Description
Tis research explores the question “can engagement with remediation andrestoration processes foster closer relationships with nature?” To answer this
question, two case study sites are being studied: the St. Louis River Estuary in the
United States and the Kymijoki here in Finland. Trough environmental history
research and community-based research, I am developing a community-informed ecological justice framework. Ecological justice is an emerging concept to redefne our relationship with the natural world. At its heart is a rejection of the false dichotomy between humanity and nature, and an acknowledgement of our deep connection to nature and our responsibility to protect nature. Te heart of this research is the communities’ relationships with the rivers, and their perspectives on the history of the rivers.
Ecological justice indicators and hot spots important to the community are
being identifed through a series of three workshops. While the concept of
ecological justice is new for most stakeholders, they have embraced the concept
and are eager to learn more. Tis shif in perspective—centering the river as a
stakeholder—has opened new possibilities for applying justice-oriented thinking in local environmental work. Te next phase of this research will explore how the framework can be translated into regulatory tools, such as environmental assessments or planning guidelines, to embed ecological justice more concretely into built environment governance.
| Period | 27 Oct 2025 |
|---|---|
| Event title | Annual Symposium of Architectural Research in Finland: Radical Care for Resilience in the Built Environment |
| Event type | Conference |
| Location | Tampere, FinlandShow on map |
| Degree of Recognition | National |