CIC Start Online Conference 2011 - Robert Gordon University

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The theory of self-organising built environments as a response to carbon levels

Dr David Moore
Jan Falconer

Through considering the focus on carbon within the built environment in terms of Legislative 'push' rather than in terms of Ecology 'pull', aspects of the built environment such as the relevance of autopoietic systems (particularly in terms of Intelligence and self-organisation within the city context) are considered regarding recognition as relevant responses to carbon levels. This in turn leads to consideration of how the environment may recognise the need to respond to carbon on the basis of it being either 'good' carbon or 'bad' carbon.

There is a need to consider if the complexity of cities means that a focus on 'bad' carbon through legislation represents a belief that self-organisation (within the city system) cannot be effective, and that imposed organisation (legislative 'push') is the only viable approach. If so, can we be sure that the 'push' approach does not miss significant amounts of 'bad' carbon? Does the push approach demand high quality data, and does such data allow for a better understanding of the 'pull' approach?

The presentation incorporates relevant literature with regard to cities as self-organising systems, interviews with representatives of organisations that are seeking to go beyond the minimum (as established by the legislative 'push') level of response to carbon, and examples of ecology 'pull (such as the Woodland Carbon Code).

Category:

Education

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