Children, Nature and Cities

Claire Freeman is Professor in Geography at the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand, where she teaches Master of Planning and Geography students. Her research is in environmental planning, where she works on planning with children, urban nature and community planning. She has previously worked at universities in South Africa and the UK and as a planner with the Urban Wildlife Trust, UK. Yolanda van Heezik is Associate Professor in the Zoology Department at the University of Otago, where she teaches wildlife management and conservation biology. Her research has focused on the spatial ecology of urban wildlife, biodiversity of private gardens, residents’ attitudes, motivations and knowledge about biodiversity and penguin ecology. She has previously worked in The Netherlands, South Africa and Saudi Arabia.

Part 1: Children and nature- approaches to nature 1. Conceptions of nature, contested definitions and approaches 2. Children’s views and perspectives Part 2: Understanding urban biodiversity in a changing environment 3. Wild nature, biodiversity, habitats and species 4. Human dimensions of urban ecosystems 5. The changing city Part 3: Children and nature interactions 6. Children, families, nature and the home 7. Children, nature and health: the benefits of nature 8. Culture and nature, different experiences, different ways of interacting 9. Mediated Nature Part 4: Creating connections, making it happen – biodiverse environments for all children 10. Redressing the balance in challenging urban environments: bringing nature back to where children live 11. Working for and with children for more biodiverse cities 12. Towards better cities for children