Searching the biophilic parameters for a township: A case study of Sentul City, West Java, Indonesia

Abstract

There has been a global attempt to evaluate and regenerate cities, residential areas, and building toward a more biophilic (‘connect with nature’) design, as an effort in promoting development based on environmental sustainability. The objective of the study was to search proper biophilic parameters to be applied for a township, and provide some necessary suggestions for the proposed parameters. Sentul City township was selected as a model to develop the parameters. Literature studies on biophilic design combined with an intensive field survey were performed to develop the parameters. Scales and parameters were developed accordingly. There were 37 parameters across four scales (entire township, building, block or cluster, household) and one sub-scale (neighbourhood) that were developed for the township being studied. Eight parameters were overlapped among the parameters, resulting in 29 non-overlapping parameters. To decrease some ambiguity and confusion, photos representing parameters of each scale were also included in this paper. Some parameters could be much more important than others, and thus weighting and standardization might be necessary in the later steps. As this result is still in embryonic stages, further development and elaboration of the parameters is still needed, involving many researchers and practitioners from relevant background.

Spatial–Temporal Evolution Analysis of the Development of Jingdang and Famen Townships in the Vicinity of the Capital City Site of the Western Zhou Dynasty in China

“…In other countries Land 2024, 13, 263 2 of 17 worldwide, e.g., Iran's Hormozgan Province, economic, social, and environmental factors have promoted the development of local townships [10]. Scholars have attempted to reshape township spaces in West Java, Indonesia, using ecological design methods [11]. In Namibia, sufficient food is the key to ensuring the healthy development of townships [12].…”