"Whilst urban areas were previously treated as artificial environments irrelevant to the environment of a nation, increasingly the nature of urban areas is recognised as where environments need much greater care.  Flying from New Zealand to arrive amidst the urban heat island of downtown Manhattan was a stark reminder of this need. Fashion and social expectation now means that exciting built environments are expected, and expected instantly. There’s scarce patience for allowing for plant material to establish, and for nature to colonise. Yet a greening and naturalising of the urban environment is essential. Vegetation versus structures. Structures shrouded in vegetation. Vegetation managing the microclimate, the aesthetic and the identity of a place. Design and planning mechanisms are outlined to enable vegetated built environments."

"Plants and/or Structures" by Di Lucas

Conference "Meaning and Design of Nature for the Urban Built Environment," Lincoln University, August 2005