Forest Urbanism and Waste Design Studio

Catalog description

Urbanized territories are complex ‘organisms’ with an expansive, linear process of consumption and waste production. Through an exploration of regenerative systems—systems that not only recycle waste but use it to actively restore the systems they are a part of—this studio explores the vital role of plant and soil ecosystems in shaping the future of urban environments. Students will investigate design strategies emphasizing urban forestry and grassland ecologies to restore urban ecosystems, capture carbon, and create equitable spaces. The course covers urban planting techniques, ecological management, phytoremediation, composting, and biomass recycling. Students will calculate energy and biomass flows to understand their designs' impact on the city's carbon footprint. Through critical reading, discussions, field observations, and community engagement, students will gain insight into plant-urban environment interactions and learn to design regenerative urban landscapes that reduce the environmental impact of the built environment. This course was previously offered as LAND 6032 : Forest Urbanism and Waste Design Studio.