Respect to the Nature

I always believed that everything in this world has their own values and proposes. Tree provide shade, beaches provide beautiful scenic view, as well serve as the habitat of marine animals. In urban planning, I also believed that each area in this world, no matter on the land or in the water, they also have their own special purpose and for certain single or multiple land use. What I am trying to emphasis is that we as human, whether your roles are developers, city planners, urban designer, citizens, or whatever parties; Before we explore or demolish or develop any places, we should respect the nature, and be response to its values.

Respect to the Nature

For example, sloping topography suggests terraced  structures; Lower ground usually has deep, moist, rich soils for vegetation. These are all planning and development that Respect to the Nature.

All living things are interdependent of one another. The slightest change in the environment can have a major impact on a whole living community. We depend on the landscape to provide us will oxygen, shelter, and food. If we disrupt the interdependence of the living things in their environments, then we can cause our own demise. Planners can help preserve the integrity of the natural and built landscape. Rather than looking at the landscape as a pretty picture, we need to look at it as a life supporting system. Because Earth, is the home of countless plant and animal communities including humans.

We see nature through an obscured eye looking for only our interests. Even there are so many theories and guidelines aids us, with all of our integrated knowledge, we should be able to create a paradise on earth. However, most probably we fail because we usually work against nature rather than with her.

Nature should be the beneficiary of our every project and plan. Earth and nature is the basic for our efforts when we planned for any development.

Does ‘harmony‘ imply that everything should blend together? No. In fact it is seems not to be out of place with the rest of the landscape, ―it is the happy result of an inspired design rather than the mistaken aim of an uninspired designer.

Landscape is dynamic; and is always changing. 

Constructed building and features create force in the landscape. Every time construction is imposed on a site, the landscape changes. Present projection predicts the population will double and double again within the next 100 years. During that time, stress will be on urban land will be incline. 

That’s why, the task of a planner or planning council is to prepare a guideline plan and the action program. It will define the types, locations, and the limits of development foreseen to produce the most desirable conditions for living and working. It also must account for natural features including forest, and farmland, open space, streets, parkways and etc. This will help produce an interconnection of activity centers and provide for a more stable community. Besides, the plan should adaptable, flexible to meet changing conditions and be constantly updated. farmlands, food production, freshwater reserves, and roadway capacities.

In the natural landscape, there is harmony or unity among all the natural elements in the surrounding. These natural elements could be rock formations, vegetation, flora and fauna. The unity of all these elements produces landscape character. The harmony complement from one to another create stronger landscape character.

Example of housing design that integrated with the natural landscape. - Respect to the Nature

A beautiful landscape that develops with wisdom, skill and taste can produce a noble and ennobling physical environment.

Reference:  Ian Mcharg (1969) Design With Nature