Ecological Embeddedness in the Maya Built Environment: Inspiration for Contemporary Cities

Naji Akbar, Ismaila Rimi Abubakar, Ayesha Agha Shah and Wafa Al-Madani
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Naji Akbar: Department of Interior Architecture, College of Architecture and Planning, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam 31451, Saudi Arabia
Ismaila Rimi Abubakar: College of Architecture and Planning, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam 31451, Saudi Arabia
Ayesha Agha Shah: Department of Architecture and Interior Design, College of Engineering, University of Bahrain, P.O. Box 32038, Zallaq, Bahrain
Wafa Al-Madani: Department of Architecture and Interior Design, College of Engineering, University of Bahrain, P.O. Box 32038, Zallaq, Bahrain

Land, 2021, vol. 10, issue 12, 1-29

Abstract: Cities nowadays are the most significant source of environmental degradation threatening local and global ecosystems. Interestingly, many ancient settlements present excellent lessons and inspiration for addressing our current urban predicaments, given their environmental stewardship. This research explores how the ecologically embedded settlement patterns, building configurations, urban agriculture and home gardening, and water conservation of the Maya-built environment can offer insights about mitigating contemporary urban sustainability challenges. Mayans’ respect for nature not only guaranteed sustainable habitats but also engendered one of the most remarkable civilizations in a region that did not offer generous support for human accommodation. The Mayan world view promoted the idea of one spirit dwelling in all humans and other-than-human entities in an environment, making everything sacred and kin to everything else. The regional climate was kept under control by protecting the vegetation that also provided other ecological benefits. Land use was mixed, and residences were constructed with native and recyclable materials utilizing natural light and ventilation. The Mayan civilization inspires us to manage and protect plants, not cut them down; conserve water, not waste it; listen to the environmental feedback, not reject it; and, most importantly, it begs us to embrace nature as our own mother, not disown it as something dispensable. These principles have significant implications on urban land-use planning and policies today.

Keywords: ecological embeddedness; environmental sustainability; cities; home gardens; Maya; settlement pattern; urban agriculture; water conservation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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