local stakeholders to develop guidelines for implementing urban wilding along the waterfront. This real-world application of my research aims to bridge the gap between academic theory and practical urban planning.
While my work is still ongoing, it's already clear that urban wilding and collaborative design have the potential to transform our cities. By fostering a deeper connection between urban residents and their local ecosystems, we might not only enhance urban biodiversity but also create more resilient, livable cities for all species.
This research is part of the larger Novel Eco project, funded by the European Research Council, which aims to develop citizen science tools for gathering ecological and social information on novel ecosystems. As cities continue to grow and evolve, understanding and nurturing these new forms of urban nature will be crucial for creating sustainable, biodiverse urban environments.
