Invisible Inheritable Urban Biomimicry: How to Re-discover and Evaluate It

Abstract The contemporary built environment, the primary human habitat, contributes significantly to global environmental challenges, such as biodiversity loss and climate change. Consequently, there is an increasing focus on reconnecting urbanism with nature through biomimicry, an approach that draws inspiration from natural systems to design sustainable, self-sufficient, and resilient urban environments. This research explores the hypothesis that natural system principles are inherently present in many contemporary urban development theories, even if not immediately visible, and can support the creation of sustainable urban spaces. By analyzing theories such as new urbanism, smart growth, the 15-minute city, and others, this paper seeks to determine their alignment with biomimicry principles. The research employs both quantitative and qualitative approaches, combining theoretical analysis of natural systems and urban theories with the search for possibilities to apply simulative modelling to assess the specific applicability of biomimetic approaches. The findings of the research highlight that several urban models and theories, including New Urbanism and Alexander’s pattern language, can support biomimicry application, thus allowing us to speak about the inherited urban biomimicry as a phenomenon and look for inspiration not only in nature but also in the urban structures of the past. The conducted analysis also reveals that if the degree of expression of urban biomimicry principles in cities is analyzed, then it is not enough to use qualitative models – quantitative models should be employed for this purpose. The possibility of using Space Syntax-based simulative modelling for the analysis of inherited biomimicry in urban structures is discussed and demonstrated.