Thesis title: Evaluating impacts of green infrastructure design and management on urban biodiversity
under the supervision of Prof. Carly Ziter
Abstract: Nicole Yu’s research focuses on how small-scale urban green spaces can support urban biodiversity, as solutions towards building ecologically sustainable cities. Through evaluating the biodiversity (diversity of living organisms) in urban green spaces such as parks and balcony gardens, her work uncovers how design and management practices can effectively support our non-human neighbors.
Seeing the importance of the public’s perception and support for urban greening initiatives, Nicole uses participatory science methods in her doctoral research to engage the public in urban biodiversity monitoring, such as public butterfly survey events or recruiting balcony owners to set up balcony gardens. She also works with urban planners and landscape architects to develop her doctoral research projects to ensure findings can inform their green space design and management practices.