Urban Ecosystem: An Interaction of Biological and Physical Components

Abstract

Urban ecosystems are composed of biological components (plants, animals, microorganisms, and other forms of life) and physical components (soil, water, air, climate, and topography) which interact together. In terms of “Urban Green infrastructure (UGI)”, these components are in a combination of natural and constructed materials of urban space that have an important role in metabolic processes, biodiversity, and ecosystem resiliency underlying valuable ecosystem services. The increase in the world’s population in urban areas is a driving force to threat the environmental resources and public health in cities; thus, the necessity to adopt sustainable practices for communities are crucial for improving and maintaining urban environmental health. This chapter emphasizes the most important issues associated with urban ecosystem, highlighting the recent findings as a guide for future UGI management, which can support city planners, public health officials, and architectural designers to quantify cities more responsive, safer places for people.

A framework to enhance urban biodiversity in Egypt, using Animal Aided design method (AAD)

“…Animals, like plants, are an important part of the urban ecosystem. However, due to environmental pollution, construction modernization, and a reduction in urban vegetation, there has been a discernible decline in animal species in populated regions (Mollashahi & Szymura, 2021). Designers and activists are attempting to change this by creating unique environments or shelters that allow people and animals to live together in harmony once again.…”

“…As architects expand their focus beyond buildings for people, they are focusing on various enclosures and open spaces that rethink interactions with animals and their welfare (Deb, 2017;Mollashahi & Szymura, 2021). There are different constructions that have been built for animals, where architects considered the animals' needs to design the space, such as Birdhouse in Turkey, the Penguin enclosure in London, the Elephant house in Denmark, the Bat Tower in the USA, etc.…”