Story 19 Mar, 2026

Connecting urban and rural landscapes: New IUCN publication rethinks ecosystem governance

With 70% of the global population expected to live in cities by 2050, urban areas face growing pressures. Yet their rising demand for food, energy and raw materials means that rural ecosystems are also increasingly affected. A new IUCN publication explores the connections between urban and rural environments, and how improved governance principles can help balance social and economic development with environmental protection.

Photo: Luke Massey & the Greater London National Park City Initiative

The new publication “Urban-rural linkage: an ecosystem governance perspective”, launched by the IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management (CEM), examines the challenges arising from urban-rural interactions and proposes practical governance solutions, particularly at the local and regional levels.

“Looking at IUCN’s new programme for the next four years, we see that the issues of urban biodiversity and agricultural systems are becoming increasingly important. We also know that most sustainability targets related to these areas must be achieved at the local and regional levels,” said Liette Vasseur, CEM Chair and one of the publication’s editors. “This new CEM publication offers local governments, decision-makers and practitioners a viable model for governing urban and rural areas in ways that support ecosystem restoration, improve biodiversity and ensure the inclusion of all relevant stakeholders.”

While urban areas often face challenges such as increased air and water pollution, urban expansion into rural landscapes can lead to the construction of new roads and highways, fragmenting ecosystems and placing additional pressure on wildlife habitats. Meanwhile, rural areas increasingly face tensions between industrialised agriculture and conservation priorities, as well as the challenge of maintaining agricultural practices in regions experiencing population decline due to migration towards cities. The publication explores these and other dynamics through nine case studies from across six continents, from New Zealand to Nairobi, Peru, the United Kingdom and Malaysia.

The analysis is grounded in the ecosystem approach adopted by the Convention on Biological Diversity, which emphasises the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the need for integrated management. It proposes applying this perspective to urban and rural areas through the lens of ecosystem governance – a method no longer exclusively used within scientific circles but increasingly adopted by practitioners and communities seeking to align local decisions in ways that benefit both nature and people.

Access the publication here.