Symbiosis of greenery with built form. A holistic, systems, multi-level approach

Authors

  • Francesca Scalisi DEMETRA Ce.Ri.Med.
  • David Ness University of South Australia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.19229/2464-9309/1122022

Keywords:

nature-based solutions, green infrastructure, mitigation, resilience, sufficiency

Abstract

Climate change is an effect of human action. It affects the balance of the planet mainly because of the ongoing growth of cities and increased consumption, which leads to the indiscriminate use of non-renewable resources. One solution for this problem is often the use of ‘nature-based solutions’. They can offer many advantages and services for humans and the ecosystem, as long as greenery – ecological per se – is not commoditised, effectively reducing biodiversity and increasing pollution levels. This paper questions the ‘unlimited’ growth model and some uses of greenery in the built form in favour of an approach based on ‘sufficiency’. Holistic and illuminating good practices and experiments in biophilic design, supported by frontier technologies, based on vernacular practices and in collaboration with local communities, are capable of looking at the big picture and tackling the climate challenge in a wider context and at different scales.

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Author Biographies

Francesca Scalisi, DEMETRA Ce.Ri.Med.

Architect and PhD, she is the Research Manager at the Research Department of DEMETRA Ce.Ri.Med. (Euro-Mediterranean Documentation and Research Center), Palermo, Italy. Her research areas concern the sustainability of the built environment for energy conservation of buildings, green materials, and nanotechnologies.
E-mail: demetracerimed.scalisi@gmail.com

David Ness, University of South Australia

Architect and PhD, he is an Adjunct Professor within UniSA STEM. He investigates ways of delivering more services with less resource consumption, carbon, and cost. David was awarded the ARUP Global Research Challenge 2017 to adapt the circular economy to the built environment. He has advised UN ESCAP and UN-Habitat on ‘green growth’ and eco-efficient and inclusive infrastructure.
E-mail: david.ness@unisa.edu.au

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Published

30-06-2022

How to Cite

Scalisi, F. and Ness, D. (2022) “Symbiosis of greenery with built form. A holistic, systems, multi-level approach”, AGATHÓN | International Journal of Architecture, Art and Design, 11(online), pp. 26–39. doi: 10.19229/2464-9309/1122022.