We are undeniably living in an era of enormous environmental crisis with climate change and species extinction as the most outstanding features of it. These issues challenge our societal systems and relationship with nature. In addition, more than half of the planet’s population live in urban areas, where environmental problems tend to culminate and where counteractive efforts should be concentrated. How can landscape architecture solve these urgent issues?

This dissertation provides new scientific knowledge concentrating on collaborative planning and design of urban socio-ecological systems. It presents how the co-creative processes of planning and design of green infrastructures can be used as a platform to increase both their multifunctionality and the joint understanding of urban socioecological systems as a basis of sustainability. The book presents an accelerating model towards sustainable social ecological systems as a result of four case studies. The model can be used as a concrete tool to boost co-creation in the planning and design of multifunctional green infrastructures that contribute to climate adaptation and urban biodiversity.

ELISA LÄHDE is a practising landscape architect with a wide educational background extending from regional studies and environmental politics to landscape planning and urban design. She has a long working experience with landscape and urban architecture projects and is currently working in a leading position consulting sustainability of urban development and infrastructure projects. Elisa’s skill for effortlessly combining abstract frameworks into practical solutions in an innovative way makes this book an enjoyable journey into transformative urban sustainability.