Architecture and Environment - Assignment Example

The relationship between the ecology and architectural development has always been a very tangible one. Since the start of urbanization the ecologists and naturalists have been raving about the cutting of trees to build cities and its harmful effect on the ecology. But the fact is we cannot stop the architectural development and modernization because of the requirements of the increasing human population. We have to develop plans so that the ecology can be preserved and the urbanization can also take place.

Trees are a fundamental part of our environment and it is a fact that we cannot survive without trees because firstly they are responsible for processing excess carbon di oxide from our environment, secondly we are dependent on the plants for our food directly though fruits and vegetables and indirectly through animals whose meat we consume. The second most important effect that urbanization has created on our ecology is the rupture in ozone layer due to the greenhouse effect. This major issue had rattled the scientists to a measure that they are starting to think about developing the cities in such a way that the sustainability remains intact.

Researchers have come up with a new ideal known as Green Plot Index; it is based on a parameter known as Leaf Area Index (LAI), which is the single side leaf area per unit ground area. It means that on every unit of ground area there should be a single side of leaf to maintain the proper ecology and environment of that unit area. Green plot Index is the average of LAI of the vegetation on the building site. It is similar to the Building Plot ratio which is used to measure the maximum flooring that can be done on a building site.

(Ong et al 2003) With the urbanization of an area the boundaries between the natural habitat and the urban area become convoluted, and because of this convolution there are shifts in the microclimatic