Landscape Ecological Urbanism is an emerging theory that synthesizes Landscape Urbanism and Urban Ecology. It focuses on the distribution and flows of landscape elements and ecosystems at multiple scales. The proposal for restoring the Pallikaranai marsh in Chennai, India using this approach demonstrates how it can be applied to ecologically sensitive urban design and regional planning. It involves widening drainage networks, using geosynthetic lining to filter wastes from the marsh, and gradually improving water quality over time with fresh water inputs.

1. LANDSCAPE ECOLOGICAL URBANISM

5. Landscape urbanism promotes a “disciplinary
realignment where landscape supplants
architecture’s role as the basic building block of
urban design.”

6.  IAN MCHARG: DESIGN WITH NATURE
 RICHARD T T FOREMAN AND MICHEL GODRON: URBAN
ECOLOGY
 JAMES CORNER, PETER CONNOLLY AND CHARLES
WALDHEIM: LANDSCAPE URBANISM
 MOHSEN MOSTAFAVI: ECOLOGICAL URBANISM
 FREDERICK STEINER: LANDSCAPE ECOLOGICAL
URBANISM

7.  Focus on the distribution patterns of landscape elements or
ecosystems; the flows or movements of animals, plants,
energy, mineral nutrients and water; and the ecological
changes in the landscape over time.
 Incorporating ecological knowledge and principles in creation of
cities by conducting an in depth study about the
interactions of organisms (plants, animals, microbes),
built structures (roads, buildings) and the physical
environment (soil, air, water) where people are
concentrated (cities and towns). For example a soil map
showing soil character of various areas of the city- its structure,
chemical characteristics, permeability, animal life in soil, fertility
properties etc. - can influence the land use of the city.
 Apart from a building, urbanism requires work within different
and complex economic, political, social, and cultural frameworks.
True integration of ecological systems requires a necessary
adjustment of scale (beyond the site) and strategies
(interdisciplinary) to accommodate the larger contextual
framework in which they operate.

8.  This kind of a comprehensive structural plan preparation can
be done with the aid of advanced technologies including GIS,
Remote sensing, advanced software like Rhinocerous,
Grasshopper etc., but without having flashy and insensitive
design interventions.
 Designing with nature can improve the quality of cities for
people, plants, and animals. In doing so, ecosystem services
can be enhanced, that is, the benefits we receive from nature-
resource services, such as food, water, and energy;
regulatory services, such as purification of water, carbon
sequestration and climate regulation, waste decomposition and
detoxification, crop pollination, and pest and disease control;
support services, such as nutrient and seed dispersal; and
cultural services, including cultural, intellectual, and
spiritual inspiration, recreational experiences, ecotourism, and
scientific discovery.

10. ORIGINAL EXTENT 50 SQ.KM
PRESENT EXTENT 4.34 SQ.KM

13. A MANGROVE PLANT CAN EXIST IN SALTY SURROUNDINGS BY
FILTERING OUT THE SALTS FROM ITS SYSTEM BY THREE WAYS-
ROOT LEVEL FILTRATION, LEAVES BEING THICK AND FLESHY
STORES FRESH WATER WHICH CLEANS THE SALT, LEAF TURNS
AWAY FROM SUN TO PREVENT EVAPORATION, LEAF SYSTEM
FILTERS SALT OUT BY TRANSPIRATION.

14. THE SAME PRINCIPLE USED TO FILTER OUT WASTES FROM THE MARSH. The swamp drains to
Buckingham Canal through Okkiyamkadavu. But the flow is interrupted due to encroachments.
Therefore a guideline involving widening of Okkiyamkadavu is proposed, with drain networks
lined with geosynthetic material, and achieving an average a residual flow of 0.001m/s for
entire network. At this rate of residual flow, a complete replacement of polluted water mass
within the network will take place in about 4 months’ time. The water quality improvement will
be gradual and remain steady with fresh rain water entering continuously within the network,
from the connected tanks and storm water runoff to the marsh.

21. GEOLOGICAL
DATA

27. COMPOST UNIT

31. Landscape Ecological Urbanism is an emerging
theory synthesizing the technological advances
advocated by Landscape Urbanism as well as the
human- nature interrelationships of Urban
Ecology. The proposal for Pallikaranai restoration
using this approach shows that it can further be
explored in real design scenarios, especially in
ecologically sensitive areas, as a base for
regional planning.

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