What if the solutions to our most pressing urban crises, from flooding and extreme heat to mental health, already exist in nature? In the second episode of USAID’s Green Cities podcast series, I speak with three world-leading experts who challenge the “artificial juxtaposition” of the city versus nature. This episode moves beyond theory to showcase concrete, nature-based solutions being implemented in cities across the globe.
In this episode, you will learn:
- The Power of Nature-Based Solutions: Discover how natural systems like wetlands and coral reefs can outperform “gray infrastructure” (concrete and steel) in mitigating floods and improving air quality.
- Healing the City: Explore the “Parks RX” movement, where doctors are prescribing time outdoors to treat chronic diseases, and learn about the measurable health benefits of urban green spaces.
- Cooling the “Heat Islands”: Understand how urban design choices create dangerous heat and how cities like Shenzhen and Tel Aviv are using nature to lower temperatures and protect vulnerable populations.
- Global Innovations in Motion: From Barcelona’s car-free “Superblocks” and Bogotá’s world-class bus rapid transit to Utrecht’s pollinator-friendly bus stops, see how cities are redesigning mobility and biodiversity for a more resilient future.
Featured Guests:
- Ann Guerry, Chief Strategy Officer at the Natural Capital Project at Stanford University.
- Rogier van den Berg, Acting Global Director for WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities.
- Johanna Lovecchio, Associate Director at the Center for Resilient Cities and Landscapes at Columbia University.
“Nature provides for what we need. Period.” This episode is a masterclass in how we can stop fighting against our environment and start building with it.
Click play to see how the cities of today are being transformed into the resilient, green ecosystems of tomorrow.
Daryn R. Cambridge 