Biourbanism: A Global Journey Reveals How Cities Are Evolving with Nature

By Adrian McGregor

Over the past several months, I’ve had the privilege of traversing three continents, exploring how cities are adapting to our rapidly changing world. From the elegant streetscapes of Vienna to the vibrant urban centres of the Americas, I’ve witnessed firsthand both the challenges our cities face and the innovative solutions emerging to address them. (pictured above with URBE representatives at the Domingo Savio, a vulnerable informal settlement along the Ozama River in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic).

As an urban designer who has spent the last two decades developing and refining the principles of Biourbanism, these travels have reinforced my conviction that we must fundamentally reimagine our relationship with urban environments. Biourbanism isn’t just another planning methodology – it’s a complete shift in how we understand cities as living, breathing parts of nature.

My journey through North, Central, and South America revealed striking parallels in urban challenges. Whether in bustling metropolises or emerging cities, I encountered communities grappling with escalating climate impacts, from devastating hurricanes to chronic flooding and extreme heat events. These climate pressures aren’t just environmental concerns – they’re actively reshaping economic prosperity, particularly in downtown areas where many cities are experiencing significant decline.

What’s particularly fascinating is how these challenges manifest differently across regions while sharing common roots. In developing areas, informal settlements face urgent needs for infrastructure and security improvements. Meanwhile, established cities are racing to adapt existing infrastructure to meet new climate realities. This complexity has only strengthened my belief that we need a systems-based approach to urban development.

The European leg of my journey, particularly in Vienna, offered inspiring examples of successful urban transformation. Vienna’s extensive open space network and sophisticated public transport system demonstrate how cities can evolve to prioritise human experience and environmental harmony. Similar positive trends are emerging in New York and London, where we’re seeing ambitious initiatives to reclaim public spaces and reduce car dependency.

I recently shared these observations at the CIAU International Congress of Architecture and Urbanism, where the response reinforced what I’ve long believed: while global perspectives are valuable, solutions must be locally adapted. The principles of biourbanism provide a framework, but the art lies in applying these concepts in ways that respect and enhance local conditions.

Adrian McGregor presenting on stage at the CIAU International Congress of Architecture and Urbanism in the Dominican Republic.

At McGregor Coxall, we’re increasingly seeing how this localised approach to biourbanism can transform urban environments. By understanding cities as part of natural systems rather than separate from them, we’re able to create solutions that are both more resilient and more liveable. Our research and practice have shown that when we work with natural processes rather than against them, we can create extraordinary places that thrive even in the face of contemporary challenges.

Looking ahead, I’m more convinced than ever that Biourbanism offers a vital path forward for cities worldwide. The challenges I’ve witnessed across three continents are formidable, but they’re not insurmountable. By embracing this natural systems approach to urban design and development, we can create cities that don’t just survive but flourish as part of the natural world.

As I reflect on these travels, one truth stands out: the future of our cities depends on our ability to understand and work with natural systems. Whether in Vienna or Venezuela, the principles of Biourbanism offer a framework for creating more sustainable, resilient, and prosperous urban environments. The journey continues, and I’m excited to see how these ideas will shape the cities of tomorrow.