Alfred Bernhart
Encyclopedia
Professor Alfred P. Bernhart (1914–2008) was an Austrian-born Canadian urbanist, writer and engineer
. Ever concerned for the well being of the planet, Bernhart developed three key theories. They are his theories on Evapotranspiration
, Societal Values and Metropolis 2025. In 1976 he concentrated his efforts to improving peoples’ quality of life in its entirety rather than in customary compartmentalization. For example, “use” of the fertilizing power of effluent
water for the growth of valuable vegetation, rather than mere “disposal” as damage control.
in 1936 and Doctor of Science
in 1950 from the Technical University of Gratz. He then emigrated to Canada
in 1951 as an environmental engineer for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
. In 1954 he started his own consulting firm which he maintained in Toronto until 2008. He was on the Engineering Professorial Staff, University of Toronto
(1959 to 1976), and a consultant for environmental problems (1954 to 2008) on 150 projects in 22 countries. Invited by colleagues and former students to speak to their universities, he went on a lecture tour to the Orient
in 1968.
, Italy and the Heinemann Prize 1969, Universities of Braunschweig and Hanover, Germany, which included nomination for the Nobel prize
.
1) Human reaction to Distance
The first dimension: length
, is perceived as distance between two points, objects or people. Distance is of declining value due to the advancement of communication technology
2) Human response to Area
In the second dimension: width combines with length to create area. This is important to sustain life. Bernhart sees area too as having a declining value due to the growing desire for togetherness.
3) Human perception of Height
Height is an important tool to accommodate many people while maintaining their need for close interactions.
4) Human experience of Time
We evaluate time as being passed enjoyably, unpleasantly that its passing is stimulating or boring. This is distinctly different from time’s cosmic aspects by which the fourth dimension drives the cosmos.
5) Human enjoyment of Life
The value of the quality of life, guided by the intellectual aspect of the fifth dimension, - will lead to a steady, no longer explosive increase in global population and all will enjoy a satisfactory life.
6) Human desire for Togetherness
Values of sharing
will form the credo of the emerging society, and will bring mankind a unified language as well as an all-encompassing spiritual concept.
7) Human fulfillment by Creative
Thinking
Prerogative of humanity, the supreme gift of creative thinking, through which humanity achieved its superior position among living beings,- drives the satisfying expansion of knowledge, with its simultaneous refinement of value judgments.
Evapotranspiration of effluent water combined with uptake of oxidized nutrient substances is the best method of “use” (not disposal) of organically polluted effluents because the method adheres best to the cycle of nature. In this cycle, human and animal excreta, as well as other organic materials, become nutrients for vegetation after microbial decomposition and oxidation. The resulting plant biomass produced by photosynthesis and stimulated by solar energy is, or should be, food for humans and animals.
Metropolis 2025 an idealized plan for a metropolis of 25 million people.
New York, USA, 1967
City Planning Institute: Urban development of the Future.
Seven Dimensions of Human Perception and the values arising from them, leading into the spiritual realm.
Kyoto,Japan, 1968
University seminar:
The complete cycle of biological growth and decay, including fossil fuel burning.
Stockholm, Sweden, 1972
Global Conference on Environmental Balance:
Spaces of Sacrality referring to values of community
versus values of area
.
Jerusalem, Israel, 1973
Conference on Religion and Environment.
Human Creativity as it affects prediction of the Future
.
Toronto, Canada, 1980
Global Congress of the Future Institute
The new Value of Sharing in this case of water, for peaceful cooperation of the Nations in North Africa
Rabat, Morocco, 1991
Annual Conference of the International Water Institute
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
. Ever concerned for the well being of the planet, Bernhart developed three key theories. They are his theories on Evapotranspiration
Evapotranspiration
Evapotranspiration is a term used to describe the sum of evaporation and plant transpiration from the Earth's land surface to atmosphere. Evaporation accounts for the movement of water to the air from sources such as the soil, canopy interception, and waterbodies...
, Societal Values and Metropolis 2025. In 1976 he concentrated his efforts to improving peoples’ quality of life in its entirety rather than in customary compartmentalization. For example, “use” of the fertilizing power of effluent
Effluent
Effluent is an outflowing of water or gas from a natural body of water, or from a human-made structure.Effluent is defined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as “wastewater - treated or untreated - that flows out of a treatment plant, sewer, or industrial outfall. Generally refers...
water for the growth of valuable vegetation, rather than mere “disposal” as damage control.
Career
Bernhart earned his Diplom-IngenieurBachelor of Engineering
The Bachelor of Engineering is an undergraduate academic degree awarded to a student after three to five years of studying engineering at universities in Armenia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Denmark, Egypt, Finland , Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Jordan, Korea,...
in 1936 and Doctor of Science
Doctor of Science
Doctor of Science , usually abbreviated Sc.D., D.Sc., S.D. or Dr.Sc., is an academic research degree awarded in a number of countries throughout the world. In some countries Doctor of Science is the name used for the standard doctorate in the sciences, elsewhere the Sc.D...
in 1950 from the Technical University of Gratz. He then emigrated to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
in 1951 as an environmental engineer for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation is a Crown corporation, owned by the Government of Canada, founded after World War II to provide housing for returning soldiers...
. In 1954 he started his own consulting firm which he maintained in Toronto until 2008. He was on the Engineering Professorial Staff, University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
(1959 to 1976), and a consultant for environmental problems (1954 to 2008) on 150 projects in 22 countries. Invited by colleagues and former students to speak to their universities, he went on a lecture tour to the Orient
Orient
The Orient means "the East." It is a traditional designation for anything that belongs to the Eastern world or the Far East, in relation to Europe. In English it is a metonym that means various parts of Asia.- Derivation :...
in 1968.
Recognition
For the presentation of his theory of seven dimensions, he earned the Medal of Honor, 1966, University of GenevaUniversity of Geneva
The University of Geneva is a public research university located in Geneva, Switzerland.It was founded in 1559 by John Calvin, as a theological seminary and law school. It remained focused on theology until the 17th century, when it became a center for Enlightenment scholarship. In 1873, it...
, Italy and the Heinemann Prize 1969, Universities of Braunschweig and Hanover, Germany, which included nomination for the Nobel prize
Nobel Prize
The Nobel Prizes are annual international awards bestowed by Scandinavian committees in recognition of cultural and scientific advances. The will of the Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, established the prizes in 1895...
.
Our Values: Past, Present, Future,
Bernhart’s 2008 book Our Values: Past, Present, Future is dedicated to enlightened people who accept the emerging constellations of values – and act accordingly. It describes his seven dimensions. of human perceptions and abilities and how each generates a group of value judgments. The seven dimensions explained:1) Human reaction to Distance
Distance
Distance is a numerical description of how far apart objects are. In physics or everyday discussion, distance may refer to a physical length, or an estimation based on other criteria . In mathematics, a distance function or metric is a generalization of the concept of physical distance...
The first dimension: length
Length
In geometric measurements, length most commonly refers to the longest dimension of an object.In certain contexts, the term "length" is reserved for a certain dimension of an object along which the length is measured. For example it is possible to cut a length of a wire which is shorter than wire...
, is perceived as distance between two points, objects or people. Distance is of declining value due to the advancement of communication technology
2) Human response to Area
Area
Area is a quantity that expresses the extent of a two-dimensional surface or shape in the plane. Area can be understood as the amount of material with a given thickness that would be necessary to fashion a model of the shape, or the amount of paint necessary to cover the surface with a single coat...
In the second dimension: width combines with length to create area. This is important to sustain life. Bernhart sees area too as having a declining value due to the growing desire for togetherness.
3) Human perception of Height
Height
Height is the measurement of vertical distance, but has two meanings in common use. It can either indicate how "tall" something is, or how "high up" it is. For example "The height of the building is 50 m" or "The height of the airplane is 10,000 m"...
Height is an important tool to accommodate many people while maintaining their need for close interactions.
4) Human experience of Time
Time
Time is a part of the measuring system used to sequence events, to compare the durations of events and the intervals between them, and to quantify rates of change such as the motions of objects....
We evaluate time as being passed enjoyably, unpleasantly that its passing is stimulating or boring. This is distinctly different from time’s cosmic aspects by which the fourth dimension drives the cosmos.
5) Human enjoyment of Life
Life
Life is a characteristic that distinguishes objects that have signaling and self-sustaining processes from those that do not, either because such functions have ceased , or else because they lack such functions and are classified as inanimate...
The value of the quality of life, guided by the intellectual aspect of the fifth dimension, - will lead to a steady, no longer explosive increase in global population and all will enjoy a satisfactory life.
6) Human desire for Togetherness
Values of sharing
Sharing
Sharing the joint use of a resource or space. In its narrow sense, it refers to joint or alternating use of an inherently finite good, such as a common pasture or a shared residence. It is also the process of dividing and distributing. Apart from obvious instances, which we can observe in human...
will form the credo of the emerging society, and will bring mankind a unified language as well as an all-encompassing spiritual concept.
7) Human fulfillment by Creative
Thinking
Prerogative of humanity, the supreme gift of creative thinking, through which humanity achieved its superior position among living beings,- drives the satisfying expansion of knowledge, with its simultaneous refinement of value judgments.
Evapotranspiration
Tying into Alfred Bernhart’s seven dimensions of human perceptions and abilities the change in values leads to changes in views on the disposal of waste water to views on the use of effluent water and its nutrients.Evapotranspiration of effluent water combined with uptake of oxidized nutrient substances is the best method of “use” (not disposal) of organically polluted effluents because the method adheres best to the cycle of nature. In this cycle, human and animal excreta, as well as other organic materials, become nutrients for vegetation after microbial decomposition and oxidation. The resulting plant biomass produced by photosynthesis and stimulated by solar energy is, or should be, food for humans and animals.
Metropolis
Alfred Bernhart’s unfinished (2008) work Metropolis is based on seven dimensions of human perception. With the emergence of a “SHARING” society, replacing the fading industrial society a new value constellation evolves, which brings values arising from the sixth dimension of human conception: community in TOGETHERNESS to steeply rising guiding influence. The concepts of urban forms, - from the beginning responding to the power of the togetherness dimension, - result as multidimensional, intensely interactive metropolis.Speaking Engagements
Bernhart has presented his theories around the world, including:Metropolis 2025 an idealized plan for a metropolis of 25 million people.
New York, USA, 1967
City Planning Institute: Urban development of the Future.
Seven Dimensions of Human Perception and the values arising from them, leading into the spiritual realm.
Kyoto,Japan, 1968
University seminar:
The complete cycle of biological growth and decay, including fossil fuel burning.
Stockholm, Sweden, 1972
Global Conference on Environmental Balance:
Spaces of Sacrality referring to values of community
Community
The term community has two distinct meanings:*a group of interacting people, possibly living in close proximity, and often refers to a group that shares some common values, and is attributed with social cohesion within a shared geographical location, generally in social units larger than a household...
versus values of area
Area
Area is a quantity that expresses the extent of a two-dimensional surface or shape in the plane. Area can be understood as the amount of material with a given thickness that would be necessary to fashion a model of the shape, or the amount of paint necessary to cover the surface with a single coat...
.
Jerusalem, Israel, 1973
Conference on Religion and Environment.
Human Creativity as it affects prediction of the Future
Future
The future is the indefinite time period after the present. Its arrival is considered inevitable due to the existence of time and the laws of physics. Due to the nature of the reality and the unavoidability of the future, everything that currently exists and will exist is temporary and will come...
.
Toronto, Canada, 1980
Global Congress of the Future Institute
The new Value of Sharing in this case of water, for peaceful cooperation of the Nations in North Africa
Rabat, Morocco, 1991
Annual Conference of the International Water Institute
Publications
- Vitality, Community, Creativity, reprinted under the title Future Creativity in 1980 ISBN 0-9690560-0-2
- Our Values: Past, Present, Future 2008 ISBN 1-4251-6901-5
- Treatment and Disposal of Wastewater From Homes by Soil Infiltration and Evapotranspiration, A.P. Bernhart, University of Toronto Press, Toronto, Canada 1973
- Return of Effluent Nutrients to the Natural Cycle Through Evapotranspiration and Subsoil-Infiltration of Domestic Wastewater, Proceedings of the National Home Sewage Disposal Symposium, American Society of Agricultural Engineers, St. Joseph, Michigan 1974
- ”Evapotranspiration Nutrient uptake Soil infiltration of Effluent water” A.P. Bernhart, Toronto, Canada 1985 ISBN 0-9690560-0-7
Publications which include Alfred Bernhart's theories
- "Environmental Engineering" Joseph A. Salvato, Nelson Leonard Nemerow, Frankling J. Agardy
- "Evapotranspiration Systems" Clement Solomon, Peter Casey, Colleen Mackne, and Andrew Lake
- "Non-discharging evapotranspiration bed system for wastewater disposal at Lincoln" Pascal Balley and Andrew J. Dakers
- Site Characterization and Design of On-Site Septic Systems M.S. Bedinger, J.S. Fleming and A.I. Johnson, editors, ASTM
See also
- EvapotranspirationEvapotranspirationEvapotranspiration is a term used to describe the sum of evaporation and plant transpiration from the Earth's land surface to atmosphere. Evaporation accounts for the movement of water to the air from sources such as the soil, canopy interception, and waterbodies...
- Jane JacobsJane JacobsJane Jacobs, was an American-Canadian writer and activist with primary interest in communities and urban planning and decay. She is best known for The Death and Life of Great American Cities , a powerful critique of the urban renewal policies of the 1950s in the United States...
- Urban designUrban designUrban design concerns the arrangement, appearance and functionality of towns and cities, and in particular the shaping and uses of urban public space. It has traditionally been regarded as a disciplinary subset of urban planning, landscape architecture, or architecture and in more recent times has...
- Urban development
- Urban renewalUrban renewalUrban renewal is a program of land redevelopment in areas of moderate to high density urban land use. Renewal has had both successes and failures. Its modern incarnation began in the late 19th century in developed nations and experienced an intense phase in the late 1940s – under the rubric of...
- Urban secessionUrban secessionUrban secession is a city's secession from its surrounding region, to form a new political unit. This new unit is usually a subdivision of the same country as its surroundings, but in some cases, full sovereignty may be attained, in which case the unit is usually called a city-state...