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Introduction
Full text linkThis chapter introduces the rationale and motivation for the book. It highlights the European research project ROBUST (Rural-Urban Outlooks: Unlocking Synergies) within which all the investigation that supports the chapters in this book was conducted. It briefly describes the architecture, the themes and the systemic approach to rural-urban linkages and synergies within the ROBUST project. Finally, the structure of the book is described and a brief summary of each chapter is provided
Role of Ecosystem Services in Enabling Rural-Urban Synergies: A European Perspective
No full textThis open access book elaborates on the role Ecosystem Services play in relation to establishing, and enhancing, rural-urban synergies. It draws on the concept of Ecosystem Services (ESS) as the ecological characteristics, functions, or processes that directly or indirectly contribute to human wellbeing, that is, the benefits that people derive from functioning ecosystems. The empirical and theoretical research that supports the various contributions in this book was developed in the context of the project H2020 ROBUST - Rural-Urban Outlooks: Unlocking Synergies (GA: 727988). The project was structured in five Communities of Practice (CoP), as groups of researchers sharing a common thematic interest. One of these CoP was dedicated to ESS and aimed to investigate its role in unlocking synergies across rural and urban territories. Strategic approaches to integrate ESS in spatial planning were developed associating ESS use and delivery to planning instruments and governance models at multiple scales. The approach assumes the engagement of multiple actors both as users of ESS but also in their position as planners, regulators, land owners or other type of decision-making role, to explore the role of ESS in enhancing rural-urban synergies. The purpose has been to ensure the balance between supply and demand of ESS, seeking instruments, and the governance models for public policy, market and science and technology, that will encourage alternative practices and policy integrated goals, thus enabling resilience and social well-being. Ultimately the purpose has been to generate transition processes towards the recognition of socio-ecological systems inclusive of new ESS based societal values leading rural-urban synergies. In other words, such inclusive of socio-ecological systems are seen as a condition for human well-being. Theoretical investigation in five core themes and its implementation in six different living laboratories form the more substantive content of this book. In addition, ESS is analysed in the context of its integration with other relevant themes in a cross-sectoral perspective. Overall the purpose of the book is to communicate the multiple and constructive roles played by ESS in rural-urban synergies, using multiple lenses, looking particularly into challenges and merits, and into different imaginative forms of making such as abstract concept more concrete, operational and recognized by stakeholders in the field
Beyond growth: Reshaping fisheries for a wellbeing economy
Full text linkContemporary fisheries have been shaped by a paradigm of perpetual growth, characterized by increasing global production and consumption. While this growth has driven economic benefits and technological progress, it has jeopardized the sustainability of marine ecosystems, with implications for the long-term livelihoods and wellbeing of fishers, consumers and resource dependent coastal populations worldwide. This paper advocates for a shift beyond growth towards a wellbeing economy. It considers how five fundamental principles intrinsic to a wellbeing economy - purpose, nature, fairness, participation and dignity - can help reorient the fisheries sector. The paper then provides ten actionable recommendations for reshaping the composition and structure of economic activity in fisheries to enhance societal wellbeing and equity within ecological boundaries. In a world grappling with the consequences of unchecked economic growth, this paper offers insights into fostering a regenerative fisheries system that safeguards human prosperity and environmental integrity
Plant use and agriculture during the middle Yangshao period: new macrobotanical evidence from Yuancun site, southern Shanxi Province, central northern China
No full textUnderstanding prehistoric plant resource utilization and agricultural diffusion is essential for exploring early social complexity and civilization development. The Yuncheng Basin in northern China, a core area of Yangshao culture, has been underexplored in terms of ancient plant use. This study examines plant resource use strategies during the middle Yangshao period (5600–5100 cal. BP) at the Yuancun site through macro-botanical analysis, and investigates the northward spread of rice cultivation and the basin’s role in this process. Results revealing deliberate plant management with concentrations in ash pits H201 and H202. H201 likely transitioned from a storage facility to a refuse deposit, while H202 may have served as a new composite storage unit. The crop assemblage was dominated by foxtail millet and broomcorn millet, indicating a dual-crop system adapted to local saline-alkaline soils near the salt lake, possibly through selection for stress tolerance and yield balance. The wild plant also played an essential role such as Lespedeza and Melilotus The limited presence of rice suggests occasional use or cultivation. Rice likely spread northward via multiple routes, highlighting Yuncheng’s role as a transitional corridor between the Central Plains and northern agro-pastoral regions. These findings illustrate a composite subsistence strategy that integrated ecological adaptation with interregional cultural exchange, contributing to the emergence of early social complexity in northern China
Business Models that Valorise ESS and Advance a More Socially and Ecologically Grounded Economy
Full text linkThe services ecosystems provide can be seen as assets in developing individual businesses and local economies. The business models examined in this chapter represent strategies that valorise a high-quality cultural and natural environments. We argue that they make lifestyles and economic systems more environmentally and socially sustainable. The strategies link orthodox business goals with the societal goal of a more socially and ecologically grounded economy. Our analysis focuses on how ecosystem services are valorised and different kinds of value are created. We are interested in the goods and services provided, customers and revenue streams, the related strategies, and the creation of cross-sectoral synergies. The basis of our analysis is a set of business model archetypes compiled in the EU-funded ROBUST project. The business models range from organic farming and regional quality labels to ecotourism and the valorisation of food heritage and green lifestyles. They comprise individual and shared businesses and place-based approaches like renewable energy sourcing partnerships. For each model, we discuss how they support the creation of win-win situations and valorisation of ecosystem services (ESS), identify limiting factors, and explore the potential role of policy
Conclusions
Full text linkThis concluding chapter highlights the core messages explored and discussed in the previous 15 chapters of this book and concludes on the relevance of ecosystem services in bridging rural-urban linkages and promoting consequent synergies. Many times the synergies are shown as being absent, other times as potential but in a few cases there is already evidence that synergies are happening. It concludes on the need to establish adequate policy frameworks, business models and governance arrangements to stimulate the recognition of ESS and collaborative arrangements; but also the need to continue promoting the notion of territorial continuity where natural and cultural values and benefits, can flow across and bridge rural and urban territories. These core messages could be explored beyond the European context
Land Sparing and Land Sharing: Rural and Urban Drivers of Ecosystems Services Delivery in the Netherlands and UK
Full text linkThis chapter builds on notions of land sharing and land sparing, to cover contemporary ecosystem services (ESS) governance challenges. Attention is paid to how such challenges affect rural-urban dynamics. Empirically grounded in the UK and the Netherlands, land sparing/sharing possibilities are explored from distinct rural and urban perspectives. Dutch policies to introduce circular farming could radically reduce the environmental impacts of agriculture, while also reshaping landscapes around the city of Ede. In Gloucestershire, peri-urban growth offers possibilities for integrated urban green infrastructure and/or enhancement of dispersed and protected rural landscapes and habitats. These binary notions of land sparing/sharing can distinguish and characterise different ESS delivery orientations, in terms of regional rural-urban interdependencies. Studying both urban and rural dimensions of ESS indicates the need for innovative governance of ESS. The chapter calls for more comprehensive insights into rural-urban land use features, interactions and outcomes, to unravel and plan sustainable ESS governance
Theoretical Conceptualization of ESS in Rural-Urban Synergies
Full text linkIn this chapter, we will discuss Ecosystem Services (ESS) and how its conceptual framework has evolved during the ROBUST project to shed light on its usefulness in understanding and strengthening rural-urban synergies. Methodologically, this reflection builds on a combined review of relevant literature and cases explored within the project’s Living Labs. The primary aim is to report on the process of advancing towards a theoretical conceptualization of ESS with respect to rural-urban synergies, as illustrated in the ESS multi-loop framework. This framework aims to display multiple levels of conceptualization of rural-urban synergies beyond the ROBUST project, emphasising the pivotal role of planning and governing ESS
Cultural Ecosystem Services and Rural-Urban Relations: Towards a Territorial Wellbeing Approach
Full text linkHuman interactions with ecosystems create numerous benefits. Until recently, the cultural benefits of ecosystem services had received less attention than environmental goods and economic opportunities, even though cultural ecosystem services (CES) are recognised as having important roles to play in supporting human well-being. In this chapter, we explore CES through the spatial lens of rural-urban relations, with the aim to move beyond traditional approaches looking at well-being benefits that urban dwellers might derive from rural “containers” of ecosystem services. Rather, we are interested in rural-urban relations as a locus for cultural ecosystem services that reveals complexity and multiplicity, interdependency and inequity. By drawing on three descriptive case studies—Garfagnana (Italy), the Cambrian Mountains (Wales) and Snowdonia (Wales)—we offer different views into the ways that CES emerge at the interface between environmental spaces and cultural practices. In particular, we highlight the potential for trade-offs, inequity and contestation. By reflecting on the complexities that arise from the rural-urban perspective on CES, we contribute to an emerging research agenda on territorial well-being
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