The Nature of Our Cities

Published by HarperCollins. #1 Amazon bestseller. Shortlisted for the Rakuten Kobo 2025 Emerging Writer Prize. Now available in paperback.

We built our cities to keep nature out. Concrete replaced forest floors, pipes buried rivers, manicured parks substituted for the wild. We called it progress. But what if our estrangement from the natural world isn't just making our cities unlivable — it's making us unwell?

The awards and media highlights of the book: The Nature of Our Cities

This book is about the people already fixing it:

  • A scientist who couldn't sleep after a deadly heat dome — and built a community mapping program that revealed his city's hottest neighborhoods were also its sickest
  • A forestry grad five days into her first job who launched what became the world's largest urban tree census
  • A father in California who built AI-powered robots to carry out the prescribed burns that could prevent the next wildfire
  • A theater director in Amsterdam who gave six ancient trees a voice — and made their isolation mandatory listening for city planners
  • Thousands of children in La Paz who shattered every wildlife documentation record on Earth with a smartphone app
  • A startup founder who built a tool that measures nature access like a credit score — and used it to show which neighborhoods carry the heaviest burden of heat, flooding, and poor health

A deeply reported journey, part memoir, part investigation — and finds the same urgent question in every city: can cities learn to live with nature before they can't live without it?

5 big ideas in the book

Nature in cities is infrastructure — not amenity. Trees, wetlands, and green space cool streets, filter air, manage floods, and extend lives.

Nature equity is health equity. The neighborhoods with the least green space bear the heaviest burden of heat, flooding, and poor health — and the data now proves it.

Planting a tree is not the same as growing one. Cities plant millions of trees and lose too many of them — the book shows what it actually takes.

Ordinary people are the most powerful monitoring tool we have. Technology turns residents into ecologists — and changes what cities know about their own nature.

Technology doesn't replace nature — it fights for it. Sensors, AI, and data make ecosystems harder to ignore and easier to defend.

Praise from the field

Read praise from experts in the field, including New York Times bestselling authors, industry leaders, and academic scholars.

Picture of Dan Buettner

“Where we live has an immense impact on longevity, and as an advocate for healthy living, I understand the role nature in our communities. Nadina's exploration of urban ecology and tech innovation offers hope for transforming our living spaces. I'm optimistic her work will guide us towards practical steps for a greener, brighter future for all generations."

— Dan Buettner, #1 New York Times best-selling author of "The Blue Zones"
Picture of Michael Easter

"Drawing from extensive research, illuminating interviews, and her journey of self-discovery, Nadina explores our disconnection from nature and the implications of city living in the 21st century. Her insights are enlightening. She's written a must-read for anyone seeking to understand how to leverage the power of nature to improve our lives."

— Michael Easter, New York Times best-selling author of "The Comfort Crisis" and "Scarcity Brain"
Picture of Robin Thurston

“Nadina masterfully combines humor and poignant narratives to showcase the transformative power of nature on humanity. She serves a deeply insightful blueprint for our outdoor future — it's a delightful joy to read. Nadina's work underscores the urgency of integrating ecosystems into urban life and the fulfillment found in reconnecting with nature.”

— Robin Thurston, Founder and CEO of Outside Interactive Inc.
Picture of Cecil Konijnendijk

"This book is an invigorating journey into greening initiatives across the world’s cities. It's a must-read for those who want to create greener and healthier cities. Starting from a grim, powerful image of a city that could be if we don’t act, Nadina introduces us to people and projects making a real difference. An inspirational story of urgency, hope, and possibility.”

— Prof. Cecil Konijnendijk, Global Urban Forester and Founder of the Nature-Based Solutions Institute
Picture of Carlo Ratti

“How to address our estrangement from the natural world? Nadina has a possible antidote for this crucial question - an Internet of Nature....Digital technologies, sensors, and AI - tools we often associate with cold, hard progress—can, in fact, be our allies in understanding and nurturing nature. Her Internet of Nature is not just a concept; it's a tangible, hopeful path to recentering nature in the heart of our cities.”

— Prof. Carlo Ratti, Director of MIT Senseable City Lab
Picture of Gil Penalosa

“How cities are built is the most important decision of our time. Half of the urban homes that will exist within our children’s lives have not been built. An emerging talent in nature writing, Nadina demonstrates how technology can create cities radically different, with nature everywhere.”

— Gil Penalosa, Founder, 8-80 Cities and City of Toronto Mayoral Candidate (2023)
Picture of John Judge

“Exploring the intricate dance between urban landscapes and natural wilderness, The Nature of Our Cities echoes the sentiments of The Outdoor Citizen, reminding us that the heart of a city beats in harmony with the natural world. It's a compelling journey through spaces where concrete and greenery coexist, urging us to get outdoors and become stewards of our natural environments.”

— John Judge, Author of "The Outdoor Citizen"
Picture of Don Tapscott

“Nadina beautifully intertwines ecological wonders with technological ingenuity, inspiring us to reimagine our cities as thriving ecosystems. Anyone who cares about building a connected, sustainable future should read this book.”

— Don Tapscott C.M., Best-selling Author, Entrepreneur, and Social Innovator
Picture of Timothy Beatley

“Join Nadina on an exhilarating journey as she introduces us to the pioneers shaping the future of urban conservation. The Nature of Our Cities is a hopeful and immersive exploration of how technology can empower us to be better stewards of the environment.”

— Prof. Timothy Beatley, Teresa Heinz Professor of Sustainable Communities, University of Virginia and Founder of "Biophilic Cities"
Picture of Fred Krupp

"Not only the trees in distant forests but also those right around the corner can play a vital role in the environment. As Nadina explore they also bring us shade, recreation, beauty, and hope."

— Fred Krupp, President of the Environmental Defense Fund
Picture of David Maddox

“Nadina’s prose is a joy, flowing across the page to imagine a present and future nature of cities that is both knowledge-centered and human: at once thoughtful and emotional.”

— David Maddox, Ph.D., Scientist, Artist, and Executive Director of "The Nature of Cities"

Reviews from readers

Here’s a glimpse of what readers are saying about the book on Amazon. Click the button below to read more and leave your own review.

Free book club bonus material

Access the official book club guide to delve deeper into the material with behind-the-scenes anecdotes, exclusive photos from research trips, and over 20 thought-provoking questions.

1

Buy your copy from your favorite retailer.

2

Send purchase receipt to nadina@nadinagalle.com

3

Get the official book club guide for free.

The Nature of Our Cities reading guide

Where to buy

The Nature of Our Cities book cover

Based in the US or Canada? Get THE NATURE OF OUR CITIES from one of these online retailers or several independent bookstores:

The Nature of Our Cities book cover

Based in Europe? Get your English-language copy via The American Book Center!

Based in the UK? You can find a copy of the book at one of these stores:

De Natuur van Onze Steden boekcover

The Dutch translation of the book, DE NATUUR VAN ONZE STEDEN, is available at all major bookstores in the Netherlands and Belgium and online at the following retailers:

The Nature of Our Cities audiobook cover on phone

Prefer listening to reading? The English audiobook of THE NATURE OF OUR CITIES, narrated by Eileen Stevens, is available here:

Hi, I’m Nadina

I'm a Dutch-Canadian ecological engineer, bestselling author, and National Geographic Explorer. I developed the Internet of Nature® framework through my PhD research at University College Dublin and MIT's Senseable City Lab, and have spent the years since applying it with cities, developers, foundations, and research institutions across five continents. I also host the Internet of Nature Podcast, now in its seventh season.

More about me

Media & Events

Explore a curated selection of articles, reviews, and interviews from esteemed publications spotlighting the book.

For media inquiries, please contact Anwesha Basu (USA/Canada) at anwesha.basu@harpercollins.com or Françoise Parlevliet (NL/BE) at francoise.parlevliet@terralannoo.nl.

Book Tour

Earthed Summit 2025: Generation Restoration

Location: EartH Hackney, London, UK

Date: September 18, 2025

Time: 10 AM BST

Register here

Toronto Botanical Garden: Urban Ravine Summit 2025

Location: Toronto Botanical Garden, Toronto, Canada

Date: November 7, 2025

Time: 9 AM EST

Register here
SUGi Talks | Biodiversity & Belonging: September 2, 2025 at 6:00 PM CEST | Online

Master City Developer Great Books Event: September 4, 2025 at 6:00–9:30 PM CEST in TU Delft, Netherlands

SUGi x University of Oxford Research Launch: September 17, 2025 at 10:00 AM BST in Forest of Thanks, Barking & Dagenham, London

In-Person Book Club Q&A | Yorklands Green Hub: September 23, 2025 at 7:00–8:30 PM EDT in University of Guelph Arboretum, Canada

Groen Café: Internet of Nature (Dutch): October 22, 2025 at 7:00–9:30 PM CEST in Eindhoven Public Library, Netherlands

Study Day: Trees as Building Blocks (Dutch): October 23, 2025 at 9:00 AM–4:30 PM CEST in ’t Gezel Zellik, Asse, Belgium

SELECT PAST EVENTS
Partners in Community Forestry Conference: November 17-21, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois
Utopian Hours: October 18, 2024 in Turin, Italy
Pakhuis de Zwijger: October 2, 2024 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands (view recording)
'Forest of the Future' Nature Festival: September 26, 2024 in Amsterdam Forest (Amsterdamse Bos), The Netherlands
Future Green City LIVE Podcast: September 25, 2024 in Utrecht, The Netherlands
Beste Boeken Live: August 26, 2024 in Utrecht, The Netherlands

Media

A curated selection of articles, reviews, and interviews from esteemed publications, including radio, TV, and podcasts.

BLOOMBERG CITIES, 5 summer reads for urban innovators
YALE CLIMATE CONNECTIONS: Books for adapting cities to climate change
CITIES FOR EVERYONE WITH GIL PENALOSA: Nature and technology: Friends or foes in urban progress?
GLOBE AND MAIL: 34 books to read this summer
49TH SHELF: “Most Anticipated” Spring 2024 non-fiction
NRC: “A tweeting tree has been difficult to sell thus far."
HET PAROOL: “A tree gives a signal when they're thirsty."
ELSEVIER WEEKBLAD: “Technology is not the enemy of nature."
DE LIMBURGER: Book review of DE NATUUR VAN ONZE STEDEN
DE STANDAARD: “Forest compensation and replanting obligations are total bullshit."
VOORPROEVERS: "Why nature in the city is so important."
DE MORGEN: “Thanks to this tree we save 15,000 euros annually."
DE SOCIËTEIT: Talk show guest on national Dutch TV talk show
QUILL AND QUIRE: Spring 2024 reading round up
EARTH911 PODCAST: Innovator interview with Nadina Galle
BIOPHILIC SOLUTIONS PODCAST: Harnessing the power of new technology for greener cities with Nadina Galle
AUDIOFILE, Summer 2024 Earphones award winner
TREE LADY TALKS: Discussing THE NATURE OF OUR CITIES with Nadina Galle
LITHUB: Inclusion in new books round-up
ORION MAGAZINE: Excerpt of the prologue
BOOKPAGE: Book review
CHECK IT OUT / WATERLOO LIBRARY BOOK REVIEW: Reasons for hope amidst climate change in Nadina Galle’s THE NATURE OF OUR CITIES
WHAT’S UP INTERPRETERS? Podcast interview for the National Association for Interpretation
BIONEERS: How technology and ecology are redefining urban life
DAILY KOS: Inclusion in a nonfiction round-up
LITHUB: City of one million trees: how New York inspired other cities to go green
FERNS & FEATHERS: The Internet of Nature: How technology could shape our urban forests of the future
EARTH.COM: Book review
NATURE REVISITED: Podcast interview (Ep. 124) with Stefan van Noorden
AUDIOFILE MAGAZINE/BEHIND THE MIC PODCAST, Review/recommendation of the day
SHELF AWARENESS, Reader’s edition review
ONE EARTH, Staff book recommendation