THE NEW PARADIGM OF URBAN ACUPUNTURE THROUGH BIOPHILIA: ACTIVATING A NEW SUSTAINABLE FRAMEWORK THROUGH BIOPHILIC PATTERN IN TIRANA’S NEIGHBORHOOD

Abstract

At present, urbanization's dualistic nature has resulted in environmental damage and the emergence of social, cultural, economic, and other domain problems. Evidence shows the importance of natural design solutions to cope with today's problem developing a positive and sustainable urban living mode. There is a strong relationship between urban design and natural patterns, which led to this development; furthermore, Nature is involved in human well-being and other domains. Is it going back to basics the respond to the crises of sustainability in the world? What does it mean that Biophilic urbanism is the missing key in sustainable urban design? Why is the ''urban upgrading through Going Biophilic'' Strategy the new need of the future cities? Cities are prior examples of urban fabric reflecting the existence of human-nature relationships and their opportunities. Sustainable urbanism asserts the need for a new paradigm that will reconfigure Nature's direct or indirect experience. This paper seeks to bring a fresh perspective of integrating Nature into cities' fabric through biophilic principles. Aiming for sustainable urbanism by upgrading the human-nature relation in the urban setting may be the new mindset of Nature as an urban acupuncture healer, exploring the overarching urban development while promoting sustainability. The thesis will give an insightful overview of initiatives underway in Tirana's neighborhood in the near future. Observations arising from the research include: • Biophilic behaviours, pattrens, practices, lifestyles • Biophilic attitudes and knnowlegde in Thermal Comfort & Cognitative Function ; by applying energy engineering modeling (evaluating phase) SIMULATIONS and statistical energy modeling (predicting stage). This paper discusses existing research from multiple standpoints to provide a clear insight into how this can have a practical application, especially to the matter challenge of "urban upgrading" in Tirana, by reflecting on the biophilic urbanism concept.