WK FIVE // reading: Urban Form and Locality

Why should we green the cities? Because man needs beauty: needs nature, trees, greenery, birds, squirrels, the changing seasons, the soil. Because we need space for leisure, to recreate mind and soul, to run, play, fish, cycle, relax and socialize ... Because the green can be productive of food, of timber, of energy, of pure water; of benign microclimates.' Michael Dower (1984). 

I find it interesting that we are going back to the basic human needs in terms of what we need in a city. The last century has witnessed rapid growth in cities all over the world. Although, during this time the needs and desires of humans was somewhat blurred and the focus was densifying and urban sprawl. Even if we have noticed this need to go back to the basic human needs, nature and cities seem to be a long way off re-combining. In our cities we have sparse green spaces, if your looking at he ratio of green to built. What about a new kind of relationship with nature in our cities? Our cities do portray nature in other ways for example through art, design and architecture. 

I like to dream of these future cities where green spaces become mandatory spaces amongst everyday life; work and play. Where certain guideline about nature within the city are laid out to ensure the implementation.