Award-winning architect Mina Hasman is advocating for a radical shift in urban design, proposing that cities of the future should be engineered to adapt to a hotter climate, drawing inspiration from natural systems.

Hasman, recognized as a Times 100 climate leader and Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), argues that current urban development often works against natural processes, exacerbating the impacts of climate change. Her vision centers on creating cities that function like forests, with buildings designed to actively regulate temperature and improve air quality, much like trees.

"We need to explore a new era of climate-ready design where buildings breathe, communities thrive and urban environments work with nature, not against it," Hasman explained. This approach emphasizes integrating natural principles into the built environment to enhance resilience against escalating global temperatures and extreme weather events.

The core of Hasman's concept involves reimagining buildings and urban planning to emulate the adaptive and self-regulating qualities of ecosystems. This could translate into structures that incorporate living materials, advanced ventilation systems that mimic natural airflow, and urban layouts that maximize green spaces for cooling and water management.

Such a paradigm shift requires a fundamental re-evaluation of how cities are built and managed. It moves beyond superficial green initiatives to a deeper integration of ecological principles into the very fabric of urban life. The goal is to create environments that are not only sustainable but also actively contribute to mitigating the effects of climate change.

Hasman's perspective highlights the urgency of adapting urban infrastructure to the realities of a warming planet. As cities worldwide grapple with heatwaves, rising sea levels, and resource scarcity, innovative design solutions are becoming increasingly critical for the well-being of their inhabitants and the long-term viability of urban centers.

While the specifics of implementation will vary depending on local contexts and resources, the underlying principle of nature-inspired design offers a promising pathway. It suggests that by learning from and collaborating with natural systems, humanity can build more resilient, healthier, and more sustainable cities for generations to come.

The call for climate-ready design underscores a growing global recognition that the built environment must play a more active role in addressing the climate crisis, moving from being part of the problem to becoming a key part of the solution.