Abstract
The Marine Ranch Complex (MRC) is a novel approach to marine fisheries development that has gained significant attention from developed coastal nations worldwide. As a major fishing nation, China attaches great importance to the development of MRC. This study proposes an analytical framework for the sustainable development path of MRC, which is conducive to the efficient conversion of marine resources and the coordinated development of marine ecology in marine pastures. To begin with, the evolution process of the marine ranch concept and the development status of our country are summarized, and the definition of MRC is clarified. We introduce (i) a more-than-human design lens, (ii) a reflexive methodology for adopting non-human standpoints, and (iii) a composite indicator that evaluates design alternatives by ecological benefit. Re-reading two emblematic cases—through species-first metrics, we propose concrete redesign moves and demonstrate how existing subsystems can be repurposed as non-human infrastructure. This reframing center biodiversity, welfare, and ecosystem function while delivering human co-benefits downstream. Additionally, it recommends the integration of regional maritime culture and the development of the tourism industry in MR, thereby promoting multi-dimensional, ecological, and intelligent sustainable development in MRC.
Keywords
More Than Human-centered Design; Ecosystem-centered design; Marine ranch complex; Systemic thinking
DOI
https://doi.org/10.21606/iasdr.2025.8
Citation
Xiang, L., Renke, H., Tie, J., Binbin, S.,and Han, M.(2025) Designing Marine Ranch Complexes for More Than Human-centered Design: a reflective multispecies systems framework, in Chang, C.-Y., and Hsu, Y. (eds.), IASDR 2025: Design Next, 02-05 December, Taiwan. https://doi.org/10.21606/iasdr.2025.8
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Conference Track
Track 1 - More Than Human-centered Design
Designing Marine Ranch Complexes for More Than Human-centered Design: a reflective multispecies systems framework
The Marine Ranch Complex (MRC) is a novel approach to marine fisheries development that has gained significant attention from developed coastal nations worldwide. As a major fishing nation, China attaches great importance to the development of MRC. This study proposes an analytical framework for the sustainable development path of MRC, which is conducive to the efficient conversion of marine resources and the coordinated development of marine ecology in marine pastures. To begin with, the evolution process of the marine ranch concept and the development status of our country are summarized, and the definition of MRC is clarified. We introduce (i) a more-than-human design lens, (ii) a reflexive methodology for adopting non-human standpoints, and (iii) a composite indicator that evaluates design alternatives by ecological benefit. Re-reading two emblematic cases—through species-first metrics, we propose concrete redesign moves and demonstrate how existing subsystems can be repurposed as non-human infrastructure. This reframing center biodiversity, welfare, and ecosystem function while delivering human co-benefits downstream. Additionally, it recommends the integration of regional maritime culture and the development of the tourism industry in MR, thereby promoting multi-dimensional, ecological, and intelligent sustainable development in MRC.