Urban Growth vs. Nature Connection

Today, we are taking a journey to urban growth vs nature connection: cities are growing fast. Globally, the proportion of people living in urban areas has soared from just 7.3% in 1800 to over 80% in some regions today. In Nigeria, the urban population has jumped from 17% in 1960 to over 54% in 2024—with projections showing continued growth as Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt expand into megacities.

Urbanization fuels economic activity, job creation, and infrastructure growth. But it also comes with a hidden cost: a slow and steady disconnection from the natural world.

This “nature connectedness”—the emotional, cognitive, and experiential bond we share with nature—is more than a feel-good idea. It’s a critical driver of environmental protection, climate resilience, and human well-being. When this connection weakens, so does our collective ability to care for the land, water, and ecosystems that sustain us.

Why Does Urban Growth and Nature Connection Matter to You—The Real Estate, Climate, and Health Connection

Whether you are a developer in Abuja, a policymaker in Nairobi, or a community planner in Lagos, the science is clear: nature connectedness affects your bottom line, your city’s climate resilience, and the well-being of your people.

1. It Drives Property Value and Investment Potential

• In Nigeria, estates with green landscaping, tree-lined roads, and nearby parks consistently attract higher property values.
• Globally, proximity to biodiverse green spaces increases rental yields and buyer demand.

2. It Shapes Climate Resilience

• Nigerian cities face urban flooding, heat waves, and air pollution.
• Green infrastructure—parks, wetlands, and urban forests—reduces these risks.
• If residents are disconnected from nature, they’re less likely to protect these assets, weakening climate adaptation efforts.

3. It Impacts Public Health and Productivity

• Research shows nature-connected communities have lower stress levels, better mental health, and stronger social bonds.
• In African cities where stress from traffic, heat, and economic pressure is high, nature-rich environments can be a low-cost health intervention.

Nature Connectedness: More Than Just Green Views

Nature connectedness isn’t simply living near a park or having ornamental plants. It’s about active engagement—noticing seasonal changes, valuing biodiversity, and recognizing yourself as part of a larger ecosystem.

Scientists call the loss of such experiences the “Extinction of Experience” (Pyle, 1978; Soga & Gaston, 2016). It happens when:

• Opportunities to interact with nature decrease (due to urban extension and loss of public parks).
• Orientation towards noticing and valuing nature fades (due to lifestyle changes and generational habits).

In Nigeria, rapid real estate expansion often prioritizes maximum land use over biodiversity corridors, wetlands, or public nature zones—accelerating the extinction of experience.

The 220-Year Data Story—and Why It Matters for Africa

A 2025 modeling study (Richardson, Earth Journal) simulated how urbanization, environmental degradation, and family habits shaped nature connectedness from 1800 to 2020—and projected it forward to 2125.

Key findings that matter for African urban growth:

• Over a 60% decline in nature connectedness since 1800 globally.
• Parental influence is the biggest predictor of a child’s connection to nature.
• Even massive green infrastructure projects alone won’t fully reverse the decline by 2050.

African cities—many still expanding—have a critical window to avoid the severe disconnection now locked into older cities like London or New York.

 

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Intergenerational Transmission—The Silent Driver

The study found 80% of a child’s initial connection to nature comes from parents (Passmore et al., 2021). In urban Nigeria, where many families live in high-density housing with limited green access, children often grow up with minimal daily nature interaction. 

Even if future city plans add green spaces, the cultural and emotional habit of engaging with nature may already be weakened. For developers, this means building not just parks but programs and spaces that actively involve families:

• Community gardens in estates.
• Weekend nature walks.
• Playgrounds are designed with natural elements, not just plastic equipment.

Why Access Alone Isn’t Enough

The model showed that simply doubling green access slowed the decline but didn’t reverse it. Only a transformative approach worked:

• A tenfold increase in nature access (relative to current low baselines—in Nigeria, many residents spend less than 5 minutes a day in green spaces).
• +30% boost in child nature connectedness through school and family programs.

This combination didn’t just halt decline—it triggered a self-sustaining recovery after 2050.

Real Estate’s Role in Urban Growth and Nature Connection

1. Design for Daily Nature Encounters

• Every home is within a 5-minute walk of a green space.
• Incorporate native trees and biodiversity into estates—not just decorative lawns.

2. Create Interactive, Culturally Relevant Green Spaces

• Community farms and edible gardens in peri-urban estates.
• Spaces for local plants and medicinal herbs, connecting to cultural heritage.

3. Integrate Family & School Engagement

• Partner with schools for on-site nature classrooms.
• Offer developer-sponsored community nature days.

Africa’s 2050 Scenarios—The Urgency of Now

The model projects three futures:

1. Continued Decline—If growth continues without natural planning.
2. Holding Steady—If cities add green space but don’t engage communities.
3. Transformative Change—Large-scale greening plus family-oriented programs—the only path to lasting recovery.

For Africa, the choice is urgent. Unlike Europe or the US, many cities still have space and flexibility in their master plans to integrate these strategies before the disconnection becomes irreversible.

Policy and Investment Recommendations

• Update urban planning codes to mandate accessible green space in all developments.
• Offer tax incentives to developers who exceed biodiversity and public nature access targets.
• Partner with NGOs to deliver nature education in urban schools.
• Track nature connectedness as a well-being metric in national statistics.
  

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Conclusion 

Nigeria and other African nations are at a crossroads. Urbanization will continue—but whether it creates climate-resilient, healthy, and valued communities depends on how well we embed nature into city life by not losing sight of urban growth vs nature connection.

By designing for everyday interaction with nature, especially for children and families, real estate can drive both economic value and environmental recovery.

In a warming world, a city that keeps its people connected to nature is a city built to last.