Rewilding Urban Blue Spaces for People and Nature: Integrating Geospatial, Ecological, and Social Perspectives
Year: 2026
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Urban blue spaces, including rivers, canals, lakes, wetlands, and coastal waters, are increasingly recognised for their potential to support biodiversity, human health and sustainable development. Yet, compared with green spaces, they remain understudied, particularly in the United Kingdom. Existing blue space research primarily focuses on human well-being and blue space exposure (e.g., availability and proximity), often overlooking the ecological characteristics that may underpin these associated benefits. Ecological research rarely disentangles the effects of blue spaces from those of green spaces, and social research seldom explores public perceptions of blue spaces as important environments for both people and nature. Here, we integrate spatial, ecological and social analyses to examine the distribution, biodiversity value and public engagement associated with urban blue spaces.A systematic review of urban blue space–health literature reveals that biodiversity is inconsistently incorporated, with most studies relying on perceptual or coarse environmental proxies, highlighting the need for stronger integration of ecological perspectives. A national-scale analysis of blue space across 500 cities in Great Britain shows that blue spaces occupy a smaller area than green spaces but are more evenly distributed across socioeconomic gradients. Ecological field surveys demonstrate that blue spaces support higher avian taxonomic distinctiveness and functional diversity than comparable green spaces, and that they increase species richness and biomass. A questionnaire exploring blue space perceptions indicates that people recognise the importance of urban blue spaces for both people and nature and express interest in wildlife encounters, despite widespread perceptions of ecological degradation and constrained physical access. Finally, analysis of UK City Nature Challenge bioblitz events shows that these initiatives increase ecological knowledge and motivate public engagement with blue spaces, suggesting that biodiversity-focused events may also support positive health outcomes.Together, these findings identify urban blue spaces as ecologically valuable and socially important components of urban nature that require broader integration into urban planning and health research. Given their capacity to support both people and nature, even under degraded conditions, restoring and rewilding urban blue spaces represents a significant opportunity for biodiversity conservation and nature-based health interventions. Prioritising their protection, ecological enhancement, and integration into urban planning frameworks will be essential for maximising their contribution to sustainable and equitable cities.
Author: Morgan, Matthew
Language: English
Topic: Urban Green Space and Health
Subfield: Urban Studies
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7168058473