Launched in May 2008, the network addresses three major challenges to urban governance and ecosystem management: 1. Bridging the divide between science and practice through the creation of an international network of urban arenas that incorporates local knowledge and interdisciplinary science;
2. Developing innovative and adaptive systems of regional and local governance of urban landscapes that sustain ecosystem services; and
3. Creating platforms for urban resilience that foster equity, improved ecosystem functions and sustainable urban infrastructure.
URBIS pioneer cities
See presentation below from the work done by three of the cities affiliated with the URBIS network. The presentations were made at the UNESCO side event "Towards a participatory ecosystem approach to urban planning" which took place at the 10th City Biodiversity Summit at COP Nagoya, 2010. The meeting was facilitated by URBIS/SRC partner Civic Ecology Lab of Cornell University.
Division Chief of the Montreal Dept. of Large Parks and Green Daniel Hodder presented work done in Montreal on biodiversity management:
