The Architecture, Culture & Tectonics Research Group warmly invites you to attend their Friday Seminar on 07 June at 14:00. Refreshments on arrival.

Wellbeing through urban nature experiences: Biophilic Wellington

Increasing evidence shows the importance of creating and maintaining relationships with nature for human wellbeing. Humanity has however become a mostly urbanised species where people typically spend most of their time indoors.
It is important then that strategies for deliberately bringing aspects of nature into urban spaces are explored. Design that leverages an understanding of people’s innate connection to the living world can be termed biophilic design. This research defines a framework for analysing and mapping biophilic urban elements. 
Thirty characteristics of biophilic cities were identified and then used to map Wellington, New Zealand. Key findings indicate that while access to wild nature might be an important characteristic of a biophilic city, planned design interventions are equally important. When identified biophilic elements form part of a larger interconnected spatial experience through time, positive effects may be enhanced.
This can enable identification of strategic locations for biophilic interventions in the wider urban fabric to facilitate more effective urban nature experiences.
This suggests that biophilic urbanism must encompass a wide range of human sensory information, and should be designed from a four-dimensional (i.e. including time) perspective.

 
Wellington Nature Map: https://wellington.govt.nz/recreation/enjoy-the-outdoors/wellington-nature-map

Dr Pederson is the author of ‘Regenerative Urban Design and Ecosystem Biomimicry’ (2018)

Invitation to Seminar with Dr Maibritt Pedersen Zari, hosted by Architecture, Culture & Tectonics Research Group at University of Nottingham