Cultural niche construction as a framework for reorienting human-environment relations

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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
JournalTopics in Cognitive Science
Volume15
Issue number3
Pages (from-to)412-432
Number of pages21
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

    Research areas

  • Faculty of Humanities - niche construction, scaffolded cognition, cognitive and affective niches, human-nature relationship, sustainability, cognitive engineering

ID: 381077124