This paper considers the relationship between biophilia and well-being in a sample of users of urban green spaces in the city of Porto (Portugal) as a case study. The biophilia hypothesis is explored through the responses of 131 participants in a survey. Users of urban green spaces valued their provision of quiet and shade, with a high diversity of plant species and tranquillity. The survey also found that being satisfied with urban green spaces enhances self-perceived health status, which means that being satisfied with a green space that fulfils users’ expectations can be a way to improve well-being in urban areas. Creating stimulating regenerative urban green spaces offers the possibility to experience significant connections to nature.

As more people reside in cities and metropolitan areas, urban vegetation assumes an increasingly important role as one the main providers of ecosystem services in close proximity to human agglomerations. To improve the conditions for citizens and to optimise the sustainability of urban areas, the fields of landscape and urban ecology need to address the urgent priority to integrate ecological data in spatial planning, design, and management programs. With the objective to produce “actionable knowledge” for urban planning in the city of Porto (Portugal), we analyse the evolution of land cover since the mid-20th century at a fine spatial scale. Porto has followed the global trends of urbanisation, marked by a general increase in built-up and impervious surfaces that conquered the previously rural surrounding areas. This caused a severe decline in vegetation cover (especially herbaceous), as well as an increase in fragmentation and isolation of the remaining vegetation patches. These outcomes provide a detailed analysis of the city spatial dynamics, generating valuable information that can be relevant for future interventions regarding urban landscape change at a local scale, the most relevant for planning.

Since the industrial revolution of the 18th century the human population has been quickly expanding (aprox. 7.5 billion people in 2017 according to Worldmeters.info), deeply changing all the ecosystems of the Earth and increasingly concentrating in cities (54% in 2014 according to World Health Organization) generating vast metropolitan areas. Such huge numbers impose a fast change on the metabolism of the biosphere, resulting in deforestation, natural resource depletion, pollution, global warming, desertifi cation, urban sprawl and biodiversity loss. The results show large tracts of bare, dull and poor landscapes, incapable of nourishing their populations, forcing them to migrate, into starvation or to warfare. Conservation measures have focused on remote or less populated areas, particularly those with remaining natural quality, high scenic beauty, high profile wildlife species, or a pre-industrial rural character. Few restoration strategies have also been implemented, particularly in developed countries, to rescue degraded landscapes, resulting in a variety of multi-scale green structures such as nature reserves, green belts, green corridors, greenways, blue and green infrastructures, heritage cultural sites and landscapes and urban green spaces. Modern human fluxes have moved species across the oceans and continents, increasing sudden colonisations and an immediate change of local ecosystems that have evolved during long periods of time. Recently some of these new assemblages of species acquired the designation of novel ecosystems: human induced, selfsustainable assemblages of “exotic” and autochthonous species in particular biophysical contexts, with the tendency for the “exotics” to dominate and override the indigenous. These new ecosystems apparently have no parallel in the natural environment and are becoming the dominant habitats on the face of the Earth. These overwhelming issues require a fresh look to develop combined and systematic approaches to resolve the conservation of long term evolving natural ecosystems, the sustainability of human dependent ecosystems and the integration novel ecosystems with old ecosystems. Everyone’s commitment is valuable to share ideas and actions, integrating change and guaranteeing high levels of biodiversity, natural resource availability and natural space accessibility for the future. Our global awareness must activate local pl nning, design and management programmes and practices to exercise knowledge, tackle poverty and enhance the quality and dignity of life. This is a matter of life and death and…LIFE MATTERS!

Landscape Architecture practitioners and academics often focus on nature-based solutions in their projects, inspired by the dynamics and aesthetics of biophysical systems. Manuel de Sousa da Câmara, agronomist and landscape architect, excelled in this approach, in his practice and teaching. Relying on direct observation, practical experience, and interpretation of natural systems, he created viable and long-lasting design solutions with minimum maintenance efforts. These solutions are oriented by an original landscape model (the clearing-edge-woodland model) integrating functional, aesthetical, and economical components of a landscape, particularly in urban contexts. Sousa da Câmara left few written materials. He facilitated information through lectures, design critique sessions, and visits to his studio. He aimed at teaching a clear way of thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making through constant questioning and quantification, merging a creative and scientific approach. This manuscript presents information collected from students’ exercise books from 1985, 1986, and 1987, aiming to contribute to the dissemination of Sousa da Câmara’s approach and critical thinking. Constant questioning and debate helped students develop critical thinking towards the feasibility of their design solutions, making them more realistic and possible to implement in real life. <!----> <!----> <!----> <!---->