Read More: Entrenched Cultural Norms

Challenging existing norms is often presented as an attack on our national heritage - whether that be shifting away from our car obsession or from intensive, polluting farming practices. Rapid, transformative change, which challenges existing cultural and behavioural norms, are required to enable urban dwellers to thrive in the 21st century. This will include bringing nature back to our public spaces, improving the accessibility and availability of active travel routes and prioritising space for people and plants ahead of vehicles. Though there is an increasing acceptance of the actions required, these efforts are often stymied by vocal minorities. Though objections are often communicated as a concern for civil liberties or the democratic process, the reality is that they challenge the existing status quo which has been influenced by and tailored for powerful lobby groups. The influence of these groups must be addressed, through legislation changes or otherwise, if we are to act with the urgency required to modernise our urban centres.

Additionally, there is still a desire among many of us to present nature in a neat and tidy form which dates back to Victorian times. This leads to the over-manicuring of gardens, excessive paving, increased popularly of ‘easily manageable’ plastic grass and an urge to control every aspect of nature in our midst - both in private gardens and our public spaces. The incessant desire to control our living world has become entrenched as a social norm across generations. We must shift away from this artificial interpretation of what nature should ‘look’ like and instead allow nature to breathe in our urban environments; to be real, unpredictable, wild and teaming with life. This will help us to reconnect with the living world and embrace and champion nature based initiatives such as urban forests.

It must be noted that there are many innovative projects across the country designed to enrich biodiversity, from major rewilding projects to more concerted efforts to leave space for nature in private gardens. An excellent example of an inclusive, expert led initiative is ‘We are The Arc’.

Further Reading

Brown Thomas Arnotts, “holding up progress in Dublin for years”: https://irishcycle.com/2021/03/04/brown-thomas-arnotts-infamous-for-objecting-to-sustainable-transport-promises-to-cut-emissions/

Obsessive Tidiness Disorder: http://www.douglasboyes.co.uk/blog/2018/06/09/obsessive-tidiness-disorder-or-how-we-can-learn-to-stop-worrying-and-love-natures-messiness/

Rewilding Makes Cities Better: https://www.thenatureofcities.com/2017/11/13/re-wilding-make-cities-better-just-wilder/

We Are the Ark: Acts of Restorative Kindness: https://wearetheark.org/