Speaker
Description
Biophilia refers to the innate connection and intrinsic tendency of humans toward nature. While biophilia has been a focus of scientists and design communities for several decades, it is a concept that has been intuitively recognized by humanity since its existence. The integration of biophilia into urban design, known as biophilic urbanism, prioritizes nature and the human-nature interaction in design, planning, and management processes. This concept also advocates for redefining the understanding of economic growth and prosperity in sustainable cities. Traditionally, the "wealth" of a country or city is often measured by economic indicators such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP). However, GDP is a short-term indicator that focuses solely on the production of goods and services, disregarding the ecosystem services and natural capital provided by nature. Consequently, it often encourages the overuse of natural resources while neglecting the value and sustainability of nature. In contrast, the notion of "wealth" in a biophilic city seeks to address these shortcomings by aligning economic development with ecological harmony and treating nature’s sustainability as a fundamental urban element. This perspective emphasizes the sustainable use of resources, intergenerational equity, and long-term environmental balance, while highlighting the critical importance of nature and natural resources for economic and social well-being. A biophilic city proposes evaluating the economy through a broader portfolio of assets, including living nature and ecosystems. Natural capital encompasses services provided by ecosystems, such as clean air, clean water, fertile soil, biodiversity, and carbon sinks. A biophilic city considers this natural capital as an economic value and incorporates it into the assessment of urban wealth. For instance, forests in biophilic cities are not merely sources of timber; they also store carbon to combat climate change, support biodiversity, and provide recreational spaces for people. Biophilic cities measure the value of these services and integrate them into economic decision-making processes.
This study aims to understand the economic impacts of biophilic design by comparing Singapore, a pioneer of biophilic urbanism, with Bangkok, a city with limited biophilic features both of which share similar demographic and economic structures.The research seeks to clearly demonstrate the economic value of biophilic applications. Accordingly, the economic value of ecosystem services provided by biophilic urbanism projects will be measured. This includes the monetary valuation of urban green and natural areas' contributions to carbon sequestration, water management, and temperature regulation. Moreover, the positive economic impacts of biophilic applications on public health will be evaluated by analyzing the differences in healthcare expenditures between individuals with and without access to nature. The results of this study are expected to shape the economic perspective of biophilic urbanism investments in Turkey, contributing to the long-term sustainability of cities.
| Keywords | Biophilia, Biophilic Urbanism, Natural Capital, Ecosystem Services, Sustainable Urban Economy |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | No |
