Urban Social Ecology

Social Ecology is an emerging scientific field within sustainability science investigating the relationships between society and nature. It is based on the core concept of societal relations to nature. Essential characteristics are: (1) Problem-orientation: The starting point of research is concrete, societal problems with regard to ecological crisis phenomena such as climate change, waste management or protection of biodiversity. (2) Inter- and transdisciplinarity: Research combines academic disciplines with knowledge, values and interests of societal actors. The central aim is achieving learning processes between science and society. (3) Interrelation of theory and empirical research: The concept of societal relations to nature is the theoretical framework, which guides empirical studies. The empirical results in turn contribute to the further development of theories and concepts. (4) System approach: Given the complex interactions between natural and societal processes and structures at different temporal, spatial and social scales, the approach of social-ecological systems is applied. (5) Critical science: Contributing to social-ecological transformations, Social Ecology deals with ignorance, uncertainty and disputed knowledge. Social Ecology critically reflects on the role of researchers and on the limits of scientific knowledge production. Applying Social Ecology this chapter examines three challenges of urban areas in the Global South: rural–urban migration, urban agriculture and green infrastructure.