Animal Welfare and Urban Planning

Urban design and planning decisions profoundly affect the welfare of urban wildlife and companion animals, with animal-inclusive planning gaining policy traction.

Key Facts

Green infrastructure including parks, gardens, and green corridors supports urban wildlife welfare and biodiversity
Building designs that include features for swallows, swifts, and bats integrate wildlife habitat into urban fabric
Light pollution from cities affects bird migration, bat foraging, and insect reproduction
Urban heat islands increase heat stress risk for animals and humans during temperature extremes
Some cities including Singapore and Zurich have integrated urban biodiversity requirements into planning codes
Animal-inclusive urban planning considers the needs of companion animals, stray animals, and wildlife in city design

Welfare Considerations

Urban environments impose welfare challenges on wild animals including light pollution, noise, collision risk, and habitat fragmentation. Animals living in cities adapt or suffer depending on the urban design decisions made. Buildings that incorporate swift bricks, bat boxes, and green roofs actively support wildlife welfare within the urban fabric. Companion animals in cities face welfare challenges from inadequate green space, traffic, and urban stressors. Urban planning that considers animal welfare alongside human wellbeing produces better outcomes for both.

What You Can Do

Advocate for urban planning codes that require wildlife-friendly building features in new developments
Support councils that integrate green infrastructure requirements into development approvals
Install swift bricks, bat boxes, and bee hotels in your home as contributions to urban wildlife welfare
Advocate for reduced light pollution at night through shielded, motion-activated lighting
Back urban green space protection and expansion as a welfare benefit for both urban wildlife and companion animals