Description
ZOOCITIES. WILD ANIMALS IN THE CITY
Book summary
In a world where foxes prowl through London gardens, leopards roam Mumbai, and coyotes cross New York parking lots, the presence of wild animals in the city is now an unavoidable reality. Joëlle Zask invites us to reflect on this growing phenomenon and to question the current urban model, conceived exclusively for human beings. This essay, part of the Vitamina N collection, proposes a shift in perspective: imagining what a city designed for the harmonious coexistence of people and animals would look like, addressing an ecological and social challenge of the highest order.
What is it about?
The work starts from the observation that our urban lifestyle represents a threat to nature, but also that wildlife is spontaneously making its way into cities. Through real-world examples from around the globe, the author analyzes the tensions and opportunities that arise from this forced cohabitation. Zask does not limit herself to describing the problem; her goal is to rethink the foundations of urban planning so that public spaces can integrate the needs of other species. The book is, in essence, a call to redesign cities not as human fortresses, but as shared ecosystems where biodiversity can have a place.
Main themes
- Urban ecology and interspecies cohabitation.
- Critique of the anthropocentric city model.
- The phenomenon of wildlife in metropolitan environments.
- Proposals for urbanism that is inclusive of nature.
- Relationship between human lifestyle and the ecological crisis.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at readers interested in ecology, urban planning, and environmental philosophy. It is ideal for those seeking to understand the challenges of living with fauna in cities, as well as for urban design professionals, environmental activists, and anyone who wishes to rethink their relationship with the natural world from a critical and constructive perspective.
What this book contributes
- A revealing look at the real presence of wild animals in the world's major cities.
- An in-depth analysis of the causes and consequences of this phenomenon for today's society.
- Concrete proposals for imagining and building cities that are more inclusive and respectful of biodiversity.
- A philosophical reflection on how our lifestyle impacts the natural balance.
Technical specifications
- Author: ZASK, JOELLE
- Publisher: Kalandraka
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: ECOLOGICAL THOUGHT AND IDEOLOGY, PICTURE BOOKS
- Collection: VITAMINA N
- Binding: Paperback
- Edition date: March 2022
- Number of pages: 224
- Weight: 438 g
Editorial review
Zoocities offers a necessary and current perspective on a topic that affects millions of people around the world. Joëlle Zask combines documentary rigor with accessible prose, making a complex issue like urban ecology appealing to a wide audience. Her approach, far from alarmist, proposes imaginative solutions that invite the reader to actively participate in building a more habitable future for all species. An essay that enriches the debate on how we must live in the 21st century.