Listening for the Voice of Nature in the City

Nature, as protected habitats/species, is represented and has a voice in the planning system. But most nature in urban environments is ordinary or mundane and lacks a voice in the planning and development process. Cities, the places where more people now live, teem with nature’s wildness. Our relationship with the non-human, particularly during COVID, was vital. This paper examines the need for representation of the voice of ordinary nature in the future development of cities. Using case studies in Dublin city, the hierarchy of ordinary nature, how it speaks to us and its role the city, is considered. By learning to listen to ordinary nature we can begin to understand the enormity of humans impacts on the earth’s climate systems and biodiversity. A city where nature’s voice is heard in its planning will, in time, be a more resilient environment