Human beings are in the midst of profound changes to their ecology. More than 50% of the global population now live in urban areas, and this demoographic shift is reshaaping the way that humans — along with the flora and fauna we interact with — live and die. Across eastern Africa, for instance, cities are now the major centres of livlihood opportunities (The Lancet, 2015).
Beyond livlihood opportunities, cities also have important impacts on our social structures and health. Cities are not only where we seek material wellbeing but are increasingly the sites where we ask our most vital questions about social connection, cultural life, and subjective experiences of meaning.