ABSTRACT
Chapter 2 explores the new thinking that the unknown future towards which we are currently hurtling will require. Although all life depends on global environmental physical–chemical balance, this is wholly non-sensory. We only directly experience its accelerating deterioration through local weather-related effects, from bio-habitat destruction to thermal-stress and ‘natural’ disasters. Eco-architecture and eco-responsible urban planning must therefore fulfil multiple objectives: minimizing adverse climatic (and other) impacts, mitigating life-hostile conditions, maximizing system resilience, improving everyday place experience and motivating environmentally responsible lifestyle change. As climate-change’s consequences are largely unknown, however, past-based knowledge can no longer predict the future. Strategizing design for resilience to the many unpredictabilities global warming, pollution and habitat destruction will bring, therefore requires a wholly new approach.
