Coexisting with Nature - Bringing Ecological Principles Into the Design Disciplines.

Abstract: Urban environments are often seen as the opposite of natural environments, with the belief that the built cannot accommodate the natural. However, this is a false perception. Ecological systems within urban environments are of great importance and can provide microclimates and habitats that do not exist in surrounding areas. Yet, this quality is rarely utilized because of the perception that built environments cannot be compared to natural environments. Recognizing the possibilities of incorporating nature, its use, and preservation, will allow environments to be designed to include both the built and the natural. Built urban areas are continuously growing, being renewed, and repurposed to fit the current needs of society. As of this, there are great opportunities for exploring new solutions on how to integrate nature within cities and other urban environments. Urban planners and architects need to rethink how they approach designing and consider ecological systems at a primary stage of development. This thesis aims to investigate how design can be used to increase biodiversity and how nature can coexist within urban environments. In using the field of ecology as the main driver for design and development it is evident that the built and natural environment are not separate from each other but are rather closely connected and linked. The research has resulted in an ecological design methodology, where ecological principles create the foundation for discussing ecological design concepts. The methodology is intended to be used by architects and urban designers in the initial stages of development. It presents various concepts that will help guide the design to be of ecological benefit and increase biodiversity. The methodology is a comprehensive summary of the field of ecology, distilled into simple principles and concepts that apply to design.