Eco-Cities

The term “Eco-City” in the name Biosphere Eco-City (BEC) refers to a broad movement for sustainable cities. The term was coined in 1987 by architect Richard Register, who is still a leader in this field.

The following describes some of the ways in which BEC fits within the movement.

Eco-City Definition 1

Curitiba Bus Shelters

Richard Register (founder of EcoCity Movement)	Biosphere Eco-City (BEC) Approach
“… designed with consideration of environmental impact, inhabited by people dedicated to minimization of required inputs of energy, water and food, and waste output …”	BEC is dedicated to citizen involvement and development of a societal ethic of sustainability that will drive the transformation of an unsustainable city. BEC considers environmental impact and minimizes inputs through themes such as energy, natural capital, food and waste.

Eco-City Definition 2

River, kids, ducks…

Ecocity Builders	Biosphere Eco-City (BEC) Approach
“… a subsystem of the ecosystem of which it is part of its watershed, bioregion, and ultimately the planet.”	The Biosphere Eco-City includes a significant part of the ecosystem with the rural area around the urban core. If Biosphere Eco-Cities were developed in different countries, they would link the planet’s human activities and ecosystems.

Eco-City Definition 3

Stratford: Urban park

Virginia Tech	Biosphere Eco-City (BEC) Approach
“… places where people can live healthier and economically productive lives while reducing their impact on the environment … (that) integrates vision, citizen initiative, public administration, ecologically efficient industry, people’s needs and aspirations, harmonious culture, and landscapes where nature, agriculture and the built environment are functionally integrated in a healthy way.”	BEC promotes quality of life and nature conservation. It involves everyone, promoting effective sustainability initiatives. BEC connects people and organizations, to build on each other’s successes. With government as a stakeholder, BEC complements public planning. Culture is a process for sustainability. BEC integrates nature, agriculture and the built environment through themes such as design, habitat, and food.

Virginia Tech

Biosphere Eco-City (BEC) Approach

“… places where people can live healthier and economically productive lives while reducing their impact on the environment … (that) integrates vision, citizen initiative, public administration, ecologically efficient industry, people’s needs and aspirations, harmonious culture, and landscapes where nature, agriculture and the built environment are functionally integrated in a healthy way.”

BEC promotes quality of life and nature conservation.
It involves everyone, promoting effective sustainability initiatives.
BEC connects people and organizations, to build on each other’s successes.
With government as a stakeholder, BEC complements public planning.
Culture is a process for sustainability.
BEC integrates nature, agriculture and the built environment through themes such as design, habitat, and food.

The Ottawa BEC Council presented a poster paper at the 2011 Eco-Cities World Summit in Montreal, which was attended by 1000 people.