Upping the urban green. How can we accelerate the role of ecology in our cities?
Ten questions about ecology in urban design

Mark Simmons: University of Texas, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, USA
Christine Thuring: University of Sheffield, UK

Optional: Please watch 3 minute introductory YouTube video here (copy into browser):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yy3EdrKrLdQ

1. Are you a student or practicing professional?

Are you a student or practicing professional?   Undergraduate student Postgraduate/ graduate student Academic/ education Practicing professional Other

If Other (please specify)

2. Where do you live?

Where do you live?   Africa Asia Australia Central America and Caribbean Europe Middle East North America South America Other

If Other (please specify)

3. What is your primary discipline

What is your primary discipline   Architecture Biology Contractor Ecology Engineering Environmental Science Geography Horticulture Landscape Architecture Planning Policy Soil Science Other

If Other (please specify)

4. What are the most important ecosystem services that are included in the urban design of your region's cities? (The next question asks what you personally feel should be the most important)
(1=most important; 8=least important)

12345678Stormwater management

12345678Air quality

12345678Recreational/ visible green space

12345678Climate change mitigation/ carbon sequestration

12345678Urban heat island mitigation

12345678Biodiversity/ habitat protection and creation

12345678Water quality and supply

12345678Urban food supply

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5. In your opinion, what ecosystem services should drive urban and site design?
(1=highest ranking; 8=lowest ranking)

12345678Water quality and supply

12345678Urban food supply

12345678Air quality

12345678Stormwater management

12345678Biodiversity/ habitat

12345678Recreational/ visible green space

12345678Climate change mitigation/ carbon sequestration

12345678Urban heat island mitigation

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6. What is the highest ideal or greatest potential of an ecologically functioning city?
(1=highest ideal; 5=lowest ideal)

12345Deep ecology (the right to survival of organisms/ecosystems regardless of human impact)

12345Economic and resource sustainability

12345Reverse the damage and preserve what’s left

12345Human physical, sociological and mental well-being

12345Survival of the human species

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7. From your discipline's perspective, what are the obstacles to an ecologically- and human-inclusive urban environment?
(1=biggest obstacle; 12=smallest)

123456789101112Lack of (economic) incentives

123456789101112Insufficient transfer (marketing and education) of technologies and ideas across disciplines

123456789101112Ignorance of available technologies

123456789101112Lack of respect/ understanding of the potential for improving ecological function

123456789101112Public apathy

123456789101112Lack of respect/ understanding for other disciplines

123456789101112Lack of effective policy or political will

123456789101112Dominance of individual discipline(s) in the design process

123456789101112Cost of green technology implementation

123456789101112Academic (science, engineering, design) model which inhibits real-world application

123456789101112Inadequate trans-disciplinary culture in the design process

123456789101112Academic (science, engineering, design) model which inhibits significant trans-disciplinary collaboration

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8. Which green strategies do you think would be most effective and appropriate for improving ecosystem services in your region's cities?
(1=highest; 7=lowest)

1234567Urban parks (conventional green open space)

1234567Urban natural open areas (meadows, forests, prairies etc)

1234567Street trees

1234567Stormwater features (retention ponds, rain gardens, bioswales)

1234567Community gardens/ allotments

1234567Urban wetlands/ streams/ riparian systems

1234567Green roofs and green walls

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9. In your experience, which discipline(s) were/ are lacking in your training and education that would MOST benefit your current or future profession? (Please select no more than 3 choices)

In your experience, which discipline(s) were/ are lacking in your training and education that would MOST benefit your current or future profession? (Please select no more than 3 choices)   Environmental Science Policy Planning Engineering Soil Science Landscape Architecture Architecture Biology Geography Horticulture Business Ecology

10. What are the most important cultural benefits of an ecologically functioning city?
(Please consider all demographic groups: elderly, youth, minorities, etc)
(1=most important; 6=least)

123456Recreational opportunities (passive or active)

123456Sense of connection with the natural world

123456Cultural connectedness (regional sense of place)

123456Better knowledge/ respect for the natural world

123456Community development and place-making

123456Exemplification of civic commitment to sustainability principles

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