Ulrika Stevens profile picture
Ulrika
Stevens
Project Researcher, Geography
Project Researcher
Urban Biodiversity Parks -project (Urban Biodiversity Parks as co-creative platforms for enhancing biodiversity, learning and community involvement in urban ecological regeneration)

Areas of expertise

human geography
urban geography
participatory planning
participatory mapping
qualitative research
environmental policy
social policy

Biography

I am working as a project researcher on using participatory GIS and other digital technologies in developing urban biodiversity in Turku, Finland, as part of the Sustainable Landscape Systems research group. I hold a MSc in Human Geography from Lund University, with a special interest towards understanding social infrastructure, place attachment and emotional geographies and how these can support more inclusive urban planning practices. 

As an urban geographer, I am eager to apply my knowledge of urban regeneration, through previous work on gamification for youth participation in urban development, spatial justice, and citizen engagement in urban mobility. I have a strong background in EU-project management from different countries, and previous experiences with organising workshops for youth on different urbanism -related topics. 

Teaching

MAAN6070 Kestävä kehitys maantieteessä/Sustainable Development in Geography, 5 ECTS (grading assistant)

Research

The Skanssi Biodiversity Park in Turku is being developed into a pilot site for promoting biodiversity. The concept of a biodiversity park is to actively enhance urban biodiversity and provide a recreational area to urban residents, with the possibility to learn about biodiversity and join in nature management activities. 

In addition to the establishment of the main urban biodiversity park, two pilot areas have been selected for the partial replication of the biodiversity park concept through biodiversity enhancing measures. As part of the project, we are implementing a citizen survey with a participatory GIS -approach to gain insights into how locals perceive the development of biodiversity measures in the selected neighbourhoods. Further, as part of the project, we are testing digitanl technologies to incolve locals in planning the green infrastructure to support more inclusive urban planning practices.