In today’s rapidly changing environmental landscape, traditional ecological preservation and restoration methods are often lacking in addressing new challenges posed by global environmental changes. This requires innovative approaches that not only involve human creativity, but also actively incorporate the inherent evolutionary capabilities of nature itself, as human knowledge is limited to future development. One promising pathway explored in recent research is the conceptualization of natural solutions (NB) as co-creation art form that can unleash the evolutionary potential of ecosystems under the increased pressure of human-induced change. New perspectives on the NBS will go beyond mere restorative approaches to protect nature and will not leave design capabilities alone to human engineers, but will use the creativity of nature to see other species as co-creators of the NBS.
Professor Carsten Herrmann-Pillath from Erfurt University led a team of Associate Professor Simo Sarkki of Oulu University, Professor Timo Maran and Professor Katriina Soini and Professor of Research Juha Hiedanpää from Finland Nature Resources Institute (Luke ) (Luke). They propose a novel framework to view NB as a dynamic and co-evolutionary work of art. Their research, recently published in the journal Nature Solutions, examines how NB design is designed not only to solve practical environmental problems, but also to promote aesthetic and interrelationship between humans and the world beyond humans.
“We believe that given the acceleration of environmental change, NBS designs for biodiversity recovery cannot be informed only by past or current conditions, but conditions for future biodiversity that are not known for the evolutionary potential,” explains Professor Herrmann-Pillath explain. This visionary approach challenges conventional restoration practices, often focusing on returning ecosystems to their former states, and may no longer be feasible under future environmental conditions.
Researchers believe that NBS should go beyond mere engineering projects and be seen as creative efforts based on art that interact with communities and local biospheres in a meaningful problem-oriented approach. This approach is based on the aesthetic theory of philosopher John Dewey, who sees art as an experience process that enriches creators and observers, blurring the boundaries between nature and culture.
One of the key insights of the study is the concept of “natural culture” (originally proposed by Donna Haraway), where nature and human culture are not separated but rather are mutually connected with the larger tapestries of everyday life. A wound thread. This view recognizes agents of non-human elements in the design process as active players who can be co-created and developed in the design ecosystem.
“Emphasing the aesthetic dimension of the NBS activates possible shared processes of recreational humans and Mrs. Noor, as well as greater potential for common anti-resilience and future biodiversity,” said Professor Herrmann-Pillath. By integrating aesthetic factors into NB’s design, these projects not only find ways to support ecological functions, but also contribute to the cultural and public life of the region where they live.
However, the use of NBS as a co-creation art is not without its challenges. The climate change and unpredictable nature of ecological responses means that NBs must be adaptable and reactive. The design process itself must be iterative and inclusive, involving a variety of stakeholders, including ecologists, urban planners, community members and artists. In practice, this means that, for example, the design of buildings should provide other species with ample opportunities to cultivate the barbarity of urban spaces to make aesthetic preferences of both humans and other species important.
References: Evans, Alicejane, Und Michael Hardman. “Enhanced green infrastructure in cities: Urban parking lots as space for opportunity”. Land Use Policy 134 (November 2023): 106914. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2023.106914
All in all, as Professor Herrmann-Pillath and colleagues pointed out, using NBS as a form that surpasses human art provides a path forward, respecting and leveraging the intrinsic value and creativity of nature. This approach is designed not only to alleviate environmental problems, but also to change the way we perceive and interact with the environment, promoting sustainable and aesthetic richness with nature.
Journal Reference
Herrmann-Pillath, C., Sarkki, S., Maran, T., Soini, K. and Hiedanpää, J. (2023). Nature-based solutions are beyond human art: co-evolution and co-creation of design methods. Nature-based Solutions, 4, 100081. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nbsj.2023.100081
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