Climate-Resilient Urban Design from a Biomimicry-Arcology Perspective

Abstract

Global climate action initiatives have focussed on either climate mitigation or adaptation in the decarbonisation agenda. The impact of urbanisation is generally overlooked. Urban development alters the environment, including climate, in multiple ways. Therefore, climate actions are unlikely to succeed, even if its goals are achieved, largely because the current paradigm promotes expansion at the expense of nature. This paper presents an alternative perspective on urban design with respect to climate resiliency. It draws primarily from the thoughts that underpin Arcology and Biomimicry from a complex, evolving Earth systems paradigm. It argues that urban development must shift from 2-dimensional gigantism to a compact 3-dimensional form. It further posits that the structure should facilitate greater exchanges, drawing together complementary elements in economy, industry and society, and services into the same structure. Hyper-structures, multi-functional infrastructures, and systems, are required to drive the transition towards a more efficient, low-impact urbanisation paradigm that frees the land for nature to recolonize. Biomimicry provides suitable models and guides through species that thrive as well as biomes that have developed in the range of environmental and climatic regions on the planet. A viable approach would be to build on existing transport infrastructure.

Blue Urbanism

“…Other aspects of Blue Urbanism, such as integrating multi-functional complex with the river as bridge and waterbus terminal is met with slightly better response and by about 90% of the respondents, i.e., high majority. In general, there appears to be a lack of 'eco-literacy' [vii] , which is required to appreciate compact, complex, and self-organizing system that is characteristics of nature (Pasquero & Poletto, 2012;Soleri, 1969;Yong, 2022). Instead, the respondents are more inclined to support 'green' practices that are taught in environmental education and campaigns, such as recycling, rain-harvesting and multi-modal transit systems.…”

“…It involves integrating the urban and water environments in an ecological, self-sustaining and regenerative organisation (Beatley, 2014;. It shares the same ecological paradigm as ecocities (Dou et al, 2013;Saad et al, 2017) and arcology (McCullough, 2012;Soleri, 1969;Yong, 2022), but applied to urban planning in the coastal environment. Pasquero & Poletto (2012; explored architecture in the same paradigm using Artificial Intelligence in their ecoLogicStudio.…”

Urban Tapestry

“…Understanding the interconnections with the natural environment, particularly processes, could be more helpful. This importance is heightened in light of the current climate crisis (Yong, 2022).…”

“…These webs of social relations help reduce unnecessary expenditures. A close-knit community within a short (walkable) distance is also ecological in design (Yong, 2022), lessening the waste of resources and time for sellers and buyers. This is the genius loci of Menglait.…”

Biomimicry Industry and Patent Trends

“…As a result, it is possible to optimize product production through improved designs, the use of environmentally friendly materials, and minimizing costs and energy while also creating new markets [26][27][28][29]. Furthermore, the concept of drawing inspiration from nature in biomimicry could help companies fulfill broader social responsibilities demanded by ESG (environmental, social, governance) indicators worldwide while also achieving financial goals [30,31]. The world could lead these changes and reap the benefits.…”