Principal Theme: NbS Design
In general, our team employs a Research through Designing philosophy, addressing questions such as What attributes are required to effectively connect ecosystem service benefits provided by an NbS design? How should we consider connectivity between NbS features and the landscape system as a whole? At what scale should we consider our design interventions to effectively capture ecosystem service benefits?
We have developed and are implementing designs at scales ranging from site scale to community level. At the site scale, we have been working with the CODI Pathum Model community to design and construct a greenwall to treat greywater and re-use it for irrigating community gardens. At the same site, we are designing and constructing a system of stormwater and blackwater conveyance and retention/treatment ponds that is integrated with community green space. At a larger spatial scale we have explored how an Agrihood design can effectively deliver ecosystem service benefits in Thailand and also are collaborating with a team from University of Philippines and local government for NbS design in a local community on the Taytay River-Maningning Creek, Calabarzon, south of Manila.
We believe that effective NbS design must be data-driven to avoid greenwashing, include meaningful community co-design, and effectively integrate form and function. Effective integration of form and function necessarily requires a multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary approach. The analytical steps in the design process are outlined here to illustrate the key considerations in the design.
Examples:
Green Wall CODI project
CODI wetland
Agrihood
Philippines LEF project