Abstracts

 Masters of Landscape Architecture (Project) 

By Emma Tempest 

Student Id: 1549847 - UNITEC Supervisor: Sue Wake 

RESEARCH QUESTION: 

How can the postnatal wellbeing of wāhine/women be enhanced through their relationship with nature in Aotearoa New Zealand? 

WORKING TITLE: 

Wāhine/ Women: Embody postnatal wellbeing through your connection with nature. 

ABSTRACT: 

A loss of connection to nature (or disruption to a personal relationship with nature) can impact upon a woman’s ‘lived’ postnatal experiences. This research will examine how health and culture is embedded in place. The project will identify how an interconnectedness to nature (during postpartum) may contribute design strategies to urban and rural contexts (such as healthcare settings and community initiatives) within Aotearoa New Zealand. 

Mātauranga Māori will underpin the research, recognising this living body of knowledge offers the collective an opportunity for improving postnatal care in Aotearoa New Zealand. Research will explore the work of precedent projects and leading theorists, namely in the field of language revitalisation, therapeutic landscapes, placemaking for wellbeing, biophilia and Te Aranga Design principles (where contextually appropriate for mana whenua). A Narrative Research approach will collect and analyse 

‘lived’ postnatal experiences across Aotearoa New Zealand and specifically in a local context known to the researcher (Coromandel Peninsula). A group of nation-wide participants and multi-disciplinary specialists will act as credible reference for ‘lived’ postnatal experiences. 

An applied arts process will use drawing, photo montage and creative GSI mapping for site design to represent a solution for postpartum experience in a public realm. A Community-Up approach is hoped to have specific positive outcomes for Māori wāhine/ women, whānau and wider communities in this study. Evidence shows cultural, social and political factors can impact on a relationship with nature. This research seeks to find solutions to help alleviate and mitigate negative postnatal experiences that will also encourage postnatal intergenerational healing throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. It is hoped this research will contribute a positive exemplar through research, design strategies and  outcome for a biophilic approach to local and national public health. 

Aachna Aachal

THE URBAN FLOOD ADAPTION PLAN 

Abstract 

As Aotearoa moves into the era of climate change, our urban landscapes are becoming more vulnerable to flooding. Along with climate change aggravating the flooding, additionally, Aotearoa is short of housing (“45,000 dwellings” (Johnson et al., 2018)). The loss of land by flooding means the loss of potential to accommodate the housing needs of New Zealand. 

This project strives to develop a climate-adaptive design method for Maybury Street, Glen Innes. The site is at risk of pluvial flooding in the next 100 years. Therefore, the sites’ design will include two parts; firstly, to create a flood adaptation strategy for the Maybury Reserve and its surroundings, and secondly, to safely plan new housing development along Maybury Street.  

The urban flood adaptation design methods formed will be tested and applied to the site using alternative methods and methodology. For example, Rob Regma’s – Research by Design methodology will be used to execute the project, and Geodesign combined with scientific data (from NIWA, LINZ & Auckland Council). Also, community consultation with Glen Innes community professionals will be used to make decisions about the site and further, Geodesign will be used to apply them to the site as practical design solutions.  

This design method will provide a resilient water landscape site for the Glen Innes community. This method will help preserve the existing landscape’s good qualities and build a new landscape to enhance community participation and ameliorate flooding.  

Wenwan Zhang  

Title 

After COVID-19, investigation into how to create a new public park design. 

Abstract 

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, it became hazardous for people to stay in poorly ventilated office and gather together in high numbers. To avoid spreading the virus, “social distance” was encouraged to stop the virus effectively.   

“Social distance” still determines how public space is used in different countries  

As an essential role in people’s daily lives, the design for public park needs to develop. During urban expansion, consider the potential of future public park development in the future urban zone, create the design of environments that positively facilitate human life, and be more resilient to epidemiological crises in the future.  

My research will choose a public park in the future urban zone to address the problem, use the knowledge from theory studies, case studies to develop a design. The methodology is designed by research. The research outcome will be to establish a healthier public park. Suitable for public park design in the future at the same time provide the ideas for existing park development.