Urban biodiversity and design in time of (post)pandemics: research perspectives from URBIO international network

Reflecting on the insights from research development within Urban Biodiversity and Design Network (URBIO), this \r\npaper attempts to link the consequences of current global changes (ongoing urbanization, biodiversity loss, land-use \r\nchanges, globalization, etc.) to the emergence and outbreaks of the COVID-19 pandemic. It analyses the main outcomes \r\nof the URBIO webinar (December 2021) and the URBIO conference (November 2022) and the results of the question\r\nnaire survey among the URBIO experts on the impact of COVID-19 on the biodiversity, design and society in their local \r\ncontexts as well as on the ongoing and future URBIO research directions. The survey also enabled to explore and assess \r\na wide diversity of human-nature interactions as well as the novel actions and adaptation strategies established to have \r\npositive outcomes for both humans and nature. The results revealed the following aspects associated with the COVID-19 \r\npandemic: silence, social distancing, isolation, conflict ideologies, and declined recreational and other human activities. \r\nExperts noticed the increase of urban green space visitation and interest in nature. The majority of the experts confirmed \r\nthe impact (both positive and negative) of the COVID-19 on biodiversity and environment. General positive aspects \r\nrefer to the value/significance of nature and biodiversity/wildlife and especially the contact with nature (“time outdoor”, \r\n“time spent with family”, “inspiration from nature” and “enjoying nature”). The positive consequence of the COVID-19 \r\nmeasures was also the improvement of wildlife habitats and the increase of spontaneous flora as well as fauna species. \r\nExperts confirmed the lower/decreased level of pollution, noise, traffic, light, anthropogenic pressure/impact, number of \r\ntourists, vehicles as well as less garbage. The analysis of leading research themes among the URBIO conference partici\r\npants confirmed that the biggest number of presenters and participants were on the topic of biodiversity integration in \r\nurban planning, green infrastructure, and landscape design projects. Another popular theme was ecological restoration and \r\nurban wildlife and plant biodiversity. One particular research direction that emerged recently and clearly pronounced at \r\nURBIO 2022 was urban biodiversity in times of climate change and post-pandemics.