Urban Nature Networks

Urban nature networks are the interconnected habitats in a city or urban area. If we map nature networks, we can better understand what, where and how to improve different habitats to benefit both people and nature.

Urban nature network maps visualise varying ecosystems and how biodiversity spreads around an urban area. The maps combine geographical data with knowledge from local communities, ecological experts, environmental scientists/experts, conservationists, hydrologists, and planners. They show various habitats like woodland, grassland, wetland, rivers and more. The maps also look at 'ecosystem demand,' measuring the need for things like clean air and water, noise, temperature and flood regulation in particular areas.

Habitats need to be connected so that nature can thrive. Urban nature networks are key to protecting natural habitats and biodiversity. They are also critical to the ecosystem services they provide for people to survive and thrive. These include air quality, flood alleviation and plant species for pollination. This connectivity is crucial in urban environments where natural areas can be sparse and are often under threat from built development. Urban nature network maps show us where existing habitats are, how they are connected and where work is needed to safeguard, enhance or create them.

This provides local authorities, their partners and other landowners with a clear picture of the needs and opportunities for improvement, helping to identify the best places to invest time and money to achieve substantial benefit for people and nature.

In England, urban nature network maps will provide the foundation of information for Local Nature Recovery Strategies, a Government requirement under the Environment Act 2021 to encourage more coordinated practical and focused action and investment in nature.

The City of Edinburgh Council worked with academics and students at the University of Edinburgh as well as the Scottish Wildlife Trust to adapt an existing ecosystem mapping tool for use in an urban setting. The collaboration was the first of its kind at a city scale in the UK. Using GIS mapping and combining the knowledge and expertise from various partners, scientists, ecologists and city residents, they mapped and analysed the city's habitats. From there, they established what areas needed improvement, which enabled them to identify the investment and resources the City of Edinburgh Council should provide to enhance the city’s environment.

Other local authorities are, likewise, mapping their cities' nature networks using different approaches. In Birmingham, the team took a technology-focused approach, using satellite imagery and aerial photography to explore changes in habitat over the last 25 years. Adding this information to updated spatial and demographic data has enabled them to establish a model for nature recovery in the city. The model will guide work in this area in the future and inform the Local Nature Recovery Strategy.