Abstract Summary
Issue Amidst contemporary city challenges, such as climate change, indoor lifestyles, and social isolation, the critical role of nature is often underestimated. While most efforts focus on technology, growing interest in biophilia reveals that urban livability relies on our inherent connection to nature. Despite evidence from various disciplines, biophilia remains an emerging research field, especially in its application to the built environment through Biophilic Design and Biophilic Urbanism. Informal green spaces, particularly those found in overgrown vacant lots and urban brownfields, provide opportunities for a unique biophilic experience. In these spaces, individuals can encounter urban wilderness, gaining awareness of the diverse non human beings that co inhabit and contribute to transforming the urban environment. Purpose We propose a workshop to provide an immersive experience and key insights into biophilia, as well as design strategies that amplify the biophilia experience in informal green spaces. By exploring the leftover green field lab on Marineterrein, we aim to raise awareness about wilderness and the multiple benefits of biophilia for humans, society, and the environment. Recent research suggests that introducing aesthetics and cues of care within these spaces can deepen people's connection to the ecosystem, making them aware of our interdependence with the non human world. Design strategies rooted in these concepts will be introduced and experimented with during the “zoom in” co design workshop. Although Amsterdam is not currently listed within the Biophilic City Network, it has great potential to become one, thanks to its variety of greenery and waterscape. The “zoom out” mapping workshop will help identify significant biophilic sites in Amsterdam Centrum, adopting a ‘Citizen Science’ approach to increase public engagement in research. Teaching strategies From practice to theory: after a real life biophilia experience, participants will reflect on its contents using the ‘5 Ws & H’ framework. Practices (required time slot: 90 minutes): • Experiencing (30 mins): Visit the Leftover Green Field Lab at Marineterrein by providing an overview of the research project (Sitong Luo) and key concepts related to biophilia (Deborah Lefosse). Upon the authors’ approval, we will propose a meta Living Lab experience by including the Innovation Pavilion. • Co Designing/Mapping (45 mins): Two breakout operative sessions: ‘Zoom In’: Co creation session to enhance the connection with urban wilderness in Leftover Green Field Lab, leveraging the expertise developed by the research and practices of Dr. Sitong Luo and Dr. Maryam Naghibi on the subject of urban leftover spaces. Participants will engage in collaborative design exercises in groups and use the provided design strategies to develop solutions that bring together citizens and novel urban wilderness. ‘Zoom Out’: Interactive brainstorming to map biophilia in Amsterdam Centrum, to extend the perspective beyond Marineterrein..
