Human Ecology : How Nature and Culture Shape Our World

Humans have always been influenced by natural landscapes, and always will be—even as we create ever-larger cities and our developments fundamentally change the nature of the earth around us. In Human Ecology , noted city planner and landscape architect Frederick Steiner encourages us to consider how human cultures have been shaped by natural forces, and how we might use this understanding to contribute to a future where both nature and people thrive. Human ecology is the study of the interrelationships between humans and their environment, drawing on diverse fields from biology and geography to sociology, engineering, and architecture. Steiner admirably synthesizes these perspectives through the lens of landscape architecture, a discipline that requires its practitioners to consciously connect humans and their environments. After laying out eight principles for understanding human ecology, the book's chapters build from the smallest scale of connection—our homes—and expand to community scales, regions, nations, and, ultimately, examine global relationships between people and nature. In this age of climate change, a new approach to planning and design is required to envision a livable future. Human Ecology provides architects, landscape architects, urban designers, and planners—and students in those fields— with timeless principles for new, creative thinking about how their work can shape a vibrant, resilient future for ourselves and our planet. Cover 1 Title Page 5 Copyright 6 Dedication 7 CONTENTS 9 FOREWORD 11 PREFACE 15 INTRODUCTION: THE SUBVERSIVE SUBJECT 19 IDEAS CONTRIBUTING TO A NEW HUMAN ECOLOGY 22 NESTED NETWORKS 30 WHAT LIES AHEAD IN THE REST OF THE BOOK 33 1. FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF HUMAN ECOLOGY 37 SETS OF CONNECTED STUFF 39 INTEGRATIVE TRAITS 42 THE SCAFFOLDING OF PLACE AND CHANGE 44 LAMINATIONS 46 INTERACTION, INTEGRATION, AND INSTITUTION 48 UNITY IN DIVERSITY 51 ADJUSTING TO CHANGE 52 HOLISM 54 THE MULTIPLE, THE TEMPORAL, AND THE COMPLEX 55 2. HABITAT 57 THE NATURAL HOME OF AN ORGANISM 58 THE LEGIBILITY OF DOMICILES 61 PATTERN LANGUAGES 62 THE FENCE AND THE BOUNDARY LINE 64 OVERLAP AND SIMULTANEITY 66 THE DIVERSITY OF POSSIBILITIES 68 FINGERPRINTS OF OUR VALUES 70 HOME IMPROVEMENTS 71 3. COMMUNITY 75 THE IDEA OF COMMUNITY 76 COMMUNITIES IN BITS 77 TISSUES 79 DO FENCES MAKE GOOD NEIGHBORS? 82 PUBLIC DISCOURSE 84 THE CHALLENGES OF DIVERSITY 86 ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINTS 87 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT 91 4. LANDSCAPE 95 THE IDEA OF LANDSCAPE 96 THE LANGUAGES OF LANDSCAPES 97 THE STRAIGHT AND THE CURVED 100 LEAPING FENCES 102 INTERACTION, INTEGRATION, AND INSTITUTION 103 THE MIX OF LIFE 104 RECONSTRUCTING NATURE 106 LANDSCAPE MOSAICS 110 5. THE ECOLOGICAL REGION 113 THE IDEA OF REGION 114 NAVIGATING LANGUAGE AND WATER 116 THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS 118 WATERSHEDS 120 INSTITUTIONAL MEMORIES 125 BLENDING PLACES 127 REGIONAL PLANNING 128 EARLY-TWENTIETH-CENTURY REGIONAL PLANNING IN THE UNITED STATES AND THE NETHERLANDS 129 REGIONAL PLANNING IN THE UNITED STATES DURING THE LATE TWENTIETH CENTURY 133 GREENWAYS 140 6. NATION, STATE, AND NATION-STATE 143 THE IDEA OF NATION 144 THE IDEA OF STATE 145 THE IDEA OF NATION-STATE 145 CULTURE RULES 146 NATIONAL IDENTITIES 149 FAULT LINES 151 FREEWAYS 154 STATES OF THE NATIONS 155 REVOLUTIONS 157 GROSS NATIONAL PRODUCTS 158 7. THE GREEN CHAOS OF THE PLANET 163 LANDING ON DISTANT SPHERES 164 GLOBAL WARMING 166 AGENTS OF CHANGE 167 THE COARSE PORCELAIN OF THE WORLD'S SKIN 171 SPACESHIP EARTH 172 BIODIVERSITY 174 WISDOM SITS IN PLACES 176 OUR GLORIOUS INSTRUMENT 181 8. FOLLOWING NATURE'S LEAD 185 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 195 NOTES 199 1. FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF HUMAN ECOLOGY 205 2. HABITAT 209 3. COMMUNITY 211 4. LANDSCAPE 214 5. THE ECOLOGICAL REGION 217 6. NATION, STATE, AND NATION-STATE 221 7. THE GREEN CHAOS OF THE PLANET 222 8. FOLLOWING NATURE'S LEAD 225 BIBLIOGRAPHY 227 INDEX 247

Humans have always been influenced by natural landscapes, and always will be—even as we create ever-larger cities and our developments fundamentally change the nature of the earth around us. In Human Ecology, noted city planner and landscape architect Frederick Steiner encourages us to consider how human cultures have been shaped by natural forces, and how we might use this understanding to contribute to a future where both nature and people thrive.Human ecology is the study of the interrelationships between humans and their environment, drawing on diverse fields from biology and geography to sociology, engineering, and architecture. Steiner admirably synthesizes these perspectives through the lens of landscape architecture, a discipline that requires its practitioners to consciously connect humans and their environments. After laying out eight principles for understanding human ecology, the book's chapters build from the smallest scale of connection—our homes—and expand to community scales, regions, nations, and, ultimately, examine global relationships between people and nature.In this age of climate change, a new approach to planning and design is required to envision a livable future. Human Ecology provides architects, landscape architects, urban designers, and planners—and students in those fields— with timeless principles for new, creative thinking about how their work can shape a vibrant, resilient future for ourselves and our planet.

Humans Have Always Been Influenced By Natural Landscapes, And Always Will Be—even As We Create Ever‐larger Cities And Our Developments Fundamentally Change The Nature Of The Earth Around Us. In This Publication, Noted City Planner And Landscape Architect Frederick Steiner Encourages Us To Consider How Human Cultures Have Been Shaped By Natural Forces, And How We Might Use This Understanding To Contribute To A Future Where Both Nature And People Thrive. Human Ecology Is The Study Of The Interrelationships Between Humans And Their Environment, Drawing On Diverse Fields From Biology And Geography To Sociology, Engineering, And Architecture. Steiner Admirably Synthesizes These Perspectives Through The Lens Of Landscape Architecture, A Discipline That Requires Its Practitioners To Consciously Connect Humans And Their Environments. After Laying Out Eight Principles For Understanding Human Ecology, The Book’s Chapters Build From The Smallest Scale Of Connection—our Homes—and Expand To Community Scales, Regions, Nations, And, Ultimately, Examine Global Relationships Between People And Nature. 1. Fundamental Principles Of Human Ecology -- 2. Habitat -- 3. Community -- 4. Landscape -- 5. The Ecological Region -- 6. Nation, State, And Nation-state -- 7. The Green Chaos Of The Planet -- 8. Following Nature's Lead. By Frederick Steiner. Front Matter....Pages i-xvii Introduction: The Subversive Subject....Pages 1-16 Fundamental Principles of Human Ecology....Pages 19-37 Habitat....Pages 39-54 Community....Pages 57-74 Landscape....Pages 77-93 The Ecological Region....Pages 95-123 Nation, State, and Nation-State....Pages 125-142 The Green Chaos of the Planet....Pages 145-165 Following Nature’s Lead....Pages 167-175 Back Matter....Pages 177-237