ABSTRACT
This chapter presents key concepts and a conceptual framework founded on relational thinking applied to interpret interrelations between people; between people and built environments; and between people, their habitat and dynamic conditions of the biosphere. It explains why critical thinking is necessary in order to address the complexity, diversity and heterogeneity of people-environment relations, of built environments, and of natural and human-made ecosystems. Relational thinking can reinterpret the multiple relations between politicians, practitioners, researchers and laypeople when planning and constructing built environments. The chapter acknowledges the growing cultural diversity and socio-economic differences of populations in cities. These differences are expressed by cultural, financial and social values, as well as personal attitudes, behaviours and values. The chapter concludes by showing the advantages of relational thinking, collaboration and synthesis across administrative and intellectual borders.
