Reconnecting with Nature in the Built Environment: The Roles of Biophilic and Biomimetic Urban Design

Awal Prasetyo (Diponegoro University)
Hendro Prabowo (Gunadarma University)
Wahyu Prakosa (Gunadarma University)
Destri Maya Rani (Bina Trada Polytechnic)

International Journal of Engineering, Science and Information Technology
Vol 6, No 2 (2026)

Integrating nature into urban design has become a crucial approach for creating healthy, sustainable, and livable cities. This paper explores the multidimensional benefits and distinct roles of two transformative frameworks: Biophilic Design and Biomimetics. While both are rooted in nature, they offer complementary pathways. Biophilic Design focuses on human well-being, systematically integrating natural elements, light, and materials into the built environment to strengthen the innate human-nature connection, thereby improving mental and physical health, reducing stress, and enhancing social cohesion. In contrast, Biomimetics is a technical approach that solves complex urban challenges by emulating nature's models, principles, and ecological systems. It leads to innovative, efficient, and sustainable solutions, such as bio-inspired ventilation systems and materials that enhance urban resilience. The paper argues that moving beyond superficial greening, the synergistic application of Biophilic (human-centered) and Biomimetic (performance-centered) strategies enables a fundamental transformation towards regenerative, resilient, and dignified human settlements capable of addressing the pressing challenges of global urbanization and climate change.