An Exploration of Place and Nature at the Biophilic Leadership Summit

By JD Brown, Program Director for Biophilic Cities

April 2019

Earlier this month, thought leaders gathered at Serenbe for the third annual Biophilic Leadership Summit. One important theme explored throughout the event is the relationship between cultural and environmental influences of place and the impact of biophilia on human health and wellbeing. Bill Browning examined this theme in his discussion of the emerging science of biophilia, and the same thread wove through the exploration of inspiring efforts underway in cities such as Atlanta, Raleigh and New Orleans and in the landscape of the host community of Serenbe itself.

The importance of place was illustrated by the broad commitment to growing and sustaining urban agriculture in Atlanta through the city’s AgLanta program. Mario Cambardella, Atlanta’s Urban Agriculture Director, displayed an open understanding of the role that a city can play in creating a stage for its residents to pursue projects that both produce much needed fresh, healthy food and build community. Caroline Lindquist from Raleigh’s Parks, Rec and Cultural Resources Department described how the city is embarking on a transformative community led design of Dorothea Dix Park, with the result that the 308 acre park in the heart of the city will become a crossroads connecting ecologically and culturally diverse communities in the city. Sandra Serna discussed the links that can be forged between community health and public spaces through the Fit NOLA program whereby New Orleans parks become the gathering place for city residents to explore healthier lifestyles. Amanda Sturgeon, CEO of the International Living Future Institute, highlighted the Te Kura Whare living certified community center for the people of Tūhoe in Tāneatua, New Zealand, which draws from the landscape and culture of the Tūhoe to rehabilitate what was lost and to inspire a more hopeful future.

The focus on place was bolstered by a wealth of information on the growing science supporting the need for access to nature as an element of our daily lives. As with prior years, thought leaders in the fields of biophilic design and planning explored the dramatic influence of nature as a source of positive change. Participants had an opportunity to hear from a trio of presenters at the forefront of documenting our psychological and physiological responses to access to nature. Author Florence Williams spoke to her experience in documenting the rejuvenating power of experiences in nature and the need to prioritize such experiences as a source of healing. Jenny Roe described her own extensive research as an environmental psychologist documenting the benefits derived from time spent in nature, while Corey Keyes set out his inspiring recipe for flourishing that builds affirmative mental health.

For Biophilic Cities, the summit was bookended by time in Atlanta. The summit opened with a joint presentation from Sonja Bochart and Joshua Gassman that highlighted the biophilic design of the Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design underway on the campus of Georgia Tech. At the conclusion of the summit, we toured the newly completed Interface Base Camp, which Biophilic Cities will highlight in a forthcoming short film. Interface, along with Google, the Kendeda Fund and the Turner Foundation, was a sponsor for the event and continues to be an important partner in the evolving impact and reach of the summit, not to mention as a leader in defining the meaningful role that corporations can play when they place sustainability and biophilic values at the core of their mission.

Recordings of the many wonderful presentations from the summit will all be available as part of our continually growing library of resources derived from this annual event. Planning is underway for next year with our summit co-hosts Serenbe and the Biophilic Institute. Feedback from participants and others who would like to participate will drive the focus for what will be explored. The summit has become a point of reflection and grounding for us at Biophilic Cities and we appreciate the opportunity to be a part of it.