According to Professor Costanza, architecture is not simply the act of designing and structuring buildings. Rather, it requires considering a building as part of a larger system that includes the land on which it stands, the surrounding environment, the interaction between them, and the social and the economic activities that shape them.
Through studying architecture, Robert nurtured a broader perspective that helped him view systems (as part of a whole) holistically rather than as separate, (individual parts). In addition, he also studied a wide variety of fields such as hydrology, meteorology, and economics, which helped develop an important foundation for his later research on ecological economics.
After entering graduate school, Robert came under the guidance of Professor Howard Odum, an ecologist who was working on a joint project with a professor from the architecture department. Just as Robert had viewed architecture as part of a larger system, learning to perceive multiple ecosystems existing within a larger system allowed him to pursue his research with an even broader perspective.
3. The Challenges of Demonstrating
the Value of Ecosystem Services
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