Designed Habitats - Chiara Catalano

In the fifth ECOLOPES TALK, Chiara Catalano spoke about the habitat template approach which considers nature as a model for the designing of Urban Green Infrastructure.  The ecological understanding of natural habitats is essential to mimic them in cities and to design niches providing refugia and alternative habitats to certain plant and animal species. The monitoring of urban habitats gives insights on their adaptive dynamics over time and provide for guidelines for new projects and retrofitting of existing greened areas. The design for nature, having a net-positive impact on biodiversity, requires multidisciplinary teams and thinking driven by the analysis of spatially explicit ecological data and supported by integrative and modelling tools. 

BIODESIGN - William Myers

William Myers is a curator, author, and teacher based in Amsterdam. His book Biodesign (2012 and 2018 editions) identifies the emerging practice of integrating biological processes into design and architecture. It is published by the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York and Thames & Hudson worldwide. Biodesign is the next step beyond biology-inspired approaches to design and fabrication. It refers to the incorporation of living organisms as essential components in design, enhancing the function of the finished work. The depicted structure is made by David Benjamin and consists out of Mycelium bricks grown from agricultural waste and fungi, reflective plastic molds, repurposed scaffolding boards.

Architecture as an Ecosystem - ChartierDalix

The french architects aim to bring architecture and ecosystems to harmonious coexistence. In their TALK, they present their visionary research and designs. 

Welcome to Subirdia - John Marzluff

John Marzluff – Professor of Wildlife Science at University of Washington - speaks about his book “Welcome to Subirdia” in which he reveals findings from his long-term research on birds along urban gradients and gives insights how species are adapting in the face of urban development. We also got some surprising perspectives about the role of semi-urban environments in keeping common birds common.

Biotope City - Helga Fassbinder

We are pleased to present Helga Fassbinder as our first speaker. Helga is the founder of the journal and the concept “Biotope City”. The Biotope City concept is based on the realization that we and our cities do not form an antagonism to nature, but that our cities are nothing else but one other of the many forms that constitute nature. Helga presented and discussed the concept as well its implementation in the “Biotope City Wienerberg” in Vienna.