Urban Ecological Restoration via Rewilding: Theoretical Reconstruction, Technical Pathways, and Multi-Scale Empirical Evidence

Abstract

In the face of escalating global ecosystem degradation and biodiversity loss, "rewilding" has emerged as a strategic approach for ecological restoration, gradually shifting its focus from wilderness conservation to urban renewal. This paper aims to construct a comprehensive theoretical framework and technical system for "Urban Rewilding"—an emerging strategy tailored to complex built environments. First, by situating the discourse within the "Novel Ecosystem" theory, the study distinguishes urban rewilding from traditional restoration, advocating for "controlled abandonment" to reconstruct ecological resilience. Second, it dissects the underpinning ecological mechanisms, including plant community assembly based on CSR strategies, the restoration of the soil food web, and the reconstruction of trophic cascades. Empirically, a cross-scale comparative analysis of four paradigmatic cases—including New York's High Line Park and London's SUGi Pocket Forests—reveals the necessity of "process-oriented" design, transitioning the designer's role from a creator of form to a choreographer of ecological processes. Finally, the paper proposes implementation pathways spanning technical, aesthetic, and social dimensions, emphasizing native germplasm banks, "Cues to Care," and adaptive management. The study concludes that urban rewilding offers Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for reshaping the human-nature symbiosis in the Anthropocene.