We live in a delicate balance of nature and what men made. They are both a major part of our daily lives, and they go together to define the spaces where we live, work, and play. From rising skyscrapers to meandering rivers, from verdant woods to busy avenues, the relationship of the environment’s natural elements and the infrastructure we create is crucial to how we perceive the world.
Nature Based: The Building Blocks of Our Ecosystem
Elements of nature like rivers, forests, mountains, oceans, and air function as the fundamental constituents of the ecosystem of Earth. They support life, provide resources and afford beauty and inspiration. The natural world has shaped the course of human civilization in innumerable ways from the fertile valleys where agriculture first took root to the minerals that are used as base inputs to various industries.
For example, river valleys possess very fertile soil that enables civilizations to develop and come together through agriculture. Water bodies such as lakes and rivers have served as both transportation routes and drinking water sources throughout history. Natural factors, including climate and terrain, also play a part in determining where humans settle and the places where they congregate.
Natural elements not only practical, they contribute greatly to our overall well-being. Green spaces, for instance, enhance air quality and provide areas for recreation and relaxation, encouraging physical and mental health. Wild places, whether overlooking mountain ranges or in forests, instill awe and a sense of cultural identity.
Type II: Environments with Human-Made Elements
The killing of George Floyd at the hands of a police officer, Michele C. Wright and Johanna Schmittin the 8 years since has impacted our collective health, safety, and infrastructure well beyond just buildings, roads, bridges, and other human infrastructure. For this reason, these structures are meant to enhance our quality of life by offering shelter, installing means of transportation, and promoting social, cultural and economic activities.
Buildings are arguably the most well-known element of man-made structures. Buildings of various shapes, sizes and function form the urban and rural fabric, whether we are talking about homes, schools or skyscrapers. Architecture serves both functional and artistic purposes, encapsulating the culture, beliefs, and technological progress of the society in which it was built. It is the buildings from the ancient pyramids to our current skyscrapers that embody the human ability to create structures that last and drive cities to progress.
Infrastructure — including roads, bridges, railways and airports — allows humans and products to move from one place to another. They connect different regions, expedite trade and help the economic growth of countries and cities. Transportation systems have shaped the way we live and work, enabling us to travel long distances and reach resources from all corners of the world.
Other human-made elements include utilities and infrastructures such as electricity grids, water supply systems, and waste management networks that are vital to supporting everyday use. These components work together to provide clean water, dependable power, and effective waste disposal, promoting public health and safety.
Harmony Between Natural and Artificial Components
Although natural and human-made elements are different, they are tightly woven together. Cities, to cite an example, are built by adjusting the environment for it to become habitable. Of course, careful decisions about a city’s layout must take into consideration topography, climate, and resources. This is more than just constructing on land; it is about establishing a cohabitation between the man-made habitat and nature.
Yet, again, human features have to merge with natural environment to be sustainable. Urban centers are now increasingly in search of green architecture and low impact living. Eco-friendly architectural features like green roofs, solar panels and energy-efficient building designs help shrink the carbon footprint of man-made components. Public transportation systems are a good example of this infrastructure as these lower emissions and dependence on private vehicles while creating a better resource-sharing urban ecosystem.
In addition, things that humans create are also subject to the forces of nature. Extreme weather events like hurricanes, earthquakes or floods demand that buildings and infrastructure be designed for resilience. Such developments have also inspired innovations in construction that allow for structures to withstand forces of nature, think earthquake-proof buildings or flood defenses, and help ensure that manmade institutes withstand natural impediments.
Conclusion: A Striking of Balance Amidst Tension
Elements, natural or human-made, do not function as mutually exclusive parts; instead, they lend themselves together to form a world. With huge populations, and exponential growth, we have to balance the natural world with the man made architecture we need to support our communities. By championing sustainable design, keeping sensitivity to natural landscapes at the forefront, and planning for the long-term future, we can make sure that both our natural and man-made environments will be able to co-commercially exist for many more years to come.
Design embracing this interplay enables us to create environments conducive to human activity and yet beneficial for nature and ecology that enhance each other.
