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3474127 
Journal Article 
Renaturing cities using a regionally-focused biodiversity-led multifunctional benefits approach to urban green infrastructure 
Connop, S; Vandergert, P; Eisenberg, B; Collier, MJ; Nash, C; Clough, J; Newport, D 
2016 
Yes 
Environmental Science and Policy
ISSN: 1462-9011 
62 
99-111 
WOS:000378956300011 
If a 'Renaturing of Cities' strategy is to maximise the ecosystem service provision of urban green infrastructure (UGI), then detailed consideration of a habitat services, biodiversity-led approach and multifunctionality are necessary rather than relying on the assumed benefits of UGI per se. The paper presents preliminary data from three case studies, two in England and one in Germany, that explore how multifunctionality can be achieved, the stakeholders required, the usefulness of an experimental approach for demonstrating transformation, and how this can be fed back into policy. We argue that incorporating locally contextualised biodiversity-led UGI design into the planning and policy spheres contributes to the functioning and resilience of the city and provides the adaptability to respond to locally contextualised challenges, such as overheating, flooding, air pollution, health and wellbeing as well as biodiversity loss. Framing our research to encompass both the science of biodiversity-led UGI and co-developing methods for incorporating a strategic approach to implementation of biodiversity-led UGI by planners and developers addresses a gap in current knowledge and begins to address barriers to UGI implementation. By combining scientific with policy learning and defined urban environmental targets with community needs, our research to date has begun to demonstrate how nature-based solutions to building resilience and adaptive governance can be strategically incorporated within cities through UGI. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. 
Green infrastructure policy; Multifunctionality; Biodiversity; Ecomimicry; Ecosystem services