Ecological design and planning for ecologists: Applying earth stewardship, design for a vulnerable planet

Background/Question/Methods

We inhabit a vulnerable planet. The devastation caused by natural disasters, such as the Asian tsunamis, hurricanes Katrina and Ike, Superstorm Sandy, the floods in Australia and Brazil, the droughts in the American West, and the earthquakes in China’s Sichuan province, Haiti, and Chile—as well as the ongoing depletion and degradation of the world’s natural resources caused by a burgeoning human population—has made it clear that “business as usual” is no longer sustainable. We need to find ways to improve how we live on this planet while minimizing our impact on it. The author advocates design and planning practices founded in ecology and democracy and informed by critical regionalism and reflection. A foundation for a more ecological approach to design and planning is presented that adopts an expansive view of ecology, encompassing human and natural, urban and wild, environments. Precedents for human ecological design are provided through examples from the Texas Triangle with an emphasis on Austin, Dallas, and the Hill Country. These precedents help set the stage for emerging Texas urbanism, as well as broader concerns beyond the Lone Star State, including regionalism and urbanism in China and Italy.

Results/Conclusions

The lessons from human and natural disasters are examined and explored. From which, the author offers a blueprint for designing with nature to help heal the planet’s vulnerability. This blueprint comprises the major result from the session. It presents a framework for ecologists to better understand the design and planning processes. From this understanding, ecologists may adjust the framing and the dissemination of their research in order to better inform architects. Landscape architects, urban designers, and community and regional planners.