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DEEP ECOLOGICAL URBANISM a Framework for Integrating Science and Ethics Into the Planning and Design of Human-Dominated Ecosystems Megan Griffith

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DEEP ECOLOGICAL URBANISM a Framework for Integrating Science and Ethics Into the Planning and Design of Human-Dominated Ecosystems Megan Griffith DEEP ECOLOGICAL URBANISM A framework for integrating science and ethics into the planning and design of human-dominated ecosystems Megan Griffith DEEP ECOLOGICAL URBANISM A framework for integrating science and ethics into the planning and design of human-dominated ecosystems April 2014 Megan E. Griffith Morgan State University PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT ii BLANK DEEP ECOLOGICAL URBANISM A framework for integrating science and ethics into the planning and design of human-dominated ecosystems by Megan Griffith Approved April 2014 Professional Project Committee Approval , Chair Sidney Wong, Ph.D. Siddhartha Sen, Ph.D. PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT iv BLANK ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS DEDICATION There are many who I wish to acknowledge for the support To my other half, Shane Griffith. You’ve been with me and guidance they’ve provided. First, I must express my since high school. You were by my side throughout my sincere gratitude to the Environment, Natural Resources, undergraduate studies. Now, as my husband, you continue and Energy Division of the American Planning Association to remind me every day that I am able to achieve great for awarding me the 2013-2014 Student Fellowship. things. For his patience, impressive wisdom, and continued You are everything I’m not, you fill every void. You lift me confidence in my work, I have much appreciation for my up, then keep me anchored so that I can dream freely project chair, Dr. Sidney Wong, Ph.D. I would also like to without fear of getting lost. You are my best friend and thank my project committee member, Dr. Siddhartha Sen, loudest cheerleader. Without you, I am absolutely certain Ph.D. Thank you for seeing the potential within me. that I would not be where I am today. Finally, I am so thankful for my dearest friends and family. I dedicate this work to you, my champion. Though I have regretfully neglected them in the last two years, their continued belief in me had pushed me to heights I could have never imagined! v PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT vi BLANK View Across the Fallsway, Baltimore City, MD, Photo by Author, 2012 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY As an alternative to conventional planning, this report has those of non-human nature. The respondents believed developed a conceptual and operational framework for that ecological health was important, but noted that their reintegrating non-human nature into human-dominated employers likely saw it as less so. The respondents also communities. Called Deep Ecological Urbanism, the recognized several challenges and barriers on awareness, framework unites progressive and valuable theories support, logistics, and process. Acknowledging the current to craft a unified strategy for planning, designing, and challenges, 66 percent of respondents expressed interest shaping human-dominated ecosystems. These theories are in a locally-adaptable and comprehensive framework for pulled from literature of social science, natural science, synergistically implementing holistic planning across and philosophical journals. Seeing urban planning, agencies and systems. ecology, and environmental ethics as the foundation for all planning, and for all of the day-to-day endeavors of The resulting operational framework outlines a 7-step human-dominated ecosystems, Deep Ecological Urbanism process based on a holistic strategy and its key components, identified 12 guiding principles and four different layers of including a project team, an implementation matrix, the city: habitat, biota, society, and cycles. Within each layer tools and resources, as well as information regarding the there are individual systems, sectors, and components that selection of indicators. The strategy is capable of being define activities within human-dominated ecosystems. adapted in various municipalities through a calibration process. To refine the conceptual model as an operational framework, a best practices review of three distinguished Deep Ecological Urbanism is a timely piece that cases—including Portland, OR; San Francisco, CA; and consolidates contemporary and relevant theory in a Vancouver, BC—identified exceptional approaches and conceptual framework for planners and concerned perspectives in planning for our urban ecosystems. citizens. This framework emphasized the many diverse Next, this project examined ecological health based on a reasons why we must integrate non-human nature into planners’ survey that revealed more common approaches our human-dominated ecosystems—not the least of which to planning. With 135 responding planners and consultants are the emotional, physical, and mental benefits gained from across the country and around the world, the through access to nature. It also revealed that human survey revealed that practicing planners do indeed feel communities have much to learn from nature in terms of a responsibility to protect their communities as well as sustaining efficient and resilient systems. vii Contents 01 I. INTRODUCTION 1 A. Purpose of Study ............................................................................................2 B. Research Questions .......................................................................................3 C. Project Relevance .........................................................................................4 D. Research Design ............................................................................................4 E. Definitions .......................................................................................................7 F. Report Structure .............................................................................................8 G. Synopsis ...........................................................................................................9 02 II. CONCEPT REVIEW 10 A. Shaping Human-Dominated Ecosystems .................................................11 B. Integrating Natural Science into Planning ...............................................17 C. Fostering an Ethic of Care ..........................................................................22 D. Implications & Challenges for Planning ....................................................28 E. Synopsis .........................................................................................................30 03 III. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK 31 A. Deep Ecological Urbanism .........................................................................33 B. Detailed Concept Structure .......................................................................33 C. Dimensions of the City ................................................................................39 D. Mandala .......................................................................................................41 E. Supplementing Existing Sustainability Movements .................................43 F. Synopsis .........................................................................................................43 04 IV. BEST PRACTICES 44 A. Portland Case Study ....................................................................................45 B. San Francisco Case Study ..........................................................................50 C. Vancouver Case Study ...............................................................................54 D. Comparative Analysis .................................................................................58 E. Surveys ..........................................................................................................63 F. Synopsis .........................................................................................................72 viii 05 V. OPERATIONAL FRAMEWORK 73 A. Operational Definition ................................................................................74 B. Actors & their Roles ......................................................................................74 C. Components of the Deep Ecological Urbanism Strategy ......................76 D. Criteria and Indicators ................................................................................77 E. Policy and Protocol .....................................................................................77 F. Tips for Successful Coordination ................................................................83 06 VI. CONCLUSION 84 A. Discoveries ....................................................................................................85 B. Noted Challenges .......................................................................................85 C. Relevance and Need .................................................................................86 D. Final Recommendations .............................................................................86 B BIBLIOGRAPHY 88 A APPENDIX 94 A. APPENDIX A. Concept development .......................................................95 B. APPENDIX B. Strategy implementation Resources ..................................97 C. APPENDIX C. Supplementary Case Information ....................................102 D. APPENDIX D. Planners’ Opinion Survey...................................................106 ix List of Tables Table 1. The Ecology In/Of Cities ..............................................................................18 Table 2. Strategy Elements, Defined ........................................................................76 Table 3. The Guided Deep Ecological Urbanism Strategy Process ......................78 Table 4. Sample Mission and Vision Statements .....................................................80
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