The environmental impacts of cities have led to a number of policy decisions, such as the inclusion of urban areas in the IPCC considerations of climate impacts or the recognition of the role of cities in national biodiversity protection strategies by the CBD COP 9 in 2008. The establishment of the European Green Capital award in 2006 provides an example of promoting good practice in the area of urban ecosystem services management.
Attempts have been made to highlight the value of urban ecosystem services, especially with reference to urban greenery, water and allotment gardens. Different perspectives on the value of urban ecosystem services have been revealed, including economic (benefits and savings), socio-ecological (resilience), psychological (well-being), cultural (e.g. inspiration), and philosophical or ethical. On the one hand, such a multitude of perspectives appeals to different groups of addressees. On the other hand, ultimately, it weakens the message delivered to decision makers who often only follow the narrowly understood economic reasoning. The objective of this seminar is to bring together the various perspectives on the value of urban ecosystem services and discuss the potential of merging and synthesizing these perspectives. Ultimately, this should lay foundations for a more sustainable management of ecosystem services in urban areas.
Objectives
- To exchange information and ideas, based on the presentation of the cutting-edge research on the different perspectives on the value of ecosystem services in urban areas.
- To discuss the potential joint research project with case studies in various European and non-European countries.
- To prepare a special issue of an international journal, based on seminar contributions. Landscape and Urban Planning will be the first one approached with a proposal.
- To support the Challenges of Sustainable Development international summer academy, the participants of which will be invited to take part in the seminar.
Conference topics
- Value of ecosystem services in urban areas.
- Social networks and ecosystem services in urban areas.
- Institutional frameworks for the management of ecosystem services in urban areas.
- Ecosystem services in urban areas as a source of inspiration.
- Interdisciplinary approaches to studying ecosystem services in urban areas.
Benefits of attending
- Getting an overview of the current research in the value of urban ecosystem services.
- Publication in a special issue of an international journal.
- Opportunity to initiate and take part in an international research project on the subject.
Participation fee
The seminar will be funded with grants managed by the Sendzimir Foundation. However, a fee of 50€ will be collected to cover some expenses for which grant money is not available. A limited number of fee waivers and accommodation subsidies will be available for participants in financial hardship. Fee deadline: 15 June 2011.
Fee includes: lunches, coffee and tea during brakes, extra activities (trip).
Fee does not include: accommodation, breakfasts. A list of suggested hotels will be provided at a later notice.
Email submission
Email (Jakub Kronenberg): [email protected]
Please submit your abstract with Ecosystem Services in Cities in the subject line. Include your name and contact details.
Deadlines
31 March 2011 abstract submissions (300 words)
15 June 2011 full paper submissions
Journal submission
Participants of the seminar will be invited to submit an expanded version of their paper for publication in a special issue of an international journal. Details of the journal will be provided at a later notice.
