User:Alex
From CollabLandWiki
Alexandra Gardiner
Victoria University of Wellington
Design Intent
AUGUST 3, 2006: to accept that the subdivision is going to continue but to try to create a strategy which will ease the pressure on the Wairoa river by creating a place which will act as a reserve. Also going to reject the idea of tourism, as this tends to be a space for residents. Tourists go elsewhere. To try and allow the marae to be self sufficient and lessen the economic pressure on the community.
HANDIN ONE: To create a scheme which will maintain a link between Maori and the landscape, as well as integrating eco-tourism into the landuse. While doing this, the intention is to lessen the economic pressure, while still maintaining traditional Maori values of lifestyle and culture. By doing this, the intent is to create a place of value to all of the Tauranga community, to release the land from surrendering itself to the subdivision which is prolific in the area.
Site Analysis
Literature Review
People and Places on the Outer Cape: A landscape character study
Ahern, J. et al. People and Places on the Outer Cape: A landscape character study. Places: A forum of Environmental Design, Vol. 7, No. 3 Autumn 2005, pg 28
Article is about a study of six eatern towns of Cape Cod, and how landscape architects could protect the cultural values of a place. It talks about major changes in the landscape since Europeans arrived, and the displacement of the Native Americans who were already living in the area, and the clearing of the forests to exploit the land for agriculture, and the tidal flats, bays and oceans for fishing.
Tourism on Cape Cod via the railroad in the 19th century, which was then followed by decades of summer visitors. Automobile tourism caught on quickly afterwards, and tourism was beginning to be seen as a threat to the restorative qualities of the Cape. Because of this, natives of the area, in co-operation with the local townships, set out to try to preserve the 'authentic' quality of the area, saving it from crass commercialisation, and trying to manage the delicate balance between man and nature for generations to come.
In the 40 years since this was put into place, the locals have done a great job in caring for their physical and biological resources, yet the article comments that their management of the cultural landscape is not to as high of a standard, which has resulted in simmering conflict between longtime residents and local authorities.
The report which the article is summarising, seeks to bring to the surface the dialogue between these two parties, so a summary of risks and effects can be made and mitigated.
To gauge the residents feelings on subjects to do with their landscape and culture, the researchers held meetings in which residents were shown images of their local identity and asked to comment on them. For example, an image of a traditional fishing boat was presented and the local residents reflected that these activities are fast diminishing, but retain great meaning for tourists and residents alike.
The article also comments on landscape authority, stating it as an ability to servie as a continually evolving repository for personal and cultural memory. A sense of place occurs when a location has a role in peoples memories and therefore their identity as an individual.
The major villian which was mentioned was 'incremental development' - things such as the growth of urban areas, new technologies and baby boom retirees, all of which mean Cape Cod is becoming a place of all year round residence. Its not just tourists anymore, and is putting pressures on the landscape. Therefore, residents are trying to get zoning restrictions which would support the preservation of the Cape landscape.
Turning this research into action, issues were documented and threats identified, and, taking this into consideration, the researchers devised 3 scenarios:
- prioritising conservation
- containing new growth
- creating new villages
Themes:
- community character
- affordable housing
- working waterfronts
- smart growth and development.
The final paragraph states "Authenticity does not exist be happenstance, it is often cultivated and nurtured by local businesses and residents alike. Delicate balance between promoting character and preserving it is hard to achieve"
This article is very relevant to the issues of the Wairoa river, and what we will have to address. It mirrors the struggle by the indigenous people of the land to try to preserve what they once knew, and the challenges we now face with the growing popularity of a site and the constant development which is occuring.
Editorial, Landscape Journal
Gandy, M. Editorial. Landscape Journal Vol 31, No. 2 117 - 119 April 2006
Discusses the material versus abstract components of water, and how we interact with it.
A major challenge which is identified in this article is waters interaction with human societies. As it cannot be contained within either arts or science, how we deal with water is a difficult notion.
Water is integral to the phemonological experience of landscape through its sound, motion and visual qualities. It engenders aesthetic pleasure, and is also stated as central to the way diverse cultures and technical discourses experience nature. These are important thoughts as even if we dont work with the river explicitly, we still have to take into consideration the way people will interact with it, and the experience they will have when seeing, hearing or feeling the water.
The Yamuna Riverfront, India: A comparative study of Islamic and Hindu traditions in cultural landscapes.
Sinha, A. & Fairchild Ruggle, D. The Yamuna Riverfront, India: A comparative study of Islamic and Hindu traditions in cultural landscapes. Landscape Journal Vol. 23 No. 2, 2004 pg 141
This article looks at visible traces in the differences between two cultures and their perception and practice along the Yamuna River. It looks at the difference between the words “ vision”, which is the mechanism of sight, and “visuality”, which is defined as a historical mode of seeing that encompasses cultural codes and practices. Culture brings specific ‘visualities’ which are different between each culture – they show different perceptions of what landscape is.
The article discusses the difference between Islamic and Hindu cultures, and how they change their landscape to suit their beliefs, where Maori preferred the natural landscape, only changing it to use it for crops etc. They had another, different, value for nature. -different values and thoughts of landscape -Hindu vs. Islamic -European vs. Maori Yamuna – Sacred to Hindu Marae – Sacred to Maori.
The text outlines Hindu myths and legends which tell stories as to how specific landforms were created. This is also the case in Maori culture, with stories about rivers, mountain placements etc. Yet Muslims and Europeans don’t hold such strong associations with the landscape. The difference in culture in India is parallel to those between Maori and European.
The article asks questions like ‘what is important about the landscape to the culture?’ ‘Do they want to interact and use it, or keep it as a ‘view’ – like Agra landscape?’
The two cultural traditions – Islamic and Hindu – have left very different impressions on the landscape, which is very like European and Maori cultures.
“Vision is subjective and complex, and visual experience is different depending on ones depth of belief and purpose of visit” pg 147
To find the movement in each culture, the authors have looked at representations of the Agra Riverfront in the 16th and 17th centuries and see what they show. What is important, what is left out etc. This could possibly be done in a mapping exercise for the Marae project, if maps can be accessed, to find what early Maori or even European people found when they assessed the landscape, and therefore what they valued more.
By using this article, we can try to understand the ‘visualities’ of the Maori culture, and therefore try to use this to inform our design decisions. And then, using the quote above, we can try to create a place which is special to all those who experience it, whether or not they are part of the Ngati Kahu iwi.
Making a mess in the countryside: Organic farming and the threat to sense of place
Egoz, S. & Bowring, J. & Perkins, H. Making a mess in the countryside: Organic farming and the threat to sense of place Landscape Journal Vol. 25, No. 1 2006 pg 54
The article discusses how social beliefs and practices find symbolic expression in the landscape. Most of the article focuses on organic farming in southern Canterbury, however, it branches out to discuss ‘sense of place’ midway through the essay.
The writers define ‘sense of place’ as representing a ‘field of enquiry’ which develops new directions while still having a ‘recursive aspect to it’ (pg 59) Close relationships are formed with the place people live. There is a build up of memories, a bestowal of meanings, and individual & community identity, security and concern. Sense of place is only realised when loss occurs, for example if the landscape is changed in any way or if an integral person leaves.
These definitions are sort of what is occurring in Wairoa. The Ngati Kahu Iwi are being displaced due to the pressure of residential development and population increase.
Throughout the article, it mentions ways that a sense of place is gained, and that it means many things. It also addresses the misconception that places only have one past. As the article states, this is not true. Places have many histories, depending on culture, and therefore have many meanings. These pasts and meanings are vast, depending on the individual and the culture. Places are dynamic and their landscape will arouse a different sense of place in different people or cultures. This, therefore, can pose the questions “Whose sense of place?” and “ What sort of sense of place?”
Places have multiple identities, and we could investigate this in terms of introducing a new scheme to the river etc.
“ Where these two sets of land management practices and associated senses of place intersect, the potential for misrepresentation, ill feeling and conflict is never far away” pg 64
This article increases awareness that there is more than one meaning for each landscape. What one person thinks or values may be completely different another’s perspective, and this will have to be considered when designing, especially with two different cultures involved.
Seeing landscape through cross-cultural eyes: embracing a trans-cultural lens toward multi-lingual design approaches in the landscape studio
Chang, S. Seeing landscape through cross-cultural eyes: embracing a trans-cultural lens toward multi-lingual design approaches in the landscape studio Landscape Journal Vol. 24 No. 2 2005 pg 140.
This article addresses the issue of designing spaces for multi-cultural communities, creating trans-cultural awareness in design. It talks about distinguishing unique qualities and practices of different cultures and then blending them together in a new, evolutionary way. Because of technology, cultural boundaries are becoming more permeable, and open to new ways of thinking. As a result of this, designers are having to become multilingual in their design vocabulary, to be able to weave cultures together successfully.
The project the article is based on is a Taiwanese park in America which commemorates the Chi Chi earthquake, and how landscape architect student coped with the mixture of cultures, to create a sensitive response. This was done by researching the values and beliefs the Taiwanese culture held so the design didn’t offend. For instance, Taiwanese believe the colour black to symbolise death and be a bad omen. So black granite slabs in the park may not be suitable. These sorts of issues are the ones which have to be addressed when dealing with the Maori culture. What may seem suitable for us may be unsuitable or even offensive in a Marae.
The article ends with four students’ responses to the park brief. These responses may be good to refer to when we begin to design, by providing answers to some questions we may come across, or provide the means to find out. The challenge of the design will be to change our design approach to suit what is needed.
Whenua – the ecology of placental connection
Park, G. Whenua – the ecology of placental connection Theatre Country, Victoria University Press 2006, pg 239
Geoff Park discusses Maori’s profound connection to the earth, and the rituals they perform, e.g. burying placenta which provides an elemental, vital connection to the earth.
He discusses the meaning of whenua, which is a conceptualisation of identity in which the historical relationship between human beings and land is vital.
He then goes on to talk about the loss of meaning when words of an oral culture like Maori are translated into another language like English. Words like Whenua have been translated into the English ‘land’, yet they have so much more meaning.
“An increasing distance from the land has led us to neglect its needs and lose the sense of connection and dependence of which our forbears were so conscious.”
This article gives an explanation of what is needed to be considered when deciding what to use in our scheme. An understanding of what all the meanings of important words are, could make decisions a little easier to make, and make a more informed piece of work. By understanding Maori associations with land, it will make them easier to translate into design.
Maori and Tourism: A relationship of history, constitution and rites.
www.google.com/scholar Ryan, C. Maori and Tourism: A relationship of history, constitution and rites. Journal of sustainable tourism Vol. 5, No 4 1997
Chris Ryan’s article describes developments in Maori tourism, and the political and ethical context it has in the Maori culture.
New Zealand is identified through the use of Maori images. The implications of this association has both good outcomes, such as generating income and employment for Maori, but also creates negative outcomes as Maori can become marginalised as being tourist entertainment. Over time, Maori culture has been narrowed to a few features as time passes, and the article states that we have to remember that there is more to the Maori culture than the Haka, to stop stereotyping the culture into a neat definition.
One of the issues discussed in the article was control. Ryan talked about Maori having control over their tourism attractions. This doesn’t mean that Pakeha aren’t allowed to have any say, but should be managed through schemes of partnership and co-operation between Maori and Pakeha. They do not want to become a tacky side show to NZ tourism. Tourism should recognise the values of Maori, and offer the visitor a full experience of the culture. Successful operations which are outlined are Marae stays and guided walks which inform visitors on otherwise unknown rituals and myths associated with Maori culture. If this doesn’t happen, effects will include:
• Dilution of Tikanga • Misuse of Taonga • Exploitation of Taonga through fake reproduction • Threat to ownership and control of Taonga o Acknowledge role of the Tangata Whenua within each region. o Develop standards of authenticity.
The article also examines the role of tourism in the Maori culture. Ryan says that Maori have realised tourism is a means of establishing significance for themselves in New Zealand. Maori are tribal people, and their first affiliation is to their Iwi. Not all Iwis are the same and by educating the visiting public on the difference between Iwis, can avoid stereotyping.
This article was quite long but gave a good insight into what to avoid, and what to include and think about when designing. What is special to Ngati Kahu that no other tribes share? What do they want to keep sacred to themselves, and what do they want to share with the public? The scheme we design should have an economic gain for the Marae, as it will employ Marae members, but should also recognise the values of the iwi and the Maori culture.
Precedent Study
New Zealand Kaikoura Programme
The project directly links the traditional spiritual connection between people and sustainable natural resource use with a model for sustainable communities in the 21st century.
This area attracts a large variety of marine life - plankton, fish, whales, dolphins, sharks, and seals. Healthy food supply attracted Maori and Europeans settlers for 1000 yrs. Today Kaikoura is famous for watching its marine life. Estimated 1.3 million tourists a year visiting the town to watch whale, seal, dolphin, shark and marine birds in their natural environment.
This project takes place in the settlement of Oaro situated on the banks of the Oaro River. The work site is next to the Pacific Ocean with the Seaward Kaikoura Mountain Range as its backdrop. In 2001 Kaikoura adopted Green Globe, an international tourism standard, which enables Kaikoura to measure the environmental and social performance of its residents and tourists and to manage this performance to improve it. In 2004 Kaikoura became the first community in New Zealand and the first local authority in the world to achieve Green Globe 21 certified status. BTCV has worked with the Kaikoura community on a range of projects to further the sustainable community goal.
The work is a continuation of a project to develop a wetland area on the Oaro riverbank; the objective for Te Rununga O Kaikoura is to restore an area of wetland for conservation purposes and also as an area for the collection of food for the local people. Food collection is a traditional Maori activity and is carried out in a sustainable way. This site is a historic collection site for the Rununga (Local tribe) and the work is being carried out in a partnership between Te Rununga O Kaikoura, Kaikoura District Council, Environment Canterbury, and the Department of Conservation.
It is a five year plan establishing a wetland area through planting of wetland plants, possibly constructing footpaths to the site as well as simple boardwalks and bridges.
This project is contributing to redeveloping wetlands within Kaikoura District, which have in recent years been in decline. This will have the benefit to improve the indigenous biodiversity of Kaikoura which is a key objective of the council, as well as the other partners to this project. In addition the project will enable the reestablishment of a traditional collection site for food for local people, which is something that is of some significance to Maori with the number of traditional collection areas declining.
Local people are involved and it is organised by Te Rununga O Kaikoura who have volunteers assisting them in their work as well as employees from Environment Canterbury and the Department of Conservation.
Ngai Tahu is one of 9 tribes in the South Island.Te Rununga O Kaikoura has been involved in Kaikoura for over 1000 years, and due to this have a spiritual linkwith the land, andthe sea. Therefore, to preserve this history, there is a need to ensure the lands sustainability.
Ref: www.workingabroad.com/page/105/new-zealand-kaikoura
San Diego River Park Master-plan
City of San Diego Park and Recreation ground,San Diego, California
The San Diego River Park Master Plan envisions a greenway extending from the rivers ocean mouth to its mountain headwaters. Jones and Jones role was to define the ecological framework for the 12 mile segment of the river through downtown – a framework by which to connect the river back into the community
Two primary goals shape the framework: Realisation of recreation and habitat linkages along the river and to the adjoining side canyons, and the integration of infrastructure and ecology as ‘eco-structure’ that maintains and enhances connections between natural habitats, communities and the river greenway.
Hutt River Environmental Study
An environmental strategy has been jointly developed by the Upper Hutt City Council, the Hutt City council, the Regional Council and the iwi for the Hutt River.
The environmental strategy's vision for the river and its corridor is to develop a tranquil environment, where people can go to escape the hustle and bustle of urban life and enjoy the natural character of the river.
The strategy contains principals, guidelines, concept plans and sketches illustrating the proposals for each.
This is a good project to look at as it deals with iwi co-operation with councils and other groups, as well as the vision is close to what we are trying to aim for on the Wairoa river. More focus on ecotourism is needed however.
Ref:
Maribyrnong River Valley Project
During the past decade, the Maribyrnong River has been a location of significant and accelerating change. As part of this shift, development pressures have been occurring and community expectations for managing development and recreation needs have increased. As demand for waterfront locations and the attraction of Western Melbourne as a location for new residential development has increased, a number of key strategic sites along the urban section of the river corridor are proposed to be redeveloped and Councils face significant pressures in considering the effect of these riverside developments.
The Maribyrnong River is a unique environment and is a priceless resource for Melbourne’s western suburbs. Community consultation showed that many people have a strong attachment to the river, including an appreciation of its industrial and cultural heritage, environmental values and the sense of remoteness still available in the upper reaches. There was strong support for public access to the river.
- The broad objectives developed for the entire valley cover the following themes:
- River health
- Valley and river use
- Valley landscape
- Valley development
- River access
- Valley heritage
- River governance
- Issues to be considered in development of Vision:
- Land tenure and management responsibilities
- Urban design and landscape protection, including impacts of new development along the river and within the viewshed (eg nearby activity centres) and topographic context
- Water quality (eg sedimentation)
- Biodiversity and habitat
- Recreation and tourism facilities, including boating
- Flooding constraints
- Trail networks
- Open space accessibility and potential acquisition
- Transport, including bicycle and pedestrian access to key sites and between sites
- Cultural heritage
- Adequacy of current agency roles and coordination mechanisms
- Existing policies and planning provisions
This precedent is valuable as it covers many of the same issues which will have to be covered in our analysis and decision making. The setting seems to be similar, as both communities have strong connections with their landscapes, and pressures such as residential development has become to have an effect.
Ref:http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/DSE/nrenpl.nsf/LinkView/
Mediterranean Wetland Strategy 1996-2006
For thousands of years, the wetlands around the Mediterranean basin have provided essential services to the people of the region - water, food, materials, transport - and have acted as a backdrop to their social and cultural activities. For example, the great civilisations of the Nile Delta were based on control and sharing of the annual flood.
In recent history, and especially in the first part of the twentieth century, Mediterranean wetlands have been destroyed and degraded - to prevent water-borne diseases, to expand agriculture and to create room for construction of housing, industrial and tourist facilities for increasing human populations. Thus, 73% of the marshes in northern Greece have been drained since 1930; 86% of the 78 most important wetlands in France were degraded by official public policies in the thirty years to 1994; Spain has lost an estimated 60% of its original wetland area; while 15% of the area of lakes and marshes in northern and central Tunisia (but 84% of the wetlands in the Tunisian sector of the catchment of the River Medjerdah, the major river flowing from Algeria into northern Tunisia) were lost between 1881 and 1987.
The last years of the twentieth century have seen a realisation that this loss and degradation of Mediterranean wetlands has brought about a loss of the functions and values originally provided free of charge by wetlands, including: sediment and erosion control; maintenance of water quality and abatement of pollution; maintenance of surface and underground water supply; support for fisheries; grazing and agriculture; outdoor recreation and education for human society; and provision of habitats for flora and fauna.
In recent years, as concern at the loss of wetlands has become more widespread, the pace of remedial action has been stepped up. The Grado Symposium in 1991 adopted as its goal:
"To stop and reverse the loss and degradation of Mediterranean wetlands"
As the culmination of the first phase of MedWet, the MedWet partners drew up a draft of the Mediterranean Wetland Strategy. The Strategy aims to take account of the results of the first phase of MedWet and of the essential elements of the other initiatives mentioned above, and to act as a regional application of the Ramsar Strategic Plan, whose structure it follows. It aims to be of relevance to the whole Mediterranean.
The Strategy was drawn up in the conviction of the need to integrate the conservation of wetland biodiversity with sustainable development. Throughout the text, "wise use" is considered as synonymous with "sustainable development". The Strategy takes into account broader Mediterranean factors that determine the future of wetlands and in particular:
- poverty and economic inequality;
- pressure from population growth, immigration and mass tourism; and
social and cultural conflicts.
- The Strategy aims to contribute to the resolution of these problems, notably through integration of conservation and wise use of wetlands into land-use planning, and wise use of scarce water resources, an issue of special concern in all Mediterranean countries.
The Strategy, which was endorsed by the participants in the Mediterranean Wetlands Conference held in Venice from 5-9 June 1996, constitutes a challenge to Mediterranean governments at national, regional and local level; to supranational and inter-governmental institutions; to international and national non-governmental Organisations; and to the wider constituency involved in the conservation and wise use of wetlands. Its objectives will be achieved more readily if significant additional resources are obtained. More specifically, the Mediterranean Wetland Strategy is intended:
- to promote the implementation of policies for the wise use of wetlands in the Mediterranean;
- to provide a framework for the development of National Wetland Policies;
- to promote conservation of the biological diversity of Mediterranean wetlands, through sustainable management, restoration and rehabilitation;
- to increase awareness of the ecological, cultural, recreational, scientific and social values of Mediterranean wetlands among decision-makers, local communities and visitors;
- to increase the capacity of Mediterranean institutions to respond to the challenge of conserving and making wise use of wetlands;
- to establish a mechanism for consultation and cooperation between institutions concerned with conservation and wise use of Mediterranean wetlands.
This precedent of a wetland strategy has many of the same issues as we face. For instance, the reliance on the wetlands for food etc for the native people, and the degradation of the wetlands for uses such as agriculture and development. It will be a good strategy to look at to see how they solved problems and show what can be done if many different combinations of institutions get involved in the strategy. This can be done if the strategy is suitable and beneficial to all involved.
Ref:http://www.ramsar.org/medwet/key_medwet_strategy.htm
Schedule of Program
Week One 10-16 July
- start research, readings, site analysis from the information we have from Daniel.
- Think about position
Week Two 17-23 July
- stage one handin
- what do I want to find out from our fieldtrip? Photos etc?
Week Three 24-30 July
- Fieldtrip (26th-30th)
Week Four and Five 31 July - 11 August
- Site Analysis and Program analysis
- begin design investigations, exploratory drawings, models and perspectives
- clarify design position
- Stage Two handin
Week Six, Seven and Eight 14 August - 3 September
- Develop design further
- broad scale and focus
- plan to scale
- edit analysis (what do I need?)
- model
Week Nine 4 - 10 September
- refine developed design
- decide on focus area
- sections and perspectives on focus area
Week Ten 11 - 17 Spetember
- sections and perspectives on focus area
- stage three handin
Week Eleven 18 - 24 September
- research construction technologies
- decide what to detail in contruction
Week Twelve and Thirteen 25 September - 1 October
- Refine design
- construction drawings
Week Fourteen 9 - 15 October
- Stage four handin
- begin presentation of final
Week Fifteen 16 - 22 October
- Work on presentation
Week Sixteen 23 - 29 October
- Submit final handin.
Contacts and Mentors
- Daniel and members of Ngati Kahu
- Tauranga City Council (get contact from field trip)
- Maria Bargh
- Lecturer of Māori Resource Management, Māori Research Methods and The Treaty of Waitangi VUW
- email:maria.bargh@vuw.ac.nz
- phone:0-4-463 5465
- fax:0-4-463 5243
- Dr Michael Gavin
- PhD 2002 Ecology (University of Connecticut); BA 1995
- Lecturer VUW
- Phone: (04) 463-5195
- Email: michael.gavin@vuw.ac.nz
- Cheryl Robilliard
- Parks and Open Spaces Ltd
- Email: cheryl@pos-mgmt.co.nz
- Clive Anstey
- Corydon Consultants Ltd
- Phone: (04) 939 2973
- Email: c.anstey@paradise.net.nz
- Antoine Coffin
- Boffa Miskell cultural advisor (based in Tauranga)
- Email:antoine.coffin@boffamiskell.co.nz
