Blue Urbanism: Our Urban Future and the Value of a Healthy Coastal Marine Environment
Stormwater Conference
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Sea level rise, urban growth, and stricter water-quality rules challenge traditional perspectives. Yet they present opportunity to deliver smarter water management for liveable resilient cities.
By 2050 it is expected 70% of the world’s population will live in cities. There is growing research round the importance of connecting with nature for health and wellbeing. What does this mean given our blue planet is becoming even more urbanised? Exploring relationships between cities and sea, the term Blue Urbanism aims to identify how intimately connected cities are to marine environments. It aims to promote understanding partnerships between disciplines and increase awareness of urbanites about the significance of links between city and sea.
Wellington City is a Biophilic Cities research programme partner being led by Prof Tim Beatley of Virginia University. Founded on biophilic values, Council launched Our Living City programme to strengthen urban nature connections and expand quality of life.
Wellington’s Blue Belt is a Living City showcase project.The sea surrounding Wellington plays an essential part of our environment, heritage and economy. Blue Belt is about highlighting the natural advantage the harbour offers for the city.
Policy makers and residents understand the desire for a Blue Belt. It is an idea that has gained traction and found its way into official plans.
Alas, data for Wellington Harbour and streams show contaminants above guidelines for healthy aquatic life. During storms drainage systems are inundated causing flooding and sewage into the harbour. These problems compromise the Blue Belt vision.
Council sees these challenges as opportunity to deliver a range of projects to successfully connect economy, environment and enhance liveability and community health and wellbeing, in realising the Blue Belt vision.
The paper will focus on the collaborative journey to develop technical guidance and policy, to forming alliances to facilitate and implement Blue Urbanism.