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Urban Ecology | The Past, Present, and Future of Our Built Environments

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Urban Ecology | The Past, Present, and Future of Our Built Environments

When I first heard the term urban ecology, it conjured images of the trees, plants, and wildlife that we see in an urban environment. While that certainly is one definition, I am more excited about another meaning of urban ecology: “the study of cities as urban ecological systems” (ix, Grove et al, 2015). To me, this field of study reminds me that we are inherently connected to our natural environment and that our built environment (i.e. our cities, roads, buildings, etc.) is driven in part by the same rules and processes that govern our natural environment.

Image displaying a city blended with a leaf. Hofstra University

Image displaying a city blended with a leaf. Hofstra University

The implications of this in city planning are immense. As the Baltimore School of Ecology discusses, “scientific curiosity, social-­ ecological system complexity, and the multifaceted nature of sustainability and resilience— require new approaches for studying the city: its regions, global connections, and internal changes” (Grove, 2015, pg. xii) 

Diagram visualizing the human ecosystem. (Grove et al, 2015, pg. 8)

Diagram visualizing the human ecosystem. (Grove et al, 2015, pg. 8)

While cities have historically been seen as counter to the goals of environmentalism, current scholarship and work within urban ecology studies highlight how cities and sustainability goals are intertwined. For example, cities offer, “efficiencies of scale, savings in energy and materials, and benefits of innovation and interaction that accrue to urban systems” (Grove, 2015, pg. xiv). 

Urban ecology is an interdisciplinary field that can inform decision-making and city planning needed for healthy, sustainable, and equitable cities. I would like to explore some examples of urban ecology as it relates to our cities today.

Legacy

The choices that we make today will impact our communities far into the future. Understanding the present impacts of past decisions will help us make more equitable decisions moving forward. As the Baltimore School of Urban Ecology describes, “the historical distribution of physical environmental conditions, soils, and biota can influence contemporary and future ecological and social conditions. The built environment is itself a legacy in many urban systems” (Grove, 2015, pg. 6).

Diagram showing the multidisciplinary nature of Urban Ecology: complexity, urban planning, governance, urban design, ecology in cities, social sciences, stewardship, systems thinking (McPhearson et al, 2016, Figure 4)

Diagram showing the multidisciplinary nature of Urban Ecology: complexity, urban planning, governance, urban design, ecology in cities, social sciences, stewardship, systems thinking (McPhearson et al, 2016, Figure 4)

This includes physical legacies, such as road systems and names, parks, and neighborhood demarcation. This also includes social legacies, such as the redlining and rezoning that segregated neighborhoods across the country (Rothstein, 2017). Decisions that were made many years ago have real consequences in the present. We need to learn to recognize these legacies and work towards sustainable, resilient, and equitable solutions.

Urban Resilience

We need a shift in our cities to build urban resilience, especially in light of gentrification and displacement, impacts of a changing climate on our communities, and the ongoing impacts of COVID-19. The pandemic has highlighted many of the flaws in our current city systems. As Niemela et. al. explain in their book, Urban Ecology: Patterns, Processes, and Applications, “Just-in-time production/distribution systems, small government, and even cost-effective nonprofits are driving forces of our competitive, globalizing world. A strong argument for ‘investing’ additional resources in building resilience is that in the ‘long-term’ these costs are well justified” (Niemela et al, 2015, pg. 212).

Diagram outlining 5 elements of urban resilience: urban governance, resilient infrastructure and basic services, urban disaster risk management, urban planning and environment, urban economy and society (DiMSUR CityRAP Tool).

Diagram outlining 5 elements of urban resilience: urban governance, resilient infrastructure and basic services, urban disaster risk management, urban planning and environment, urban economy and society (DiMSUR CityRAP Tool).

In other words, the study and practice of urban ecology can help us build more sustainable and resilient systems. I believe the more we understand about how our systems work, and how systems in our surrounding biological ecosystems work, the more we can come up with creative solutions that build resilience equitably. 

I think if we connect more deeply to place, look to the past, and explore our current built environments with a lens of ecology, we can better understand our current solutions and work towards solutions that get at the root causes of injustice. This will take a shift in perspective for all of us. What would it look like for us to shift our perspective to our surroundings, to understand the past of our neighborhoods and cities, to broaden our understanding of our place within it, and to envision various futures for our built environment?


Sources:

Grove, J. Morgan, et al. The Baltimore School of Urban Ecology: Space, Scale, and Time for the Study of Cities, Yale University Press, 2015. ProQuest Ebook Central, http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/ucb/detail.action?docID=4093126.

McPhearson, T., Pickett, S., Grimm, N., Niemelä, J., Alberti, M., Elmqvist, T., Weber, C., Haase, D., Breuste, J., & Qureshi, S. (2016). Advancing Urban Ecology toward a Science of Cities. BioScience, 66, 198-212.

Rothstein, R. The Color of Law: A forgotten history of how our government segregated America. Liveright Publishing Corporation, 2017. 


Urban Ecology: Patterns, Processes, and Applications, edited by Jari Niemelä, et al., Oxford University Press, Incorporated, 2011. ProQuest Ebook Central, http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/ucb/detail.action?docID=800872.

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The Wonderful Benefits of Community Gardens

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The Wonderful Benefits of Community Gardens

Q: What Are Community Gardens?

Community gardens are a collection of planter boxes/plots where participants reserve a space within the gardens to grow a variety of fruits, vegetables, and flowers. The rules vary from garden to garden; for example, some are maintained by volunteers or members of an organization, who assist with watering, weeding and maintaining the gardens. Others are managed by the individuals who rent out a section of the garden and are then responsible for cultivating, maintaining, and harvesting from their plots. Community gardens are typically found in urban spaces, and act as beautiful, safe and peaceful oases that are open to everyone.

Berryessa Community Garden, San Jose, CA

Berryessa Community Garden, San Jose, CA

Q: How Do Community Gardens Work?

The City of San Jose is currently home to 17 community gardens that are managed by the Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Department under the Community Gardens Program. Their goal is to ensure that the gardens are safe, pleasant places for both the gardeners and the general public, that there be fairness and equity among gardeners, protection against damage to the land and the groundwater, and ensure the future of community gardens in San Jose are protected. Anyone 18+ may rent a garden plot, but each resident may only have one garden plot. The annual fees vary from garden to garden, therefore it’s best to research the garden you’re interested in to find an accurate and up-to-date account of pricing. All community gardens in San Jose adhere to strict organic gardening principles which means the use of pesticides, herbicides, chemical fertilizers or other such substances are prohibited. The “City of San Jose Community Garden Rules and Regulations” contains all the relevant information regarding community garden usage and is worth reading if you’re interested in renting a plot.

Q: What Are The Benefits Of Community Gardens?

Produces healthy fruits and vegetables: Many urban areas contain zones called “food deserts”, or areas that lack access to affordable fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, and other foods that make up a healthy diet. Community gardens can provide the fresh, nutritious produce that these neighborhoods are lacking or that residents can’t afford. Excess food from community gardens are typically donated to local food pantries, relieving hunger and increasing food accessibility for those that desperately need it.

Beautifies vacant lots: Many community gardens sit on previously vacant lots filled with litter and debris. Community gardens turn these eyesores into lush, green oases, which improve the quality of life for everyone in the neighborhood. Community gardens have even been shown to increase property values and decrease crime rates in the surrounding area.

Field of weeds converted into the Guadalupe Community Garden, 2008 in San Jose, CA

Field of weeds converted into the Guadalupe Community Garden, 2008 in San Jose, CA

Cleans the environment: The plants grown in a community garden absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, release oxygen, and help reduce air pollution. They also absorb rainwater which reduces runoff that travels through the streets, picking up pollutants and transferring them to nearby rivers and lakes via the sewer system. Community gardens also participate in community composting where yard trimmings, such as leaves and branches, and food waste are “recycled” into nutrient-rich fertilizer for the plants.

Creates stronger communities: Community gardens are a great way to connect with neighbors and gain a sense of ownership and community spirit. They’re also a great way to educate youth on the benefits and importance of gardening and the environment that’s both fun and interactive.

Fosters a healthy lifestyle: Urban gardening is a great way to get outside and stay active. It encourages healthy eating, good habits, and physical exercise. It also provides a peaceful escape from the bustling city life which can reduce stress for residents and improve mental health.

Entrance sign for the El Jardin Community Garden, San Jose, CA

Entrance sign for the El Jardin Community Garden, San Jose, CA


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National Volunteer Week!

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National Volunteer Week!

National Volunteer Week is April 18th - 24th!

This year, we decided to interview some of our volunteers on why they enjoy working with Our City Forest and getting their hands dirty.

Here are their responses:


Allan Nguyen - Intern & Volunteer with Our City Forest

  1. Tell me about yourself. Is there anything you want people to know about you? What grade you are in (if in school), hobbies, or do you have any pets?

    My name is Allan Nguyen and I’m currently a junior at Piedmont Hills High School. I’m very interested in the ocean and marine biology and love listening to city pop. Some hobbies I have include testing the limits of my spice tolerance and playing video games with my friends.

  2. When did you start volunteering with OCF and why did you choose to start volunteering with OCF?

    I started volunteering with OCF as an intern on March 17th of 2021 as a marketing/outreach intern. My career pathway program actually placed me into the company and I wasn’t able to choose my company of choice but I’m very glad that I was able to volunteer with OCF.

  3. If you could have one song play every time you entered a room what would it be?

    Probably “Wait a Minute!” by Willow Smith to quite literally get the message across incase I am ever late.

  4. What do you put into the bowl first, milk or cereal?

    Definitely cereal.

  5. How has volunteering with OCF impacted you?

    OCF has taught me a lot about how an actual company functions day by day and helped me settle into a much more professional setting. I was able to learn about the tremendous impact that trees have on cities and urban areas.

  6. If you could eat one thing for the rest of your life what would it be?

    Fried Chicken, you can’t go wrong with fried chicken as there’s so many variants such as tenders, drumsticks, different types of sauces, brines, etc.

  7. What’s your go-to dish when you have to cook dinner?

    Usually I cook dinner just for myself so I’d probably go with a pack of fire noodles, preferably the carbonara flavor.


Anonymous Volunteer - Age 19

  1. When did you start volunteering with OCF and why did you choose to start volunteering with OCF?

    I started volunteering with OCF in June of 2019. I helped out a lot at the nursery and worked alongside the AmeriCorps members with various tree and shrub activities. I started volunteering to fulfill a school requirement, but ended up sticking around because of the people who make up the organization. Each time I came out to the nursery, I conversed with different people from all over the Bay Area and it was such a fun and relaxed environment. I ended up coming back week after week to help pot baby trees and shrubs, or build soil, etc.

  2. How has volunteering with OCF impacted you?

    Volunteering has changed my thoughts on how much change a small group of people can actually create in a community. OCF is a small organization, and yet we do so much as volunteers to help contribute to the health of the trees in the Bay Area. It is pretty amazing to see.

  3. If you could eat one thing for the rest of your life what would it be?

    I would choose tacos. You can’t go wrong with a taco, and there are so many varieties of things you can put in them too that you’ll never get sick of eating the same thing. Breakfast tacos are so good.


Dawson Chen - Dedicated Volunteer

  1. Tell me about yourself. Is there anything you want people to know about you? Where do you go to school & what grade are you in, hobbies, or do you have any pets?

    I go to the Harker School in San Jose, and I’m in 11th grade. Throughout high school, I have enjoyed building robots! I have dedicated the past two years to building an irrigation robot, which has basically become my pet at this point.

  2. When & why did you start volunteering with Our City Forest?

    I began volunteering at Our City Forest in fall of 2018, when my school first gave us the opportunity to come earn volunteer hours. After completing my hours however,

    I decided to continue volunteering regardless. The reason is that the people at OCF were incredibly kind, and my experience there was nothing but joy.

  3. How has volunteering with OCF impacted you?

    Volunteering with OCF has allowed me to become much more conscious of my environmental footprint on a daily basis. When I see a piece of trash in a public park, I am reminded of the hours I’ve spent with OCF picking up trash, so I know to dispose of it even if it’s not mine.

  4. If you could be mentored from any mathematician or scholar, who would it be & why ?

    Professor Savarese at Stanford Artificial Intelligence Lab has done incredible research in robotics simulation and training, so I would love to meet and learn from him.

  5. What’s your favorite quote?

    The most dangerous thing in life is playing it safe. -Casey Neistat

  6. If you could talk to any living organism on the planet, what would you talk to?

    TREES. It sounds a little stupid, but I want to know how it feels to do photosynthesis.

  7. What would be your superpower?

    Healing things. People, animals, plants. I could just radiate a nutritious beam of light that uplifts people.

  8. Do you have a favorite tree or shrub?

    Rosemary shrubs are one of my favorites. They look like mini Christmas trees and smell almost angelic, especially when used in cooking.


Om Kannan - Dedicated Volunteer

  1. When & why did you start volunteering with Our City Forest?

    I started volunteering with OCF I believe around mid-December last year. I chose OCF because I'd volunteered there 2 years ago, and found it a great place to be. Friendly staff, fun work to do, and breaks as needed. I also realized that helping a good cause that not only helps the generations alive now, but also hundreds of generations to come made me feel very good.

  2. How has volunteering with OCF impacted you?

    As for how volunteering with OCF has impacted me, it's done nothing but impact me for the better. I've started to enjoy volunteering a lot, and find the work that needs to be done very fun, especially doing it with my friends.


Thank you to all our volunteers! We appreciate you!

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