Singapore
Denser and Greener Cities
Ground-breaking science showing that we can have both nature and density in our cities
In this work a team of urban researchers and practitioners brings together disparate research in urban planning, sustainability, and ecology, to show that it's possible to have both the nature we need and the benefits of density – if we use nature-forward planning and design approaches.
The Denser and Greener framework points the way towards nature-forward urban design that achieves the “sweet spot” of density and ecological performance. We are excited to be applying these ideas through collaborations in a number of urban centers around the world.
The project was led by Robert McDonald, Ph.D. of The Nature Conservancy and Erica Spotswood, Second Nature’s Director of Science, who conducted the research while at SFEI. Collaborators include colleagues at San Francisco Estuary Institute as well as Myla Aronson, Tim Beatley, Kelsey Jessup, Andressa Mansur, José Antonio Puppim de Oliveira, Nicholas Pevzner, Danielle Shanahan, and Andrew Rudd.
The article is published in People and Nature and also featured in an excellent story in The Atlantic.
“We wanted this paper to be practical, not just theoretical – hence we drew inspiration from cities like Singapore and Curitiba (Brazil) to include a set of nine ‘green’ interventions urban planners across the globe can use to balance denser development with the needs of nature.”
— Erica Spotswood (in TNC article)
Second Nature Team
Erica Spotswood
Micaela Bazo
Robin Grossinger
Project contributors
The project was led by Robert McDonald, Ph.D. of The Nature Conservency and Erica Spotswood, now of Second Nature, as well as our collaborators at San Francisco Estuary Institute and colleagues Myla Aronson, Tim Beatley, Kelsey Jessup, Andressa Mansur, José Antonio Puppim de Oliveira, Nicholas Pevzner, Danielle Shanahan, and Andrew Rudd.