Interspecies Cultures and Future Design

Abstract

This article introducesthe notion of interspecies cultures and highlights its consequences for the ethics and practice of design.T his discussion is criticalb ecause anthropogenic activities reduce the abundance, richness, and diversity of human and nonhuman cultures. Designthat aims to address these issues will depend on interspecies cultures that support the flourishing of all organisms. Combiningresearch in architecture and urban ecology, we focus on the design of urban habitat-structures.Design of such structures presents practical, theoretical, and ethical challenges. In response, we seek to align design to advancing knowledge of nonhuman cultures and more-than-humanjustice. We present interspecies design as an approach that incorporates human and nonhuman cultural knowledgeinthe managemento ff uture habitats. We ask: what is an ethically justifiable and practically plausible theoreticalframework for interspecies design?Our central hypothesis is that the capabilities approach to justice can establish goals and evaluativepractices for interspecies design. To test this hypothesis, we refer to an ongoing research project that aimstohelp the powerful owl (Ninox strenua)t hrivei nA ustralian cities. To establish possible goals for futurei nterspecies design, we discuss powerful-owl capabilitiesi np ast, present, and possible future situations.W et hen consider the broader relevance of the capabilities approach by examining human-owl cultures in other settings, globally. Our case-study indicates that: 1) owl capabilities offer ausefulbaseline for futuredesign; 2) cities diminish many owl capabilities but present opportunitiesfor new culturalexpressions; and 3) more ambitiousdesign aspirationscan support owl wellbeingincities. The results demonstrate *D an Parker conducted the research, developed the argumentf or the manuscript, reviewed literature, wrote the drafts, and produced visual materials. Kylie Soanes provided ecological guidance and contributed to the development of the manuscript. Stanislav Roudavski conceived and developed the overarching ideas, directedthe research, and contributedtoall stages of manuscript production. All authors contributed critically to the writingand revision of the manuscript and gavet he final approvalf or publication. The authors haven oc onflicts of interest to declare. ** We respectfully acknowledge the Wurundjeri people who are the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which this research took place. The project wassupported by research funding from the AustralianR esearch Council Discovery Project DP170104010, Future Cities Grant (Melbourne Sustainable Society Institute), and William Stone Trust Fund (University of Melbourne).W ethank Therésa Jones and BronwynIsaac for contributions to this research and their feedback on the drafts of the article.