Eco Balance Simulator Concept
EcoConstruct is an interactive tool that simulates urbanization’s impact on wildlife by combining physical models with a portable tablet. It enables users to explore how human activities affect habitats and experiment with restoration, fostering a deeper understanding of environmental change and coexistence solutions.
Client:
Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy
Time:
2024 Fall
Contributors:
Jerry Cai
Yilin Jin
Zoey Guan
Tool Used:
Figma
Aftereffect
Red Giant
Showreel
Background
Urban development in the Los Angeles area has dramatically altered natural landscapes, fragmenting habitats and forcing wildlife to either adapt or relocate.
Problems
Our client is seeking to increase public awareness and engagement to build stronger support for urban conservation amid competing development priorities.
Goals
Empower Policy Making
Foster Public Awareness
Promote Human Nature Coexistence
How might we create an intuitive experience that raises public awareness by visualize urbanization’s impact on wildlife and explore sustainable solutions?
Solutions
Intuitive Learning Experience
Physical Interactive objects for intuitive experience
Streamlined Simulation
Streamlined the range of focus for various animals and locations
Data Visualization
Dynamically updates animal data, reflecting the impact of users' actions on wildlife and their habitats.
Restore Simulation
Explore various recovery possibilities and understand the trade-offs of different resource allocations.
Intuitive Learning Experience
Utilizing 3D models as interactive triggers to simulate urbanization and explore its impact on different communities.
Customize the Simulation
Users can select a location to simulate, choose animals to observe their responses to environmental changes, and provide flexibility for architecture design students to test their designs in a simulated environment
Select a location to view data on population, urbanization, building density, and pollution (air, noise, ground), gaining insights into urban impact and helping architecture students assess ecological effects."
Data Visualization
Users can select a location to simulate, choose animals to observe their responses to environmental changes, and provide flexibility for architecture design students to test their designs in a simulated environment
Toggle between local animals in the simulation, accessing detailed, dynamic data based on their actions and the location's original status through a pull-out menu.
View detailed data, including percentage increases or declines in population, pair counts, habitat size, and nesting. A breakdown of food sources is also provided, all of which dynamically change based on user actions.
Restoration
The restore simulation presents a trade-off scenario for recovering from urbanization, offering examples like green spaces, grassland restoration, and pond restoration to help users understand the connections and costs of ecological recovery
As an example, users can plan restoration by placing and rotating a tree model in the simulation. As the tree grows and expands, animals gradually return, symbolizing successful ecological recovery.
To make restoration more meaningful and impactful, a budget feature is included, allowing users to plan and execute restoration efforts within a set budget, balancing ecological recovery with resource constraints.
Final Poster
Present to Clients
Research
Our Client - Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy (AFC)
AFC is a Conservancy NGO commit to reserve and restore natural habitats in the San Gabriel and Crescenta Valleys in Great Los Angels Area.
AFC's Current Needs
Site Visiting
Understanding the Challenges of Reservation
Identifying AFC's Needs
Observing the Challenges
Insights
"It’s hard to see the impact." 🌍
Urbanization’s effects on wildlife are often invisible, making it difficult for people to grasp how their actions shape ecosystems.
"Learning feels detached."📖
Static presentations and reports fail to engage users in understanding real-time environmental changes and their consequences.
Final Thoughts
Small changes with the environment can lead to more sustainable ecosystems.
With more time, we would expand the simulation with more species, environmental factors, and real-time data for greater accuracy.
This Project highlights the importance of visualizing ecological impact and making informed decisions.