Designing with Nature, with Emīlija Vaselova

In this episode, we speak with Emīlija Vaselova, Doctoral researcher in Multispecies Design at Aalto University, Finland, about her fascinating experiences in designing with Nature, in the truest sense of the word. She has worked for many years at expanding the definition of a “stakeholder” to include more-than-humans, in desin and planning practice and research, even while not losing sight of the importance of inclusion of diverse human groups. This includes the process of identifying which more-than-humans are stakeholders in diverse design processes, as well as practical explorations of how, once identified, they might be included.

Emilija has explored multiple ways of incorporating various shapes Nature can take, from weather processes (such as snow), to mushroom ecosystems to winter and other seasons, and much more. She explains the difference between including various individual “organisms” (e.g. one specific dog) versus single species collectives (e.g. a single bee versus a bee hive), or even multi-species collectives (e.g. lichens en trees, etc.), which for some (most?) species is crucial, as they require more than one of themselves and/or other beings to live (well). This to provide only one of many fascinating examples of the themes explored in this episode.

Emīlija shares that in her experience, even if such more-than-human inclusion is still rudimentary, an aspect of “added care” does make a difference in making sure that more-than-humans are at least somewhat considered in decision-making. She highlights how both experiential and more abstract knowledge about the natural environment can be crucial for gaining a better sense of the interconnectedness and needs concerned in human and more-than-human relations. And she asks anyone to ask themselves: does this project or this decision involve any more-than-human stakeholder? Even if a more-than-human stakeholder is not immediately apparent, which might be there in hidden ways, after all, while emphasising the fun, curious side of this exploration.

Take-aways for planners, by Emīlija Vaselova:

* Explicitly acknowledge that we need nature, now, in 10 years, in 100 years.

* Acknowledge that we shape the future with the actions we take today, including the spaces all species will live in, and the way humans and all species view these spaces and how they/we coexist.

* Have curiosity about how the processes could be different already today, and test it today, or tomorrow, or next week.

* Support nature so that in turn it can support us.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit planetaryplanning.substack.com