Re-imagining Cities as Ecosystems

What can we learn from nature when it comes to designing and building our cities? As identified by RCP Associate Director Jennifer Miles in her CoreNet Symposium presentation, we can learn a lot from 3.8 billion years of evolution - and Nature the Architect is our ultimate teacher.  

The theme of the 2024 CoreNet Symposium, the leading global commercial property conference, was Unconventional Disruptors- how can we ‘throw out the playbook’ and challenge a new way of thinking in corporate real estate. 

Jennifer presented a strong narrative as to how we can rethink the way we build our cities, using nature as a central source of inspiration and learning.

"Nature has long been recognised as the original architect, crafting ecosystems that sustain life on earth."

By mimicking and integrating these natural systems, architects and urban designers alike are able to create sustainable and harmonious built environments that we all want to live, work, and play in.

Jennifer took the audience on a journey from her earliest childhood wonderment at nature's designers and the remarkable creatures that demonstrate incredible engineering and construction skills in the natural world, to an inspiring future vision of the cities we can create to suit our rapidly changing world.

Her presentation examined how biophilic and biomimicry strategies, essentially mimicking and integrating natural systems, have been applied in worldwide precedent case studies, including The Symphony Centre.

Humans have long looked to nature to help refine designs and solve problems.

Examples of this covered by Jennifer in her presentation included:

• The Kingfishers beak - able to dive into water at high speeds barely creating a splash, was used as inspiration to improve the design of the bullet train increasing speed by 10% and reducing energy consumption by 15%

• Spider's silk - on a weight-to-weight basis, it is stronger than steel and tougher than Kevlar. This technology inspired the stunning roof structures built for the 1972 Olympic games in Munich. The driving principle was to do more with less

• A beehive's hexagonal cells - these marvels of precision engineering maximise space while minimising materials. As well as being an example of industry and collaboration, beehive structure has informed the creation of aluminium honeycomb panels which have great strength and rigidity and are impact, sound, vibration and heat resistant

Did you know?

• Urban areas occupy only 3% of the earth's surface but are responsible for 60 to 80% of energy consumption and 75% of carbon emissions
• 50% of the world’s population lives in urban areas. This is projected to increase to 68% by 2050.
• 86% of New Zealand’s population live in urban areas

Jennifer's call to action is that we simply must get it right when designing our cities.

After first exploring exactly what an ecosystem is - a group of living things and the non-living things they need - Jennifer took a deep dive into multiple examples of how ecosystems can inform architectural design - echoing nature's logic, rather than imposing or shoehorning a preconceived design onto a site.

The Symphony Centre architects Woods Bagot have intentionally based the design on biophilic design principles, cleverly carving the building form to react to the unique environment it occupies.

They have taken the setback and height control challenges, particularly the shadowing restrictions on Aotea Square and carved The Symphony Centre’s distinctive ‘landform’ aesthetic.

The resulting design is not a conventional tower but a unique form that responds to its urban context while creating a striking architectural presence in the Aotea Arts Quarter.

Much like an ecosystem, The Symphony Centre demonstrates successful vertical urbanism, by integrating various functions within a single building. This mixed-use, transport-oriented development creates a multi-layered urban ecosystem, combining transport, residential, commercial, and public spaces vertically.

The key to its design success is the symbiotic relationships between each of the functions.

• The residences present a sanctuary in the heart of the building and a home at the doorstep of the precinct
• The retail areas provide a steady customer base for local businesses
• The commercial spaces offer convenient services and job opportunities for residents
• The public spaces enhance community connectivity and overall quality of life
• The train station provides walkable access which reduces the carbon footprint

By concentrating diverse functions in a smaller area, like a beehive, the project reduces energy consumption and minimises waste, while creating a more resilient urban ecosystem.

• The Symphony Centre’s Laneways showcases creative urban design
• They create permeability and activate the public realm for pedestrians and cyclists
• The Lanes seamlessly connect the station, the square and Bledisloe House
• They reduce travel times, while creating opportunities for social interactions and connections

The Symphony Centre development will significantly contribute to the place identity of Auckland and serve as a new landmark and destination within the city, offering a unique and engaging public realm It will become a cultural hub and gathering place for residents and visitors alike, fostering a sense of community and pride.

The gifted name, Waitāheke honours the stream that once flowed through Queen Street, connecting the project to the land’s history and cultural heritage.

To conclude Jennifer outlined the key takeaway: our cities are our greatest offenders but also offer the best chance to significantly reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions.

To make this hope a reality, we must recognise that cities and people are part of nature and subject to the same laws, and;

• Learn from 3.8 billion years of evolution

• Look and learn deeply from what nature the architect would do

• Build cities through the lens of an ecosystem

• Do more with less

This brilliant presentation was a resounding success with the audience hanging on every word and many positive comments that Jennifer nailed her performance in terms of delivering new insights and perspectives in an engaging way.

Connect with Jennifer Miles on LinkedIn by clicking here.