Urban Co-Evolution: The Architectural Linkages Between People and Ecology
Open Access
- Author:
- Denhoed, Emily Rose
- Graduate Program:
- Architecture
- Degree:
- Master of Architecture
- Document Type:
- Master Thesis
- Date of Defense:
- None
- Committee Members:
- Lisa Domenica Iulo, Thesis Advisor/Co-Advisor
Lisa Domenica Iulo, Thesis Advisor/Co-Advisor - Keywords:
- urban sustainability
co-evolution
ecological determinants
infill development - Abstract:
- Certain urban forms contribute more than others to sustainability. Although there is a general lack of agreement about the most desirable urban form, context provides a fundamental basis in establishing standards for sustainable cities. Design as a response to environmental context also reinforces the profound relationship between people and place. This extraordinary relationship is initially defined by a region’s ecology, yet constantly evolves according to cultural flows, technological innovation, and subtle environmental variations. It is clear that the constant intermingling between human society and environmental context is not a static process. This thesis inquires to how urban development parallels the evolution of human ecology and nonhuman ecology in the region of Montreal. By determining the common linkages between urban development, human ecology and non-human ecology, one can begin to extrapolate the responsive qualities of the existing urban forms of Montreal. Moreover, what does the architectural record reveal about the human-environment dynamic and how can this insight be used to develop mutually advantageous design strategies for infill development in Montreal? The investigation begins by outlining the theoretical background surrounding the concept of co-evolution, a process of adaptation between humans’ material practices, ideas and values and the non-human environment. Subsequently, a comprehensive site analysis of Montreal is preformed, which will firstly reveal the ecological determinants of this region. The implications of eco-determinants are dependent upon a site’s ecology on varying scales, i.e. they are context specific. This site assessment derives the data necessary to generate a record of urban evolution along three parallel axes: human ecology, non-human ecology and built environment which are defined in the introduction to this thesis. The data from the case study is analyzed to evaluate how infill development in a Montreal district (Le Plateau Mont-Royal) reacts to its environment according to predetermined sustainable design parameters. The results from data collection are interpreted in order to isolate the passive design practices and strategies that are appropriate for this particular city and climatic region. Infill development has the most potential as a point of intervention in the context of this study because infill is defined as a measured and deliberate process of urban evolution. Infill development is realized through varied designers, innovative methodologies and diverse design principles. In effect, the revolution of these methodologies and design principles represents an initial step toward reciprocal co-evolution between people and place.