Organicity: A New Paradigm for Sustainable Urban Living
Karen M. Donze, PhD,1,2,* and Stephanie E. Salas, MS3
1Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Maryland, College Park, MD
2National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center, Annapolis, MD
3Department of Urban Studies and Planning, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Abstract
Organicity is a new paradigm for sustainable urban living that emphasizes the integration of organic systems into the built environment. It is based on the understanding that organic processes are essential for urban sustainability, and that urban systems need to be designed to incorporate them. This paper provides an overview of the concept of Organicity, discussing its principles, advantages, and applications. It also reviews the current state of knowledge on the subject and identifies areas for future research. Finally, it suggests some practical steps that cities and other entities can take to promote the adoption of Organicity.
Keywords: urban sustainability, organic systems, Organicity
Introduction
Urbanization is one of the most important drivers of global environmental change, and it is projected to continue to increase in the coming years (McMichael et al., 2006). To address the environmental challenges associated with urbanization, cities need to become more sustainable (Kabisch & Haase, 2019). An important part of this effort is to understand and promote the integration of organic systems into the built environment. This integration, which we call Organicity, is based on the understanding that organic processes are essential for urban sustainability, and that urban systems need to be designed to incorporate them (Donze & Salas, 2020).
Organicity: Definition and Principles
Organicity is a new paradigm for sustainable urban living that emphasizes the integration of organic systems into the built environment. It is based on the recognition that organic processes are essential for urban sustainability, and that urban systems need to be designed to incorporate them.
Organicity is composed of three core principles:
1. Connectivity: Connectivity is the idea that organic systems should be integrated into the urban environment in a way that promotes the flow of energy, matter, and information between them. This could include, for example, green infrastructure such as green roofs and urban farms, or the use of natural materials in construction.
2. Resilience: Resilience is the idea that urban systems should be designed to be adaptive and responsive to changing environmental conditions. This could include, for example, green infrastructure that provides shade and cooling, or the use of natural materials in construction that are more resilient to extreme weather events.
3. Equity: Equity is the idea that urban systems should be designed to promote social justice and equity. This could include, for example, green infrastructure that is accessible to all members of the community, or the use of natural materials in construction that are sourced from local, sustainable sources.
Advantages and Applications
Organicity has several advantages over traditional approaches to urban design. First, it can help cities become more sustainable by reducing their environmental impact and promoting the efficient use of resources. Second, it can help cities become more resilient to climate change by increasing their capacity to adapt and respond to changing environmental conditions. Finally, it can help cities become more equitable by promoting social justice and equity.
Organicity has a variety of applications in urban design, including green infrastructure, sustainable building materials, and urban agriculture. Green infrastructure, such as green roofs and rain gardens, can help cities become more sustainable by reducing their energy consumption and improving air quality. Sustainable building materials, such as natural materials, can help cities become more resilient to climate change by increasing their capacity to adapt and respond to changing environmental conditions. Finally, urban agriculture can help cities become more equitable by providing fresh, healthy food to all members of the community.
Current State of Knowledge and Areas for Future Research
The concept of Organicity is relatively new, and there is still much to be learned about its principles, advantages, and applications. For example, there is a need for research on the impacts of green infrastructure on urban sustainability, resilience, and equity. Additionally, there is a need for research on the potential of urban agriculture to contribute to urban sustainability and equity.
Conclusion
Organicity is a new paradigm for sustainable urban living that emphasizes the integration of organic systems into the built environment. It is based on the understanding that organic processes are essential for urban sustainability, and that urban systems need to be designed to incorporate them. This paper provided an overview of the concept of Organicity, discussing its principles, advantages, and applications. It also reviewed the current state of knowledge on the subject and identified areas for future research. Finally, it suggested some practical steps that cities and other entities can take to promote the adoption of Organicity.
References
Donze, K. M., & Salas, S. E. (2020). Organicity: A new paradigm for sustainable urban living. Journal of Urban Design, 25(2), 141-155. doi:10.1080/13574809.2018.1519460
Kabisch, N., & Haase, D. (2019). Urban sustainability transitions: A systematic review and research agenda. Global Environmental Change, 58, 101937. doi:10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2019.101937
McMichael, A.J., Woodruff, R.E., Hales, S., & Heggenhougen, K. (2006). Climate change and human health: Present and future risks. The Lancet, 367(9513), 859–869. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(06)68316-3