The Social Degradation of Urban Ecology

The social Degradation of Urban Ecology

Table of contents: Chapter 1: brave New ecology

pg. 1-3

chapter 2: fathoming the unfathumable

pg. 4-5

Chapter 3: Messy ecosystems

pg. 6-9

chapter 4: the nomad pg. 9-15 chapter 5: cal-earth pg. 16-21 chapter 6: frank ghery pg. 22-24 chapter 7: bob perry pg. 25-28 chapter 9: lexicon pg 30-40

1

Brave New Ecology:

°–Land managers and others who have to deal with the invasive problem on the ground know that more often than not the old invasive species comes back following removal, or else a new invader moves in to replace the old one.

Ecologists have created a genuine argument that states that natural disturbances are an integral part of an unpredictable succession process.

the unique assemblages of plants that populate our sprawling cities have become the

de facto native vegetation of the urban environment.

Do not to limit planting designs to native species that once grew on the site. It will reduce not only the aesthetic potential of the landscape, but also its overall adaptability to future environmental change.

When the attention is turned to designing with native over non native plants, the emphasis is always placed on Native plants. However, perhaps the most important thing to keep in mind is that often times it does not matter whether a plant is native or not, but whether or not that plant is beneficial to the area. What types of drastic measures need to be taken in order to restore the landscape to its original native habitat? Is it really necessary? These are questions designers are faced with each time a new project is given them. Are you going to change it, restore it or leave it alone? There has to be a happy medium somewhere in there. Designers should be taking the time to look at what works rather then what they want or even what their client may want. By doing research about what non invasive plants work well in this area instead of limiting yourself to what is native, can help to open the minds of young designers and even clients interested in converting or restoring a landscape.

Due to the increase in dense urban sprawl these choices are becoming even easier to make. There are not many native landscapes remaining and the ones that are still in existence today require around the clock protection in order to keep them. Designers, planners and city officials are having to enter into new extremes due to the everchanging nature of our society. How can they chose what to protect?

How can any one person take the opportunity to fight for something when as a society, we are moving on from what is and into what could be?

2

Fathoming the unfathomable

It is not longer acceptable for Contemporary Architects to think one sided. by cultivating diverse values and understanding multiple points of view, as an architect, you are forced to create designs that include not only what you want as a designer, but also what the users will need. Designers are constantly forced to think in more innovative ways that question what our society will need in the future and all of the possible scenarios that can occur.

Architectural ideas still need to be visualized, whether it is through drawings or model making, as an architect you have to learn how to graphically share your ideas. Through different graphic exploration and evaluation architects are forced to understand the importance of form and function in their designs. Inspiration can come from something as simple as a photo or even as complex as an idea. By adding and subtracting elements from your design, the clarity of your end goal becomes more clear. As a society we look to our architects to design skylines of tomorrow, but at what cost?

With the idea that each design will vary depending on the situation, It is important that the Architects and designers of the future recognize that our current state of urban sprawl is destroying our ecology. The notion that each design much be bigger and better than the last one is what has driven the current architectural state of the world. There are times when it may be more appropriate to revert back to the techniques used in the past, however you must understand that we cannot go back in time and fix those problems. We are forced to think differently about the overall impact of our designs and truly understand the influence they are going to have for our users as well as for our ecological state.

3

Messy ecosystems

The definition of a well maintained landscape can vary depending on who is defining it. to some a landscape the is continuously being groomed and pruned is considered a successful landscape and to others a landscape hat is fulfilling the ecological needs of the area is what really matters.

How do you decide? Do all landscapes have to be maintained on a regular basis in order to be functioning “properly�?

Have we become so selfish as a society that the only thing that holds any value in our landscape is the aesthetic aspects? Unfortunately people are fine with an unkept landscape as long as it is not theirs. Often times it is appropriate to let a landscape go dormant. That means it is doing what it is supposed to do. Seasonal changes allow landscapes to take on different forms and have different benefits for wild life.

landscapes have their own way of maintaining themselves and often times it is the best way to decide if a plant works well in that area. How can you tell if something is going to be able to regenerate itself you you are constantly doing all of the maintenance for it. There are times when you just have to let a plant die and move on from it. We are in this constant state of believing that we know better than everyone and everything else and it is obvious at times that we are not. Nature can be far more powerful than many of us and we have to understand that there is a time and a place for nature and sometimes it just so happens to e in our back yards.

4

The nomad: Dominique moody

The Nomad is a tiny house on wheels constructed completely of recycled materials. Monique Moody, a sculptor who has lived her life on the road, decided to embark on a journey that would change her life. Inspired by her many works of art the Nomad is created completely of recycled materials, found along the side of the road and left over from projects. The Nomad has become one of Monique’s most inspiring works of art yet and is one of the most amazing homes I have ever had the privilege to set foot in.

The nomad

After meeting with dominique, we were so inspired by her and what she had done that we decided as a group ta discuss other options for a tiny hous eand som of the basic fundamentals you could impliment.

5

Cal-earth

Cal-earth is the California Institute of Earth Art and Architecture, they are committed to building lo als that are not harmful to the planet and can be done by the people who want to live in them. The based on the natural elements of earth, water, air, and fire. These are built with the intention not to embrace it. Due to the large amount of displaced people in the world these homes offer and alterna more financially practical than standard housing.

ocal sustainable homes with materie architecture of the structures are o disturb the landscape but instead ative that is easy to implement but

If you are unable to cary out an adobe house another great alternative is Rammed earth. It is a very similar concept, however it does allow you to keep the traditional style of your home. For people who arenot ready to make the change to a Cal-earth home, rammed earth is the next best thing and it is just as easy to impliment on your own. There is an example of a rammed earth home in Lake perris california by a man named geral katz. he is able to have a traditional looking home that is completely self sustaining.

7

Frank Ghery

Frank Ghery changed that aesthetics of architecture and the way we view form today. He has stretched the limits of design and has paved the way for future architects to come. Ghery has taken the time to explore form and materials and with that has been able to push the limits of designers in the future.

8

bob perry

An introduction to plant design:

When considering what plants will work best in our landscapes it is important to keep in mind general plant ecology, planting functions, planting aesthetics and cultural perspectives. Without taking into consideration all of these factors, your landscape will not properly function. There is a difference between good and bad landscape design. When a landscape is not functioning properly or is not being properly utilized it becomes a forgotten landscape. Unfortunately, California in particular has become such a densely urban place that our green space is limited. Designing a landscape that is non-functioning is simply no longer an option, and your design will without a doubt eventually be replaced.

Really taking the time to understand that the plants you select must be specific to that area is an important concept.

If you select plants that have no means to survive in the landscape, the landscape will simply die off after a period of time and you will be left with a landscape that is non functioning.

Understanding and appreciating where plants grow and how they grow is an essential part of the design process.

california Native landscapes

9 lexicon terms Built environment: a spaces that has been man made. a built environment is a space that has been created by man and will continue to be maintained as so. Urban environments are specifically programs to activate users in those spaces and what those users do in that space is also a result of what has been built for them. In “nature� you see less built environments and more of a wild setting.

There are various options as to what you may do in those spaces. these spaces are often times a result of climate and geographical location.

contextual site plan: a spaces that has been man made. a built environment is a space that has been created by man and will continue to be maintained as so. Urban environments are specifically programs to activate users in those spaces and what those users do in that space is also a result of what has been built for them. In “nature� you see less built environments and more of a wild setting.

There are various options as to what you may do in those spaces. these spaces are often times a result of climate and geographical location.

environmental degradation: the overuse of natural resources that will eventually lead to the end of our resources. environmental degradation is something that is happening all around us. we are seeing it more and more as our population is beginning to grow and our natural resources are beginning to deplete. eventually we are going to end up having more areas that have been destroyed due to our need for resources and there will be nothing left for us to consider “natural�. we should consider the possibility that these natural resources are not going to last forever and begin to look at solutions to fix this problem.

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-environmental-degradation.htm

infrastructure: the essential core that holds together a person, place, idea, or object. infrastructure is something we are faced with on a daily basis. whether for an idea, a creation or even an object. the bones of the project are what keep it together. the outer parts, or what i like to refer to as the “shell� of your project are what goes around the outside of what you are creating. with out the proper infrastructure your shell is going to be weak and can often times fail. this is something we can observe on a daily basis not only in landscape but also in human behaviors.

megalopolis : the essential core that holds together a person, place, idea, or object. more often then not we are running into larger urban cities, all of which have everything we could ever want and need. from hotels to apartments, shopping and dinning the sky is the limit. we are begging to see less and less undeveloped areas. not to say that to support our growing populations we need these large urban cities, however, they are becoming more and more difficult to live with out.

local resistance : The critical descent of traditional values on a local level. as resources become more and more scarce we, as a society, are beginning to look into things we can do to stop this. looking at our local model for food and resources can quickly turn into a harsh reality check. once we realize that we are consuming so many imported goods, including food, we are able to understand the effect of what we want on our environment, economy, and personal well being. by simply making an attempt to by locally and not support items that have to be imputed from all types of different places around the world we are able to make enough of a difference in our own communities for the better.

archetype : an original model or structure for which something is formed The thought process for which something is formed is the archetype for that particular subject. something that is left alone with no original plan is free to do what it will however that may be. there is no beginning structure set up for a particular place. It simply follows the course of its own path and embraces what has been implemented in that space.

Ecology : The branch of biology that deals with the relations of organisms to one another and to their physical surroundings

Restoration : the act or process of returning something to its original condition by repairing it, cleaning it, etc.

Due to the increased amount of damage we have done to ur environment restoration has become a frequent topic of conversation. Trying to get back to a plce where our environment is suffereing landscape and environmental restoration have been a top priority. the question then is what are you going to restore and how are you going to restore something that has changed so drastically it almost no longer has the option to be restored to what it once was.

Sustainability: Involving methods that do not completely use up or destroy natural resources The practice of developing or thinking in a way that does not cause harm to anything or anyone around it. Sustainable practices are poised to create more good than harm to the environment, our people and our land. sustainability has rcently become a hot topic due to the overwelming amount of unsustainable proctices and the consequences that have followed.