Blue Urbanism

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xix

   PDF

2. The Urban-Ocean Connection

   • Timothy Beatley

   Pages 1-18

3. The Reach of Cities Connecting Urban Lifestyles and Ocean Health

   • Timothy Beatley

   Pages 19-42

4. Satisfying Urban Fish Eaters Sustainably

   • Timothy Beatley

   Pages 43-59

5. Urban Design for a Blue Planet

   • Timothy Beatley

   Pages 61-83

6. Reimagining Land Use and Parks in the Blue City

   • Timothy Beatley

   Pages 85-101

7. Engaging Urban Dwellers in Marine Life around Them

   • Timothy Beatley

   Pages 103-131

8. New Ideas for Connecting Oceans and Cities

   • Timothy Beatley

   Pages 133-154

9. Forging a Blue Urban Future

   • Timothy Beatley

   Pages 155-165

10. Back Matter

    Pages 167-188

    PDF

What would it mean to live in cities designed to foster feelings of connectedness to the ocean? As coastal cities begin planning for climate change and rising sea levels, author Timothy Beatley sees opportunities for rethinking the relationship between urban development and the ocean. Modern society is more dependent upon ocean resources than people are commonly aware of—from oil and gas extraction to wind energy, to the vast amounts of fish harvested globally, to medicinal compounds derived from sea creatures, and more. In Blue Urbanism, Beatley argues that, given all we’ve gained from the sea, city policies, plans, and daily urban life should acknowledge and support a healthy ocean environment.

The book explores issues ranging from urban design and land use, to resource extraction and renewable energy, to educating urbanites about the wonders of marine life. Beatley looks at how emerging practices like “community supported fisheries” and aquaponics can provide a sustainable alternative to industrial fishing practices. Other chapters delve into incentives for increasing use of wind and tidal energy as renewable options to oil and gas extraction that damages ocean life, and how the shipping industry is becoming more “green.” Additionally, urban citizens, he explains, have many opportunities to interact meaningfully with the ocean, from beach cleanups to helping scientists gather data.

Ultimately, he explains that we must create a culture of “ocean literacy” using a variety of approaches, from building design and art installations that draw inspiration from marine forms, to encouraging citizen volunteerism related to oceans, to city-sponsored research, and support for new laws that protect marine health. Equal parts inspiration and practical advice for urban planners, ocean activists, and policymakers, Blue Urbanism offers a comprehensive look at the challenges and great potential for urban areas to integrate ocean health into their policy and planning goals.

• Built environment
• Cities
• Oceans
• Sustainability
• Wind and tidal energy
• marine and freshwater sciences
• urban geography and urbanism

• Dept. of Urban and Environ.Planning, University of Virginia School of Architecture, Charlottesville, USA

  Timothy Beatley

Timothy Beatley is Chair of the Department of Urban and Environmental Planning and Teresa Heinz Professor of Sustainable Communities at the School of Architecture at the University of Virginia, where he has taught for over twenty-five years. His primary teaching and research interests are in environmental planning and policy, with special emphasis on coastal and natural hazards planning, environmental values and ethics, and biodiversity conservation. He has published extensively in these areas, including the following books: Ethical Land Use; Habitat Conservation Planning: Endangered Species and Urban Growth; Natural Hazard Mitigation; and An Introduction to Coastal Zone Management. In recent years much of his research and writing has been focused on the subject of sustainable communities, and creative strategies by which cities and towns can reduce their ecological footprints, while at the same time becoming more livable and equitable places. His books that explore these issues include Biophilic Cities, Resilient Cities, and Green Urbanism (Island Press).

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