Towards a Nature-Positive Built Environment

This book explores the concept of a nature-positive built environment highlighting its importance for both human and planetary health. It promotes a cross-disciplinary dialogue and provides a critical perspective to those interested in the search for integrated and systemic solutions for the sustainable future of the built environment and all the living species that inhabit it.

The global challenges posed by climate change have led to goals for the built environment that are primarily focused on reducing energy and resource consumption, with the aim of achieving decarbonization in the sector by 2050. However, the growing awareness, not only in the scientific community, of the impact of the construction industry on natural systems, on which it depends, and of the role of the built environment on the well-being and health of people, makes it necessary to define a new framework to align ongoing efforts with greater social and environmental responsibility. The concept of nature-positive thus becomes a new paradigm to go beyond the logic of zero impact and promote the generation of positive impacts for natural ecosystems and human health.

The book brings together contributions from experts from different sectors who have researched and experimented with possible strategies to address the main challenges facing urban areas and the construction industry, seeking to give back to natural ecosystems and the human-nature relationship the space that has been lost due to urbanization.

The presentation of case studies from Italy and the United States provides concrete examples of nature-positive solutions that at various levels have been proven in cities and are helping to ensure long-term sustainability.