Planning for biodiversity conservation in large urban areas: the Ecological Framework for Greater Manchester

Kazmierczak, AE; James, P

Abstract

Recent emphasis on the need for biodiversity protection outside designated areas has resulted in the growing popularity of ecological networks as a planning tool. However, in urban areas high levels of habitat fragmentation and ever present development pressures challenge the creation of networks with the required level of physical and functional connectivity. In addition, recent investigations into the role of gardens and diversity of habitats for biodiversity in urban areas question the image of urban areas as an impermeable and hostile matrix. The authors offer an alternative to the ecological networks approach to landscape scale conservation in cities ¿ Ecological Framework. This approach places an emphasis on incorporating both public and private space and area-specific use of planning control policies. This approach is tested by a GIS based analysis of spatial data on gardens, distribution of semi-natural and natural habitats and presence of land cover mosaics in Greater Manchester, UK in order to identify areas of the highest ecological significance. These areas are then combined to form the Ecological Framework. The authors present strategies for maintenance of the Ecological Framework and discuss the threats and opportunities for this approach in the context of spatial planning in the UK.

Citation

Kazmierczak, A., & James, P. (2008). Planning for biodiversity conservation in large urban areas: the Ecological Framework for Greater Manchester

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2008
• Deposit Date: Oct 27, 2010
• Journal: Salzburger Geographische Arbeiten
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 42
• Pages: 129-149