Cities as environments

摘要: In starting a new journal about urban ecosystems, it is useful to review some of the dominant themes that have run through recent and historic discussions cities as environments. Although concern with environmental issues may seem be new, because great amount attention paid during past several decades negative aspects environments – air, water, soil pollution there long history thought, writing, design environments, extending back throughout most western history. This has modern relevance, but more often ignored than used. paper briefly reviews central major ideas city planning design, relates these dilemmas contemporary ecological knowledge, proposes synthesis classical ideas. The are general, relating around world, when examples given in this paper, focus on United States, space limitations an emphasis thoughts Frederic Law Olmsted, American planner. reviewing we make five points: