Designing Nature Positive Cities by applying Ecosystem-level Biomimicry

Abstract

The impact of cities, such as biodiversity loss, climate change, and pollution, on local and far away natural ecosystems causes significant concerns within multiple sectors, prompting the need for sustainable solutions and urging the development of cities that enhance the quality of life and environmental performance. We apply the phases of the biomimicry design spiral to develop a strategy that supports the transformation of urban ecosystems into nature-positive systems. This paper explores the principles of ecosystem functioning through the activities and relationships within a natural ecosystem. We conclude that cities must develop into autopoietic units, by generating all their system elements (biological and technological) while undergoing physical shaping to foster connectivity with non-human communities by creating ecological niches.