Ecological urban planning is a holistic approach that treats an urban area as an ecosystem, considering interactions among its biotic components, abiotic components, infrastructure and human communities. It aims to improve environmental, social and economic sustainability rather than planning each land use separately.
This concept belongs to IB ESS subtopic 8.2 Urban systems and urban planning. The basic concept is core content for SL and HL, while specified planning principles include HL-only detail.
How Ecological Urban Planning Works
An urban area can be analysed as an open system. Energy, water, food, materials and people enter as inputs; buildings, infrastructure and populations act as storages; wastewater, solid waste, pollutants and heat leave as outputs.
Ecological planning redesigns these relationships so that fewer resources are consumed and less waste is produced. Public transport can reduce fossil-fuel inputs and air pollution, while urban wetlands can store stormwater, provide habitats and reduce flood risk.
| Planning measure | Effect on the urban system |
|---|---|
| Green spaces and wildlife corridors | Support biodiversity, recreation and cooling |
| Permeable surfaces and wetlands | Increase infiltration and reduce surface run-off |
| Public transport and cycling routes | Reduce congestion, energy use and pollution |
| Mixed land use | Shorten journeys by placing homes, services and employment together |
| Material reuse and recycling | Reduce resource inputs and waste outputs |
For HL students, ecological urban planning includes urban compactness, mixed land use and social mix. Social mix raises an environmental justice issue: sustainable neighbourhoods should remain accessible to different income groups instead of causing displacement through rising property prices.
Curitiba, Brazil, is a useful named example. Its bus rapid transit network, coordinated land-use planning, parks and flood-management areas demonstrate integrated planning, although outcomes depend on funding, governance and residents' needs and perspectives.