Introduction

In an era marked by rapid human development, the quest for dominance, productivity, and creativity has often put us at odds with nature. As we grapple with the looming climate change crisis, it’s become clear that significant changes in our outlook, mindset, and values from group up are essential. Dou and Lam, united by their interest in urban nature, investigate the multifaceted nature of human-nature coexistence. As the definition unfolds, coexistence means the state or fact of living or existing at the same time or place, which indicates a shared, equal peace within the coexistence. Coexistence can be explored as the resilience of nature, observing how it reclaims space even as humans disrupt its environment. Another perspective considers the artificial simulation of nature through human interventions like indoor plants, parks, and botanical gardens.

This observation reveals that the coexistence of humans and nature is far from equal. It is primarily dictated by human efforts to create a semblance of balance. Acknowledging the shared yet skewed landscape we live in, Dou and Lam raise pertinent questions about the entities and mechanisms responsible for shaping our natural and built environments—growing out of the establishment. The term “establishment” here is intentionally left ambiguous, inviting interpretations ranging from urban cities to societal institutions, and encompassing both micro and macro perspectives.