Pretty ProgressiveWhen you think of the city, you probably think of a concrete jungle devoid of greenery, the very antithesis of nature. This doesn’t have to be the case. As we can observe the benefits Central Park has provided the bustling streets of New York. To further encourage such an emphasis on including nature in our cities, here’s how cities and nature can coexist together and allow each other to thrive.
Biophilic Designs
Biophilia refers to how nature is good for our health and well-being and the benefits we receive when interacting with it. Thus, biophilic design is the practice of infusing natural elements into our city designs to improve human wellness. Water, trees, and natural light are irreplaceable, and biophilic design helps put these elements back into cities in simple and elegant ways – neither inconveniencing nor hindering urban development.
Sustainable Infrastructure
We can always improve how we construct and design our cities. One such example of sustainable infrastructural design is permeable pavement. This pavement for roads and walkways manages stormwater – not only by allowing it to drain through the pavement easily, but it also safely returns the water to the soil and surrounding environment without any pollutants. This is a great way to improve how the city functions and reduce its impact on the environment by not suffocating the environment it paves over. More classic methods of sustainable infrastructure include solar panels or rooftop gardens and agriculture.
Wildlife Consideration
When considering how cities and nature can coexist together, this also includes wildlife. While obviously, we can’t cultivate an ecosystem of predators that create a threat to the people living there, we can still provide adequate space for animals like birds, bees, and other beneficial wildlife. Consider how birds often collide with buildings or how few resources there are for bees and other beneficial wildlife to survive. By protecting their habitats, you’ll enjoy the benefits they bring to your city – whether it’s pest management or helping natural elements flourish.
