Introduction

to
Urban and Regional Planning
PLNING 342
AR 44
LB 207
Second Semester, SY 2012-2013

 Review
Humans in their ecological setting
Ekistics: the science of human settlements

The Environment
The environment is that
part of the world that
surrounds us

Modern societies
typically refer to the
environment as the
resource; a platform for
human activity but not
the place where we live

Essence of the Ecological

Framework
An obligatory interdependence
between living organisms and their
physical and biological environment
This web of interdependence and of
mutuality is referred to as an
ecosystem

Thus, an Ecosystem consists of the

Bounded system of
dynamic
interdependent
relationships
between living
organisms and their
physical and
biological
environment

The quest for food is

the central organizing
principle of life
within every
ecosystem

Some signs which indicate that ecosystems

are threatened
Environmental
degradation
Biodiversity loss
Deforestation
Social and economic
systems breakdown
Resulting in loss of
resilience (refers to the
ability to absorb shock and
disturbances)

There are thresholds at which the levels of

stress will lead to the disruption of the
system
One concept used to understand these critical
limits and thresholds is carrying capacity,
which assumes that:

there are finite or limited number of people who

can be supported without degrading the natural
environment and social, economic and cultural
systems and, as such, is an indirect measure of
the maximum level of stress that the ecosystem
can maintain
Source: Barbier, Burgess and Folke, 1994

Carrying Capacity Concept

Premise
Human life depends on healthy
ecosystems that supply life-sustaining
resources and absorb wastes

But
Current growth and consumption
patterns put increasing stress on
ecosystems

Precautionary Principle
Recognizes that
the outcomes of
development are
often uncertain and
taking decisions
which minimize the
adverse outcomes
which may arise

Where our understanding of

the likely consequences of
human interventions in the
natural environment is limited
and there are treats of serious
or irreversible damage to
natural systems and
processes, there is a
premium on taking a
cautious and conservative
approach to development
(Barbier, Burgess and Folke 1994:172)

Two key concepts underlie our

relationship with the ecosystem
Stewardship
concept not
exceeding the carrying
capacity of nature

Deep ecology aspect

not allowing human
excesses to destroy the
integrity of creation