Why Urban Ecology Matters in Ethiopia

Abstract

Three concurrent global environmental trends are particularly apparent: human population growth, urbanization, and climate change. Especially in countries such as Ethiopia in the Global South, all three are impacted by, and in turn have bearing upon, social justice and equity. Combined, these spatial and social factors reduce wellbeing, leading to increasing urgency to create urban environments that are more livable, resilient, and adaptive. However, the impacts on, and of, non-human urban residents, particularly on the ecosystem services they provide, are often neglected. We review the literature using the One Health theoretical framework and focusing on Ethiopia as a case-study. We argue for specific urban strategies that benefit humans and also have spillover effects that benefit other species, and vice versa. For example, urban trees provide shade, clean the air, help combat climate change, create more livable neighborhoods, and offer habitat for many species. Similarly, urban neighborhoods that attract wildlife have characteristics that also make them more desirable for humans, resulting in improved health outcomes, higher livability, and enhanced real-estate values. After summarizing the present state of knowledge about urban ecology, we emphasize components relevant to the developing world in general and pre- COVID-19 pandemic Ethiopia in particular, then expand the discussion to include social justice and equity concerns in the built environment. Prior to the ongoing civil war, Ethiopia was beginning to invest in more sustainable urbanization and serve as a model. Especially in light of the conflict and pandemic, much more will need to be done.

Opportunities for Biodiversity Conservation via Urban Ecosystem Regeneration

“…while achieving ecological and environmental goals", including ways to address climate change. This is consistent with the "one health" concept, which calls for seeking win-win-win solutions that include environmental benefits with biodiversity ones (for an urban perspective see [48]). Certainly, time spent in natural settings is known to benefit human physical and mental health [61].…”

“…To these, we add a few other potential motivations. Of course, these are not mutually exclusive, as the "one health" approach demonstrates, e.g., [48].…”

Penataan ruang kota Jakarta pusat berbasis kualitas air tanah untuk perkotaan berkelanjutan

“…Pertumbuhan populasi manusia di perkotaan adalah hasil dari pertumbuhan penduduk dan migrasi dari masyarakat pedesaan ke perkotaan. Pertumbuhan populasi perkotaan ini dapat memberikan dampak negatif bagi lingkungan, termasuk perubahan iklim, meningkatnya degradasi tanah, hingga berdampak pada kejadian "pulau panas" (Perry et al, 2022). Pertumbuhan jumlah penduduk di daerah perkotaan yang disebabkan oleh urbanisasi meningkatkan permintaan akan kebutuhan lahan yang terbatas, sehingga dapat menyebabkan munculnya kompetisi untuk pemanfaatan lahan.…”

Going Wild in the City—Animal Feralization and Its Impacts on Biodiversity in Urban Environments

“…Many other species find habitat in urban spaces, often but not always in UGS [86]. UGS can be found in cities around the globe, though access is not uniform and is confounded by issues of social justice [87,88].…”