Urbanism and Ecological Rationality

Abstract

This chapter reveals, by deconstructing design hypotheses, discourses and representations, the consequences of “ecological rationality.” The result is an new body of knowledge about cities and territories that is relevant to the radical changes now occurring in cities and urban regions. Five themes, illustrated by case studies, identify issues, scales and types of urban organization. The dramatic modification of European city form, from the traditional city and metropolis to the newly developing megacity with its new marginal places, underlies all five themes. A series of design experiences underwrites a broader reflection on the innovative characteristics, but also the latent ambiguity and potential conflict, of ecological rationality in contemporary urbanism. Ecological rationality within urban and regional design addresses the characteristics of ecological problems: complexity, non-reducibility, variability in time and space, and uncertainty; the collective nature of environmental decision making in urban areas; as well as spontaneity, autoregulation and resilience of ecosystems.