72
integration does not require to reshape current practices, but it can build on what is
already there, as also demonstrated by our reviews. Some promising fields of
cross- fertilization between ES and urban planning emerged in this book, including
possible contributions of the urban planning discipline to the ES science (Cortinovis
2018). For example, methods and approaches already in use by planners can be
applied to identify actual and potential beneficiaries, to quantify ES benefits, and
to analyse equity in ES provision. Implementation tools to support the operationalization of ES knowledge represent another key contribution. So far, ES science has
developed very few models for implementation. On the contrary, urban planners
are equipped with a large toolbox where suitable tools to implement ES-informed
decisions and to secure and enhance the provision of ES in cities can certainly be
found (e.g., regulations, building standards, financial and non-financial incentives,
among others).
A growing demand for ES knowledge to be integrated in urban planning practices is determined by the strong support that ecosystem-based actions and naturebased solutions are receiving (European Commission 2015). However, as it emerged
from the book, the ES approach, providing a holistic framework that describes the
multiple relations between ecosystems and human wellbeing, offers to urban planning much more than solutions. Within this framework, objectives that account for
the complex interactions between the ecological and the socio-economic spheres
can be set, and decisions assessed based on their expected long-term consequences.
Urban planning plays a key role in coordinating different sectoral policies and
bridging multiple institutional scales, hence it can be the starting point for ES
knowledge to permeate other decision-making processes. Urbanization is one of the
major threats to biodiversity and ES worldwide. In this respect, promoting the ES
approach through urban planning may seem a paradox, but it is also a great opportunity to make human development truly sustainable.
Open Access This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative
Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/
licenses/by/4.0/), which permits use, duplication, adaptation, distribution and
reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original
author(s) and the source, a link is provided to the Creative Commons license and any changes
made are indicated.
The images or other third party material in this chapter are included in the work’s Creative
Commons license, unless indicated otherwise in the credit line; if such material is not included in
the work’s Creative Commons license and the respective action is not permitted by statutory regulation, users will need to obtain permission from the license holder to duplicate, adapt or reproduce
the material.
7 Conclusions
integration does not require to reshape current practices, but it can build on what is
already there, as also demonstrated by our reviews. Some promising fields of
cross- fertilization between ES and urban planning emerged in this book, including
possible contributions of the urban planning discipline to the ES science (Cortinovis
2018). For example, methods and approaches already in use by planners can be
applied to identify actual and potential beneficiaries, to quantify ES benefits, and
to analyse equity in ES provision. Implementation tools to support the operationalization of ES knowledge represent another key contribution. So far, ES science has
developed very few models for implementation. On the contrary, urban planners
are equipped with a large toolbox where suitable tools to implement ES-informed
decisions and to secure and enhance the provision of ES in cities can certainly be
found (e.g., regulations, building standards, financial and non-financial incentives,
among others).
A growing demand for ES knowledge to be integrated in urban planning practices is determined by the strong support that ecosystem-based actions and naturebased solutions are receiving (European Commission 2015). However, as it emerged
from the book, the ES approach, providing a holistic framework that describes the
multiple relations between ecosystems and human wellbeing, offers to urban planning much more than solutions. Within this framework, objectives that account for
the complex interactions between the ecological and the socio-economic spheres
can be set, and decisions assessed based on their expected long-term consequences.
Urban planning plays a key role in coordinating different sectoral policies and
bridging multiple institutional scales, hence it can be the starting point for ES
knowledge to permeate other decision-making processes. Urbanization is one of the
major threats to biodiversity and ES worldwide. In this respect, promoting the ES
approach through urban planning may seem a paradox, but it is also a great opportunity to make human development truly sustainable.
Open Access This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative
Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/
licenses/by/4.0/), which permits use, duplication, adaptation, distribution and
reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original
author(s) and the source, a link is provided to the Creative Commons license and any changes
made are indicated.
The images or other third party material in this chapter are included in the work’s Creative
Commons license, unless indicated otherwise in the credit line; if such material is not included in
the work’s Creative Commons license and the respective action is not permitted by statutory regulation, users will need to obtain permission from the license holder to duplicate, adapt or reproduce
the material.
7 Conclusions