Abstract

This thesis explored the dynamics of Human/Nature Connectedness and Disconnectedness within and beyond the built environment, examining how design, systemic barriers, and daily choices shape our relationship with the natural world. It challenged the notion that Human/Nature Connectedness is accessible to some while others remain disconnected. The study reframed Human/Nature Connectedness as an essential, embodied practice rooted in reciprocity and resilience. Grounded in critical theory and interdisciplinary methodologies, including autoethnography, heuristic inquiry, and embodied phenomenology, the research wove a personal narrative through global, experiential inquiry. Comparative analysis of Canada’s cool, climatic constraints and Egypt’s warm, sunlit landscapes revealed the psychological, spatial, and socio-economic dimensions of Human/Nature (dis)Connectedness. The research also compared dystopian realities with utopian possibilities and envisioned a future realigned with nature’s seasonal rhythms; where time is guided by the sun, and cycles follow the moon. The work revealed a resistance to the unnatural, relentless pace of productivity-driven systems that distance us from nature, eroding our health and well-being. The work then encouraged a more balanced, sacred experience with nature, reclaiming the fact that we are of nature. Inspired by Indigenous stewardship, the work honoured intergenerational wisdom while advocating systems that prioritize deep-rooted tradition over shallow innovation. It called for generational interconnectedness, broadening our vision beyond instant gratification to respect future generations, grounded in reciprocal coexistence with nature. As a contribution, the thesis proposed S.E.E.D.S. (Standard for Environmental and Ecocentric Design Specifications) as an actionable design framework that empowers individuals to transcend structural constraints. Through daily choices, practices and ecocentric values, a convergence towards a holistic lifestyle emerges. More than a guide, it is an act of rebellion where small choices collectively reseed our bond with nature, harmoniously intertwining people and planet.