Defining ecological regionalism - A theoretical perspective

Abstract

This paper is a part of an on-going research which attempts to define ecological regionalism with reference to architecture. The paper firstly describes the problem and the need for ecological regionalism. The definitions of architecture, ecology, region, regionalism are studied and then have tried to define ecological regionalism. The interface between architecture and ecology is explained. Objectives of regionalism are elaborated with suitable examples. 'Regionalism in architecture' is a concept of architectural design based on determinants such as culture climate and resources of the particular place. When these regional contents incorporated appropriately, provide the architecture of a region. In ancient civilizations, architecture was very much regional in character because it evolved purely in response to these regional determinants. The history of civilization shows that man developed through trial and error a fine tradition of regional architecture, which still persists in rural habitats of the world. In the urban centers, our concepts and lifestyles have undergone considerable changes like major technological, cultural transformations, which gave rise to different patterns of building and community city planning. Cities are planned with regard to economic growth, social needs and neighbourhood concerns. Nature is typically perceived as separate from the city. Growing human population figures and resource use are degrading the biosphere, which may be disastrous. Architecture must now take itself seriously as a major consumer of resources and a major user of the world's supplies. Architecture is shaped by the ecology of the place; Ecological regionalism helps to conserve natural and regional identity in architecture.