Despite its lack of aesthetic appeal to humans, spontaneous nature holds significant potential in mitigating climate change

Abstract

Abstract This thesis investigates how urban rewilding can be effectively applied as a planning process in the spatial environment. A pressing reason for this research is the increasing effects of climate change, which are particularly noticeable in urban areas due to the extensive presence of asphalt and stone. These materials contribute to heat stress and increase the risk of flooding, necessitating a suitable solution. The integration of nature into the city offers a viable possibility in this regard. This not only addresses the aforementioned problems but also has a positive effect on urban biodiversity and the mental health of residents. Furthermore, urban areas possess a unique ecosystem with significant potential for increasing biodiversity. To determine how this planning process can be applied, the following main research question was formulated: "How can urban rewilding be effectively integrated into the urban planning processes in the municipality of Utrecht?" The results of this study are based on semi-structured interviews with both municipal employees and experts knowledgeable in urban rewilding or closely collaborating with the municipality. Additionally, a case study was conducted at Krommerijnpark in the urban environment of Utrecht, with literature also being used to optimally illustrate the city's characteristics. The research reveals that, although the municipality of Utrecht increasingly prioritizes the addition of green spaces and is a frontrunner in this field compared to many other places in the Netherlands, the integration of spontaneous greenery , which grows without municipal intervention, remains challenging to realize. This is partly because policy documents from both the municipality and higher administrative layers (such as the national government) express an ambition to improve biodiversity, but do not explicitly state how this should be achieved. Moreover, terms like 'spontaneous nature' or 'wild growth' are not mentioned in these documents. While the addition of new green spaces, and particularly the ecological value of such projects, is taken seriously, the preservation of wild growth or indigenous ecosystems is not yet as significant a consideration as it could be. Furthermore, urban residents themselves constitute a crucial actor influencing why nature, and particularly spontaneous nature, is not widely implemented in the urban environment. This stems from both indirect and direct circumstances. For instance, vegetation near roads can impede traffic safety, and undesirable interactions with insects and animals can also pose a limitation. Moreover, there is still a significant question regarding how urban rewilding can be implemented spatially, given that cities, including Utrecht, are densely built, making it difficult to realize extensive greening in the current situation. For new development projects, however, green space does receive a higher priority.