In the era of exceeding planetary boundaries and rapid urbanization, (re-)connecting society and people with nature can be considered as a major leverage point for sustainability transformation. Surprisingly, we know little about human-nature connection in an urban and sustainability transformative context.
This interdisciplinary junior research group will develop and test the novel conceptual account "urban human-nature resonance" for
The interdisciplinary approach is based on relational values of ecosystem services, on the theory of resonance describing responsive human-nature relationships and on deep ecology. The project hypothesizes that in the face of a need to limit resource consumption, responsive human-nature connection recognizes that caring for nature means caring for oneself.
Four contextual research questions are in the focus of the project:
To answer the research questions, the project includes conceptual and empirical research with a mix of quantitative and qualitative methods. Three subprojects will explore urban human-nature resonance based on a multi-level approach. It will take into account collective actors (e.g., government agencies, NGOs), individual human-nature connections and urban human-food relationships as a thematic perspective. As an example of a Western and growth-oriented society, the empirical research aims at including big cities of Germany. The research group will provide a fresh interdisciplinary approach to urban ecology research and sustainability transformation studies exploring urban human-nature connection qualities for a flourishing urban life.
2020-2025