Ecological Design
Project Type
Research and Publication
Year
Winter 2025
Client /Professor
Nina-Marie Lister
Role
Individual Project
ABSTRACT
This conceptual design proposal was developed as the final project for the Fall 2024 Ecological Design course, supervised by Professor Nina-Marie Lister at Toronto Metropolitan University. It was prepared as an pre-design entry (not submitted) for the Melville Park Design Competition and envisions the transformation of 624 acres of rural land in Caledon, Ontario into a regenerative eco-tourism destination.
Grounded in biophilic and ecological design principles, the proposal integrates wetland preservation, native landscaping, and experiential learning infrastructure to foster a deeper human-nature connection. The design balances the policy frameworks of the Greenbelt Plan and local planning regulations with innovative approaches to sustainable land use, economic viability, and inclusive public access.
PROJECT BRIEF
How can ecological design principles be applied to create a destination that addresses a specific environmental challenge while fostering experiential learning through research, creation, and practical implementation?
SITE CONTEXT
Melville Park is a 624.5-acre property in Caledon, Ontario, under Longridge Partners’ ownership. The site comprises protected wetlands, woodland habitats, undeveloped land, and farmland. Adjacent to a rural settlement area, it is governed by the Greenbelt Plan and Caledon’s Official Plan, permitting low-intensity recreational and tourism-based uses.
DESIGN CONCEPT
Melville Park is envisioned as a sanctuary of ecology and experience, where eco-tourism and ecological design converge to foster deep connections between people and nature. The design integrates biophilic principles and sustainable landscape strategies to preserve and enhance the site’s rich ecological character. Core elements—such as elevated boardwalks, bioswales, native planting, and edible landscapes—create an immersive, educational, and regenerative visitor experience. Through this approach, the park becomes a living demonstration of how ecological design can balance biodiversity conservation with low-impact recreation and community well-being.
DESIGN SOLUTION
The project’s ecological framework is expressed through a series of thoughtfully integrated interventions:
Elevated Boardwalks protect sensitive wetland zones by preventing soil compaction and providing visitors with immersive views of biodiversity. These structures use sustainable materials and minimize physical disturbance.
Viewing Platforms offer accessible, immersive spaces for wildlife observation and environmental education, blending naturally into the landscape to maintain visual harmony and ecological sensitivity.
Bioswales manage stormwater runoff using vegetated channels planted with species such as blue flag iris and switchgrass. These systems improve water quality, support pollinators, and reinforce ecological resilience.
A Native Plant Palette—including species like milkweed and goldenrod—supports local biodiversity, enhances habitat connectivity, and reduces maintenance needs while increasing the site’s overall ecological value.
Edible Landscaping integrates berry shrubs and herb gardens that nourish both wildlife and visitors. These plantings promote sustainable living and offer opportunities for foraging and food education.
Biophilic Patterns and Materials guide the overall sensory experience of the park. Through the use of natural materials, light, and texture, visitors are invited to engage emotionally and physically with the landscape in ways that foster deeper well-being and connection to place.
Together, these solutions ensure that the design supports ecological health, fosters public engagement, and demonstrates the power of ecological design to shape spaces that are both regenerative and experiential.
IMPACT AND EVALUATION
Environmental
Enhanced protection of wetlands and woodlands
Ecological connectivity via habitat design
Minimal soil disruption and low-impact construction methods
Economic
Financial model based on seasonal packages and diversified revenue
Compatible with long-term ecological conservation and municipal policy
Potential replicability across Ontario’s Greenbelt rural sites.
Social
Education programs for youth, tourists, and local schools
Inclusive public space that welcomes intergenerational visitors
Strong potential for local employment and partnerships
Overall Feedback:
Beautiful and thoughtful work here (but keep it going for more entries!). For the journal this is strong and good effort, you can clearly sketch, paint and draw -- but the field diagrams and species notes add richness and links to the assignment intentions, with respect to species' behaviours and the relationships to design. Work would benefit from being sustained through the term with greater engagement in the course material and reflection from the readings and lectures. You certainly have the potential to excel in urban and landscape design and I hope you follow this creative path :) -Professor Nina-Marie Lister
REFLECTION
Melville Park pushed me to blend ecological responsibility with practical feasibility. Designing for both the land and the people who will experience it required me to deepen my understanding of regenerative design, environmental ethics, and business planning. The project became more than a proposal — it became a vision of what rural, public, and private land partnerships could look like in the future. If expanded, I would co-create with Indigenous communities and deepen public programming rooted in stewardship and land-based learning.
Design concept, 3D visualization, graphics and presentation by Orcel Manalang. 2024.
Academic advisor: Professor Nina-Marie Lister, Ecological Design Toronto Metropolitan University, 2024.
Melville Park Design Competition, resources and organized by Longridge Partners, 2024.
Design Concept, 3D Visualization, Graphics and Presentation: Orcel Manalang
Course: PLE835: Ecological Design | Fall 2024
Instructor / Reviewed by: Nina Marie Lister
Institution: Toronto Metropolitan University
Resources, Site Photograph, Design Competition organized by: Longridge Partners, 2024
