Realizing multispecies justice through a capability approach to promote nature-based solutions
Abstract The design and implementation of nature-based solutions (NBS) in cities are often limited by an anthropocentric approach that prioritizes utilitarian goals instead of the diverse needs and abilities of multiple species that would support ecological flourishing. This paper starts from the pr...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2025-05-01
|
| Series: | npj Urban Sustainability |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s42949-025-00205-z |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850231502979203072 |
|---|---|
| author | Melissa Pineda-Pinto Mick Lennon Christopher Kennedy Mairéad O’Donnell Erik Andersson Katinka Wijsman Marcus J. Collier |
| author_facet | Melissa Pineda-Pinto Mick Lennon Christopher Kennedy Mairéad O’Donnell Erik Andersson Katinka Wijsman Marcus J. Collier |
| author_sort | Melissa Pineda-Pinto |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The design and implementation of nature-based solutions (NBS) in cities are often limited by an anthropocentric approach that prioritizes utilitarian goals instead of the diverse needs and abilities of multiple species that would support ecological flourishing. This paper starts from the premise that multispecies justice (MSJ) thinking provides a needed biocentric approach to NBS, and explores how a Capability Approach (CA) can be a bridge to integrate MSJ into urban NBS. The premise was tested through an embodied methodology used to design and deliver multi-city workshops in urban novel ecologies; settings often described as abandoned and hosting novel ecosystems. This research improved the understanding of participant’s awareness and knowledge of more-than-human agencies in shaping space and time, and in identifying social and environmental vulnerabilities and opportunities that can foster or hinder multispecies flourishing. We conclude by exploring how the CA can bridge NBS and MSJ and argue for the potential of marginal, less-valued novel ecologies as important elements of socially and biodiversity-rich urban futures. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-921cb6f6b32545aa9c97bebfacbfff03 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2661-8001 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | npj Urban Sustainability |
| spelling | doaj-art-921cb6f6b32545aa9c97bebfacbfff032025-08-20T02:03:31ZengNature Portfolionpj Urban Sustainability2661-80012025-05-015111110.1038/s42949-025-00205-zRealizing multispecies justice through a capability approach to promote nature-based solutionsMelissa Pineda-Pinto0Mick Lennon1Christopher Kennedy2Mairéad O’Donnell3Erik Andersson4Katinka Wijsman5Marcus J. Collier6Melbourne Centre for Cities, Faculty of Architecture Building and Planning, The University of MelbourneSchool of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy, University College DublinUrban Systems Lab, The New SchoolDiscipline of Botany, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, University of DublinFaculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Ecosystems and Environment Research Programme & Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science (HELSUS), University of HelsinkiDepartment of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Utrecht UniversityDiscipline of Botany, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, University of DublinAbstract The design and implementation of nature-based solutions (NBS) in cities are often limited by an anthropocentric approach that prioritizes utilitarian goals instead of the diverse needs and abilities of multiple species that would support ecological flourishing. This paper starts from the premise that multispecies justice (MSJ) thinking provides a needed biocentric approach to NBS, and explores how a Capability Approach (CA) can be a bridge to integrate MSJ into urban NBS. The premise was tested through an embodied methodology used to design and deliver multi-city workshops in urban novel ecologies; settings often described as abandoned and hosting novel ecosystems. This research improved the understanding of participant’s awareness and knowledge of more-than-human agencies in shaping space and time, and in identifying social and environmental vulnerabilities and opportunities that can foster or hinder multispecies flourishing. We conclude by exploring how the CA can bridge NBS and MSJ and argue for the potential of marginal, less-valued novel ecologies as important elements of socially and biodiversity-rich urban futures.https://doi.org/10.1038/s42949-025-00205-z |
| spellingShingle | Melissa Pineda-Pinto Mick Lennon Christopher Kennedy Mairéad O’Donnell Erik Andersson Katinka Wijsman Marcus J. Collier Realizing multispecies justice through a capability approach to promote nature-based solutions npj Urban Sustainability |
| title | Realizing multispecies justice through a capability approach to promote nature-based solutions |
| title_full | Realizing multispecies justice through a capability approach to promote nature-based solutions |
| title_fullStr | Realizing multispecies justice through a capability approach to promote nature-based solutions |
| title_full_unstemmed | Realizing multispecies justice through a capability approach to promote nature-based solutions |
| title_short | Realizing multispecies justice through a capability approach to promote nature-based solutions |
| title_sort | realizing multispecies justice through a capability approach to promote nature based solutions |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s42949-025-00205-z |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT melissapinedapinto realizingmultispeciesjusticethroughacapabilityapproachtopromotenaturebasedsolutions AT micklennon realizingmultispeciesjusticethroughacapabilityapproachtopromotenaturebasedsolutions AT christopherkennedy realizingmultispeciesjusticethroughacapabilityapproachtopromotenaturebasedsolutions AT maireadodonnell realizingmultispeciesjusticethroughacapabilityapproachtopromotenaturebasedsolutions AT erikandersson realizingmultispeciesjusticethroughacapabilityapproachtopromotenaturebasedsolutions AT katinkawijsman realizingmultispeciesjusticethroughacapabilityapproachtopromotenaturebasedsolutions AT marcusjcollier realizingmultispeciesjusticethroughacapabilityapproachtopromotenaturebasedsolutions |