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The ecological imperative for environmental design and planning
Author(s) -
Steiner Frederick,
Simmons Mark,
Gallagher Mark,
Ranganathan Janet,
Robertson Colin
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
frontiers in ecology and the environment
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.918
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1540-9309
pISSN - 1540-9295
DOI - 10.1890/130052
Subject(s) - resilience (materials science) , environmental planning , environmental resource management , adaptation (eye) , environmental design and planning , futures contract , craft , ecological design , psychological resilience , ecology , geography , business , engineering , environmental science , land use planning , land use , civil engineering , psychology , physics , archaeology , finance , neuroscience , psychotherapist , thermodynamics , biology
Environmental design and planning are important tools for human adaptation. Designers and planners depend on experience, craft, and environmental knowledge to shape preferred futures. Ecological literacy would enhance the design and planning of built environments. The concepts of “resilience” and “ecosystem” offer opportunities for collaboration between ecologists and practitioners in the design and planning disciplines. Urban resilience to natural disasters and coastal “green” infrastructure represent two areas where design and planning based on ecological principles should be applied. The Sustainable Sites Initiative is a practical example of interdisciplinary collaboration.