10. Surprising biodiversity and natural capital

At least in agricultural regions, urban areas may preserve the best remnants of biodiversity. In many cases, the monoculture of agriculture has removed most complex habitats. In these cases, some of the best uncultivated land is close to urban centers. The examples examined here each represent a region with very large species diversity and urban/industrial character.

       A good example of this is the relationship between urbanized South Florida, on that state's eastern shore, and the Everglades to the west. Fueled by concern about urban encroachment, a Governor's Commission for a Sustainable South Florida recommended an "Eastward Ho!" strategy to promote reinvestment within that area's traditional settlements. Polling there indicates strong support for this action. A multi-stakeholder "Sustainable Everglades Initiative" has helped build connections between environmental and urban constituencies. Also, the recently established Smart Growth Center will further connections in this activity between market-based and community-based actors.⁵⁶

       Another good example is Chattanooga. Thirty years ago the area had the dubious distinction of the nation's worst air quality problem. Action to reverse this rating succeeded. Success led the way to industrial retention and to a civic commitment to environmental restoration in the city and along the Tennessee Valley generally. The city has won national and international recognition for its successful efforts in this regard: its "Sustainable Chattanooga" theme is notable for shared leadership with traditional interests including the Chamber of Commerce.⁵⁷

       Yet a third example is in the Calumet region spanning southeast Chicago and northwest Indiana along the southern end of Lake Michigan. Interestingly, this year marks the one-hundredth anniversary of the initial University of Chicago studies of the Dunes by Henry Cowles, which led to the modern study of ecology.⁵⁸ This region is home to both thirty-seven endangered species and to one quarter of the nation's steel-making capacity. Three decades of continued new federal, state and local designations, including National Park, national lakeshore, state parks, and wildlife refuges, recognize the necessary co-existence of both natural and human capital assets.⁵⁹ Recently, over seventy government and non-governmental organizations formed the Chicago Region Biodiversity Council. They have recognized the common biological heritage of an area spanning southeastern Wisconsin, northeastern Illinois, and northwestern Indiana. They have designated this area "Chicago Wilderness: A Regional Nature Preserve."⁶⁰

       There are additional benefits associated with natural capital, open space and watersheds associated with urbanized areas. Tangible benefits which are well-documented and "monetized" for their direct value include: property value enhancement; human health benefits; recreation and spending; tourism; infrastructure savings due to flood control; urban forests and "heat island" mitigation which reduces air conditioning expense and energy use; public expenditures and job creation. These are all in addition to the more intangible benefits of historic preservation, environmental protection and ecosystem enhancement, and furtherance of a sense of place.⁶¹

Contents

• Part I The Tangible Assets of Cities
• Part II Barriers to Valuing the Assets of Cities
• Part III Intangible Assets: Social Capital and Place
• Part IV A Newer Geography of Hope
• Part V Conclusion: Making Community Count
• Endnotes