Animals and Cities: exploring the impact of human-animal interaction to enhance the quality of life of citizens.

The integration of animals in urban planning represents a new frontier for promoting inclusive health and well-being in cities. Drawing from the research activities of the European IN-HABIT project in Lucca, this study explores the potential impact of animals – wild, food-producing, and companion – as Animal-Nature Based Solutions (A-NBS) to improve urban quality of life. Through a participatory approach, the project aims to create an Integrated Human-Animal Urban Policy (IHAUP), highlighting how animals can represent a useful resource to improve the well-being of urban inhabitants and contribute to more regenerative and inclusive cities. The findings show that A-NBS can enhance various urban dimensions, including green spaces, social interactions, physical activities, and inclusiveness, offering new opportunities for urban planning. The case of Lucca underscores the importance of a paradigm shift that recognizes animals as active resources in urban regeneration, paving the way for a replicable model in other cities.