The objective of this course is to provide a scientific foundation for understanding and integrating ecological principles and biodiversity conservation into urban planning. Upon completion, participants will be able to:

• Urban Planners and Landscape Architects
• Ecologists and Environmental Scientists
• Parks and Recreation Managers
• Municipal Staff focused on natural resources
• Conservation Non-profit Staff
• Students in Ecology, Geography, or Planning
• Civil Engineers and Stormwater Managers

• Field-based (virtual or physical) ecological assessment of an urban site
• Group Activities: Designing an ecological corridor plan for a fragmented area
• Case Studies of successful urban biodiversity conservation projects
• Individual Exercises: Conducting an urban ecosystem services valuation for a park
• GIS mapping and remote sensing demonstrations for canopy and habitat mapping
• Discussions on the ethics of managing "unwanted" nature in the city

Unit 1: Fundamentals of Urban Ecology

• Defining the city as a social-ecological system (SES)
• The urban heat island effect and its ecological consequences
• The unique characteristics of urban soils, hydrology, and microclimates
• Understanding the impact of human activity on urban ecosystem dynamics

• Patterns of biodiversity loss and conservation challenges in cities
• The role of non-native and invasive species in urban ecosystems
• Habitat fragmentation and the importance of ecological corridors
• Measuring and monitoring urban biodiversity using field and remote methods

Unit 2: Ecosystem Services and Planning

• Defining and valuing key urban ecosystem services (e.g., air filtration, cooling)
• The role of green infrastructure in providing multiple benefits (e.g., stormwater)
• Economic valuation methods for urban nature and ecosystem services
• Integrating ecosystem services assessment into comprehensive planning

• Principles of GI network design and spatial planning
• Planning for connected corridors, stepping stones, and habitat patches
• Designing for functional GI: green roofs, permeable pavement, bio-swales
• Case studies of large-scale GI implementation in cities

Unit 3: Design for Biodiversity and Habitats

• Management strategies for urban wetlands, riparian zones, and water bodies
• Planning for urban forests, canopy cover, and street trees
• Designing public spaces and parks for biodiversity enhancement
• Techniques for restoring degraded urban habitats and brownfield sites

• Management of urban wildlife populations and human-wildlife conflict
• Planning for migratory species (e.g., bird flight paths, butterfly corridors)
• The role of citizen science and community engagement in urban ecology
• Designing spaces that promote positive human interaction with nature

Unit 4: Policy and Implementation

• Integrating biodiversity protection into zoning and land development regulations
• Developing a municipal Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) or equivalent strategy
• The use of conservation easements, land trusts, and Transfer of Development Rights (TDR)
• Incentive programs for private landowners to conserve urban nature

• Long-term monitoring protocols for urban ecological health and performance
• Adaptive management frameworks for urban ecosystems
• Funding sources for ecological restoration and habitat creation
• The role of planning in mitigating the impacts of light and noise pollution on wildlife

Unit 5: Emerging Topics and Case Studies

• Urban agriculture, food systems, and their ecological integration
• Climate change and its impact on urban species and ecosystem services
• The concept of rewilding urban spaces and its challenges
• Case studies of high-profile urban biodiversity initiatives (e.g., green belts, large parks)