5.4 Biophilic design and nature-based solutions

Biophilic design brings nature into urban spaces, improving well-being and sustainability. By incorporating elements like natural light, vegetation, and organic shapes, it creates more livable environments that reduce stress, enhance productivity, and promote physical health.

Nature-based solutions like green roofs and urban forests provide ecosystem services, addressing challenges such as air pollution and stormwater management. These approaches offer multiple benefits, from regulating climate to supporting biodiversity, while creating more resilient and enjoyable urban landscapes.

Benefits of biophilic design

• Biophilic design incorporates elements of nature into the built environment to improve human well-being and connection to the natural world
• Exposure to nature has been shown to reduce stress, improve mood, and enhance cognitive function
• Integrating biophilic design principles can create more livable, sustainable, and resilient urban spaces

Improved mental health

Top images from around the web for Improved mental health

• 

  Health benefits of urban vegetation and green space: Research roundup - Journalist's Resource View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Congress Workshops: Spotlight on Biophilic Design | The Academy of Urbanism View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Health benefits of urban vegetation and green space: Research roundup - Journalist's Resource View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Congress Workshops: Spotlight on Biophilic Design | The Academy of Urbanism View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 2

Top images from around the web for Improved mental health

• 

  Health benefits of urban vegetation and green space: Research roundup - Journalist's Resource View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Congress Workshops: Spotlight on Biophilic Design | The Academy of Urbanism View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Health benefits of urban vegetation and green space: Research roundup - Journalist's Resource View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Congress Workshops: Spotlight on Biophilic Design | The Academy of Urbanism View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 2

• Reduces stress and anxiety by providing a calming and restorative environment
• Enhances mood and emotional well-being through exposure to natural elements (plants, sunlight, water)
• Promotes a sense of connection to nature, which can alleviate feelings of isolation and disconnection in urban settings
• Improves cognitive function and creativity by providing a stimulating and engaging environment

Enhanced physical well-being

• Encourages physical activity and movement by creating inviting and accessible outdoor spaces
• Improves air quality and reduces pollutants through the incorporation of vegetation and natural ventilation
• Provides exposure to natural light, which can regulate circadian rhythms and improve sleep quality
• Reduces the risk of chronic diseases associated with sedentary lifestyles and lack of nature exposure

Increased productivity

• Creates a more comfortable and enjoyable work environment, leading to higher job satisfaction and reduced absenteeism
• Enhances cognitive performance and creativity by providing a stimulating and engaging environment
• Reduces mental fatigue and improves focus by offering opportunities for mental restoration and relaxation
• Promotes collaboration and social interaction by creating inviting and inclusive spaces

Elements of biophilic design

Natural light

• Maximizes the use of daylight through strategic window placement, skylights, and light shelves
• Reduces the need for artificial lighting, leading to energy savings and improved visual comfort
• Enhances the connection to the outdoors by providing views of nature and changing light conditions throughout the day
• Supports circadian rhythms and improves sleep quality by exposing occupants to natural light cycles

Vegetation and greenery

• Incorporates plants, green walls, and green roofs to bring nature into the built environment
• Improves air quality by removing pollutants and increasing oxygen levels
• Provides visual and tactile stimulation, creating a more engaging and restorative environment
• Reduces urban heat island effect and improves thermal comfort by providing shade and evaporative cooling

Natural materials

• Uses materials such as wood, stone, and clay to create a sense of connection to the natural world
• Provides tactile and visual diversity, creating a more stimulating and engaging environment
• Reduces the use of synthetic materials, promoting a more sustainable and eco-friendly approach to design
• Enhances the aesthetic appeal and creates a more inviting and comfortable atmosphere

Water features

• Incorporates elements such as fountains, ponds, and waterfalls to provide visual and auditory stimulation
• Creates a calming and restorative environment by mimicking the soothing sounds and movements of water in nature
• Improves air quality and humidity levels by promoting evaporative cooling and natural ventilation
• Provides opportunities for social interaction and gathering around a central focal point

Organic shapes and patterns

• Uses curved lines, fractal patterns, and organic forms to mimic the geometry found in nature
• Creates a more visually interesting and engaging environment by breaking away from rigid, linear designs
• Promotes a sense of connection to the natural world by echoing the shapes and patterns found in plants, animals, and landscapes
• Enhances the aesthetic appeal and creates a more dynamic and stimulating space

Integrating biophilic design

In residential spaces

• Incorporates natural materials, plants, and daylight to create a more inviting and comfortable living environment
• Provides access to outdoor spaces, such as balconies, terraces, and gardens, to promote a connection to nature
• Uses biophilic elements to create a sense of refuge and relaxation, promoting mental and physical well-being
• Enhances the aesthetic appeal and creates a more personalized and unique living space

In commercial buildings

• Integrates biophilic design principles to create a more productive and enjoyable work environment
• Uses natural light, vegetation, and organic shapes to reduce stress and improve cognitive function
• Creates inviting and inclusive spaces that promote collaboration and social interaction
• Enhances the company's image and attracts top talent by providing a healthy and sustainable work environment

In public spaces

• Incorporates biophilic elements to create more livable, sustainable, and resilient urban spaces
• Provides access to green spaces, such as parks, gardens, and urban forests, to promote physical activity and social interaction
• Uses natural materials, water features, and organic shapes to create a more engaging and stimulating environment
• Enhances the aesthetic appeal and creates a sense of place, promoting community pride and social cohesion

Nature-based solutions

Green roofs

• Covers the roof of a building with vegetation, growing medium, and waterproofing layers
• Reduces urban heat island effect by absorbing sunlight and providing evaporative cooling
• Improves air quality by filtering pollutants and absorbing carbon dioxide
• Provides habitat for wildlife and promotes biodiversity in urban areas
• Reduces stormwater runoff by retaining and filtering rainwater

Living walls

• Vertical gardens that incorporate plants, growing medium, and irrigation systems on the exterior or interior walls of a building
• Improves air quality by filtering pollutants and increasing oxygen levels
• Provides thermal insulation, reducing energy consumption for heating and cooling
• Enhances the aesthetic appeal and creates a more visually interesting and engaging environment
• Promotes biodiversity and provides habitat for insects and small animals

Urban forests

• Networks of trees and green spaces within urban areas, including parks, street trees, and green corridors
• Reduces urban heat island effect by providing shade and evaporative cooling
• Improves air quality by filtering pollutants and absorbing carbon dioxide
• Provides habitat for wildlife and promotes biodiversity in urban areas
• Enhances the aesthetic appeal and creates a more inviting and comfortable urban environment

Bioswales and rain gardens

• Landscaped areas designed to collect, filter, and absorb stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces (roofs, roads, parking lots)
• Reduces the volume and velocity of stormwater runoff, mitigating the risk of flooding and erosion
• Filters pollutants and improves water quality by allowing water to percolate through soil and vegetation
• Provides habitat for wildlife and promotes biodiversity in urban areas
• Enhances the aesthetic appeal and creates a more visually interesting and engaging landscape

Ecosystem services

Provisioning services

• Goods and products obtained from ecosystems, such as food, water, timber, and fiber
• Supports human well-being by providing essential resources for survival and economic activities
• Relies on the healthy functioning of ecosystems to maintain the supply of these goods and services
• Requires sustainable management practices to avoid overexploitation and ensure long-term availability

Regulating services

• Benefits obtained from the regulation of ecosystem processes, such as climate regulation, water purification, and pollination
• Maintains the stability and resilience of ecosystems by regulating natural processes and mitigating the impacts of human activities
• Supports human well-being by providing clean air, water, and a stable climate
• Requires the conservation and restoration of ecosystems to maintain their ability to provide these services

Cultural services

• Non-material benefits obtained from ecosystems, such as recreation, aesthetic enjoyment, and spiritual fulfillment
• Supports human well-being by providing opportunities for physical activity, relaxation, and cultural enrichment
• Enhances the quality of life and promotes social cohesion by providing shared experiences and a sense of place
• Requires the preservation and accessibility of natural and cultural landscapes to maintain their value and significance

Supporting services

• Services necessary for the production of all other ecosystem services, such as nutrient cycling, soil formation, and primary production
• Maintains the healthy functioning of ecosystems by providing the foundation for all other services
• Supports human well-being indirectly by enabling the provision of other ecosystem services
• Requires the conservation and restoration of ecosystems to maintain their ability to provide these underlying services

Challenges of implementation

Cost considerations

• Biophilic design elements and nature-based solutions may have higher upfront costs compared to traditional design approaches
• Requires a long-term perspective to consider the lifecycle costs and benefits of biophilic interventions
• May require additional funding sources or incentives to overcome initial cost barriers
• Requires a shift in mindset to prioritize the value of human well-being and ecosystem services in addition to economic considerations

Maintenance requirements

• Biophilic design elements and nature-based solutions require ongoing maintenance to ensure their effectiveness and longevity
• Vegetation and water features may require regular pruning, watering, and cleaning to maintain their health and appearance
• May require specialized knowledge and skills to properly maintain and manage these elements
• Requires the allocation of resources and the development of maintenance plans to ensure the long-term success of biophilic interventions

Policy and regulations

• Existing building codes, zoning regulations, and development standards may not adequately support or incentivize biophilic design and nature-based solutions
• Requires collaboration between policymakers, planners, and designers to create a supportive regulatory framework
• May require the revision of existing policies or the development of new policies to promote the integration of biophilic principles
• Requires education and advocacy to build public and political support for biophilic design and nature-based solutions

Case studies

Successful biophilic projects

• The Khoo Teck Puat Hospital in Singapore incorporates extensive vegetation, water features, and natural ventilation to create a healing environment for patients and staff
• The Bosco Verticale in Milan, Italy, features two residential towers with integrated vegetation on balconies and facades, providing green space and improving air quality
• The Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Pittsburgh, USA, showcases a range of biophilic design elements, including a living wall, green roof, and organic forms, to create an immersive and educational experience
• The Naman Retreat in Da Nang, Vietnam, uses natural materials, vegetation, and water features to create a serene and restorative environment for guests

Urban nature-based solutions

• The Cheonggyecheon Stream Restoration Project in Seoul, South Korea, transformed a polluted and congested urban stream into a thriving green corridor, providing ecosystem services and recreational opportunities
• The High Line in New York City, USA, converted an abandoned elevated railway into a linear park, incorporating native vegetation, public art, and gathering spaces
• The Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park in Singapore transformed a concrete drainage channel into a naturalized river park, providing flood protection, habitat for wildlife, and recreational amenities
• The Green City, Clean Waters program in Philadelphia, USA, implements green infrastructure, such as rain gardens and bioswales, to manage stormwater runoff and improve water quality

Future of biophilic design

Emerging technologies

• Advances in green wall and green roof systems, such as modular designs and smart irrigation, will make it easier and more cost-effective to integrate vegetation into buildings
• The development of new materials, such as bioplastics and mycelium-based products, will provide more sustainable and biophilic alternatives to traditional building materials
• The integration of sensors and data analytics will enable the monitoring and optimization of biophilic design elements, such as indoor air quality and energy performance
• The use of virtual and augmented reality will allow designers to visualize and test biophilic interventions before implementation

Sustainable urban planning trends

• The increasing adoption of biophilic design principles in urban planning and development will lead to more livable, sustainable, and resilient cities
• The integration of nature-based solutions into urban infrastructure, such as green streets and eco-districts, will become more common as cities seek to address climate change and improve quality of life
• The development of biophilic cities, which prioritize the integration of nature and the well-being of residents, will gain momentum as a model for sustainable urban development
• The incorporation of biophilic design into building standards and rating systems, such as LEED and WELL, will drive the widespread adoption of these principles in the built environment