ABSTRACT
We propose that biodiversity should be a central concern of urban design and planning and provide tips and examples of how this can be accomplished. First, we provide a rationale for prioritizing biodiversity in decision-making by summarizing the benefits of urban biodiversity planning for the well-being of local residents, justice, and rates of biodiversity loss at local, regional, and global scales. We define urban biodiversity and provide an operational standard for applying this definition in a pragmatic and value-based way. We then explain how to integrate biodiversity into decision-making in cities through four objectives, each of which is paired with a case study from the Pacific Rim. The first objective is to demonstrate that biodiversity is an urban issue, the second is to identify robust metrics for biodiversity, the third is to ensure that actions for biodiversity also contribute to socioeconomic and equity goals, and the fourth is to connect the drivers and impacts of biodiversity loss across spatial boundaries. Finally, to support the integration of biodiversity with human needs and aspirations, we suggest leverage points that synergize goals of biodiversity conservation with other issues cities face, such as human health, economic development, landscape maintenance, climate change, and flood mitigation.
