Perspectives in Urban Ecology : Ecosystems and Interactions Between Humans and Nature in the Metropolis of Berlin

This book gives an interdisciplinary overview on urban ecology. Basic understanding of urban nature development and its social reception are discussed for the European Metropolitan Area of Berlin. Furthermore, we investigate specific consequences for the environment, nature and the quality of life for city dwellers due to profound changes such as climate change and the demographic and economic developments associated with the phenomena of shrinking cities. Actual problems of urban ecology should be discussed not only in terms of natural dimensions such as atmosphere, biosphere, pedosphere and hydrosphere but also in terms of social and cultural dimensions such as urban planning, residence and recreation, traffic and mobility and economic values. Our research findings focus on streets, new urban landscapes, intermediate use of brown fields and the relationships between urban nature and the well-being of city dwellers. Finally, the book provides a contribution to the international discussion on urban ecology. Front Matter....Pages i-xiv Introduction: From Urban Nature Studies to Ecosystem Services....Pages 1-13 Particulate Matter in the Urban Atmosphere: Concentration, Distribution, Reduction – Results of Studies in the Berlin Metropolitan Area....Pages 15-41 Contamination of Urban Surface and Ground Water Resources and Impact on Aquatic Species....Pages 43-88 Urban Soils in the Vadose Zone....Pages 89-133 Plants in Urban Settings: From Patterns to Mechanisms and Ecosystem Services....Pages 135-166 New Directions in Urban Avian Ecology: Reciprocal Connections between Birds and Humans in Cities....Pages 167-195 Urban Economy....Pages 197-230 Remote Sensing and Spatial Modelling of the Urban Environment....Pages 231-259 Social Dimensions of Urban Restructuring: Urban Gardening, Residents’ Participation, Gardening Exhibitions....Pages 261-295 From L. Wirth to E. Wirth: Integrating Effects of the Organizational Division of Labour into the Study of Urban Life....Pages 297-304 Human Perception of Urban Environment and Consequences for its Design....Pages 305-331 The Social Construction of City Nature: Exploring Temporary Uses of Open Green Space in Berlin....Pages 333-345 Back Matter....Pages 347-352 Annotation This book gives an interdisciplinary overview on urban ecology. Basic understanding of urban nature development and its social reception are discussed for the European Metropolitan Area of Berlin. Furthermore, we investigate specific consequences for the environment, nature and the quality of life for city dwellers due to profound changessuch asclimate change and the demographic and economic developments associated with the phenomena of shrinking cities. Actual problems of urban ecology should be discussed not only in terms of natural dimensionssuch asatmosphere, biosphere, pedosphere and hydrosphere but also in terms of social and cultural dimensionssuch as urban planning, residence and recreation, traffic and mobility and economic values. Our research findings focus on streets, new urban landscapes, intermediate use of brown fields and the relationships between urban nature and the well-being of city dwellers. Finally, the book provides a contribution to the international discussion onurban ecology