Cities and Natural Process A Basis for Sustainability

About this book

Traditional design values that have shaped the physical landscape of our cities have contributed little to their environmental health or to their success as civilizing or enriching places to live. Cities and Natural Process is a discussion of the fundamental conflict in the perception of nature and an expression of the essential need for an environmental view when approaching urban design.

Whilst retaining the existing structure, each of the chapters has been revised to take into account recent theoretical and practical developments. A completely new concluding chapter has been added which draws together the themes of the volume and links these to broader landscape issues such as greenway systems, landscape ecology and green infrastructure.

Michael Hough outlines how natural and human processes are altered by the city and how this leads to changes in attitudes and cultural values. He reveals how alternative values based on ecological insights offer the possibility of a constructive relationship with the urban environment. Practical examples of opportunities that are often unrecognized serve to illustrate the potential for beneficial change.

Contents

Introduction 1. Urban Ecology: A basis for shaping cities 1.1.The Contradiction of Values 1.2 Vernacular Landscapes and the Investment in Nature 1.3 The Landscapes of the Contemporary City 1.4 Some Design Principles 1.5 A Basis for an Alternative Design Strategy 2. Water 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Natural Processes 2.3 Urban Processes 2.4 Some Problems and Perceptions 2.5 Some Alternative Values and Opportunities 2.6 Some Considerations of Design 3 .Plants 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Natural Processes 3.3 Urban Processes 3.4 Perceptions and Cultural Values 3.5 Some Alternative Values and Opportunities 3.6 Some Alternative Strategies 3.7 Management and the Evolving Urban Landscape 3.8 Some Design Implications for City Landscapes 4. Wildlife 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Natural Processes 4.3 Urban Processes 4.4 Perceptions and Values 4.5 Alternative Values: Some opportunities 4.6 Planning and Management Issues 4.7 Habitat Types 5. City Farming 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Agriculture: Process and practice 5.3 Urban Processes 5.4 Resources and Opportunities 5.5 Implications for Design 6 Climate: Making connections 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Natural Elements and Climate 6.3 Urban Influences on Climate 6.4 Problems and Perceptions 6.5 Alternative Values 6.6 Some Opportunities 6.7 Implications for Design 6.8 Concluding Reflections on Urban Climate 7. The Regional Landscape 7.1 A Framework for Shaping Urban Reform 7.2 The City Region 7.3 The Greenbelt 7.4 Greenways

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