BUILD: Where are the animals?  Sustainable Cities of the Future
Channel: Future Custodians
Date: 2024-02-29

Prahran, a vibrant suburb of Melbourne, Australia, has undergone significant transformations over the years. Once known for its natural landscapes, the area has become a bustling urban center. 

However, amidst the concrete and commerce, there's a growing movement to reclaim and restore Prahran's natural beauty, integrating it into the urban fabric. 

This vision for the future combines sustainable development, community engagement, and respect for the land's traditional custodians.

Prahran Square's redevelopment represents a step forward in redefining urban spaces to prioritise greenery and public engagement. 

By converting a ground-plane carpark into a vibrant public square with 500 underground car spaces, the project has freed up valuable surface area for community use and green spaces. 

In our quest to urbanize and modernize, we've often overlooked the natural inhabitants of our planet. The trees, the green spaces, they're a step in the right direction, but what about the animals? 

The birds, the insects, the mammals that once called our cities home? Our cities are expanding, our forests are shrinking, and the corridors that once allowed wildlife to thrive are disappearing. 

Today, we delve into a narrative that brings to light the silent question: "Where are all the animals?"

As we embark on this journey, imagine a city bustling with life, not just human, but wildlife. Picture a world where urban development and nature coexist in harmony. 

Trees and green spaces are vital, but they are just the beginning. It's time to rethink our approach and create corridors for wildlife, pathways that allow them to navigate our urban landscapes safely.

These corridors, green bridges and underpasses, aren't just about beautification; they're about survival, connectivity, and the essence of life itself. They serve as vital links for animals to find food, shelter, and mates. 

Without them, species become isolated, leading to decreased genetic diversity and increased vulnerability to extinction.

Imagine a possum, great at navigating the treetops but stranded in a single park because the surrounding area is a concrete jungle. Or the birds, whose migratory paths are disrupted by towering structures and pollution. 

What if we could change their reality? What if our cities could be designed to support their journeys rather than hinder them?

Envision a city where every new development includes plans for green roofs, where every highway has safe passages for wildlife, and where every park is a node in a larger network of life-supporting infrastructure. 

This is not just a dream; it's a necessity for the health of our planet and the well-being of all its inhabitants.

We call on architects, urban planners, and communities to come together, to weave nature back into the fabric of our cities. 

Let's plant more than just trees; let's sow the seeds for a future where wildlife corridors are as common as sidewalks, where the question "Where are all the animals?" becomes "How did we ever live without them?"

Together, we can redefine our urban landscapes, not as barriers to wildlife, but as bridges to a more sustainable, biodiverse, and beautiful world. A world where every living being has a place, a path, and a purpose. 

Join us in this mission, for the sake of all creatures great and small, for the health of our planet, and for the future generations that will call it home.

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