Journalism of Courage
Chip Crawford,a landscape architect based in the US,has used an innovative technique of sustainable development called bio-mimicry while planning Lavasa City
Ever wondered if it is possible to design a solar cell based on a leaf? Or model an earth-moving equipment on a kingfishers beak to make it more efficient? These are just a couple of various examples from among natures repertoire of time-tested patterns and strategies for sustainable solutions in life. Broadly termed as bio-mimicry,this is an innovation method that creates products,processes and policies (or new ways of living) that are well-adapted to life on earth over the long haul.
The whole idea behind bio-mimicry is to develop in harmony with nature,not in lieu of nature. Its important to remember that here,we want to mimic,copy,emulate,call it whatever you want,not just the appearance of nature but also its performance, says this landscape architect,who has created the master plan of the hill city.
Crawford reveals that the foundation of bio-mimicry is based upon the study of nature and how nature confronts,overcomes and accommodates adversity. For example,it can be put into practise by paying heed to the process of storing,evaporating and harvesting water and in the process,overcome water scarcity. The principles of bio-mimicry evolved as scientists encapsulated lessons by observing the smallest insect,or the way leaves change colour and die to preserve the lives of trees,the camouflage of lizards in the desert and other ways that nature uses to preserve life. These vast skills and knowledge and the science of bio-mimicry are now being applied to urban development one such project being Lavasa in addition to a couple of other ongoing projects in Saudi Arabia and Denver,Colorado (US), he adds.
Inspired by bio-mimicry,explains Crawford,Lavasa has also developed an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) that respects its natural surroundings. Nature has tight feedback loops,which help us envision the best possible sustainable course of development. Here,we have introduced ecological mapping during the planning stages and used check dams to retain the surface run-off of monsoon waters. Also,sensible construction strategies,coupled with enriching the plant life of the hill sides,is resulting in a long-term plan that will sustain both the human communities and the wildlife of the area, says this Kansas State University alumni,who has 25 years of experience in landscape architecture. Whats important is that we develop and build using the counsel of nature,as it proves to be helpful in creating a sustainable growth plan, he adds.
