The Biosphere Eco-City (BEC) model was developed for use in any city using human capital – the energy and ideas of people. It applies simple Themes and Tools, engaging people to create a culture of sustainability.
Themes are the action areas for sustainability
BEC Themes, represent all areas of direct action for sustainability i.e.: Transportation, Energy, Design, Habitat, Food, Natural Capital, Waste, Health, Recreation and Sense of Place.
Because Themes are concrete, anyone can understand them. And they bring together people with shared interests, for discussion and action.
Tools engage people in sustainability
BEC’s Tools engage people in sustainability. All support understanding, involvement, innovation and sharing. And all Tools use Themes to ensure every interest is covered in discussion and activities.
Tools can support each other. For example, a Theme Workshop can explore issues to address in the Sustainability Stakeholders Council. The council may initiate a Demonstration Project. Or a council member may design a Sustainability Plan. Then the school or community creating that plan may use the Database of Sustainability Projects for ideas.
Themes, Tools and Processes make activities more successful
BEC Processes use human methods for more successful projects, e.g.:
- Science can improve project research and evaluation,
- Education can include schools in project delivery,
- Communication can increase public awareness & support, and
- Culture can focus on different groups for input and application.
Organizations may apply all or parts of the BEC model
Organizations in any city may apply all or part of the BEC model. They may seek advice, or handbooks (see “About”) through Contact page.
Processes make activities more successful
BEC Processes act indirectly on activities for sustainability, but can make those activities more successful. They are Science, Education, Communication and Culture.
Together these parts make up the BEC Model. Themes provide a focus for discussion and action through the Tools. Tools within the framework of the Themes engage people and create projects. Process provide support to increase the success of projects. All of these expand the culture of sustainability, and it in turn makes the Themes, Tools and Processes easier to apply.
Implementation of BEC can happen in any of a number of ways in a city. Through a pre-existing, new, or municipal organization; under a council of stakeholders; or in whatever way works best locally.
Please feel free to apply all or parts of the BEC model and request advice through this website
If your organization would like to apply all or part of the BEC model, please feel free to do so. You may also request advice, through this website, based on experience in Ottawa, Canada. We have free handbooks on some activities (see list on “About” page). Please send us information on your experience with the BEC approach. Also, when you develop a BEC initiative, we would be happy to post a link on this website.
Further information on BEC Model
DIAGRAM OF BIOSPHERE ECO-CITY MODEL The goal of BEC is to create a culture of sustainability A goal of a Biosphere Eco-City (BEC) is to create a Culture of Sustainability that will be seen in the work and lives of everyone. To do this BEC uses Themes, Tools and Processes that will engage people and […]
Ten Themes include all areas of direct action for sustainability. They are: Themes make sustainability easy to understand Because Themes are concrete and relate to a specific area of activity, they make sustainability easy to understand. Yet they are broad enough to bring together people to discuss common areas of interest (see photo below). For […]
Science, Education, Communication and Culture are Processes that can improve the effectiveness of projects for any Theme of Sustainability. Although these Processes are common features of modern life, it might be worthwhile to create committees to ensure that BEC activities in a city are using them to best advantage. Below are some ideas. Science Including […]
Engagement includes Understanding, Involvement, Innovation and Sharing Tools make it easier to engage people in activities for sustainability. They use BEC Themes to focus discussions and actions. All Tools address four aspects of engagement: Understanding (of sustainability) Involvement (in an activity) Innovation (building on previous work) Sharing (of lessons and ideas) Sharing is particularly important, […]
International use of the Biosphere Eco-City approach is welcomed. Ottawa BEC has participated in international events since 2011. This included presentations on BEC at international conferences in Canada, France and the United Arab Emirates. Also, Ottawa BEC conducted three guided sustainability tours for international visitors in Ottawa. As well, it provided practicum experiences for PhD […]
There are many ways to coordinate a Biosphere Eco-City There is no standard way to set up or coordinate a Biosphere Eco-City. It all depends on what works best in the local circumstances. As well, the BEC approach can be tested first through a project, without setting up a Biosphere Eco-City coordinating structure. This is […]
A functional region is based on human activities; an ecological region is based on nature A city is a functional region where human processes can dominate ecological ones. The ecological region (see explanation below), in which the city was established, still exists. But its ecosystems have been changed by human processes. Generally, human processes are […]
A Biosphere Eco-City (BEC) contains an urban core and the surrounding rural area with which it has regular interaction. A BEC is a functional region, in which human processes are prevalent, but in which ecological processes are also present (see Functional Region vs Ecological Region). The rural area will normally include agriculture, forests, or other […]
The Biosphere Eco-City (BEC) initiative is happy to share ideas and information on the BEC approach with cities across Canada. For example, it advised Ryerson University to help produce the Toronto Sustainability Tour (link at bottom of home page). As well, Ottawa BEC partnered with Water Rangers to produce a water testing kit, which is […]
Photo Credits
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PHOTO |
DESCRIPTION |
CAPTION |
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Hero photo |
Park & cityscape |
ICLEI City on Pexels |
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Picture 1 |
Pedestrians & cyclists |
Photo by J. Birtch |
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Picture 2 |
Building with plants |
Photo by Chris Barbalis on Unsplash |
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Picture 3 |
People at desk |
Photo by Canva Studio on Pexels |
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Diagram of BEC Model |
Hands over desk |
Photo by Bongkarn Thanyakij on Pexels |
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How to coord. a BEC |
People at the picnic table |
Photo by Dylan Gillis on Unsplash |
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National Networking |
People sit & stand |
Canadian meeting. Photographer unknown |
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Tools of engagement |
Blue shirts, plants |
Photo by Anna Earl on Unsplash |
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International Networking |
People standing |
Colleagues from 5 countries. Photographer unknown |
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Themes of Sustainability |
Field of flowers |
Butterfly garden. Photo by J. Birtch |
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Functional vs Ecological Region |
Aerial of the city by the shoreline |
Photo by J. Birtch |
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Processes for Sustainability |
Bicycles & sign |
Ottawa Sustainability Tour. Photographer unknown |
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Zones of a BEC |
Path in woods |
Photo by Zen zeee on Unsplash |