Making our urban landscapes part of the ecological biodiversity

An article in Ken Hickson's ABC Carbon Express reminded me of the opportunity we have to link our urban areas with the natural environment and enhance our suburbs for us and native flora and fauna.

The article by QUT professor of architecture, Janis Birkland identifies the opportunity we have to retrofit our urban areas to establish an environment that is both regenerative and harmonious to the natural environment, and an environment that is cleaner and healthier for our communities. One way to achieve this is through smarter and more considered building design.

These ideas, along with the establishment of urban nature corridors that allow environments to connect, as discussed in the book Corridor Ecology, provide an exciting opportunity and if implemented, a more dynamic, bio-diverse, and natural environment in our suburbs for our future enjoyment.

Ken Hickson is the author of The ABC of Carbon. The book Corridor Ecology has been reviewed Dr Kees Hulsman, Senior Lecturer, Griffith School of the Environment, Griffith University. You can read Dr Hulsman's review here.