In an inspiring conversation with the Journal of Biophilic Design, Nick Grayson, Birmingham's former climate change and sustainability manager, reveals how cities can revolutionise urban living by putting nature at the heart of decision-making.
Nick's journey from a curious child fascinated by understanding "how all this works" to becoming a pioneering urban transformation expert is a testament to the power of vision and persistent innovation. His most powerful message resonates clearly: "Cities are themselves generating 80% of global emissions and 75 to 80% of nature loss around the world."
The turning point came when Nick realised that urban spaces needed a fundamental mindset shift. "Nature isn't something we add on or allow to exist in cities," he explains. "We need to recognize how wholly dependent we are on it, both at an individual and global scale."
Birmingham's transformation became a global blueprint for urban regeneration. Nick's shorthand for a biophilic city is deceptively simple yet profound: "Cities that put nature at the heart of their decision making."
Birmingham Urban Forest
His approach was revolutionary. By creating ecosystem assessments and climate risk maps, he made the "invisible visible". These visual representations showed stark inequalities - demonstrating how green space availability directly correlated with life expectancy and quality of life.
"Every city in the world should do a climate risk and vulnerability assessment," Nick argues. By combining multiple data sets, cities can illustrate existing crises - economic, social, and environmental - and understand how these interconnect.
"We aren't short of money. We're short of imagination and proper governance," he says. "There isn't a single example of a sustainable city anywhere in the world…The biggest failure of our time is saying we haven't got any money."
Nick's vision extends beyond Birmingham. He highlights the urgent global challenge: approximately 20 billion cities of a million people are being created due to rapid urbanisation. "Are they all being done to a sustainable model?" he challenges.
His advice for designers and urban planners is both practical and inspirational. "Ask 'why'," he suggests. "Consider what elements of change can be achieved through whatever you're planning. Make it as rich as possible and involve as many players as possible."
The ultimate goal, according to Nick, is creating cities where every person can engage with nature daily. "A biophilic city regenerates human consciousness," he explains, "making us more aware of our connections and the richness of planet Earth."
Attwood Park
Listening to him, we can all take the practical steps he recommends including
- Engaging local communities
- Creating green infrastructure master plans
- Developing fair park standards
- Prioritising funding for underserved areas
Nick's work proves that transformation is possible. Birmingham, once considered a concrete jungle, is now part of a global network of biophilic cities alongside San Francisco, Wellington, and Oslo.
His parting vision is both simple and profound: cities where nature is integral to daily life, where people feel connected to the land, and where human consciousness is regenerated through meaningful environmental engagement.
For urban designers, planners, and citizens alike, Nick Grayson's message is clear: change is not just possible, it's imperative. By reimagining our relationship with nature, we can create cities that are not just sustainable, but truly alive.
As Nick poignantly states, drawing inspiration from astronauts viewing Earth from space, we need a perspective shift - one that sees our urban environments as living, breathing ecosystems where humans and nature coexist in harmony.
The future of our cities depends on our willingness to embrace this vision. Are we ready to transform?
Nick has also given us lots of references:
Q1. EU-Project URGE, 2000-2004; (PDF) Improving the Quality of Life in Urban Regions Through Urban Greening Initiatives - EU URGE-Project;
EU-Cities Adapt 201; EU cities adapt - Adaptation Strategies for European Cities: Final Report;
Birmingham CC Green Living Spaces Plan; Green Living Spaces Plan | Birmingham City Council;
Liveable Cities research programme 2012-2018 videos; Liveable Cities research programme 2012-2018 UK - Search Videos;
ImaginationLancaster - The Design Led Research Centre at Lancaster University.;
Little Book of ecosystem services in cities; The-little-book-of-ecosystem-services-in-the-city.pdf (soton.ac.uk);
WBCSD Zero Emission Cities, Birmingham Smithfield, 2016; Birmingham Smithfield (wbcsd.org)
Q2. National Ecosystem Assessment Follow-On project; 2014; Birmingham Case Study; (PDF) UK National Ecosystem Assessment follow on: Synthesis of the Key Findings;
Q3. The Little Book of the Theory of Change for Infrastructure and Cities, 2023; 23562_Theory_of_Change_Book_Publication_AW4_230214.indd
Q4. Birmingham City of Nature 2022; Environmental Justice Assessment, 5 capitals, UN SDG’s, Our Future Nature City Plan | Our Future Nature City Plan | Birmingham City Council
Our Future City Plan (OFCP) | Birmingham City Council
Birmingham Climate Risk & Vulnerability Assessment: https://maps.birmingham.gov.uk/webapps/CRVA/;
Birmingham one of 119 cities worldwide named as climate action leaders | Birmingham City Council;
Birmingham panorama from the Lickey Hills
Q5. UN New Urban Agenda,2016, how to implement the UN SDG’s at the City Scale; nua-english.pdf
Q6. Vittoria Gastiez, Spain; 53421.pdf; videos; Vittoria Gastiez ; Vittoria Gastiez Biophilic Green Infrastructure - Search Videos;
Rotterdam climate adaptation; Rotterdam adaptation strategy — DE URBANISTEN;
C40 Good Practice Guides: Rotterdam - Climate Change Adaptation Strategy - C40 Cities;
Q7. East Birmingham Green Infrastructure Master Plan, due to be showcased either May or June, Biophilic Cities Network; Biophilic Cities
Toronto Green Standard; Toronto Green Standard Version 4 – City of Toronto,
Other relevant references:-
Joint work with Public Health; Creating a Bolder, Healthier City (2022 to 2030) | Birmingham City Council
WM-Net Zero project to transform regional climate mitigation policies - University of Birmingham
Energy Capital Net Zero Neighbourhoods (wmca.org.uk)
Explainer: the 'ratchet mechanism' within the Paris climate deal - Carbon Brief
Finding Nature | Nature Connectedness Research Blog by Prof. Miles Richardson
Conscious Cities | The Centre for Conscious Design
What Has Nature Ever Done For Us? by Tony Juniper | Waterstones
Small Is Beautiful by E F Schumacher | Waterstones
Finding Your Way in a Wild New World - Martha Beck
Start With Why Book | Simon Sinek - Simon Sinek
The INFINITE GAME Book | Go Beyond Reading - Simon Sinek
Tim Jackson | Prosperity Without Growth
Conference of the Parties (COP), for Nature
Conference of the Parties (COP) | UNFCCC, for climate
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