Wild urban woodlands: Opportunity for urban regeneration

Many urban fallow lands are undergoing spontaneous plant succession and, over time, woodlands become established. These wild urban woodlands should be adequately recognised by urban planning, due to their potential role in providing ecosystem services, in light of the current challenges of sustainability and resilience to climate and land use change. The case studies here presented show that the ecological values and the ecosystem services of these woodlands are not adequately recognised by urban plans. We suggest a new vision in urban policies, which takes into account the dynamic condition of these ecosystems and the services they provide to cities, and that guides urban planning decisions towards the promotion of wild urban woodlands within the network of urban and peri-urban green spaces.