Urban Development and Biological Conservation

According to the World Population Clock, as of November 2024, there are approximately 8.2 billion people living on the planet; by 2037, that number is estimated to reach 9 billion. As the number of humans sharing the planet grows, so does the inherent need for urban development.

Of course, as cities and communities expand to accommodate a growing population, environmental challenges can arise. The good news is that this is a topic that urban planners, environmental scientists, conservationists, and other professionals have been thinking about for years.

Today, urban development and biological conservation are inextricably linked—and in many ways, the concept of green infrastructure has formed a bridge between these two distinct yet interconnected disciplines.

What Is Urban Development?

Urban development, also commonly referred to as urban planning, is defined in a Sustainable Cities and Society article as "the process of guiding and directing the use and development of land, urban environment, urban infrastructure, and related ecosystem and human services—in ways that ensure the maximum level of economic development, high quality of life, wise management of natural resource, and efficient operation of infrastructures."

Urban development is crucial for a range of reasons. For starters, it is difficult to make significant changes to the layout or functionality of a city or community after it has been built. In this sense, the early decisions made by urban developers can impact communities for generations.

In addition, wise urban planning and development can contribute positively to the overall quality of life of inhabitants by creating jobs, promoting public health, and more.

How Does It Impact Ecosystems?

At the same time, urban planning can have a major impact on local ecosystems. As new communities and cities are built, animals may lose their natural habitats and become displaced. In some cases, urban developments may even lead to the introduction and spread of invasive species that could cause further harm to native animals and plants.

As cities are built and populations grow, there can be other unwanted environmental effects. For instance, vehicles and businesses can contribute to higher levels of air pollution. Urban noise pollution can have a detrimental effect on native animal habitats, and common pollutants (such as those from lawn fertilizers) can affect water quality in local ecosystems.

The Importance of Biological Conservation

Because urban development can put ecosystems at risk and have negative impacts on the environment, a focus on sustainable urban development is essential. Poorly designed biological conservation plans can actually put biodiversity at further risk and create more long-term problems.

How Does It Put Biodiversity at Risk?

There are various ways in which poorly designed conservation strategies could actually threaten biodiversity in urban development. Habitat fragmentation is a common example of an unintended consequence. Specifically, this occurs when protected areas are too small or otherwise too isolated from other natural environments. Though the intentions in creating protected areas are good, the consequences can wreak havoc on habitats by reducing genetic diversity and, in certain scenarios, even preventing animals from accessing the resources needed for long-term survival.

How Can You Protect Ecosystems?

Unfortunately, plenty can go wrong with even the most well-intentioned of biological conservation efforts. However, there are some biodiversity conservation strategies urban planners and developers can employ to protect ecosystems more effectively, such as:

• creating wildlife corridors within new developments
• ensuring that protected areas are properly sized to ensure biodiversity conservation and access to resources
• establishing urban green spaces, especially for the planting of native species and pollinator-friendly gardens
• undertaking reforestation projects to reestablish tree cover in developed areas
• committing to wetland restoration initiatives to improve natural wildlife habitats and water quality

How Green Infrastructure Bridges the Gap

In recent years, more urban planning and development teams have begun turning to green infrastructure as a means of fostering more sustainable urban development.

What Is It?

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), "Green infrastructure uses filtration, infiltration, and evapotranspiration to treat and soak up rainwater where it falls. ... When green infrastructure systems are thoughtfully designed to fit the site-specific, local, or regional needs of the community and environment, they can provide cleaner air and water, protect against flooding and excessive heat exposure, provide diverse habitat, and create beautiful green spaces for all to enjoy."

Green infrastructure can be executed using any number of features, with common examples including:

• sustainable drainage systems
• woodlands
• green bridges
• bodies of water (like rivers, canals, and streams)

When green infrastructure is successfully carried out in urban development, everybody can benefit from cleaner water, cleaner air, and more green space for recreation and enjoyment. Green infrastructure features can improve quality of life within communities, potentially create jobs, and help mitigate the effects of climate change. 

Where Has It Been Done?

Although green infrastructure is a relatively new sustainable urban development concept, it has already been successful in many areas across the United States. Explore some inspiring examples of green infrastructure in action below:

1. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – The Kensington Creative and Performing Arts High School and Radian Complex have incorporated green roofs, rain gardens, and other stormwater management systems. These projects help reduce runoff, improve water quality, and enhance the urban environment by making green spaces functional in dense, urban areas (UNFCCC)(US EPA).
2. Seattle, Washington – The Thornton Creek Water Quality Channel is a prime example of restoring natural hydrology in an urban setting. This project has improved stormwater management and increased habitat connectivity in a densely populated area (US EPA).
3. Santa Fe, New Mexico – The Santa Fe Railyard Park and Plaza utilizes green infrastructure to manage stormwater and conserve water in an arid climate while also creating public spaces for the community (US EPA).

Challenges in Merging Urban Growth and Conservation

In a perfect world, urban planning and development teams would have all the information, resources, and funding to implement green infrastructure and other conservation initiatives in their designs. However, urban planners must face and overcome specific types of obstacles in their work.

Conflict of Interest: Economic Growth vs. Environmental Preservation

Perhaps the biggest challenge that conservationists, urban planners, and other professions in these fields tend to encounter is the basic conflict of interest between economic growth and environmental preservation. All too often, there are competing views on which is more important when it comes to using space and resources in a new community or city.

When economic growth is valued more than environmental conservation, this can lead to development plans that may "work" in the short term but create problems for future generations. On the other hand, prioritizing environmental protection in urban development can have the effect of slowing economic growth that creates its own set of issues.

Solutions in Practice

So what's the answer? Ultimately, it boils down to reaching a common ground that focuses on sustainable development and can incorporate the best of both viewpoints. By using the planet's resources responsibly, it may be possible to protect communities for future generations while stimulating economic growth.

The Future of Urban Development and Conservation

Only time will tell exactly what the future holds for urban planning and conservation. However, there is undoubtedly more of a focus on sustainable urban development than ever before—and some exciting new technologies and recent policy solutions have introduced potential to make sustainable urban development more feasible.

How Technology and Policy Solutions Help

In recent years, many advancements in technology have begun making it easier for urban developers to design and create more sustainable communities. Consider, for example, the use of smart grids and renewable energy technologies that now make the production and use of energy more efficient than ever. This can help reduce energy consumption and cut down on carbon footprints within communities where these technologies are implemented.

Additionally, the more widespread availability of alternative energy sources (such as solar, wind, and hydro power) is making it possible to create more sustainable cities while cutting down on environmental impact.

Throughout the United States and even across the globe, some policy initiatives have promoted more sustainable urban development. The United Nations, for example, has published its own Sustainable Development Goals with a list of 17 different benchmarks for "peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future."

From an urban planning standpoint, these goals include:

• making cities and communities more sustainable and resilient
• ensuring sustainable consumption and production of resources
• improving access to reliable and sustainable energy
• increasing availability of clean water and sanitation services