Making Resilience a Reality: The Contribution of Peri-urban Ecosystem Services (BGI) to Urban Resilience

The pressure on urban development to meet the needs of growing populations heavily influences spatial planning priorities. Ecosystem-based approaches (EBA) to development, which incorporate blue and green infrastructure (BGI), allow growth to balance ecocentrism with anthropogenic aspirations. This is particularly evident in peri-urban areas (PUA). The ill-defined nature of PUA gives rise to opportunities for ecosystem services to urban centres. However, the current land value favours development models. The disconnect between land value and ecosystem services does not consider the benefits of EBA to urban centres. Law, engineering and planning frameworks result in inflexible responses to changing risk. The planning of PUAs can facilitate beneficial growth strategies for ecosystems services that may include urban farms, allotment gardens and agricultural parks. The adaptability of PUA zones creates opportunities for residents to innovate and sustain their livelihoods as their environment undergoes change from urban pressures. Planning policy is lacking for PUA and as a result development outcomes are poor with ad hoc, developer-led approaches to growth. Strengthening links between urban and rural areas through considered PUA planning creates opportunities for the preservation of natural environments and the capacity of these environments to effectively reduce the negative effects of human development.