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Human Dimensions
of Urban Ecology
Kathleen L. Wolf, Ph.D.
Research Social Scientist
U of WA - Forest Resources
Urban Ecology
EarthCorps
biophysical complexity
psychosocial complexity
What Are “Human Dimensions?”
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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 Science
Disciplines
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psychology
social psychology
sociology
economics
political science
anthropology
geography
Why is this Important?
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urban sustainability
understand ecosystems functions &
benefits for society
comprehensive systems, not site-by-site
implementation & commitment
eco-origin
“native nature”
human experience
“active experience”
“passive experience”
“constructed nature”
model of person/ecosystem interaction
Eco-Origin
native nature to constructed nature
Pierce County, Chambers Creek Properties
urban forests? PNW lowland forests
urban forests
Central WA U plaza
Central WA U plaza
REI retail, Seattle
Pierce County WA, Chambers Creek Properties
Pierce County WA, Chambers Creek Properties - 4 year growth
stormwater management
Parks & People Foundation, Baltimore
vertical
forest
structure
roofs & structures
City of Chicago, City Hall
roof gardens/ecosystems
Nashville, mixed use bldg
roof gardens/ecosystems
High Line Railway - W Manhattan
High
Line
Friends of the High Line
eco-origin
“native nature”
human experience
“active experience”
“passive experience”
“constructed nature”
model of person/ecosystem interaction
Human Experience
passive to active
Parks & People Foundation, Baltimore
“civic ecology”
passive experiences of urban nature
Parks & People Foundation, Baltimore
community gardens
Psychological Benefits
of
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Nearby Nature
Higher job satisfaction, reduced absenteeism
(R. Kaplan)
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Lower crime rates in well landscaped areas
(Kuo, Sullivan)
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Reduced violence and more constructive conflict
resolution in domestic conflict (Kuo, Sullivan)
Reduced ADHD symptoms in children
(Faber Taylor, Kuo)
recreational tree climbing - Japan
nearby nature for all
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Health & Well Being
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Improved surgery and illness recovery (Ulrich)
Stress reduction in urban lifestyles (Ulrich)
Reduced driving stress response & frustration
(Parsons et al., Nasar)
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Improved community walkability, lower BMI
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(UW Urban Eco, Naderi et al.)
Physical Activity & Obesity
Nature 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
310-580,000 deaths per year
$100 annual billion medical costs (1995)
9.4% of all U.S. medical costs
Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults
2004
(*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs overweight for 5’ 4” person)
Doubling of
adult obesity
rate since 1980.
No Data
<10%
10%–14%
15%–19%
Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, CDC.
20%–24%
≥25%
15
www.lhhl.uiuc.edu
parks, open spaces & trails
o-restoration
lunteers/employees eco-literacy
physical activity
EarthCorps
Parks & People Foundation, Baltimore
nature recovery & schools
Parks & People Foundation, Baltimore
nature recovery & schools
Parks & People Foundation, Baltimore
first phase - reading circle
Parks & People Foundation, Baltimore
nature recovery & schools
Parks & People Foundation, Baltimore
planning skills & efficacy
school asphalt recovery
community gardens - renewal
“3rd place” & social cohesion
natural & social capital
eco-origin
native
human experience
active
passive
constructed
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Why is this
important?
individuals
nature & human functioning
public health & welfare
transferable knowledge & skills, youth
engaged in sustainability
eco-origin
native
human experience
active
passive
constructed
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Why is this
important?
communities
vibrant, livable cities & towns
environmental services
human services across communities
democracy & security through civic
engagement
Wangari Maathai
2004 Nobel Peace Prize
www.cfr.washington.edu/research.envmind