Book chapter
A Reference Framework Addressing Nature-Positive Goals in Cities
Towards a Nature-Positive Built Environment, pp 1-13
23 Jan 2026
Featured in Collection : Drexel's Newest Publications
Abstract
It is now accepted knowledge, not only in science, that the built environment plays a decisive role in the health of people and the planet. Data and scientific evidence increasingly support the development of research in the various fields of knowledge in which the built environment is articulated towards sustainable development goals, with a focus on the better use of resources, materials, and energy, the decarbonization of processes, and the health and well-being of occupants.
The complexity of the interdependencies between these objectives increasingly draws attention to the need to consolidate an interdisciplinary research model for the sector to achieve a convergence of objectives and responsibilities towards society and the environment.
The increasing pressures to which the urban built environment is subjected, e.g. because of demographic and climate change, push research efforts towards the need to find solutions to real, urgent problems capable of resolving or mitigating impacts at different levels.
This chapter discusses how interdisciplinary research approaches can offer the necessary breadth of purpose and vision to address the challenges at hand. In this context, the Nature-positive Built Environment initiative offers an example of how to address research in the field of the urban built environment through the lens of ecosystem management and investigates possible strategies to provide a complex adaptive system with the necessary flexibility and ability to respond to environmental change and increasing uncertainty.
Metrics
1 Record Views
Details
- Title
- A Reference Framework Addressing Nature-Positive Goals in Cities
- Creators
- Eugenia Victoria Ellis - Drexel UniversityGiuliana Iannaccone (Corresponding Author) - Politecnico di Milano
- Contributors
- Giuliana Iannaccone (Editor) - Politecnico di MilanoEugenia Victoria Ellis (Editor) - Drexel University
- Publication Details
- Towards a Nature-Positive Built Environment, pp 1-13
- Series
- Research for Development
- Publisher
- Springer Nature; Cham
- Resource Type
- Book chapter
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering; [Retired Faculty]
- Other Identifier
- 991022155318304721