Biophilic Design as a Tool for Livable Cities

ABSTRACT One of the essential planning concepts developed for a healthy continuation of the dynamic relationship between the city and its user is “livability”. While livability consists of a combination of physical, social and economic components, sustainability is ensured by long-term livability and quality of life as a holistic output that emerges from the interaction of all these factors. Socio-economic threats to the city and physical changes have triggered research into improving an individual’s quality of life and urban space quality. Some scientific studies consider livability within the residential environment, the urban area, or by using different indicators. However, there are not many studies associated with biophilic design. As a method, biophilic design offers the opportunity to develop an inclusive design for individuals to interact with nature. The infrastructure of the approach is based on an architectural solution with nature, the sensitive use of nature and the maintenance of natural systems. Purpose: In this context, this study aims to associate livable city indicators with biophilic design criteria and to produce suggestions for more livable urban areas from the perspective of biophilic design. Approach: As a method to develop proposals on livability and biophilic design, specific criteria – the areas determined to impact livability – and the use of biophilic design patterns developed by Terrapin Design LLC are discussed as catalysts in associating the aspects of livability with biophilic design. Findings: As a result of that discussion, it is seen that biophilic design patterns can support livable environments at the residential, neighborhood, regional and urban scales. Originality: From livability perspective it is discussed that the biophilic approach has the potential to deliver an architectural form that combines the natural and built environment to cities with aspects such as increasing the green infrastructure and surfaces, improving aesthetics in the city, maintaining biological diversity and using genuine natural systems to organize space. In addition to supporting individual multisensory experiences, biophilic design supports well-being, and healthy and safe living spaces with a sense of belonging that can increase social sharing and social interaction. Biophilic design allows the integration of the built environment and natural systems at different scales and offers the capacity to use nature as the dominant aspect for human beings, to make urban health and cities livable, sustainable and resilient.