Mosseby, Malmö - Designing for biodiverse cities
(2024) ASBM01 20221Department of Architecture and Built Environment
- Abstract
- The last mass-extinction event happened over 65 million years ago when an asteroid collided with earth, resulting in the loss of 76% of all species. Scientists now warn that we are on the precipice of a new mass-extinction, the responsibility of which can be placed entirely on one species, the homo sapiens. While some species of birds, bats, and arthropods are especially vulnerable, we are all interconnected. Meaning that their extinction threatens the foundation of all civilization.
Human caused climate change and habitat-fragmentation are two of the leading causes in the increased number of extinctions. Given that the main reason for fragmentation is the appropriation of species habitats into anthropocentric land-use, and that urban... (More) - The last mass-extinction event happened over 65 million years ago when an asteroid collided with earth, resulting in the loss of 76% of all species. Scientists now warn that we are on the precipice of a new mass-extinction, the responsibility of which can be placed entirely on one species, the homo sapiens. While some species of birds, bats, and arthropods are especially vulnerable, we are all interconnected. Meaning that their extinction threatens the foundation of all civilization.
Human caused climate change and habitat-fragmentation are two of the leading causes in the increased number of extinctions. Given that the main reason for fragmentation is the appropriation of species habitats into anthropocentric land-use, and that urban areas historically have been developed on biodiversity hot-spots. This thesis assumes that developing cities as habitats, inclusive to more species, is a valiant effort.
This thesis examines the use of urban design as a tool for arthropod proliferation. It is divided into two parts, the first being a review of research on the subject. And the second being a design proposal, set in the city of Malmö, Sweden, that attempts to balance the implementation of the design principles outlined in the first part with the site’s real-world conditions.
The review identifies three theories from the field of biology that have potential as frameworks for understanding the city as an ecosystem. It further proposes 21 design principles that might be used in the process of promoting arthropod diversity in urban areas. These frameworks and principles have then been implemented in the design process to produce a planning proposal: Mosseby. The intention of the design being, to show one possible path forward for urban areas, as multi-species habitats. Cities that can offer a growing population the comforts of urban living, while also minimizing the often-deadly consequences these developments can have on other species. For a future of cities that are not only good for humans, but good for all. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9178832
- author
- Malmberg, Zacharias LU
- supervisor
- organization
- alternative title
- Mosseby, Malmö - Att designa för biologisk mångfald i stadsmiljöer
- course
- ASBM01 20221
- year
- 2024
- type
- H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
- subject
- keywords
- Urban design, Urban Planning, Sustainability, Biodiversity, Arthropods, Insects, Urban Biodiversity, Niche Theory, The Sixth Mass Extinction, Ecosystem Service, Island Biogeography Theory
- language
- English
- id
- 9178832
- date added to LUP
- 2024-12-17 16:39:51
- date last changed
- 2024-12-17 16:39:51
@misc{9178832,
abstract = {{The last mass-extinction event happened over 65 million years ago when an asteroid collided with earth, resulting in the loss of 76% of all species. Scientists now warn that we are on the precipice of a new mass-extinction, the responsibility of which can be placed entirely on one species, the homo sapiens. While some species of birds, bats, and arthropods are especially vulnerable, we are all interconnected. Meaning that their extinction threatens the foundation of all civilization.
Human caused climate change and habitat-fragmentation are two of the leading causes in the increased number of extinctions. Given that the main reason for fragmentation is the appropriation of species habitats into anthropocentric land-use, and that urban areas historically have been developed on biodiversity hot-spots. This thesis assumes that developing cities as habitats, inclusive to more species, is a valiant effort.
This thesis examines the use of urban design as a tool for arthropod proliferation. It is divided into two parts, the first being a review of research on the subject. And the second being a design proposal, set in the city of Malmö, Sweden, that attempts to balance the implementation of the design principles outlined in the first part with the site’s real-world conditions.
The review identifies three theories from the field of biology that have potential as frameworks for understanding the city as an ecosystem. It further proposes 21 design principles that might be used in the process of promoting arthropod diversity in urban areas. These frameworks and principles have then been implemented in the design process to produce a planning proposal: Mosseby. The intention of the design being, to show one possible path forward for urban areas, as multi-species habitats. Cities that can offer a growing population the comforts of urban living, while also minimizing the often-deadly consequences these developments can have on other species. For a future of cities that are not only good for humans, but good for all.}},
author = {{Malmberg, Zacharias}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{Mosseby, Malmö - Designing for biodiverse cities}},
year = {{2024}},
}