Steward's Corner

Steward's Corner asks five questions of Stewards doing their bit towards planetary flourishing, from a range of disciplines, across different realms of expertise, from community builders and entrepreneurs, to scientists, artists and designers.

What we hope is to plant Five Seeds of Transformation, to give rise to a living forest of inspiration and actions that contribute towards collective thriving.

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Established in 2018, TAYYŪN is a creative research and ecological design studio on a mission to restore native biodiversity, empower local communities, and build resilience through   urban forestry, ecological design, and  regenerative agriculture.

Deema Assaf - architect, Miyawaki forester, and ecological urbanism consultant - is Founding Partner at TAYYŪN.

What does a flourishing future mean to you?

A flourishing future must begin with justice and dignity for all people. It requires dismantling systems that enable violence and displacement. Only then can we truly build environments where communities can heal, where basic human rights are universally protected, and where cultural and natural heritage is preserved rather than systematically destroyed.

What current challenge are you aiming to solve?

At TAYYŪN, we're addressing the disconnect between people and their native ecology/habitat. Through our work, we demonstrate that the reclamation of healthy ecosystems is possible even in challenging environments, creating pockets of resilience and biodiversity where once there was degradation.

If you could incept one question, quote or word, into the collective mind to help us bridge into a thriving future for all, what would it be?

How might we honour what was here before us? This question invites us to recognise the indigenous knowledge, species, and systems that have sustained our regions for millennia, and to approach our interventions with humility and deep respect for what remains.

What's the first best step someone can take, who is interested in your field?

Begin by deeply observing the places where you live. Document patterns, cycles, hidden nature, and native species around us. This simple practice of recognition is the foundation of ecological literacy and recovery.

What do you hope future generations will say about this moment in time?

That this was when we finally understood that justice for people and justice for the land are inseparable and acted accordingly. 

Discover More about TAYYŪN: https://www.tayyun.co/

land stewardship | ecological design

Steward's Corner