Natural city

Urban and natural environments are often viewed as entirely separateentities— human settlements as the domain of architects and planners, and naturalareas as untouched wilderness. This dichotomy continues to drivedecision-making in subtle ways, but with the mounting pressures of globalclimate change and declining biodiversity, it is no longer viable. New technologies are promising to provide renewable energy sources and greener designs, but real change will requirea deeper shift in values, attitudes, and perceptions. A timely and important collection, The Natural City explores how to integratethe natural environment into healthy urban centres from philosophical, religious, socio-political, andplanning perspectives. Recognizing the need to better link the humanities withpublic policy, The Natural City offersunique insights for the development of an alternative vision of urban life.