ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of the myriad kinds of sacred and cultural connections between city dwellers and nature. It focuses on cities across the world to highlight the interactions between sacred nature and urban society that often receive little attention. The chapter examines not only the physical artifacts where ecosystems and people interact, but also look at cultural practices in which city dwellers engage. Sacred natural sites in the context of cities include natural features such as mountains, rivers, forests, and even landscapes and volcanoes. South Africa, emerging from its apartheid past, is witnessing increasing urbanization and resulting pressure on natural spaces in and around its cities. The coconut, grown in homes and even in congested slums in India, is a source of food, fiber, and fuel, but is also protected for its cultural significance. Sacred urban built spaces can include religious institutions such as temples, mosques, churches, and Buddhist shrines, and their associated gardens perform a spiritual function.
