Design for a Vulnerable Planet

We inhabit a vulnerable planet. The devastation caused by natural disasters such as the southern Asian tsunami, Hurricanes Katrina and Ike, and the earthquakes in China's Sichuan province, Haiti, and Chile—as well as the ongoing depletion and degradation of the world's natural resources caused by a burgeoning human population—have made it clear that "business as usual" is no longer sustainable. We need to find ways to improve how we live on this planet while minimizing our impact on it. Design for a Vulnerable Planet sounds a call for designers and planners to go beyond traditional concepts of sustainability toward innovative new design that fosters regeneration and resilience.

Drawing on his own and others' experiences across three continents, Frederick Steiner advocates design practice grounded in ecology and democracy and informed by critical regionalism and reflection. He begins by establishing the foundation for a more ecological approach to planning and design, adopting a broad view of ecology as encompassing human and natural, urban and wild environments. Steiner explores precedents for human ecological design provided by architect Paul Cret, landscape architect Ian McHarg, and developer George Mitchell while discussing their planning for the University of Texas campus, the Lake Austin watershed, and The Woodlands. Steiner then focuses on emerging Texas urbanism and extends his discussion to broader considerations beyond the Lone Star State, including regionalism, urbanism, and landscape in China and Italy. He also examines the lessons to be learned from human and natural disasters such as 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, and the BP oil spill. Finally, Steiner offers a blueprint for designing with nature to help heal the planet's vulnerabilities.

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Design for a Vulnerable Planet

We inhabit a vulnerable planet. The devastation caused by natural disasters such as the southern Asian tsunami, Hurricanes Katrina and Ike, and the earthquakes in China's Sichuan province, Haiti, and Chile—as well as the ongoing depletion and degradation of the world's natural resources caused by a burgeoning human population—have made it clear that "business as usual" is no longer sustainable. We need to find ways to improve how we live on this planet while minimizing our impact on it. Design for a Vulnerable Planet sounds a call for designers and planners to go beyond traditional concepts of sustainability toward innovative new design that fosters regeneration and resilience.

Drawing on his own and others' experiences across three continents, Frederick Steiner advocates design practice grounded in ecology and democracy and informed by critical regionalism and reflection. He begins by establishing the foundation for a more ecological approach to planning and design, adopting a broad view of ecology as encompassing human and natural, urban and wild environments. Steiner explores precedents for human ecological design provided by architect Paul Cret, landscape architect Ian McHarg, and developer George Mitchell while discussing their planning for the University of Texas campus, the Lake Austin watershed, and The Woodlands. Steiner then focuses on emerging Texas urbanism and extends his discussion to broader considerations beyond the Lone Star State, including regionalism, urbanism, and landscape in China and Italy. He also examines the lessons to be learned from human and natural disasters such as 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, and the BP oil spill. Finally, Steiner offers a blueprint for designing with nature to help heal the planet's vulnerabilities.

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Design for a Vulnerable Planet

Design for a Vulnerable Planet

by Frederick Steiner
Design for a Vulnerable Planet

Design for a Vulnerable Planet

by Frederick Steiner

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Overview

We inhabit a vulnerable planet. The devastation caused by natural disasters such as the southern Asian tsunami, Hurricanes Katrina and Ike, and the earthquakes in China's Sichuan province, Haiti, and Chile—as well as the ongoing depletion and degradation of the world's natural resources caused by a burgeoning human population—have made it clear that "business as usual" is no longer sustainable. We need to find ways to improve how we live on this planet while minimizing our impact on it. Design for a Vulnerable Planet sounds a call for designers and planners to go beyond traditional concepts of sustainability toward innovative new design that fosters regeneration and resilience.

Drawing on his own and others' experiences across three continents, Frederick Steiner advocates design practice grounded in ecology and democracy and informed by critical regionalism and reflection. He begins by establishing the foundation for a more ecological approach to planning and design, adopting a broad view of ecology as encompassing human and natural, urban and wild environments. Steiner explores precedents for human ecological design provided by architect Paul Cret, landscape architect Ian McHarg, and developer George Mitchell while discussing their planning for the University of Texas campus, the Lake Austin watershed, and The Woodlands. Steiner then focuses on emerging Texas urbanism and extends his discussion to broader considerations beyond the Lone Star State, including regionalism, urbanism, and landscape in China and Italy. He also examines the lessons to be learned from human and natural disasters such as 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, and the BP oil spill. Finally, Steiner offers a blueprint for designing with nature to help heal the planet's vulnerabilities.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780292773370
Publisher: University of Texas Press
Publication date: 05/16/2011
Series: Roger Fullington Series in Architecture
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
Pages: 304
File size: 38 MB
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About the Author

Frederick Steiner is the Henry M. Rockwell Chair in Architecture and Dean of the School of Architecture at the University of Texas at Austin. He is a fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architects and the American Academy in Rome. His most recent books include The Essential Ian McHarg: Writings on Design and Nature, Planning and Urban Design Standards: Student Edition (with Kent Butler), and Human Ecology: Following Nature's Lead.

Table of Contents

  • Preface
  • Acknowledgments
  • Introduction: Interdisciplinary Design and the Fate of Our Planet
  • I. Living Urban Environments
    • 1. Architecture and the Wealth of Regions
    • 2. Sustaining Design: The Solar Decathlon Competitions
    • 3. Twenty-First-Century Architecture
    • 4. Architecture Has Left the Building: The Sustainable Sites Initiative
    • 5. Making Territory: The Potential of Landscape Urbanism
  • II. Lessons from Paul Cret, Ian McHarg, and George Mitchell
    • 6. City Limits: Pioneer Plans in Austin
    • 7. The Woodlands: The Ecological Design of a New City
  • III. Emerging Urbanism in Texas
    • 8. The Trinity River Corridor: Another Emerald Necklace or an Emerald Choker?
    • 9. Making Limoncello from Lemons: The Blanton Museum of Art Plaza Design
    • 10. True Urbanism: The Design of Performance Park in the Dallas Arts District
    • 11. Legacies
  • IV. New Regionalism in Texas and Beyond
    • 12. The Green Heart of Texas
    • 13. Envision Central Texas
    • 14. The Texas Triangle Megaregion
    • 15. New Regionalism
  • V. Learning from Abroad
    • 16. Environmental Readings: The Italian Design Tradition
    • 17. Autumn Moon: Design and Planning in China
  • VI. Learning from Disaster
    • 18. In Search of a Fitting Tribute: The United Flight 93 Memorial
    • 19. Resilient Foundations: Planning for the Gulf Coast After Hurricane Katrina
  • VII. Conclusion
    • 20. The Sedimentation of Our Minds: Prospects for New Design Thinking
  • Notes
  • Bibliography
  • Index
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