Designing for Coexistence in Urban Landscapes: A speculative proposal
Step 1: Identifying problem
I often go on walks with my dog, and I draw a lot of inspiration from simply being out in the world. On these walks, I began to notice a recurring pattern, tree roots pushing through sidewalks and displacing cobblestones in their effort to grow and thrive.
I often go on walks with my dog, and I draw a lot of inspiration from simply being out in the world. On these walks, I began to notice a recurring pattern, tree roots pushing through sidewalks and displacing cobblestones in their effort to grow and thrive.
While this phenomenon is a powerful reminder of nature’s persistence it often results in unstable and hazardous walking conditions. This observation led me to my central design question...
Step 2: Design Question
Step 3: Research/ Ideation
Drawing on the principles of biomimicry, I looked to natural systems for inspiration in addressing this challenge...
While researching natural structures that are strong enough to support human weight on a sidewalk yet porous enough to allow root growth, I came across cancellous bone, which is the structure found in the interior of bones.
Trabecular Structure:
Cancellous bone is made of a web-like network of tiny struts called trabeculae, arranged to provide strength where it’s needed most while using minimal material. The open spaces between the struts allow blood to flow through, bringing nutrients, removing waste, and supporting marrow function. This structure is both strong and breathable, perfect for support and life flow.
With this in mind, I began to speculate whether incorporating a similar structure beneath the sidewalk could serve a comparable function, only instead of blood, it would be tree roots flowing through the porous network.