BiodiverCities by 2030: Transforming Cities' Relationship with Nature
Overview:
The "BiodiverCities by 2030" initiative is a collaborative effort led by the World Economic Forum in partnership with the Alexander von Humboldt Institute and the Government of Colombia. Its aim is to facilitate a transformation in urban development, promoting a harmonious relationship between cities and nature by 2030.
Key Aspects:
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Urban Transformation and Innovation: Cities are pivotal in driving economic growth and innovation, with over 56% of the global population currently residing in urban areas. By 2050, this figure is projected to rise to 75%, underscoring the urgency for sustainable urban development.
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Economic Case for BiodiverCities: Emphasizes the role of nature in enhancing infrastructure within cities and the significant job creation potential through nature-based solutions. It highlights the opportunity for increased investment in these solutions and land-sparing interventions by 2030.
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Systemic Shifts for Nature-Positive Urban Development: Proposes three key shifts—urban governance, spatial integration, and investment mobilization—to mainstream nature into urban planning and decision-making.
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Urban Governance Transition: Advocates for a systems approach in governance, integrating multiple stakeholders and sectors to address urban challenges holistically.
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Spatial Integration: Seeks to revitalize the natural layer within urban spaces, enhancing connectivity and resilience.
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Investment Mobilization: Aims to mainstream nature by aligning investments with sustainable urban development goals, focusing on specific sectors and regions.
Conclusion:
The initiative calls for a multistakeholder approach, engaging city officials, the private sector, and the broader urban community to embrace nature-positive strategies. By 2030, the goal is to establish a global network of BiodiverCities, where urban development enriches natural capital rather than depleting it, ensuring sustainable, resilient, and livable urban spaces.
Initiative Highlights:
- Partnership and Leadership: Collaboration between the World Economic Forum, the Alexander von Humboldt Institute, and the Colombian government.
- Holistic Approach: Incorporating multidisciplinary expertise and fostering nature-positive entrepreneurship.
- Actionable Solutions: Providing guidelines for nature-spatial integration, urban governance reform, and investment mobilization.
- Global Ambition: Targeting the transformation of cities worldwide to be BiodiverCities by 2030.
- Inclusive Participation: Encouraging participation from diverse sectors and generations to ensure broad support and implementation.
This initiative underscores the critical role of cities in addressing global environmental challenges and the potential for transformative urban development when nature is considered as a core component of city planning and management.
