10-17-2013
What Will the World Look Like in 2409?
As part of FXFOWLE's Green October focus on regenerative landscapes, Dr. Eric Sanderson, Senior Conservation Ecologist at the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), came to the office to present his newest project, Mannahatta 2409. Sanderson began his presentation by explaining the history of the project and how it came to fruition.
In 2002, Sanderson and his colleagues created a tool called the Human Footprint Map. It was the first program to look at human influence around the globe, at less than one square mile resolution. He explained that while it was obviously important to protect the natural environment, we also needed to ask ourselves: How do we reshape the human footprint? As architects and designers, it is particularly important for us to continually ask ourselves questions such as these We recognize the complex systems that operate within the city scale, systems just as complex as the ones that exist in nature, and it is essential to understand how we can view the city not as a separate entity but as a part of the overall ecosystem.
A slight departure from The Human Footprint, Sanderson completed the Mannahatta Project in 2009 in order to expand our understanding of our natural environment. The name Mannahatta comes from the original Lenape word for the area, translating as "island of many hills," a name that now seems surprising given Manhattan's relatively flat terrain. The project comprises extensive research that recreates block-by-block the original ecology of the island founded in 1609, when Henry Hudson first landed. Within each block, viewers have access to information regarding all aspects of the original environment: wildlife, landscape and early inhabitants as well as information on the present day ecology.
While the Mannahatta Project provides us with valuable information about the origins of the island from 400 years ago, another feature of the project, called Mannahatta 2409 helps us envision the evolution of Manhattan over the next 400 years. When comparing the Manhattan we know today to the Mannahatta of 1609, it is clear that the island's original ecology has been long ignored, and as a result, our city, like many others, has a series of interrelated ecological problems. The basis for Mannahatta 2409 is to generate new ideas about how Manhattan could evolve over the next 400 years. The website is a map-based tool with an understandable framework.
CHANGE: What are the things we can change?
• Ecosystem
• Lifestyle
• Climate
RESPOND: How will our decisions affect the outcome?
• Water
• Carbon
• Biodiversity
• Population
ENVISION: How do we envision the future?
• Then: Mannahatta
• Now: Present Day Manhattan
• Future: Your Vision
When using this tool, users can set up the basic information, called a "vision" (date, etc.) and define an area that will automatically populate with information from the Mannahatta project as well as information regarding present day Manhattan. Once these parameters are in place, users are able to design whatever variables they desire in order to see first hand how those decisions will affect the ecological metrics (water, carbon, biodiversity and population) of the area.
By far one of the best features of Mannahatta 2409 is the capability to peruse the ideas and visions of virtually anyone with access to a computer. As more people add their visions to this database it will become an amazing resource for information and ideas. When asked what his version of the future would be, Sanderson said that he envisions a city designed for people, where the tax system supports and gives back to nature, is operated only by renewable energy. It will be exciting to see some of the ideas people come up with once Mannahatta 2409 goes live.
In 2002, Sanderson and his colleagues created a tool called the Human Footprint Map. It was the first program to look at human influence around the globe, at less than one square mile resolution. He explained that while it was obviously important to protect the natural environment, we also needed to ask ourselves: How do we reshape the human footprint? As architects and designers, it is particularly important for us to continually ask ourselves questions such as these We recognize the complex systems that operate within the city scale, systems just as complex as the ones that exist in nature, and it is essential to understand how we can view the city not as a separate entity but as a part of the overall ecosystem.
A slight departure from The Human Footprint, Sanderson completed the Mannahatta Project in 2009 in order to expand our understanding of our natural environment. The name Mannahatta comes from the original Lenape word for the area, translating as "island of many hills," a name that now seems surprising given Manhattan's relatively flat terrain. The project comprises extensive research that recreates block-by-block the original ecology of the island founded in 1609, when Henry Hudson first landed. Within each block, viewers have access to information regarding all aspects of the original environment: wildlife, landscape and early inhabitants as well as information on the present day ecology.
While the Mannahatta Project provides us with valuable information about the origins of the island from 400 years ago, another feature of the project, called Mannahatta 2409 helps us envision the evolution of Manhattan over the next 400 years. When comparing the Manhattan we know today to the Mannahatta of 1609, it is clear that the island's original ecology has been long ignored, and as a result, our city, like many others, has a series of interrelated ecological problems. The basis for Mannahatta 2409 is to generate new ideas about how Manhattan could evolve over the next 400 years. The website is a map-based tool with an understandable framework.
CHANGE: What are the things we can change?
• Ecosystem
• Lifestyle
• Climate
RESPOND: How will our decisions affect the outcome?
• Water
• Carbon
• Biodiversity
• Population
ENVISION: How do we envision the future?
• Then: Mannahatta
• Now: Present Day Manhattan
• Future: Your Vision
When using this tool, users can set up the basic information, called a "vision" (date, etc.) and define an area that will automatically populate with information from the Mannahatta project as well as information regarding present day Manhattan. Once these parameters are in place, users are able to design whatever variables they desire in order to see first hand how those decisions will affect the ecological metrics (water, carbon, biodiversity and population) of the area.
By far one of the best features of Mannahatta 2409 is the capability to peruse the ideas and visions of virtually anyone with access to a computer. As more people add their visions to this database it will become an amazing resource for information and ideas. When asked what his version of the future would be, Sanderson said that he envisions a city designed for people, where the tax system supports and gives back to nature, is operated only by renewable energy. It will be exciting to see some of the ideas people come up with once Mannahatta 2409 goes live.