I came across Timothy Beatley’s work on biophilic cities during another late night of researching and brainstorming why my kids seem to enjoy themselves so much more in certain neighborhoods than others. We had recently moved to our current home when my daughter was 3 years old, and I began to notice some patterns – She would appear to be calmer after we walked her through the tree lined streets adjacent to the public library, she would seem more energetic after playing in that one park with the natural playground, however she would be cranky and restless after spending time in the sterile areas of the strip malls.
Beatley’s perspective made me consider where my family lives and raises our kids in an entirely new light. The author isn’t simply suggesting adding a couple of planters to the city and calling it green. He is imagining how entire urban areas could operate more similarly to living ecosystems. Once you frame it in this manner, it seems fairly obvious, however, most urban planners treat nature as if it is something you add on top of the rest of the city if you have space and money to do so.
I found the most compelling aspect of Beatley’s biophilic cities model is how he links the health of humans (especially kids’ development) to the design of urban environments and the ecological function of those environments. Prior to reading Beatley, I had primarily focused on creating healthier and better spaces within our own home and yard for my family. However, he is imagining the possibility of redefining large swaths of neighborhoods to support both human wellness and biological diversity.
Beatley’s research examines how cities can be “nature-positive” by incorporating ecological processes and eliminating habitat and creating heat island effects that make summertime unbearable for kids playing outdoors. Additionally, the development process creates stormwater drainage systems that are overwhelmed during severe weather events and channel all storm water into systems that cannot manage it. Beatley advocates for what he refers to as “native cities,” or cities that function with local ecological processes and provide better living conditions for families.
After reading Beatley’s work, I began to pay closer attention to the biophilic aspects of our own neighborhood. We currently reside in one of those classic post war suburban neighborhoods where every house has a large lawn and the majority of the streets have virtually no tree canopy. During the peak afternoon hours of the summer months, it is extremely difficult to allow our kids to play outside due to the extreme heat generated from the pavement and asphalt. On the other hand, the few blocks in our neighborhood that have mature trees are significantly cooler and much nicer to walk through.
Beatley discusses “everyday biophilia,” or small-scale interventions that collectively alter how people perceive their neighborhoods. Examples of everyday biophilia include bioswales instead of standard storm drain systems, street trees, pocket parks, and green corridors connecting larger natural areas. While individually these may appear insignificant, collectively they can completely transform the functionality of a neighborhood.
My involvement in our neighborhood association was partially based upon reading Beatley’s work. Since then, we have been advocating to the city to implement some of the approaches he discussed in our neighborhood. We began small by obtaining approval to install several rain gardens on the streets where previously existed grass strips between the sidewalk and the road. Initially, many of our neighbors questioned why we would remove the “perfect lawns.” However, the rain gardens are not solely intended to reduce stormwater runoff (although they have greatly helped to alleviate the flooding we experienced prior to their installation). The rain gardens have also created mini-ecosystems that provide a source of shade and attract birds and butterflies. Our son enjoys monitoring the various stages of growth of the flowers and insects that visit the rain garden.
In addition to the environmental changes that have resulted from the implementation of biophilic infrastructure, we have also observed numerous social changes. Beatley discusses how the presence of urban nature creates connections among neighbors. When neighbors encounter the same species – birds, butterflies, etc., while walking through a newly enhanced area – it creates commonality and allows them to engage with one another. Similarly, kids from different families tend to begin interacting with one another when they find common ground in the form of a newly developed area.
Research referenced by Beatley demonstrates that residents of neighborhoods with increased biodiversity report higher rates of connection with their community and increased satisfaction with their place of residence. I am witnessing this phenomenon firsthand in our neighborhood. In addition to observing improved relationships between neighbors, we have also witnessed increased sense of pride in the appearance of our street.
Beatley describes the concept of “urban acupuncture,” or strategic interventions that can create significant shifts in the functioning of an entire neighborhood system. A single small pocket park does not simply serve as a recreational space, it serves as habitat connectivity, stormwater management, improved air quality, and community gathering space. I appreciate this way of describing these concepts because it increases the significance of each of these relatively small changes.
Additionally, the economic arguments regarding biophilic cities are becoming increasingly difficult for cities to ignore. Families who have access to high-quality natural spaces experience decreased healthcare costs due to the positive impacts on their physical and mental health. Additionally, property values tend to increase in proximity to well-planned green infrastructure, energy consumption tends to decrease in neighborhoods with increased tree density and natural cooling, and stormwater management using rain gardens and bioswales are cost-effective compared to traditional drainage systems and offer additional benefits.
I use these arguments when presenting to our city council to advocate for implementing biophilic principles in our neighborhood. “This is not just about creating a more aesthetically pleasing environment,” I say. “This is about creating places where families want to live and can afford to maintain.”
The equity-based component of Beatley’s work resonates strongly with me. Typically, low income neighborhoods possess less tree density, higher levels of pollution, and fewer quality natural spaces. Children in these neighborhoods are disproportionately affected by asthma, heat related illnesses, and lack of safe outdoor recreational areas. Biophilic city planning offers the opportunity to address these inequities and provide economic opportunities for communities.
While there are certainly barriers to implementing biophilic principles, such as outdated municipal codes, a lack of knowledge among DPW personnel on maintaining bioswales and native plantings, and concerns regarding maintenance costs and potential failure of plants, I have learned that well-designed biophilic infrastructure can require significantly less maintenance than traditional infrastructure once established. Many native plantings are naturally drought tolerant and require very little maintenance.
Portlanders Green Streets Program represents a successful approach to integrating biophilic principles into city planning. Rather than focusing on gaining permission for each individual project, Portland created policies that systematically incorporate biophilic principles as the default rather than the exception.
As a result of the COVID pandemic, families have re-discovered the importance of having nearby natural spaces for the health and development of their children. As a result, neighborhoods with tree lined streets and pocket parks have become more attractive. Cities have begun to convert traffic lanes into temporary green spaces and bike paths. Some of these “temporary” conversions have been deemed permanent as the communities recognize the value of these amenities.
Climate change further emphasizes the need for cities to transition to biophilic designs. Urban heat islands create unbearably hot temperatures for kids playing outdoors in the summer. Extreme storms overwhelm traditional drainage systems and cause flooding of residential neighborhoods. Poor air quality affects the developing lungs of children. Cities that have incorporated natural systems are more likely to be resilient and habitable as climate-related stresses continue to grow.
Beatley’s vision for biophilic cities is not merely to develop more aesthetically pleasing neighborhoods to raise children, although biophilic cities are undeniably more beautiful places to raise kids. His vision is to fundamentally redefine how urban areas function as living systems that support both human and ecological health. After working to advocate for biophilic changes in my own neighborhood for several years, I am now convinced that transformational change can occur at both the neighborhood and city level to create environments that support healthy family development.
Participating in efforts to create biophilic cities feels like being part of an essential shift to create places that work for families and kids, rather than against them. We are not separate from natural systems – we are part of them, and our neighborhoods should reflect that reality. My kids are growing up to understand that cities can be places where people and nature coexist and thrive, and that is worth fighting for.
David is a dad of two who started caring about design after realizing how much their home environment affected his kids’ moods and sleep. He writes about family-friendly, budget-friendly ways to bring natural light, plants, and outdoor play back into everyday life.
