The article discusses the importance of incorporating natural design principles into urban planning. It highlights three design strategies: biomimicry, permaculture, and Feng Shui, which draw inspiration from nature to create sustainable and resilient cities. Biomimicry emulates nature’s engineering, permaculture focuses on regenerative ecosystems, and Feng Shui balances energy flow and design.
The article provides examples of how these principles have been applied in practice, such as the Eastgate Centre in Harare, Zimbabwe, which uses biomimicry to regulate temperature and manage water flow, reducing energy costs and building a self-sustaining environment. Christchurch, New Zealand, has also incorporated permaculture principles into its urban design, creating a disaster-resilient city with regenerative systems. Feng Shui has been used in urban design in cities like Hong Kong and Singapore, where design elements are chosen to balance energy flow and promote harmony.
The article concludes that combining biomimicry, permaculture, and Feng Shui can create cities that are not only sustainable but also beautiful and connected to nature. It highlights the Gardens by the Bay in Singapore as an example of a city that has successfully incorporated all three principles into its design, creating a living testament to the potential of nature-inspired urban design.