What if, even in the heart of a densely developed city, people could have meaningful encounters with nature? The idea of a green city, a sustainable city, and even a resilient city are well-understood. Now, the emerging ideal of a biophilic city—which goes beyond green infrastructure to connect urban dwellers with nature on a deeper level—is a useful and necessary addition to the way we think about city planning and design.

The Handbook of Biophilic City Planning & Design is the most comprehensive resource on this emerging field. Written by Timothy Beatley, a leader in sustainable urbanism and creator of the international Biophilic Cities Network, the book provides practical advice and inspiration for a world where cities and nature support each other.

Chapters highlight urban biophilic innovations in more than a dozen global cities and case studies address a range of diverse topics around the world, including community engagement in Bangalore, India; bird-friendly urban design in Chicago, Illinois; pocket park programs in London, United Kingdom; green roofs in Mexico City, Mexico; stream restoration in Seoul, South Korea; and national park planning in Nairobi, Kenya.

Check out an excerpt from the book below.