Cultural Niche Construction as a Framework for Reorienting Human−Environment Relations

Michiru Nagatsu*, Roope O. Kaaronen, Mikko Salmela, Miles MacLeod

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

    3 Citations (Scopus)
    60 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    In this paper, we argue that the theory of cultural niche construction provides a cogent and fruitful framework for studying and managing human−environment relationships, including our conceptualizations of them. We first review the development of the ideas of niche construction from evolutionary to social contexts. We then discuss how various human cognitive and affective goals are achieved through our engagement and interaction with the environment, as cognitive and affective niche construction. We extend this analysis to the built environment, as urban niche construction, and provide two examples of urban design for which niche construction provides useful theoretical and practical insights. We also discuss how different urban policy initiatives are related through the lens of cultural niche construction.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)413-432
    Number of pages20
    JournalTopics in Cognitive Science
    Volume15
    Issue number3
    Early online date23 Jun 2023
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Jul 2023

    Keywords

    • Niche construction
    • Cognitive and affective niche
    • Urban design
    • Scaffolded cognition
    • Human−nature relations
    • Sustainability
    • Conceptual engineering

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