#79: Biourbanism and Landscape Design Code, with McGregor Coxall (Landscape Mini-Series Part 2)
Jan 21, 2024
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Michael Cowdy, FLI of McGregor Coxall discusses landscape award-nominated projects on biourbanism and green infrastructure design. They emphasize the need for balance between bio and urban systems, integration of design and science, landscape's role in addressing urban heat island and flooding, and the importance of design codes based on landscape identity.
Bio-urbanism aims to rebalance the human influence on the environment by viewing cities as part of the natural ecosystem.
McGregor-Coxel incorporates scientific approaches like geospatial modeling and computational modeling to create more informed and evidence-based design solutions.
Deep dives
Rethinking Cities with Bio-Urbanism
Bio-urbanism is a concept that calls for a reevaluation of the relationship between cities and nature. By considering cities as part of the natural ecosystem, the aim is to rebalance the human influence on the environment. This approach is vital in addressing climate change, as cities currently account for 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Bio-urbanism looks at cities as a convergence of living and urban systems, focusing on aspects such as food, waste, water, mobility, energy, and technology. By having a systems-based approach, it allows for more accountable decision-making in city design to create a more sustainable and balanced environment for both humans and nature.
Integrating Science and Design in Bio-Urbanism
In order to bring together design and science in bio-urbanism, the podcast highlights how McGregor-Coxel has established a research laboratory with experts in geospatial modeling, computational modeling, generational modeling, and narrative design. This scientific approach helps inform and simulate the condition of cities, allowing designers to create more informed and evidence-based outcomes. By bridging the gap between academia, science, and research, McGregor-Coxel is able to incorporate accurate data and the science of a place into their design process, resulting in more responsive and contextually appropriate design solutions.
Landscape as the Backbone of Design Codes
The podcast discusses the application of bio-urbanism principles in a design code project by McGregor-Coxel and Beoway Homes. The design code takes a landscape-led approach, emphasizing the importance of living communities and living infrastructure. By recognizing the role of landscapes in defining the identity of a place, the design code focuses on nature, public spaces, movement, and resource management. This approach ensures that future development adheres to the principles of social health, climate resilience, and sustainable economics. The podcast also highlights the significance of design codes as a mechanism for delivering landscape and living elements in a more strategic and comprehensive manner.
Welcome to part 2 of this mini-series on landscape and urban nature. This episode features an interview with Michael Cowdy FLI of McGregor Coxall. We discuss two of their Landscape Award-nominated projects, a research project on BioUrbanism and the second a design code for green infrastructure for a new community Cherry Hinton North, Cambridge.
More about Biourbanism: https://mcgregorcoxall.com/biourbanism