| Spatial planning processes that more purposefully integrate socio- cultural and ecological considerations into urban development are required if cities are to navigate towards more sustainable development. The aim of this research proposal is to explore how integration of the concept of "ecosystem services" into urban spatial planning efforts could increase urban resilience. Ecosystem services are the full range of benefits society obtains from ecosystems. Resilience is the ability of a system to maintain capacity to lead a continued existence by incorporating chage. A group of urban scholars and practitioners in systems ecology and spatial planning from Stockholm, Istanbul and Wageningen will carry out trans-disciplinary research through case study analyses in each of their respective urban landscapes. The research project will address two overarching questions: 1. How might a trans-disciplinary practice of spatial planning and governance based on ecosystem services contribute to the emergence of resilient urban landscapes? 2. What can resilience theory contribute to urban spatial planning processes? Using the common framework of ecosystem services two themes of analytic inquiries will be pursued: (I) limitations and constraints in current modes of spatial planning and governance, and (II) examples of integrative urban spatial designs. The project's scientific relevance lies in generating both theoretical |
