Towards a phenomenological understanding of biomimicry in landscape architecture: insights and ambiguities from a Delphi study in Algeria

Integrating biomimicry into landscape architecture requires a shift from applying natural models mechanically to adopting a more human-centred, phenomenological approach, one that values cultural and lived experiences of nature. This study draws on Dicks’ interpretation of autopoiesis and Mathews’ emphasis on bio-synergy over mimicry to propose a more reflective and context-sensitive framework for biomimetic design. To explore how these abstract concepts are understood in practice, a two-round Delphi survey was conducted with Algerian landscape architecture experts. Thematic analysis of their responses revealed key patterns in how biomimicry, autopoiesis, and bio-synergy are interpreted. The findings show a gap between theoretical frameworks and professional understanding, pointing to the need for clearer, culturally grounded concepts. This contributes to building a more effective foundation for introducing biomimicry into landscape architecture through a phenomenological lens.