Toward an Ecology of the City

Description

With the recent disasters of Hurricanes Katrina, Sandy, and Harvey, as well as the California Thomas fire, there has never been a greater imperative to plan with nature. What is the role of nature in the city? Speakers will offer diverse perspectives to explore this important topic.

• Understand two concepts: First, the idea of nature IN the city. Second, the concept of an Ecology OF the city. The latter considers cities as biological creations and evolutionary adaptation.
• Learn best practices in integrating the environment into the urban fabric.
• Consider the short and long-term impacts of catastrophic Hurricanes Katrina, Sandy and Harvey and other extreme climate events and recognize the urgent need to plan with nature.
• Understand the ecological concept of disturbance patch dynamics and its implication of city planners. What regulatory regime is appropriate if cities are dynamic organisms in constant flux?