Name: How to build a resilient future using ancient wisdom
Uploaded: 2020-08-11T14:50:07Z
Duration: 8 min 21 s
Description: In her global exploration of Indigenous design systems, architect Julia Watson researches enduring innovations that could help us counter the challenges of climate change. From floating villages to living root bridges that strengthen over time, Watson introduces us to some of these resilient solutions -- and shows how they can teach us to design with nature, instead of against it.

In her global exploration of Indigenous design systems, architect Julia Watson researches enduring innovations that could help us counter the challenges of climate change. From floating villages to living root bridges that strengthen over time, Watson introduces us to some of these resilient solutions -- and shows how they can teach us to design with nature, instead of against it.

How to build a resilient future using ancient wisdom

Humanity has long overlooked the living wisdom of Indigenous engineering, favoring collapsed civilizations’ monuments over ongoing innovation. In India, bridges grown from tree roots connect monsoon-isolated villages and become stronger over centuries. Iraq’s Maʿdān people have lived on floating reed islands for 6,000 years, and Calcutta’s 300 fish ponds naturally clean wastewater for 15 million people. These time-tested systems reveal how working with nature leads to powerful solutions for today’s climate challenges.