Juniper, Tony

The thoughtful integration of built and natural environments in urban areas to advance social and economic goals has become a 21st century imperative. In response, this paper proposes some fundamental principles of ecological urbanism for use by planners, designers, architects and other professionals. The paper makes use of examples and context from Scotland, but the underlying principles and key messages are, we believe, universal and can inform decision making anywhere in the world. 

From Indian vultures to Chinese bees, Nature provides the 'natural services' that keep the economy going. From the recycling miracles in the soil; an army of predators ridding us of unwanted pests; an abundance of life creating a genetic codebook that underpins our food, pharmaceutical industries and much more, it has been estimated that these and other services are each year worth about double global GDP. Yet we take most of Nature's services for granted, imagining them free and limitless ...until they suddenly switch off.