A study protocol to understand urban rewilding behaviour in relation to adaptations to private gardens

• Published in: Cities & health 2023-03, Vol.7 (2), p.273-281
• Main Authors: Webb, Justin, Moxon, Siân
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Behaviour Change; design; rewilding; urbanisation
• ISSN: 2374-8834; 2374-8842
• DOI: 10.1080/23748834.2021.1893047

Urbanisation is increasing; an estimated 68% of the world's population is expected to live in an urban conurbation by 2050. In 2019, London had 9 million inhabitants. Greater London covers an area of 1,569 km, 14% of which is vegetated private garden space, a percentage that is declining, negatively impacting biodiversity. Small adaptations to London's private gardens can turn them into a habitat for wildlife. This study protocol provides detail of research to understand and influence urban rewilding behaviour with a focus on adaptations to private gardens in London. The research follows three phases comprising (1) a scoping review of the existing literature on intent-orientated pro-environmental behaviours with a focus on urban rewilding, coded using the COM-B model of behaviour, (2) sequential mixed methods research including interviews and a quantitative survey to understand the capability, opportunity and motivational factors influencing urban rewilding behaviour, culminating in (3) development of an intervention strategy to promote urban rewilding behaviour using the Behaviour Change Wheel framework. Combining the disciplines of design, environmental and behavioural sciences, this research will provide new insights for influencing the behaviour or urban rewilding.