Urban rewilding as a nature-based solution: a critical perspective

Rewilding, once related primarily to wilderness or rural restoration, is increasingly implemented as a transformative approach to address complex ecological and social challenges in urban environments. In this Insight article, we examine how urban rewilding can enhance biodiversity, ecological resilience, ecosystem services, and human well-being in the face of climate change, land degradation, and urban homogenization. Reviewing recent research and global case studies, we explore the conceptual shift of rewilding from wilderness to city, highlighting its connections with nature-based solutions and climate adaptation. We categorize diverse strategies emerging in practice, from spontaneous vegetation and brownfield regeneration to the intentional greening of private gardens, and identify key ecological mechanisms, such as biotic re-complexification and ecological succession. We also discuss critical social-ecological dynamics, including community engagement, governance frameworks, and perceptions of “wild” versus “tidy” green esthetics. We argue that rewilding can catalyze a paradigm shift in plant science and urban planning, embedding multifunctional and inclusive green spaces into livable cities. Finally, we outline a path toward interdisciplinary research and policy agenda to support urban rewilding in both Global North and Global South contexts, framing it as a visionary yet practical strategy for greener urban futures.