Abstract
Urban development has distanced cities from nature, prioritizing aesthetics and convenience over environmental sustainability. This session explores how urban planning shaped by our prehistoric instincts and consumer-driven tendencies has led to unsustainable, hard-surfaced environments. We examine the limitations of conventional practices, discuss the ecological and economic benefits of managing existing urban infrastructure, and consider innovative approaches to integrate nature back into our cities. We explore strategies to rethink urban spaces, focusing on overlapping planning interests and integrating natural systems into existing cityscapes. Attendees will discover innovative approaches to creating biodiverse environments using facades, rooftops, and porous landscapes that serve both people and wildlife. Practical examples will illustrate how simple design adjustments, such as openings for small animals or facades designed for plant growth, can transform urban areas into ecosystems. This session also emphasizes the importance of sustainable materials like recycled plastics and corten steel, offering insights into their advantages, limitations, and role in a closed-loop economy. Participants will learn how to balance environmental needs with functional urban design, ensuring cities work for both their inhabitants and the broader ecosystem. Together, we’ll challenge traditional construction practices and embrace a future where flora, fauna, and humans coexist harmoniously in rewilded cities.
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
2025 Special Focus—Sustainable Development for a Dynamic Planet: Lessons, Priorities, and Solutions
KEYWORDS
Climatic Resilience, Nature Integration, Environmental Sustainability, Sustainable Materials
