The Role of Natural Processes in the Design of Cities

Abstract

The city is a part of nature, albeit altered. For the most part, the builders of cities have disregarded this fact, with dangerous and costly consequences: increased flooding, pollution, and energy demands, depletion of resources, and higher construction and maintenance costs. In recent years, scientists have documented the character of the urban, as distinct from the more rural, natural environment. This current understanding of nature in cities affords a tremendous opportunity for a new direction in city planning and design, one which has been shown to yield substantial economic, aesthetic, health, and safety benefits. Many cities, both in Europe and North America, have applied this knowledge piecemeal with great success. But to date, no city has implemented a comprehensive program which addresses all factors of the urban natural environment. The integration of natural processes with other concerns of the city's social, economic, and physical environment will result in healthier, safer, and more beautiful cities which are less costly to build and maintain.