Forests, forest management, and parks/urbanization and creating sustainable cities

Forests, Forest Management, and Parks/Urbanization and Creating Sustainable Cities

The Forest for the Trees The film highlights the problem of forest fires in Arizona. A menace worsened by climate change and forest mismanagement. Consequently, the narrator mentions that environmentalists and loggers suggest reintroduction of control burns in selected small trees to control the problem (Farrell 0: 5)
Critique
Forest fire present global challenges, therefore, appropriate response mechanisms should be developed. Forest burn and clearing contributes to a decline in forest cover and global warming.
How to Forest a Rain Forest
Willie Smits deliberates his desire to safeguard orangutans, which facilitated his rainforest reforestation strategy to regrow rainforest. The plan resulted to controlled local climate and economy, more jobs and enhanced permaculture.
Critique
Willie Smits acknowledges indigenous knowledge in the protection of orangutans but fails to incorporate different stakeholders’ involvement. In addition, it is vague on allocation of roles and mechanisms to address possible human-animal conflicts. (Smits 0: 12)
How to grow a tiny forest anywhere
Sharma outlines how to create small forests. He gives the advantages of the tiny forests in comparison to conventional forests. Mainly, the forests mature 10 times faster and are 100 times rich in biodiversity. In addition, the forests grow anywhere and very ideal for improving environmental conditions (Sharma. 0: 47)
Critique
Sharma provides little information on types of trees appropriate for small backyard forests. Forest ecosystem is a habitat for many animals, some of which are dangerous. Hence, tree planting should be controlled, and specific trees identified for backyard forests.
Using Natures Genius in Architecture
Pawlyn describes how architects construct an original world of sustainable magnificence. He describes the environment as a catalog of services and products, which can transmute society and architecture. Effective utilization of nature facilitates harnessing of solar power, closing loops, and proper resource adeptness (Pawlyn 0: 12)
Critique
Cities comprise of individuals with divergent ideas and ambitions. The film fails to consider the influence of town planning in structural development and consumer preference.
Retrofitting suburbia
Jones gives a 50-year projection of large sustainable enterprise in the environs. The narrator suggests rehabilitation of areas with outdated malls, stores, and parking garage into blossoming suburbia (Jones 0: 15).
Critique
Jones ignores the issue of land property rights in the reclamation process. In addition, several wetlands can facilitate the spread of water-borne diseases.
How to reinvent the apartment building
Through the video, Safdie recalls monolithic apartment building of the 1967 that provided habitat 67. He analyzes both benefits and disadvantages of modern developments in densely populated cities (Safdie 0: 8).
Critique
Contractors change building designs based on climatic conditions and technological advancements. It is unjustified to compare features of past buildings because with the present.
Works Cited
Dunham-Jones, Ellen. “ Retrofitting Suburbia.” Online Video Clip. TED. TED Global, Jan 2010. Web. October 22, 2014.
Farrell, Sean, “ The Forest for the Trees.” TimesVideo, Oct 2011. Web. October 22, 2014
Pawlyn, Michael. “ Using Natures Genius in Architecture.” Online Video Clip. TED. TED Global, November 2010. Web. October 22, 2014.
Safdie, Moshe. “ How To Reinvent The Apartment Building.” Online Video Clip. TED. TED Global, March 2014. Web. October 22, 2014.
Sharma, Shubhendu, “ How To Grow A Tiny Forest Anywhere.” TED. TED Global, Mar 2014. Web. October 22, 2014.
Smits, Willie. “ How to Restore a Rainforest.” TED. TED Global, Feb 2009. Web. October 22, 2014.