Urban Rewilding In Our Cities

As urban landscapes continue to expand, the need to integrate nature into our cities becomes increasingly vital. Urban rewilding offers a transformative approach to city planning, aiming to restore natural habitats and processes within urban environments. This not only benefits biodiversity but also enhances the well-being of city dwellers.

So, as our cities grow upward and outward, our rooftops, podiums, and balconies represent untapped potential for nature. Urban rewilding—bringing biodiversity and natural processes back into our cityscapes—is more than a sustainability buzzword. It’s a movement toward healthier, more resilient urban environments.

Table of contents

• Understanding Urban Rewilding
• Benefits of Urban Rewilding
• What’s the difference between microrewilding and urban rewilding?
• Global Case Studies of Urban Rewilding
• Gary Grant’s Contributions
• Challenges and Considerations
• Rooftop Rewilding
• Preserve and Cultivate Nature and Wildlife with Our Planters

Understanding Urban Rewilding

Urban rewilding involves reintroducing native species, restoring natural landscapes, and allowing ecological processes to flourish in urban areas. It encompasses various strategies, including:

• Integrating vegetation into cityscapes through parks, green roofs, and street trees.
• Connecting fragmented habitats to allow wildlife movement.
• Rehabilitating urban wetlands to support biodiversity and manage stormwater.

These initiatives aim to create self-sustaining ecosystems that coexist with urban infrastructure.

Benefits of Urban Rewilding

Bringing nature back into cities doesn’t just look good—it plays a vital role in climate adaptation, ecosystem health, and human wellbeing. Here’s how:

• Restored habitats support diverse flora and fauna, contributing to ecological balance.
• Green spaces mitigate urban heat islands, reducing temperatures by up to 2.9°C.
• Vegetation filters pollutants, leading to cleaner air and water.
• Access to greenery is linked to lower stress levels and improved mental health.

What’s the Difference Between Microrewilding and Urban Rewilding?

While both terms involve reintroducing nature to developed spaces, they differ in scale and approach.

Urban rewilding focuses on city-wide ecological strategies—green infrastructure, large habitat corridors, and public parks that mimic natural systems. It’s about systemic change across the urban landscape.

Microrewilding, on the other hand, is about small, individual efforts—planting pollinator-friendly flowers on balconies, installing mini ponds in back gardens, or letting a patch of grass grow wild. It empowers individuals and communities to contribute to biodiversity, even in tight urban spaces.

Together, these approaches create a holistic rewilding movement from the grassroots up to city planning levels.

Global Case Studies of Urban Rewilding

Urban rewilding is gaining traction globally. Here are a few standout examples that show what’s possible when cities embrace biodiversity:

Gary Grant’s Contributions

Gary Grant, a Chartered Environmentalist and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management, has over 40 years of experience in ecological design and planning. His notable projects include:

Shaping the London Plan Policy on Living Roofs and Walls, integrating nature into future city design.

Creating the Wildlife Garden at the Natural History Museum, showcasing native biodiversity in an urban context.

Developing the Thamesmead Green Infrastructure Strategy, embedding ecological thinking into regeneration plans.

Gary’s work exemplifies how rewilding principles can be practically and effectively applied in urban settings.

Join us on June 12th for an exclusive event where Gary Grant will share his insights on urban rewilding. This is a unique opportunity to learn from one of the leading experts in the field. Click here to register.

Challenges and Considerations

While urban rewilding brings many benefits, it’s not without its challenges:

• Balancing development needs with green space allocation (also known as land use conflicts).
• Ensuring rewilded areas are properly maintained to prevent issues such as invasive species.
• Gaining public support and involvement is crucial for the success of rewilding projects.

Addressing these challenges requires collaborative planning and adaptive management strategies.

Rooftop Rewilding

Rooftops, podiums, and terraces of our cities present one of the most exciting opportunities for reintroducing nature into the built environment. Our systems are engineered to help architects and landscape professionals deliver meaningful green elements—without compromising structure, performance, or aesthetics.

The RYNO Integrated Planter System enables seamless incorporation of planting zones into paved or decked environments. Designed specifically for rooftop and podium applications, this system allows for greenery to be embedded directly within the landscaping scheme, maintaining a cohesive and visually pleasing finish.

Preserve and Cultivate Nature and Wildlife With Our Planters

Urban rewilding isn’t a trend – it’s a necessary evolution of how we build. Rooftops are one of the most exciting frontiers for that change. Whether it’s a hotel terrace, a residential balcony, or a corporate HQ, your rooftops can become sanctuaries for wildlife and wellbeing.

Let’s reclaim the skyline for nature.