Biophilic Cities Lecture and Award Ceremony

by Carilyne Vance

On May 23, 2016, CAUSES hosted the Biophilic Cities Lecture and Awards Ceremony in the University of the District of Columbia Student Center. Recognizing that human health and happiness are tied to our natural environment, the Biophilic Cities organization strives to bring together elements of nature and urban design. Organized under the guidance of University of Virginia School of Architecture Professor Tim Beatley, it focuses on devising best practices for creating and including elements of the natural environment into urban development. In his book Biophilic Cities, Professor Beatley explores the importance of human interaction with nature and a number of ways to measure the degree to which daily human activity – especially in an urban setting, satisfies this need. 

The event gave awards to several organizations within the Washington Metropolitan Area and served as a meeting place for like minded organizations to meet and discuss existing challenges to furthering and implementing the message of inclusionary urban design. The evening featured a keynote address by its’ founder and profiles of several award recipient organizations.  The welcome address was given by Dean Sabine O’Hara, to the 250 attendees from more than 100 organizations from across the area. 

For more information on Biophilic Cities, please visit http://biophiliccities.org/.