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This book showcases the diversity of ways in which urban residents
from varying cultural contexts view, interact, engage with and give
meaning to urban nature, aiming to counterbalance the dominance of
Western depictions and values of urban nature and design. Urban
nature has up to now largely been defined, planned and managed in a
way that is heavily dominated by Western understandings, values and
appreciations, which has spread through colonialism and
globalisation. As cities increasingly represent a diversity of
cultures, and urban nature is being increasingly recognised as
contributing to residents' wellbeing, belonging and overall quality
of life, it is important to consider the numerous ways in which
urban nature is understood and appreciated. This collection of case
studies includes examples from Africa, Asia, Europe, North and
South America, and reflects on the multi-dimensional aspects of
engagements with urban nature through a biocultural diversity lens.
The chapters cover several themes such as how engagements with
nature contribute to a sense of wellbeing and belonging; the
implications that diversity has on the provision, design and
management of urban environments; and the threats inhibiting
residents' abilities to engage meaningfully with nature. The book
challenges the dominant discourse, Western ideological
understandings and meta-narratives of modernisation and unilineal
urban transitions. A timely addition to the literature, Urban
Nature: Enriching Belonging, Wellbeing and Bioculture offers an
alternative to Western ideological understandings of nature and
values and will be of great interest to those working in human and
environmental urban ecology. It will also be key reading for
students in the relevant fields of anthropology, development
studies, geography, social ecology and urban studies.
There is growing knowledge about and appreciation of the importance
of Non-timber Forest Products (NTFPs) to rural livelihoods in
developing countries, and to a lesser extent, developed countries.
However, there is also an assumption on the part of policy-makers
that any harvesting of wild animal or plant products from the
forests and other natural and modified ecosystems must be
detrimental to the long-term viability of target populations and
species. This book challenges this idea and shows that while
examples of such negative impacts certainly exist, there are also
many examples of sustainable harvesting systems for NTFPs. The
chapters review and present coherent and scientifically sound
information and case studies on the ecologically sustainable use of
NTFPs. They also outline a general interdisciplinary approach for
assessing the sustainability of NTFP harvesting systems at
different scales. A wide range of case studies is included from
Africa, Asia and South America, using plant and animal products for
food, crafts, textiles, medicines and cosmetics.
There is growing knowledge about and appreciation of the importance
of Non-timber Forest Products (NTFPs) to rural livelihoods in
developing countries, and to a lesser extent, developed countries.
However, there is also an assumption on the part of policy-makers
that any harvesting of wild animal or plant products from the
forests and other natural and modified ecosystems must be
detrimental to the long-term viability of target populations and
species. This book challenges this idea and shows that while
examples of such negative impacts certainly exist, there are also
many examples of sustainable harvesting systems for NTFPs. The
chapters review and present coherent and scientifically sound
information and case studies on the ecologically sustainable use of
NTFPs. They also outline a general interdisciplinary approach for
assessing the sustainability of NTFP harvesting systems at
different scales. A wide range of case studies is included from
Africa, Asia and South America, using plant and animal products for
food, crafts, textiles, medicines and cosmetics.
This book provides a comprehensive synthesis of current knowledge
of the potential and challenges associated with the multiple roles,
use, management and livelihood contributions of indigenous
vegetables in urban agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa. There has
been growing research and policy effort around urban agriculture in
the region over the last two decades, but never has it been
integrated with work on under-researched crops such as indigenous
vegetables. These species have multiple advantages, including low
input requirements, adaptability to African environments, high
nutritional value and marked biodiversity, cultural and local food
security significance. Yet they are overlooked in the modern world,
where recent emphasis has been directed to growing a limited range
of exotic crops, both for internal markets and for export to
developed country markets. This book provides evidence that, in
spite of this neglect, in many African cities indigenous vegetables
are still widely used, cultivated and marketed. It goes on to
consider their potential to contribute to income generation and
poverty alleviation of the growing numbers of urban dwellers in
sub-Saharan Africa, whilst promoting urban greening and
sustainability. Based on critical analysis of the debates it
presents a multidisciplinary analysis of the realities and future
opportunities.
This book showcases the diversity of ways in which urban residents
from varying cultural contexts view, interact, engage with and give
meaning to urban nature, aiming to counterbalance the dominance of
Western depictions and values of urban nature and design. Urban
nature has up to now largely been defined, planned and managed in a
way that is heavily dominated by Western understandings, values and
appreciations, which has spread through colonialism and
globalisation. As cities increasingly represent a diversity of
cultures, and urban nature is being increasingly recognised as
contributing to residents' wellbeing, belonging and overall quality
of life, it is important to consider the numerous ways in which
urban nature is understood and appreciated. This collection of case
studies includes examples from Africa, Asia, Europe, North and
South America, and reflects on the multi-dimensional aspects of
engagements with urban nature through a biocultural diversity lens.
The chapters cover several themes such as how engagements with
nature contribute to a sense of wellbeing and belonging; the
implications that diversity has on the provision, design and
management of urban environments; and the threats inhibiting
residents' abilities to engage meaningfully with nature. The book
challenges the dominant discourse, Western ideological
understandings and meta-narratives of modernisation and unilineal
urban transitions. A timely addition to the literature, Urban
Nature: Enriching Belonging, Wellbeing and Bioculture offers an
alternative to Western ideological understandings of nature and
values and will be of great interest to those working in human and
environmental urban ecology. It will also be key reading for
students in the relevant fields of anthropology, development
studies, geography, social ecology and urban studies.
This book provides a comprehensive synthesis of current knowledge
of the potential and challenges associated with the multiple roles,
use, management and livelihood contributions of indigenous
vegetables in urban agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa. There has
been growing research and policy effort around urban agriculture in
the region over the last two decades, but never has it been
integrated with work on under-researched crops such as indigenous
vegetables. These species have multiple advantages, including low
input requirements, adaptability to African environments, high
nutritional value and marked biodiversity, cultural and local food
security significance. Yet they are overlooked in the modern world,
where recent emphasis has been directed to growing a limited range
of exotic crops, both for internal markets and for export to
developed country markets. This book provides evidence that, in
spite of this neglect, in many African cities indigenous vegetables
are still widely used, cultivated and marketed. It goes on to
consider their potential to contribute to income generation and
poverty alleviation of the growing numbers of urban dwellers in
sub-Saharan Africa, whilst promoting urban greening and
sustainability. Based on critical analysis of the debates it
presents a multidisciplinary analysis of the realities and future
opportunities.
Humans have always depended upon natural ecosystems to supply a
range of services useful for their survival and well-being.
However, with widespread urbanisation, modernisation, and
globalisation, along with the primacy of capitalist economic
models, the obvious reliance of humans on ecosystems has become
diluted for many, and difficult to maintain for others. The
importance of ecosystems in providing the services that underpin
every single productive and spiritual activity of humankind has
been suppressed in the consciousness of many, and so ecosystems are
mismanaged, abused and degraded. So too, the struggle for daily
survival of others, many of whom may have a keen appreciation of
the importance of ecosystem services in their everyday lives. The
purpose of the book is to provide evidence for policy analysts,
decision-makers and researchers of the significant links between
the health of ecosystems and human well-being, based on a review of
literature and case studies from the arid and semi-arid lands of
southern Africa. The argument is that a neglect and abuse of
ecosystem goods and services exacerbates poverty, especially for
the already vulnerable and marginalised who typically have
inadequate options or capital to address these negative effects.
Consequently, investment in, and wise management of, ecosystem
goods and services can prevent a deepening of poverty.
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