Biomimicry as a Valuable Design Tool for Climate Change Adaptation

Abstract

As built environment professionals face more pressing and difficult issues related to climate change mitigation and adaptation, it can be useful to look at examples of how other living organisms or ecosystems have solved the same problems. This paper examines global climate change impacts on society and ecosystems, primarily caused by human activities and built environments. It explores how buildings can mitigate climate change drivers while adapting to ongoing challenges. Through interdisciplinary perspectives and case studies, it presents strategies for climate-resilient building design. Looking at plants or animals that are highly adaptable or survive extreme climates or climate change can provide insight into how buildings could or should work. Exploring the properties of ecosystems that enable their adaptability and resilience can also offer potential opportunities. Therefore, this chapter explores whether bio mimicry, where organisms or ecosystems are imitated in human design, can be an effective means of mitigating the causes of climate change for which the built environment is responsible, or adapting to the effects on climate change. Different bio mimicry designs are discussed and categorized, a case study and examples illustrate the advantages and disadvantages of each approach. In light of the findings of the study, it is argued that an ecosystem-mimicking model that exploits synergies between climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies can be useful for the long-term biomimetic response of the built environment to climate to change there are also presented theoretical justifications that support it. Key Words: Biomimicry, Climate Change, Adaptation.