Exposure

Mostafavi in his essay Introduction to Ecological Urbanism asks an important question “Couldn't the every day elements, needs, and functions of the city be creatively imagined in new and unconventional ways that are not simply subjugated to the imperatives of the ecological? He argues that most urban plans in place are very pragmatic, such as “reducing energy use or adding green space.” However how do we integrate sustainable living into our culture, affecting our day-to-day life? Sustainability now has become this additive process of adding solar panels or more parks, however how can we create a system that is inherently sustainable. Mostafavi argues,

“We under utilize the unexpected opportunities afforded by ecological practices as well as the location, functions, and daily operations of maintaining our cities. Our approach to the city has become more anesthetized, lacking the sense of wonder and achievement that characterized many urban projects in the past. This is of course still the case today, but we have become more disconnected from the pleasures of water in our cities, oblivious to either its sources or its distribution. And this invisibility, this stealth quality, applies to most other resources and services as well.”

Our cities, buildings and practices are set up in such as any ecological practices are back of house. This out of sight, out of mind has affected the way we live. How do we reveal the infrastructure, systems and marvel and appreciate the technology and resources in place, not just functionally but in an aesthetic quality as well. If we saw and interacted with the water we use, the food we eat, the gas we burn we certainly would live differently. With exposure, comes awareness and with awareness, eventually comes change.