Outlining the essential features of a biophilic city
A biophilic city is one that heals the divide between man-made and natural, one that brings the urban environment and its inhabitants closer to the natural world in an authentic and deep way.
What follows is an overview of the features that define a biophilic city…
local natural features
A biophilic city makes space for nature. Planted areas as well as rivers, ponds, and more nature-centered areas are interwoven with the urban environment, creating one cohesive combination of nature and design. Space for nature is found throughout, from parks to rooftops and balconies, offering diverse and varied occasions to interact with non-human life. Nature is accessible to everyone and can be experienced spontaneously. As a whole, a biophilic city retains a certain degree of wilderness, leaving some natural areas unplanned and spontaneous.
With the aim of shaping an authentic sense of place, the natural features of a biophilic city are place-specific. Plants are native and all instances of nature are meant to support and restore local ecosystems while fostering a genuine connection to place.
closeness to nature
A biophilic city cultivates closeness to nature in a wider sense.
Outdoor time and literal closeness are encouraged by creating more opportunities for them. Usable and enjoyable green areas, practical walking pathways that connect the city, opportunities to garden and grow food… these are all invitations for city dwellers to spend more time outdoors and develop a closer connection to the natural world. Besides physical proximity, closeness to nature includes curiosity towards the natural world, knowledge of nature’s processes, and direct involvement at different levels. All aspects that a biophilic city nurtures by initiating activities and policies such as nature-related events, environmental education, and biodiversity-driven development plans.
beyond people
From a conceptual point of view, a biophilic city values its natural surroundings and sees itself as an integral part of them.
Biophilic cities recognize the importance of other life forms beyond humans and are designed to support them. Besides, natural features double as solutions to make the urban landscape more resilient, resourceful, and lightweight from an environmental perspective. Plants cool the area and support the local fauna while adding life to the cityscape. Water features collect rainwater, treat wastewater, and produce clean energy while offering restorative experiences for human and non-human city dwellers…
As a whole, a biophilic city is a rich and biodiverse environment that combines sustainable development with enjoyable experiences. An environment where plants, animals, and humans live together respecting each other.
a biophilic urban experience
Rich in natural materials, shapes and textures, a biophilic city combines multi-sensory experiences and restorative atmospheres that alternate prospect, refuge, mystery and apparent risk in a balanced combination of opposites. Urban life offers diverse occasions for city dwellers to become more aware of natural processes and discover local specificities, cultivating a new level appreciation for the surroundings while learning how to respect them.
A biophilic city shapes an overall biophilic urban experience that enriches city life with exposure to nature and deep connection to it.
As a whole, a biophilic city is one where nature is a priority that directs urban design decisions, development strategies, as well as the culture and behaviour of urban dwellers. An urban environment when nature is an integral part of all that makes a city – from spaces to policies and people.
Biophilic design resources by anooi:
A Biophilic Year • Applying Biophilic Design • Visual Library of Biophilic Design