Abstract
Planetary urbanization is considered to be one of the leading causes of the current global process of the degradation of nature, and a reduction in urban consumption becomes, therefore, a crucial goal for degrowth. Three fundamental premises underly an investigation of these issues. Firstly, territorial management underpins global environmental justice through the implementation of conservation policies; Secondly, degrowth narratives must operate in the urban context; and thirdly, there is a need for a paradigm shift at an economic, social and nature-relational level. This article presents two research approaches. Firstly, it sets out a theoretical framework in the field of 'urban degrowth', collecting arguments from political ecology, urban planning, deep ecology and degrowth thinking; and secondly, it proposes a preliminary line of investigation towards the process of urban de-occupation and re-naturalization through a bibliographic analysis of urban-ecological variables fostering natural recovery. The aim of the study is to stir up discussion about urban degrowth, as an essential mechanism to counter increasing land consumption, and global habitat and biodiversity loss. Anthropized landscapes require care for nature, conservation, collective action and initiatives at the practical and experimental level, and further research.
Highlights
This article questions the current growth discourse paradigm, and its manifestation in urban planning, calling for a deep ecological approach to the urban field
I begin with a multidisciplinary review of degrowth and urban studies, deep ecology, and political ecology
I ask: what ecological variables could influence the process of spontaneous plant colonization in cities? Can we apply knowledge of ecological and urban variables in a real process of urban degrowth? I describe these ecological variables, using three studies, and map them
Summary
This article questions the current growth discourse paradigm, and its manifestation in urban planning, calling for a deep ecological approach to the urban field. I use a similar urban analytical methodology that has been shaping cities over previous decades, but I include a major focus on fostering 'natural recovery' in the urban context. I begin with a multidisciplinary review of degrowth and urban studies, deep ecology, and political ecology. A degrowth discourse materializes physically in the urban context, through urban de-occupation and by considering the intrinsic value of nature. I ask: what ecological variables could influence the process of spontaneous plant colonization in cities? Can we apply knowledge of ecological and urban variables in a real process of urban degrowth? I describe these ecological variables, using three studies, and map them I ask: what ecological variables could influence the process of spontaneous plant colonization in cities? Can we apply knowledge of ecological and urban variables in a real process of urban degrowth? I describe these ecological variables, using three studies, and map them
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