#urbanecology

[growtreesagra]

[umbrellium]

Newsletter 013 - Co-creations & Interactions 

Our thirteenth newsletter is now available, encapsulating a year brimming with participatory design, multispecies conversations, and community-led projects. From the Great Ormond Street Hospital's new entrance designed with patients and AI, to the cultural probing of the "State-less 無國界" exhibition, and engaging communities in low-carbon cuisines, our latest newsletter is filled with insights on interactive and participatory practices. 

Read our latest newsletter, Co-creations & Interactions, to explore stories of intersections between people, technology, and the environment that have marked our journey this year.

Due to Tiny Newsletter's imminent closure, we're currently unable to accept new subscribers through the platform. If you're interested in keeping up with future newsletters, please email us at info@umbrellium.co.uk to express your interest in subscribing. We'd love to have you on board!

[naturalphenom]

Ecosystems on Rooftops: Green Innovations in Cities

Introduction:

In the rapidly urbanizing world, the concept of "Ecosystems on Rooftops" has emerged as a groundbreaking solution to address environmental challenges in cities. This innovative approach involves transforming urban rooftops into thriving green spaces, contributing to both ecological sustainability and enhanced urban living.

The Science Behind Rooftop Ecosystems:

Rooftop ecosystems encompass a diverse range of vegetation, from small gardens to more complex green infrastructure. The science behind these systems involves careful consideration of plant species, soil composition, and water management to create self-sustaining microenvironments.

Examples Across Cities:

Cities worldwide have embraced rooftop ecosystems. Singapore, known for its commitment to sustainable urban development, boasts the Gardens by the Bay with elevated walkways and green roofs. Chicago's City Hall features an award-winning rooftop garden, while Copenhagen's Green Lighthouse showcases energy-efficient design coupled with rooftop greenery.

Advantages of Rooftop Ecosystems:

Urban Heat Island Mitigation: Green rooftops reduce the heat island effect, improving overall city temperatures.

Air Quality Improvement: Plants absorb pollutants, enhancing air quality and mitigating the impact of urban pollution.

Biodiversity Enhancement: Rooftop ecosystems provide habitats for birds, insects, and other wildlife, promoting urban biodiversity.

Energy Efficiency: Green roofs insulate buildings, reducing energy consumption for both heating and cooling.

Aesthetic Appeal: Beyond functionality, rooftop gardens add aesthetic value, creating visually appealing urban landscapes.

Challenges and Considerations:

Installation Costs: Implementing rooftop ecosystems can be initially expensive, requiring careful financial planning.

Maintenance Requirements: Ongoing maintenance is crucial for the success of these ecosystems, demanding attention to plant health and irrigation systems.

Structural Limitations: Not all buildings can support the weight of extensive green infrastructure, limiting widespread adoption.

Conclusion:

Ecosystems on rooftops exemplify a harmonious synergy between urban development and environmental conservation. As cities continue to face the challenges of climate change and urbanization, integrating green innovations into urban landscapes becomes imperative for a sustainable future.

[probablyasocialecologist]

Saw a kingfisher today! It was perched on a shopping trolley dumped in the local stream, proper British #UrbanEcology 🐦

[immaginariurbani]

#urbanscape #urbanecology #urbannature #urban #immaginariurbani #minimalism #minimal #newtopographics #mini https://www.instagram.com/p/CSCk5srI2VS/?utm_medium=tumblr

[bhargavi-rudraraju]

#urbanecology @currentconservation #ccinktober2021 #illustration #kidlitartist #editorialillustrator #animals #wildlife #birdie #plants #butterfly https://www.instagram.com/p/CVC36ePvdI3/?utm_medium=tumblr

[ridinhii]

Slender towers girdled in greenery and inscribed with Squamish art that soar above the local Vancouver neighborhoods while maximizing public space at their base. The future is indigenous. Ask your local tribe for details... Also wonder if a good ass lawyer could find the Lenape a plot back in Mannahatta...

[aswampblogger]

[a-disaster-piece]

Turned out to be a late-night #FroggyFriday, too! This little Western Leopard Toad (Amietophrynus pantherinus), about 1/4 the size of my palm, decided to hide in a tucked away corner (pardon the floor, I'm in the midst of a deep clean! 🙈🛁😹)…I safely put it back outside, where it booked across the courtyard with the cutest hops I've ever seen, into the garden plants! 🐸🌿😻 #frog #toad #herping #amphibians #leopardtoad #urbanecology (at Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape) https://www.instagram.com/p/B-jV13TATVE/?igshid=1vkxl2u908cpg

[growtreesagra]

[davidbuckleyborden]

A crap photo of a sweet flag with a fab collaborator, @jackiebarry. 0ne of 7 new 5x7’ enviro revolution flags now on view at @somervillemuseum. Triple Decker Ecology exhibition with @penellohpee et al. runs through Dec 9th. #vexillology #urbanecology #tripledeckerecology (at Massachusetts's 7th Congressional District) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpMkq_nBtOv/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=pyue1muhjgoo

[marleypeifer]

Can you see the passion fruit vine climbing up the electrical wires? Mixing it up with a little #urbanaketching in my #naturejournal because even in the Galapagos, the human built space is part of nature. In this case we have a sort of “freakosystem” with human modified environments, invasive species, native species, and all kinds of weird unintended consequences cascading into a novel ecosystem. Darwin’s finches land on rusty rebar sticking out of an abandoned building the same way they land on a native cactus. The passion fruit vine doesn’t know that electrical cables and telephone poles are not “natural”. It doesn’t know anything, it just grows up structure towards sun and those wires fit the bill nicely. And what about us? Where do we live most of our lives? Inside these freakosystems that fly in the face of the false dichotomy of human vs nature. #urbansketch #urbanecology #galapagos #puertoayora #inksketch #ink #drawing #stillmanandbirn (at Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz, Islas Galápagos, Ecuador) https://www.instagram.com/p/CeuXFagLceD/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[immaginariurbani]

#urban #urbanecology #urbanphotography #transizioneecologica #immaginariurbani #ig #igdaily #urbanscape #landscape https://www.instagram.com/p/CMjP4m9nziB/?igshid=1bwnvhm72s4w9

[partspermillion]

diving into a new literature (industrial ecology/successional theory/community assembly/alvar) and some papers are already so exciting.

So, here’s to my #newfavoritepaper:

Sipos, J., J. Hodecek, T. Kuras, and A. Dolny. 2017. “Principal Determinants of Species and Functional Diversity of Carabid Beetle Assemblages during Succession at Post-Industrial Sites.” Bulletin of Entomological Research 107 (4): 466–77. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007485316001085.

(via Furnace Park - amidst the cracks in the concrete)

[guillaumeredfield]

𝙱𝚘𝚛𝚍𝚎𝚊𝚞𝚡 #cityflowers #flowers #urbannature #ig #fleurs #summer #amazingnature #urbanweeds #natureprevails #naturebeauty #streetplants #urbanbotany #blumen #photooftheday #lifeplanet #artofnature #beautifulnature #colorsnature #urbanecology #cityweeds #cityplants #greenworld #natureart #natureinthecity #naturelove #naturevscity #highwayweeds #weedyplants #weedalogue #bordeaux (à Place De La Bourse et Miroir d’eau, Bordeaux) https://www.instagram.com/p/CaBjQfINSbG/?utm_medium=tumblr

[ridinhii]

Industrialized capitalism attempted work on the absurd notion that one day nature could somehow be overcome, that man would eventually assert authority over his environment. Thankfully many of us are now returning to the ancient belief that by forming a reciprocal & respectful relationship with nature we can create our heaven on earth...💚 To celebrate 5 years of RiDiNHii I wanted to share some of the original posts that inspired me to create the blog. These words and visions continue to inspire me and greatly inform my environmental music project Green Love… 💚 Sorry don’t know the artist! #overgrown #abandoned #wild #naturetakesover #urbanecology #greennewdeal #greenlove #art #nature #dystopia #environmentalism #backtonature https://www.instagram.com/p/BvsgN9HFk2p/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1b9iqs5nyl72z