Rewilding European urban spaces

Abstract Background In the context of global climate change, deforestation, biodiversity loss, and impact urban living on public health, rewilding areas surrounding spaces may offer a host benefits for physical mental health as well improvements to environmental planetary health. This review offers contemporary appraisal role within Europe, considering success existing policies offering suggestions future projects. Findings Rewilding projects across Europe vary in scale intensity. Given ongoing urbanisation much there is increasing need green natural spaces. Protection enhancement spaces, development newly rewilded areas, increased connectedness represent ways increase prevalence access such number potential human including restoration which support food security, sequestration carbon dioxide plays an important reducing change. Green cities counteract heat island effects help maintain temperatures. There are also documented faster recovery times from illness. Lessons scope improve enhance their Europe. Current limitations include: The lack clear definition broad that fall under this concept. Challenges monitoring evaluation, framework effective evaluation Increased improved communication advocacy. Key messages range interest must be overcome order policy practice area.