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Population and Environment
Citation:
HANSEN, V. E. Population and Environment. Presented at BIO 331 Environmental Science - Wilberforce University, Xenia, OH, October 22, 2008.
Impact/Purpose:
To discuss (1) what conditions have to exist on a planet in order to sustain human lfe; (2) what options-opportunities are needed to manage human activities/behaviors in the environment and (3) what measures must be taken in order to remain and adapt in place.
Description:
The concept of 'protection' is possible only before something is lost, however, development of the built environment to meet human needs also compromises the environmental systems that sustain human life. Because maintaining an environment that is able to sustain human life requires intact natural systems, intact systems are a fundamental condition within which the built environment must be developed and maintained. Because the process of planning the built environment is intended to meet human needs within many sets of conditions, e.g., zoning, building codes, budgets, etc., the essential attributes of intact natural systems can be used as planning criteria. These criteria become the guide and measure for making land-use decisions that meet human needs and maintain the environment's ability to sustain human life.