The Nature of Our Cities: Harnessing the Power of the Natural World to Survive a Changing Planet
In the tradition of Elizabeth Kolbert and Michael Pollan, The Nature of Our Cities is a stirring exploration of how innovators from around the world are combining urban nature with emerging technologies, protecting the planet's cities from the effects of climate change and safeguarding the health of their inhabitants.
We live in an age when humanity spends 90% of its time indoors, yet the nature around us--especially in America's cities--has never been more vital. This distancing from nature has sparked crises in mental health, longevity, and hope for the next generation, while also heightening the risks we face from historic floods, heatwaves, and wildfires. Indeed, embracing nature holds untapped potential to strengthen and fortify our cities, suburbs, and towns, providing solutions spanning flood preparation, wildfire management, and promoting longevity. As ecological engineer Dr. Nadina Galle shows in The Nature of Our Cities nature is our most critical infrastructure for tackling the climate crisis. It just needs a little help.
A fellow at MIT's Senseable City Lab and selected for Forbes' 30 under 30 list, Galle is at the forefront of the growing movement to fuse nature and technology for urban resilience. In THE NATURE OF OUR CITIES, she embarks on a journey as fascinating as it is pressing, showing how scientists and citizens from around the world are harnessing emerging technologies to unlock the power of the natural world to save their cities, a phenomenon she calls the "Internet of Nature." Traveling the globe, Galle examines how urban nature, long an afterthought for many, actually points the way toward a more sustainable future. She reveals how technology can help nature navigate this precarious moment with modern advances such as:
- Laser-mapping that identifies at-risk neighborhoods to fight deadly health disparitiesA.I.-powered robots that prevent wildfires from reaching urban areasIntelligent water gardens that protect cities from floods and hurricanesAdvanced sensors that achieve 99% tree survival in dry, hot summers
Optimistic in spirit yet pragmatic in approach, Galle writes persuasively that the future of urban life depends on balancing the natural world with the technology that can help sustain it. By turns clear-eyed and lyrical, THE NATURE OF OUR CITIES marks the emergence of an invigorating, prescient new talent in nature writing.
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Nadina Galle, Ph.D. is a Dutch-Canadian ecological engineer, technologist, and podcaster. Her work has been featured in documentaries produced by BBC Earth and in multiple print publications, including Newsweek, ELLE, and National Geographic. The recipient of several academic and entrepreneurial awards, including a Fulbright scholarship for a fellowship at MIT's Senseable City Lab, she was selected by Forbes' 30 under 30 list, and recently named a National Geographic Explorer for her work on how growing cities across Latin America are plugging into the Internet of Nature. She divides her time between Amsterdam and Toronto.
"Where we live has an immense impact on longevity, and as an advocate for healthy living, I understand the pivotal role nature plays in shaping our communities. Galle's exploration of urban ecology and tech innovation offers hope for transforming our living spaces. I'm optimistic her work will guide us towards practical steps for a greener, brighter future, benefiting generations young and old."
-- Dan Buettner, National Geographic fellow and #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Blue Zones
In The Nature of Our Cities, Nadina Galle masterfully combines humor and poignant narratives to showcase the transformative power of nature on humanity. Her book serves as a deeply insightful blueprint for the future of our connection to the outdoors--and is a delightful joy to read." -- Robin Thurston, Founder and CEO of Outside Interactive, Inc.
"How to address our estrangement from the natural world? Nadina Galle has a possible antidote for this crucial question: an Internet of Nature. . . . Digital technologies, sensors, and A.I.--tools we often associate with cold, hard progress--can, in fact, be our allies in understanding and nurturing nature. Her Internet of Nature is not just a concept; it's a tangible, hopeful path to recentering nature in the heart of our built environment."
-- Prof. Carlo Ratti, director of MIT Senseable City Lab
"Half of the urban homes that will exist within our children's lives, have not been built. Nadina, an emerging talent in nature writing, demonstrates how technology can create cities radically different, with nature everywhere." -- Gil Penalosa, Founder, 8-80 Cities and City of Toronto Mayoral Candidate (2023)
"Nadina beautifully intertwines ecological wonders with technological ingenuity, inspiring us to re-imagine our cities as thriving ecosystems. Anyone who cares about building a connected, sustainable future should read this book."
-- Don Tapscott C.M., Bestselling author, entrepreneur, and social innovator
"Not only the trees in distant forests but also those right around the corner can play a vital role for the environment. As Nadina Galle explores in The Nature of Our Cities, they also bring us shade, recreation, beauty, and hope." -- Fred Krupp, president, Environmental Defense Fund
"A compelling journey through spaces where concrete and greenery coexist, urging us to get outdoors and become stewards of our natural environments."
-- John Judge, author of The Outdoor Citizen
"In The Nature of Our Cities, Nadina Galle explores the transformative potential of emerging technologies in urban ecosystems. From firefighting robots to smart water gardens, Galle showcases how these innovations not only protect but also connect us with nature. The Nature of Our Cities is a hopeful and immersive exploration of how technology can empower us to be better stewards of the environment." -- Timothy Beatley, Teresa Heinz Professor of Sustainable Communities, University of Virginia, and founder of "Biophilic Cities"
"Drawing from extensive research, illuminating interviews with leading experts, and her own journey of self-discovery, Nadina explores our disconnection from nature and the profound implications of city living in the 21st century. Her insights are both enlightening and empowering. With a rare blend of expertise and relatability, she's written a must-read for anyone seeking to understand how to leverage the power of nature to improve our lives." -- Michael Easter, New York Times bestselling author of The Comfort Crisis and Scarcity Brain
