Abstract
This article identifies a gap in the approaches to Green Construction (GC), and initiates a line of research in the area of the so-called “ecological prototypes”. Ecological prototypes, stands for a new type of GC, which are integrated and adaptive systems of design, construction and practices that link architecture, horticulture and agriculture, landscape and ecology. This type of system greatly expands the existing GC design space with the aim to tackle environmental challenges in the context of rapid urbanization. This new type of GC seeks to reconcile the different environmental needs and goals, and balance intensification and restoration trade-offs. They are considered as a key strategy for supporting ecosystems and the delivery of ecosystem services, especially in degraded peri-urban and urban contexts. This effort commences with a review of selected historical cases that have evolved over time as vital part of horticultural and agricultural systems. These historical studies can both inform future research on the development of ecological prototypes and aid their design. Following the examination of selected cases and a field survey, the role of information modelling and data-driven computational methods in designing ecological prototypes is discussed. The decision support system for this new type of GC based on information and knowledge modelling (computational ontologies) is given a particular attention. Finally, further research questions and steps are outlined.
Highlights
Urbanization is one of the most significant environmental challenge of the 21st century.Construction causes loss of agricultural and forest landscapes, damage to ecosystems, depletion of natural resources, decline of biodiversity and climate change [1,2]
The historical cases are well embedded in and correlated with their particular settings, unlike many of the generic contemporary cases that rely on technological means to bridge the gap between conditions required by the plants and those provided by the Green Construction (GC)
The initial approach for systematizing the case studies this research focuses on, is by way of distinguishing GCs and architectural, agricultural and horticultural designs according to the related types of environmental modification by way of construction and associated practices
Summary
Urbanization is one of the most significant environmental challenge of the 21st century. Construction causes loss of agricultural and forest landscapes, damage to ecosystems, depletion of natural resources, decline of biodiversity and climate change [1,2]. Numerous studies highlight the importance of ecosystems [3] and the adverse consequences of environmental degradation on the health and wellbeing of humans [4], especially in urban contexts [5]. Land use change and degradation through urban expansion and densification threatens food security and the fundamental benefits derived from human–nature relationship [6]. Infrastructure (GI) for the restoration of degraded urban environments [7]. Peri-urban agriculture (UPA) is a critical GI component that plays a key role in land restoration
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