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Charlottesville accepted into global Biophilic Cities Network; urban forester outlines goals
Summary
The city announced it has formally joined the Biophilic Cities Network. Charlottesville’s urban forester said the designation recognizes the city’s history with the concept and will connect local planning teams to global practitioners focused on integrating nature into urban design.
Charlottesville has been accepted into the Biophilic Cities Network, a global group of municipalities that prioritize connections between people and the natural world in urban planning, city officials announced at the council meeting.
Steven Gaines, the city’s urban forester in Parks and Recreation, told council that Charlottesville applied to join the network with support from the Office of Sustainability, Urban Forestry and the Water Resources office. Gaines noted the city is historically linked to the biophilic concept and said membership will allow Charlottesville to participate in international conversations and share and adapt creative solutions for integrating green space, conserving natural areas and expanding access to nature for residents.
The city said it will provide additional information through the Office of Sustainability and invited council and community members to engage with the program. Dr. Manel Shafif of the School of Architecture and JD Brown, program director of the Biophilic Cities Network, joined the meeting as guests and supporters of the application.
No council action was required; the announcement was presented as an update and recognition.
