Ecological Corridors within cities
Ecological Corridors within cities
1. Introduction
Modern cities are growing rapidly, often at the expense of nature. Roads, buildings, and infrastructure fragment habitats, reducing biodiversity and compromising ecosystem services. In this context, ecological corridors become fundamental tools for reconnecting urban green spaces, allowing organisms to move and ecosystems to thrive. This paper explores the concept of ecological corridors in cities, analyzing their ecological foundations, benefits, critical issues, significant case studies, and regulatory instruments at the international, European, national, and regional levels. Particular attention is paid to the use of native Sicilian plant species, capable of supporting characteristic fauna and becoming an educational tool in urban laboratories.
2. Concept of Ecological Corridor
An ecological corridor is a natural space that connects separate habitats, encouraging the movement of plants and animals. In an urban context, it can take the form of linear forms, stepping stones, or small, strategically distributed natural areas, with the aim of maintaining ecosystem vitality and urban resilience.
Legally, the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) and the Birds Directive (2009/147/EC) require the protection of natural species and habitats and promote integrated ecological networks such as the Natura 2000 Network. At the international level, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD, 1992) highlights the role of urban nature in global conservation. National instruments such as Law No. 394/1991 on protected areas, the Consolidated Law on Buildings (Presidential Decree 380/2001), and the Cultural Heritage and Landscape Code (Legislative Decree 42/2004) provide the foundation for protecting green spaces and urban landscapes.
The use of native Sicilian plant species—such as oak, mastic, strawberry tree, myrtle, rosemary, and local aromatic plants—can strengthen the role of ecological corridors, providing habitats for characteristic fauna such as birds, small mammals, and pollinating insects, and creating natural spaces consistent with the regional landscape.
3. Urban Biodiversity, Native Species, and Regional Tools
Urban biodiversity depends not only on the presence of green spaces, but also on the quality and functionality of these spaces as habitats and connection points for animal and plant species. In Sicily, Regional Law No. 21 of July 29, 2021, represents an important regulatory framework for the protection of biodiversity, promoting key concepts of agroecology and the sustainable use of natural resources, including elements that can be applied to urban settings.
This law was designed to strengthen the protection of the natural environment, encourage the transition to sustainable production models, and protect ecosystems and biodiversity in the agroforestry dimension. Specifically, the legislation provides tools for promoting environmentally friendly practices, monitoring the use of biocides, and developing guidelines for agroecological techniques, as well as incentives for companies that adopt sustainable natural resource management strategies.
Although the law is not specifically aimed at urban planning, its environmental and biodiversity protection objectives can have significant implications for urban ecological corridors. Specifically:
Promoting native species and reducing the use of chemicals and biocides promotes healthier and more biodiverse habitats, including in urban green belts.
The guidelines and official lists of native species (trees, shrubs, and herbs) adopted pursuant to the law and regional decrees can provide a useful reference for selecting local plants to include in urban ecological corridors. This is particularly relevant in Sicily, where the targeted introduction of species such as holm oak, mastic, strawberry tree, myrtle, and Mediterranean aromatic plants can help attract and sustain typical fauna such as birds, pollinating insects, and small vertebrates, increasing the ecological value of these green connections.
Furthermore, the law includes cultural and scientific dissemination tools and mandates monitoring and research activities. These elements can easily be integrated into educational workshops within urban ecological corridors: educational programs where students and citizens observe local biodiversity, experiment with ecological green management techniques, and participate in citizen science initiatives.
In short, while not strictly speaking an urban planning law, Regional Law 21/2021 provides useful tools and guidelines to guide the ecological design and management of urban corridors and their green spaces, aligning them with ecological conservation and restoration models consistent with the Sicilian natural context.
4. Ecological Corridors in Urban Environments
In urban contexts, ecological corridors can be linear parks, greenways along waterways, green roofs, or rooftop gardens. The choice of native Sicilian species favors the presence of typical fauna, increasing urban biodiversity.
Educational workshops can be designed around these species, observing, for example, how myrtle and strawberry trees attract birds and insects, or how rosemary and other aromatic plants support bees and butterflies. In this way, urban corridors become multifunctional spaces, combining ecology, education, and public use.
5. Urban Planning and Environmental Policies
Integrating ecological corridors into urban planning requires coherent strategies. The EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2030 promotes urban ecological networks, while the National Biodiversity Plan encourages municipalities to include green and blue infrastructure in their master plans.
In Sicily, regional tools such as Regional Landscape Plans (PPR) and municipal urban planning can foster urban corridors with native species, ensuring ecological continuity, conservation of local fauna, and educational spaces integrated with schools and communities.
6. Benefits of Ecological Corridors in Cities
Ecological corridors offer ecological, climatic, social, and educational benefits. They connect fragmented habitats, mitigate urban heat island effects, and improve water management.
The use of native Sicilian species increases urban biodiversity and strengthens the presence of typical fauna, creating natural environments consistent with the local ecosystem. Integrated educational workshops allow students and citizens to directly observe these interactions and actively participate in citizen science initiatives.
7. Case Studies
Milan and Rome develop metropolitan ecological networks with educational workshops. In Sicily, experiments in Palermo and Catania have introduced green belts along waterways and peri-urban areas, using native species such as holm oak, strawberry tree, myrtle, and aromatic plants to promote local wildlife and provide educational spaces for schools and communities. These interventions demonstrate how plant selection can enhance the biodiversity, educational function, and ecological value of corridors.
8. Design Tools
GIS, connectivity maps, and ecological indicators support the design of urban corridors. The selection of native species and the design of educational workshops ensure sustainable and participatory management, creating multifunctional spaces that integrate ecology, education, and public use.
9. Critical Issues and Limitations
Ecological corridors face obstacles: conflicts with urban development, construction and maintenance costs, infrastructural barriers, and difficulties integrating them into urban planning. The use of native species requires attention to plant selection, management, and ecological continuity. Educational workshops also require resources and qualified personnel.
10. Future Strategies
The cities of the future must be resilient and sustainable, integrating ecological corridors, educational laboratories, and green infrastructure. The introduction of native Sicilian plant species strengthens urban biodiversity, promotes local wildlife, and creates living educational spaces. Nature-based urban design allows for the combination of ecology, education, and public use, improving quality of life and environmental awareness.
11. Conclusions
Urban ecological corridors represent vital arteries connecting ecosystems, people, and cities. They offer ecological, climatic, social, educational, and economic benefits. The integration of native Sicilian species increases biodiversity, supports characteristic wildlife, and enables the development of educational laboratories that transform urban green spaces into spaces for observation and experimentation. In this way, the city becomes a living ecosystem and a learning tool for all.
Guido Bissanti
Fonte foto: – https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monte_Pellegrino_%28UPL_di_Palermo%29#/media/File:Palermo_skyline.jpg