Architecture and the Environment: a Strategy towards Enhancing the Ecosystem in the Design of the Built Environment

Abstract

The impact on the environment has continued to effect dramatic changes with some threatening situations on the ability of man to survive if not controlled and maintained. As industrial technology engenders high living standards, productivity and comfort, it also destroys biological capital like air, land, water and other parts of ecosystems that must support all and future generations. These are evident from the clearing of forests for crops, urbanization and so on leading to an intensive exploitation of environmental resources. The sustainability of a healthy global environment through proper designs and implementation of plans cannot therefore be overemphasized. This can only be achieved through cooperative efforts between the key players in the development processes- governments, nongovernmental organization, architects, planners. This paper, therefore, aims at highlighting the contributions of design and planning to the realization of a healthy living through the built environment.