As a result of widespread urban development over the past two decades, global wetlands are disappearing at an alarming rate. This thesis develops a series of strategies for protecting wetland ecosystems from the ecological consequences that cascade through an ecosystem as a result of such development. This thesis is based on the paired assumptions that ecosystems represent networks of linked processes that operate across both local and global scales, and that the ecological integrity of any ecosystem can be maintained (a) only if the physical integrity of an ecosystem’s constituent processes is maintained, and (b) only if damage occurring at one ecological scale is prevented from affecting processes occurring at another. Thus, the strategies proposed here are multi-scalar and implemented at both the scale of the site and at the broader watershed scale. The strategies developed in this thesis focus on maintaining the physical integrity of the local wetlands as a means of protecting the processes that occur within the broader wetland ecosystem. The thesis proposes that wetland sites might be best protected from the effects of urban development by implementing a series of landscape interventions that provide the ecosystem with the means to reorient itself in new ecological relationships. Instead of attempting to recreate and control a complex set of conditions by imposing a deterministic architectural solution on the site, this strategy seeds new processes and new structural relationships such that the ecosystem reorganizes itself according to its own structural logic and grows into new stable relationships according to conditions that arise out of those processes. Because this approach generates a series of self-sustaining processes, human intervention is minimized beyond the initial stages. The stategies proposed here will be explored in the context of proposals recently announced by oil companies to develop ecologically sensitive wetland sites located on the Athabasca River in north-eastern Alberta.

As a result of widespread urban development over the past two decades, global wetlands are disappearing at an alarming rate. This thesis develops a series of strategies for protecting wetland ecosystems from the ecological consequences that cascade through an ecosystem as a result of such development. This thesis is based on the paired assumptions that ecosystems represent networks of linked processes that operate across both local and global scales, and that the ecological integrity of any ecosystem can be maintained (a) only if the physical integrity of an ecosystem’s constituent processes is maintained, and (b) only if damage occurring at one ecological scale is prevented from affecting processes occurring at another. Thus, the strategies proposed here are multi-scalar and implemented at both the scale of the site and at the broader watershed scale. The strategies developed in this thesis focus on maintaining the physical integrity of the local wetlands as a means of protecting the processes that occur within the broader wetland ecosystem. The thesis proposes that wetland sites might be best protected from the effects of urban development by implementing a series of landscape interventions that provide the ecosystem with the means to reorient itself in new ecological relationships. Instead of attempting to recreate and control a complex set of conditions by imposing a deterministic architectural solution on the site, this strategy seeds new processes and new structural relationships such that the ecosystem reorganizes itself according to its own structural logic and grows into new stable relationships according to conditions that arise out of those processes. Because this approach generates a series of self-sustaining processes, human intervention is minimized beyond the initial stages. The stategies proposed here will be explored in the context of proposals recently announced by oil companies to develop ecologically sensitive wetland sites located on the Athabasca River in north-eastern Alberta.

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El trabajo de investigación presentado a continuación se realiza con la intención de desarrollar un Centro de Investigación y Difusión de la Cultura Medio Ambiental, que busca permitir la mejora de tecnologías ecológicas existentes o el desarrollo de tecnologías innovadoras. En la actualidad, el tema del medio ambiente es una problemática que se hace sentir a nivel global, y se esta haciendo cada día mas importante resolverlo. En su planteamiento, el trabajo busca elaborar un proyecto eco sostenible, que va de acuerdo con su propósito, además de dar el ejemplo a futuros arquitectos y proyectista para que tomen conciencia de los beneficios de una arquitectura “verde”. / The research work presented below has been carried out with the intention of developing a Center for Research and Dissemination of Environmental Culture, which seeks to allow the improvement of existing ecological technologies or the development of innovative technologies. Currently, the issue of the environment is a problem that is felt globally, and it is becoming increasingly important to solve it. In its approach, the work seeks to develop a sustainable eco project, which is in accordance with its purpose, in addition to setting an example to future architects and planners so that they become aware of the benefits of a "green" architecture. / Tesis

The Clifford A. Phaneuf Environmental Center is home to ECOS, The Environmental Center for Our Schools, in Springfield Massachusetts. The ECOS program provides a chance for elementary and middle school students in Springfield public schools to experience and learn about the natural world. The built environment provides opportunities to teach about ecosystems and human connections to nature. A new design for the Clifford A. Phaneuf Environmental Center will teach students about the natural world experientially through the building’s own connections to the environment.

The work deals with the possibility of use the traditional knowledges and methods in construction with regards to today's lifestyle and technology, emphasizes the importance of the legacy, respect for countryside, individuality and surrounding environment. Above all I try to summarize the information about the current situation in architecture of family houses, which influence dominates in this area and which choices we have. I target especially the organic architecture mainly for wood constructions. At the beginning of the work I describe the issues of present architecture. I am dealing with the question if traditional and modern way of life must be in conflict, how we change our environment today and what could be the eventual effects for the future. The second part of the work is focused on the traditional vernacular architecture in South Bohemia, especially in the Bohemian Forest (Šumava) region, on types of construction, use and processing of materials and their integration into the countryside. The final part is applied to present ecology architecture. Firstly I summarize and identify the objects in general, subsequently I focus on the wood constructions, which correspond to traditional knowledge and experience in the manufacture and processing of wood.

Städerna växer och allt fler strukturer av olika material byggs upp, och med detta minskar de gröna ytor som finns. Träd huggs ned och olika växter dras ut med rötterna och ersätts av metall, betong, lera m.m. De ytor som en gång varit gröna och fulla av liv blir allt mer gråa och livlösa. Människan skapar större städer, med höga och stora byggnader som ersätter den vegetation som en gång legat på platsen. Den fråga som då uppstår är: Hur kan vi fortsätta bygga strukturer, men samtidigt inte minska på de gröna ytor som finns? Ett alternativ kan vara att integrera grönska och vegetation på byggnadernas fasader, terrasser och tak, samtidigt skapa ytor på olika nivåer som ersätter den mark som finns under byggnaderna. Samtidigt är det viktigt att fundera över den påverkan som grönska har på oss människor och arkitekturen som den vistas bland. I Sverige, som i många andra delar av världen, väljer en stor mängd människor att vistas bland vegetation/grönska eller tycker om att ta hand om sin trädgård och befinna sig i den. Bland vackra och väldoftande blommor och växter. Därför är syftet med arbetet att både fundera över hur man kan integrera grönska i arkitekturen, men även undersöka vilken påverkan denna integrering kan komma att ha på människans psykiska och fysiska välmående. Resultatet av den studie som utförts visar en positiv inverkan av integration av grönska på arkitektur, men att mängden spelar en stor roll för de som besvarade enkätens frågor. Likaså visar experternas påståenden att detta stämmer in på det arbete de tidigare utfört och/eller det arbete de strävar efter. Dessutom kan resultatet av dessa stärkas med hjälp av den teoretiska bakgrund som stödjer studien, där ett flertal forskare för diskussionen vidare i sin forskning och belyser vikten av att utföra fler studier av denna sort för att säkerställa vikten av ämnet i fråga. Integreringen av grönska på terrasser, fasader och tak blir allt mer aktuellt, även här i Sverige, och med denna studie hoppas den studieansvariga att frågan tas upp ännu mer och vidare forskas inom den nordiska, eller mer specifikt den svenska sektorn. / The cities are growing and more and more structures made up of different materials are being built, and with this follows the reduction of already existing green spaces. Trees are cut down and different plants are pulled out along with their roots and replaced by metal, concrete, clay etc. The spaces that used to be green and full of life are becoming increasingly grey and lifeless. Humans are building larger and larger cities, with high and massive buildings that are replacing the vegetation that was once present on the ground beneath them. The question that then arises is: How can we continue building and expanding our cities, without damaging and reducing the green spaces that already exist? An alternative can be the integration of greenery and vegetation on the building’s façade and on its rooftops, and at the same time create surfaces on different levels that can replace the ground beneath the building.  At the same time it is important to think about the impact that greenery has on us humans and on architecture. In Sweden, like in many other countries around the world, a large quantity of people choose to walk or stay where there is vegetation/greenery or like to take care of their garden and enjoy the beauty of it. Among beautiful and fragrant flowers and plants. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to both reflect on how one can integrate greenery in architecture, but also examine the impact that this form of integration can have on the human psyche and physical well-being. The results of the conducted study shows a positive impact of the integration of greenery on architecture, quantity, however, plays a large part for the respondents of the enquiry. Also the claims made by the experts within the field of architecture shows that this does in fact align with the work that they either have conducted in the past or the work that they are striving for. In addition, the results can through these be strengthened with the help of the theoretic background that supports the study conducted, where several researchers further the discussion in their research and highlight the importance of conducting more studies of this sort to ensure the importance of the subject at hand. The integration of greenery on facades and rooftops is becoming increasingly more relevant, even in Sweden. With this thesis, the study supervisor and author hope that the question is brought to light more and that more research is conducted within the Nordic, or more specifically the Swedish sector.