Urban Jungle
Wilding the City, from the author of Metropolis
By Ben Wilson | Publisher: Vintage Publishing
About the book
An eye-opening and urgent re-examination of nature in our cities, from the Sunday Times bestselling winner of the Somerset Maugham Award
'Novel and provocative'
THE TIMES
'Awe-inspiring'
ISABELLA TREE, author of Wilding
Our modern-day cities might seem to represent our separation from the natural world. In fact, as Ben Wilson reveals in this captivating re-examination of urban landscapes around the world, nature has always been at the heart of the city.
Urban Jungle explores the wild side of cities past, present and future: the middens, abandoned sites and strips of land alongside railway lines. For much of history, wild patches in cities were essential for city-dwellers and the dividing line between city and countryside was blurred. Even our post-industrial cities are much wilder that we imagine - if we know where to look. On today's urbanised planet, natural forces - be they floods, storms, droughts or pandemics - look set to determine the future. In a time of climate crisis, cities that once built walls and towers to defend against attack now have to become greener to protect themselves from external threats.
Our future - and that of the planet - will be made in the city. Only by looking deep into the past, examining the present and casting an eye to the future can we really begin to understand the bountiful potential and wonder of our extraordinary urban ecosystems.
Editions of Urban Jungle
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9781787333130
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781787333147
Read an Excerpt
An eye-opening and urgent re-examination of nature in our cities, from the Sunday Times bestselling winner of the Somerset Maugham Award
'Novel and provocative'
THE TIMES
'Awe-inspiring'
ISABELLA TREE, author of Wilding
Our modern-day cities might seem to represent our separation from the natural world. In fact, as Ben Wilson reveals in this captivating re-examination of urban landscapes around the world, nature has always been at the heart of the city.
Urban Jungle explores the wild side of cities past, present and future: the middens, abandoned sites and strips of land alongside railway lines. For much of history, wild patches in cities were essential for city-dwellers and the dividing line between city and countryside was blurred. Even our post-industrial cities are much wilder that we imagine - if we know where to look. On today's urbanised planet, natural forces - be they floods, storms, droughts or pandemics - look set to determine the future. In a time of climate crisis, cities that once built walls and towers to defend against attack now have to become greener to protect themselves from external threats.
Our future - and that of the planet - will be made in the city. Only by looking deep into the past, examining the present and casting an eye to the future can we really begin to understand the bountiful potential and wonder of our extraordinary urban ecosystems.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Urban Jungle about?
An eye-opening and urgent re-examination of nature in our cities, from the Sunday Times bestselling winner of the Somerset Maugham Award
'Novel and provocative'
THE TIMES
'Awe-inspiring'
ISABELLA TREE, author of Wilding
Our modern-day cities might seem to represent our separation from the natural world. In fact, as Ben Wilson reveals in this captivating re-examination of urban landscapes around the world, nature has always been at the heart of the city.
Urban Jungle explores the wild side of cities past, present and future: the middens, abandoned sites and strips of land alongside railway lines. For much of history, wild patches in cities were essential for city-dwellers and the dividing line between city and countryside was blurred. Even our post-industrial cities are much wilder that we imagine - if we know where to look. On today's urbanised planet, natural forces - be they floods, storms, droughts or pandemics - look set to determine the future. In a time of climate crisis, cities that once built walls and towers to defend against attack now have to become greener to protect themselves from external threats.
Our future - and that of the planet - will be made in the city. Only by looking deep into the past, examining the present and casting an eye to the future can we really begin to understand the bountiful potential and wonder of our extraordinary urban ecosystems.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Urban Jungle?
History and Archaeology > History > History: specific events and topics
Where can I read a sample of Urban Jungle?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781787333130
How long is Urban Jungle and how many pages does it have?
Urban Jungle has 304 page(s)
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Urban Jungle?
Ben Wilson
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Urban Jungle is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781787333130) and paperback(ISBN 9781787333147)
Where can I buy Urban Jungle online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Urban Jungle from below
Where can I buy Urban Jungle?