Abstract

In this paper, the idea of city making is explored within the framework of civic environmentalism. Civic environmentalism is a holistic perspective that sees community health, ecosystem health, social health, economic health, present conditions and future conditions, all as interdependent. The aim of the paper is to propose values for making and re-making the city in a way consistent with promoting physically and socially-sustainable environments. Its primary lessons are that the city must be seen as part of a continuous environment and it must continuously be made and re-constituted in a way that it is respected and loved. Tools and strategies for accomplishing that end include history and memory of the city, recognition of the interdependence between city and nature, a sense of community and a sense of place. The paper discusses values that have been abstracted out of life goods as powerful constituents for the foundation of a spirit of civic environmentalism.

Keywords

architecture and planning, design and sustainability, design philosophy, space and place, urban regeneration

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Nov 1st, 12:00 AM

Values for sustainability in city design & A gentle declaration

In this paper, the idea of city making is explored within the framework of civic environmentalism. Civic environmentalism is a holistic perspective that sees community health, ecosystem health, social health, economic health, present conditions and future conditions, all as interdependent. The aim of the paper is to propose values for making and re-making the city in a way consistent with promoting physically and socially-sustainable environments. Its primary lessons are that the city must be seen as part of a continuous environment and it must continuously be made and re-constituted in a way that it is respected and loved. Tools and strategies for accomplishing that end include history and memory of the city, recognition of the interdependence between city and nature, a sense of community and a sense of place. The paper discusses values that have been abstracted out of life goods as powerful constituents for the foundation of a spirit of civic environmentalism.

 

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