Waikakariki Futures: A Living Eco-Laboratory

WAIKAKARIKI FUTURES: A LIVING ECO-LABORATORY

Masters of Landscape Architecture Candidates: Yunxin Du Yutong Hu Farzana Rahman Supervisory Chair: Professor Nancy Rottle

University of Washington, Seattle, WA

CONTENTS

1.0 INTRODUCTION 2.0 SITE ANALYSIS

2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4

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Location and the site Hydrologic Evolution History and Culture The Context

3.0 CASE STUDIES

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3.1 WATER SENSITIVE URBAN DESIGN

3.1.1 Waitangi Park, Wellington, NZ

3.1.2 Silo Park and jellicoe street, Auckland, NZ

3.2 RESTORATION AND MANAGEMENT 3.2.1 Kopupaka Reserve, Auckland, NZ

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3.3 SEISMIC STRUCTURES 3.3.1 TÅ«ranga Library, Christchurch, NZ

3.4 WETLANDS 3.4.1 Travis Wetland, Christchurch, NZ 3.4.2 Barry Curtis Park, Auckland, NZ 2

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4.0 DESIGN FRAMEWORK

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5.0 DESIGN WORK 5.0.1 Masterplan

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5.0.2 Programmed Hubs & Connections

5.0.3 Programmed Zones & Elements

5.1 RESTORE

5.2 ADAPT

5.3 REUTILIZE

5.4 TRANSITION ZONE

5.5 PROGRAMMED HUBS 5.5.1 Cultural Hub 5.5.2 Argricultural Hub 5.5.3 Building Social Infrasture

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INTRODUCTION

WHO WE ARE

TEAM: YUNXIN DU, YUTONG HU, FARZANA RAHMAN

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This project is an academic capstone design studio final year project, conducted by three MLA final year graduate students from the Department of Landscape Architecture at the University of Washington (UW), in Seattle, US. The project is led and supervised by Professor Nancy Rottle from UW. The project started in winter quarter 2019 with a study abroad program in New Zealand called “Post-Earthquake Urban Resilience Design in Christchurch, New Zealand.�

The goal of this study abroad program was to understand and learn about the regeneration design process and strategies adopted by the City of Christchurch to respond to the devastating earthquake that struck the city in 2011. While visiting Christchurch, the capstone group identified the Waikakariki (aka the Horseshoe Lake) as a potential site for their final year project because of the cultural richness and urbanecological complexity inherent into the site.

ABOUT OUR WORK Our project Waikakariki Futures- a "Living Eco-Laboratory," is set in a unique context of Christchurch City in New Zealand, a city known for its resilient nature in dealing with natural hazards and complex socio-cultural changes. The site "Horseshoe Lake Reserve" is designated as a "Site of Ecological Significance" by the city as it contains remnant native vegetation, wildlife habitat and important fish migration routes which reflects the pe-urbanization landscape of Christchurch. The site is also known for its "Mahinga Kai" value, a cultural ritual to gather food and resources. Most recently, the city identified stormwater management opportunities of the site. Our project not only aims to restore these ecological and cultural values but also responds to global environmental challenges such as mitigating climate change impacts and sea level rise in a local context and scale. The project allowed our team to visit the site and conduct research to understand its unique context, potentials, and challenges by participating in a study abroad program in New Zealand arranged and led by University of Washington Landscape Architecture faculty.

By proposing a "Living Eco-Laboratory," our project aims to restore the quality and quantity of waterways, retrofitting stormwater remediation, and regenerating native ecosystems to address current and future challenges like climate change, sea level rise, and natural hazards.

RESOURCES Studio Video - The River Is A Living Story https://drive.google.com/open?id=1QMVBFlgUcV1nbp-6lbyTdvzD2uu41cFv Water and Wetlands - A Documentation of Waterways and Wetlands in New Zealand https://issuu.com/waikakarikifutures/docs/water_and_wetlands​ ​ ater Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) in New Zealand W https://issuu.com/waikakarikifutures/docs/water_sensitive_urban_design ​ aori Values and Principles Expressed in Design​​ M https://issuu.com/waikakarikifutures/docs/maori_values_and_principles 5

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SITE ANALYSIS

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LOCATION SOUTH P ACIFIC OCEA N

CITY OF CHRISTCHURCH

HORSESHOE LAKE RESERVE

LYTTELTON

GOVERNORS BAY

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The Waikakakiri Reserve is located north of the Avon River in the City of Christchurch in New Zealand. The overall watercourse of the city has been highly modified over time due to urbanization and especially after the 2011 earthquake; the water quality has been degraded significantly.

Five categories were identified to analyze current conditions of the Horseshoe Lake site.

WATER SYSTEM

VEGETATION

HABITAT

ARTIFACTS

HUMAN ACTIVITIES/ AMENITIES

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HYDROLOGIC EVOLUTION AVON RIVER CATCHMENT BASIN AND THE SITE

1856 Black Map, City of Christchurch, NZ 10

1856

1856

The hydrologic evolution of the Avon River catchment basin shows that Horseshoe Lake used to be an arm of the Avon River.

However, the site was cut off from the main course due to rapid urbanization.

1986 1986

The 1856 Black Map on the left shows how the site used to have low lying areas and swamps and also covered by native vegetation such as tussock grass, tutu, flax and toe toe grass in the past.

At present, this is one of the few remaining freshwater wetlands in the city of Christchurch, which makes our site ecologically significant.

2018 2018

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HISTORY & CULTURE

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CONTEXT The design process started with an understanding of the overall context, more particularly the study area and its relation to the city's ecology, land use, infrastructure, and culture.

Surrounding cultural and natural resources including parks, waterways, schools, libraries, and landmarks located within the RED zone area and near the CBD area has been identified (diagram on the right) to understand the opportunities and challenges that the site offers.

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EXISTING WATER SYSTEM

Analyzing the existing water system helped us to understand better how these systems are impacted by urbanization and are currently threaten to pollution and degraded freshwater quality. The diagram highlights the untreated stormwater input from surrounding neighborhoods to Horseshoe Lake and the need for water quality improvement and management.

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SITE OF ECOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE (SES)

As a "Site of Ecological Significance" (SES), Horseshoe Lake contains a large area of native vegetation, representative of the Low Plains Ecological District and provides habitat for at-risk plant species, indigenous birds, fishes and their migration routes. At risk species include longfin eel, inanga, bluegill bully, giant bully, torrentfish and threatened freshwater fish lamprey.

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EXISTING CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION STRATEGIES

The site is identified as a potential stormwater management site by the City of Christchurch. The city has proposed a series of treatment wetlands, first flush basin, and stopbank (levee) as part of the stormwater management plan. Such management strategies laid the foundation of our future proposal for Horseshoe Lake.

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OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

After conducting a site visit and literature review, we have identified the following key opportunities and challenges for the study area- : THE RED ZONE AREA: (AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE) The site is part of the RED Zone area- a public extension zone implemented by the City of Christchurch after the 2011 earthquake. The area is subject to liquefaction, and the earthquake caused widespread damages in buildings and infrastructure. Once housed many residential neighborhoods, at present, the study area is just an empty, remnant post-earthquake landscape seeking potential future uses and functions.

EXISTING NATURAL RESOURCES: (AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION AND FUTURE RESILEINCE) Current natural resources of the city include parks and open space system, the Avon River, the Avon Heathcote Estuary, and many local streams, lakes, and wetlands. Urbanization processes have impacted these natural resources and at present are exposed to threats of pollution, degraded freshwater quality, and loss of native species and habitats. Therefore, Horseshoe Lake offers opportunities for natural resource protection and management. Moreover, the connection between Horseshoe Lake, the Avon River, the estuary, and the ocean indicates that the site is prone to seasonal flooding and will be impacted by future sea level rise.

LANDUSE: (CHALLENGES TO ADDRESS) The site is surrounded by urbanized areas, mainly residential neighborhoods, which indicates a need for stormwater management before the untreated water discharges to the Avon River or reaches to other freshwater resources.

EXISTING CULTURAL RESOURCES (AN OPPORTUNITY TO STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY RESILIENCE) The rich Mahinga Kai history of the site and the surrounding schools, libraries, cultural landmarks, and institutions provide opportunities in developing social networks to share and expand Maori environmental knowledge and cultural practices. In future, such connections or networks will help to strengthen community resilience.

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CASE STUDIES During our visit to New Zealand, our group has conducted several local precedent study to understand the best practices regarding ecological restoration process and management, multivalue wetland design and water sensitive urban design, hazard mitigation, and seismic structures. Later, these case studies have inspired our future design proposals for Horseshoe Lake.

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WATER SENSITIVE URBAN DESIGN WAITANGI PARK, WELLINGTON, NZ Waitangi Park is one of the best practices in New Zealand that combines water sensitive urban design with high-level recreational uses.

The stormwater management system consists of several crucial steps.

Stormwater from the culvert is ‘daylighted’ via a pumping system which is linked to level and salinity sensors to exclude seawater at high tide.

Then water enters a sub-surface wetland designed to reduce turbidity in the stormwater to levels suitable for UV disinfection. Any grease, solids, and silts are removed here. Flows within the Waitangi Stream wetland are treated through filtration, absorption and biological/ chemical transformation before entering Wellington Harbour. Finally, treated stormwater from the wetland is used to irrigate the park and the neighboring grounds of Te Papa.

Ecosystem Restoration

Habitat and Biodiversity

Urban Greening

Social Amenity

Aesthetic Value

Ecology Education

CONSTRUCTED WETLANDS

PERMEABLE PAVEMENT

RAIN GARDEN

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http://www.waal.co.nz

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WATER SENSITIVE URBAN DESIGN SILO PARK AND JELLICOE STREET, AUCKLAND, NZ Silo Park is situated in the Wynyard Quarter – an area of exciting revitalization in the heart of Auckland’s waterfront. Being as a significant part of Auckland’s industrial history, the park itself is now a popular innercity oasis for the community and the visitors.

CONSTRUCTED WETLANDS

The linear shape constructed wetlands in Silo Park, as well as the rain gardens/bioswales along the Jellicoe Street, are designed to collect and treat the run-off on site before it is discharged into the bay, which help to improve the water quality by reducing the contaminants in the stormwater.

Ecosystem Restoration

Habitat and Biodiversity

Urban Greening

Social Amenity

Aesthetic Value

Ecology Education

VEGETATED SWALE

STREET TREES

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https://www.silopark.co.nz

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RESTORATION AND MANAGEMENT NATURE RESTORATION

WETLAND

HABITATS

HUMAN ACTIVITIES

Maori values and principles are expressed in restoration design in many different aspects. The value of "AHI KĀ", which represent the relationship between human and nature play an important role in restoration design.

Lots of reserves are redesigned according to their original usage such as Mahinga kai.

KOPUPAKA RESERVE, AUCKLAND, NZ Kopupaka Reserve is a new form of the hybrid park that challenges expectations around the design and use of streams and wetlands. It illustrates how urban growth can be balanced with ecological restoration, the creation of new public space and development of a strong sense of place informed by Māori cultural values. The name Kopupaka is an ancestral name in this area relating to the meeting point of the Tōtara and Waiteputa Streams, located slightly downstream from Kopupaka Reserve. The notion of weaving histories and overlapping functions together is the dominant design narrative of Kopupaka park.

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ANALYSIS The park integrates infrastructure with natural features; it’s a part stormwater reserve, urban park, playground and skate park – all made possible by dovetailing the master planning of new streets with the green infrastructure of the 22-hectare stormwater reserve.

The light and dark curving timber ‘baskets’ i n t e g ra t e d i n t o the edges of main wetland ponds.

The open space for human activities is located along the wetland, providing a nice view.

Thr ee wetlands are designed to treat the water from surrounding catchment. http://isthmus.co.nz/landscape/

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STRATEGIES CULTURE MAHINGA KAI The area is an important historical site for gathering food such as tuna (eel). The "woven basket" form was abstracted from hīnaki (Māori eel pots) to represent the Mahinga kai.

The design of the park includes an environmental education boardwalk which is inspired by hīnaki.

FUNCTIONAL SCULPTURES It pays homage to traditions of rāranga (weaving) and references the architectural form of hīnaki (eel-gathering baskets).

The diagram on the right shows an example of cultureal elements involvs in the place making process. The retaining wall was inspired by mahinga kai concept to create functional sculptures to increase cultural identity of the site. The design of the wetlands and plants selection aim to create habitats for native fish and bird species, which benefit the ecosystem in the long term.

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ECOLOGY PLANTING DESIGN The planting design of Kopupaka Reserve is based on native species.

HABITATS CREATION The planting design of predominantly native vegetation contributes to the restoration of the environment. Structures and edge planting have been designed to provide shade for native fish.

rāranga + hīnaki native species

wetland + habitats

COMMUNITY

Corten-steel panels around the circumference of the platforms could be painted graphic, which provides opportunities for environmental education.

The central pond is the main civic open space, with crib walls housing a botanical garden of weaving plants.

Cycleways and shared paths weave between the streams, with the routes leading to the confluence of the waterways, wetlands and community gathering places. The southern pond, adjacent to future residential development and the Sakaria Stream, include a large playground and family gathering spaces on the site of what was once an irrigation pond.

ENGINEERING

STORMWATER INFRASTRUCTURE Headwalls, outfalls, and concrete retaining structures are concealed under multiple layers of landscape. The park is structured around six stormwater wetlands and works also included the revegetation of the Totara Creek and Sakaria Stream corridors. The new stormwater infrastructure not only accommodates massive urban expansion but also restores elements of the degraded riparian system, protecting water quality and ensuring habitat preservation. “Kopupaka Park.� Isthmus, isthmus.co.nz/project/kopupaka-park/

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SEISMIC STRUCTURE CASE STUDY TŪRANGA LIBRARY, CHRISTCHURCH, NZ Tūranga library is one of the first public buildings to open in the earthquake-damage downtown. As one of the nine anchor projects in Regenerate Christchurch CBD, the library in the historic Cathedral Square was made to support the city’s desire for public space. Built with attention to resilience, functionality and cultural awareness, Tūranga rises at the center of the earthquake-damaged city’s redevelopment.

The inspiration for the design was derived mainly from the warm colors and rolling shadows of the Port Hills and the angular fronds of the native Harakeke flax that once grew in the vast wetlands of Christchurch.

Openings on upper floors face culturally significant points in the Canterbury landscape and beyond: Kā Tiritiri o te Moana – Southern Alps Aoraki / Mt Cook Horomaka / Pātaka o Rākaihautū – Banks Peninsula Maungatere – Mt Grey Hawaiki – according to oral traditions, one of the places of origin of New Zealand's earliest settlers.

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Image © Adam Mørk

FUNCTIONALITY

RESILIENCE

PLACE MAKING

SEISMIC RESILIENCE A seismic force-resisting system made up of a series of large-scale concrete walls that can rock and shift to isolate the building from peak earthquake accelerations during a significant seismic event. Each wall has high tensile, pre-tensioned steel cables that clamp the wall to the foundations with approximately 1,000 tonnes of force per wall.

WHAKAMANUHIRI

welcoming all visitors The inner space of the library was designed to provide spaces for different purpose: CREATIVE SPACES • music and video editing studios • rooms for activities such as craft sessions

This structure could return the building to its original position after an earthquake which ensures the standing of the library for the next generation.

CULTURAL AWARENESS COLOR & PATTERN & MATERIAL

MEETING SPACES • boardroom and meeting rooms ENTERTAINMENT SPACES • TSB Space: 200-seat arena • Southbase Gallery: exhibition area • Discovery Wall and digital displays about events and activities • children’s play zone

D i f fe r e n t f l o o r s c h o o s e a different color to represent the function of the floor. At the same time, native birds were used to represent floors based on how high these could fly.

RELAXING SPACES • quiet reading room • outdoor roof terraces • café and espresso bar.

“Tūranga (Central Library).” Tūranga (Central Library) : Christchurch City Council, ccc.govt.nz/culture-and-community/centralcity/explore-amazing-things/central-library/.

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WETLANDS TRAVIS WETLAND, CHRISTCHURCH, NZ

Travis wetland is a modified swamp in the middle of the City of Christchurch. It emphasizes mainly conservation and restoration of a wetland that was once predominant on this site. This natural swampy looking landscape has been engineered to protect and restore wetland habitats and native vegetation. Other goals include recreational public access and to promote ecological education at the reserve.

HISTORY 1960’s & 70’s - developers came up with schemes to fill in the Travis swamp for housing and recreational boating 1980’s - residents and conservation groups protested to save the swamp 1992 - Travis Wetland Trust formed to protect 130 hectares of a diverse ecosystem 1994 - A petition signed by 7000 people to preserve the swamp. Some of the land purchased by the City Council.

1997 - purchase of the remaining property and gazetting 119 hectares of the area as a natural heritage park.

A RECONSTRUCTED LANDSCAPE Ponds and waterways were excavated at the beginning of the project to supplement the existing wetland habitats. North-south linear drains were altered to form more natural waterways, and others were filled into swales. A 2.5-hectare lake was excavated to provide maximum distance from nearby urban areas so that nesting birds are not disturbed. Native plants such as NZ Flax, Tussock Sedges and Raupo were planted to form bird habitats and absorb nutrients. This also helped maintain water quality and prevent algal blooms. As Travis Wetland lies close to the sea level, there is little outfall at the Avon river. A system of the simple weir has been applied to harness pressure from tidal water coming up the river. This pressure is used to hold fresh water in the swamp while manipulating its water levels during the flooding season. During winter, water levels are maintained to protect nesting habitat and provide ephemeral dabbling pools. From mid-December onwards, water levels are gradually lowered to expose muddy margins, that helps boost invertebrate populations providing much needed protein-rich diet for residing habitats in the wetland.

Reference: Travis Wetland Walk - A field Guide by Travis Wetland Trust 32

Travis wetland ecosystem supports 60-70% Christchurch’s former fresh-water biodiversity.

Travis wetland retained a series of lowland swamp to dune soil

Travis wetland retained 80% Travis wetland supports 77% Interpretive center adding remnant vegetation which are of low-land Canterbury’s recrational and educational now rare in Canterbury plains. native fresh-water wetland value to the site bird species.

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MAORI CULTURAL HISTORY

Travis Wetland has a strong tribal identity and cultural history. Around 750 years ago when Maori first settled in the coastal Canterbury, Travis swamp was used as a rich Mahinga Kai site - a source of many foods and fiber and plants. The swamp was surrounded by Raupo and harakeke (NZ Flax), Waterfowl and Eels (Tuna) and bush birds like Kereru (NZ Pigeon) and grassland birds like Weka. Ngai Tahu traditions have a myth that Sharks were caught in this swamp which indicates that the outlet to the sea was open and brackish water attracted some saltwater creatures. For one of the Maori settlements named Oruapaeroa, the site used to be a Mahinga Kai site.

A plan of Travis Wetland 34

Diagram showing key points of attractions

Diagrams are showing key strategies used for the restoration and conservation of Travis Wetland.

Top right: Excavation of the land Top right: Retain and planting native vegetation such as Raupo and harakeke (NZ Flax) Top left: Weir to control and manipulate the tidal water levels in different seasons

Digram illustrating the broader context of Travis Wetland and its connection to major water systems in Christchurch.

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WETLAND CASE STUDY BARRY CURTIS PARK, AUCKLAND, NZ

Barry Curtis Park is one of the largest urban parks in New Zealand, designed by Isthmus with professional consultants. It covers 94 hectares of land which incorporates 55km of protected natural stream and gully areas to create a network of ‘green fingers’ that connects nearby residential areas of Flat Bush with the park. The park is named after the long-serving mayor Barry Curtis.

The park is embedded into land with a town center growing around it. The park is inspired by natural and cultural patterns, such as volcanic geology, historical pā, and defensive fortifications, and the stone walls and planting that once occupied the site. The park was planned as a place for sports, events, and recreation, but also accommodates restored waterways integrated with green infrastructure.

DESIGN FEATURES Barry Curtis Park sits at a confluence of streams. Thus one of the major goals of the park’s development is ecological rehabilitation of water corridors through extensive planting and re-vegetation initiatives that has been degraded over many years of farming. Wide riparian buffer zones and these planted corridors along the stream has improved water quality, created freshwater and riparian habitat. Recreational paths are also integrated carefully to follow the existing contours and the overall landscape. Boardwalks and concrete weir structures enable park users to engage and interact with the stream corridors and the ecological restoration processes. An ecological ‘Wetland Neighborhood Play Park’ is designed to evoke children’s interest in wetlands and storm-water ponds through interactive features, play elements, and sculpture. The wetland play space contains oversized native plant and bird shaped sculptures, made from corten steel reflecting the ecological theme. A cone-shaped mound used as the entrance feature to the park recalling the volcanic heritage of the site. Connecting places with a strong cultural and educational axis are key to Barry Curtis Park’s design. The park’s main thoroughfare is a formal, linear promenade, anchored at one end by the town center and orientated towards other ends to the volcanic field, through various civic and natural spaces. Its ceremonial entranceway faced with tree-fern logs and surrounded by a stepped, disc-like earthwork forms a strong landmark for visitors.

Another route is the Education Axis, which is framed by tall poplars and distinctive dry-stack stone walls common to Auckland’s older parks and neighborhoods. This axis is a softer connection, repeatedly connecting with the stream corridor that provides visitors an opportunity to access varied habitats and ‘signature gardens.

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Reference: http://isthmus.co.nz/project/barry-curtis-park/

Flood protection

Green infrastructure

The restored stream corridor with significant planting along the edges ensures safety, creates a buffer, and improves water quality.

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Wetland play space

The axial walkway

Walking paths

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The stone walls and planting that once occupied the site

Linear pathways link park's key activity nodes through softer steps

The overall plan of the 94-hectare park by Isthmus.

Programs include 1. Cultural Axis 2. Educational Axis 3. Wetland Play space 4. Skate-Park 5. Festival Lawn 6. Sports fields 7. Signature Gardens 8. Stream corridor 9. Constructed ponds and wetlands.

2. Strom-water infrastructure along the axis

3. Clean water enters the stream

1. Urban discharge to wetlands Diagram showing the water treatment and restoration process

Conceptual diagram illustrating contextual relationship and the design idea 39

DESIGN FRAMEWORK

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"HOW TO ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES OF A CHANGING LANDSCAPE SO THAT IT IS ECOLOGICALLY RESILIENT AND CULTURALLY SIGNIFICANT TO THE CITY AND ITS PEOPLE?"

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DESIGN GOALS AND OBJECTIVES RE-ESTABLISHING THE MAHINGA KAI Realizing the importance of water into our site and the region, we have decided to focus on "TE MANA O TE WAI"-the Integrated and Holistic Wellbeing of Water to develop strategies towards better management of land, water, and hazard. Waterways are always considered as an integral part of any ecosystem and are prime sources for food and resource for both human and habitats. By improving water quality and managing quantity, we can restore native flora, fauna, and habitats and at the same time, we can address the impact of surrounding urban development and environmental challenges like seasonal flooding or future sea level rise.

Once the waterways are healthy, Mahinga Kai will flourish again and will help to maintain the region's cultural landscape. Re-establishing Mahiga Kai will reinforce the relationship between people, land, and culture, which in the long term will impact future social, economic, cultural, and spiritual wellbeing of the city and its people.

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK • • • •

MAHINGA KAI WA TE RQ

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improving water quality managing water quantity strengthening community resilience integrating design components to promote environmental education and placemaking

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PROMOTING EDUCATION – INTRODUCING A NEW LAYER “KNOWLEDGE” TO THE CULTURAL LANDSCAPE "Ko te manu e kai ana i te miro, nōna te ngahere. Engari, ko te manu e kai ana i te mātauranga, nōna te ao"-The bird who partakes of the miro, the forest will be their domain. But, the bird who partakes in education, to them the world will be their domain". This whakatauākī (proverb) explains that knowledge is the key to success. By designing communal places and programming, we are hoping to educate, engage, and connect communities to share their knowledge and resources so that Christchurch communities can better address future social, environmental, and economic challenges. Integrating educational components to the Mahinga Kai concept will act as a foundational base for our design and strengthen our proposal.

PLACEMAKING AND LANDMARKING Developing a sense of place is an essential element of Maori culture which emphasizes community resilience and community wellbeing through practicing Kaitiakitanga (stewardship and respect for the natural environment) and Matauranga (Growing and sharing of knowledge). By creating a network of hubs such as habitat hub, water quality hubs, cultural hub, and agricultural hub, we would like to restore the cultural landscape that connects the land to its cultural narratives and its people. Designing and programming these dynamic hubs will create points of interest as landmarks will strengthen community attachment that can help to build future resilience for the city and its people.

FUTURE RESILIENCE W

AT Proposing design to manage land, water, ER QU AL G hazards and ITY people in IN a sustainable AK M E manner to better AC adapt to future PL environmental, social and economic challenges better KN OW LE D

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MAHINGA KAI THE CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

Intrigued by the rich cultural history and background of Horseshoe Lake, our design started with a research question particular to the site that later guided our design framework - "How to address the challenges and opportunities of a changing landscape so that it is ecologically resilient and culturally significant to the city and its people?"

To approach this question, we started thinking about how to achieve ecological and social resilience through design. We want to design Horseshoe Lake in a way that can adapt to future climate change impacts and long term socio-cultural and economic changes or disruptions caused by urbanization and nature disasters. To better understand our site and the overall landscape of Christchurch, we looked into Maori culture narratives, which later helped us to develop a conceptual framework for our design.

First, we tried to understand the "Tohu Whenua" – the rich cultural landscape of Christchurch and its relationship to its people. The cultural narratives unfold many layers of history and stories of the land and provide a unique Maori value of the world reinforcing the idea of looking into the past to a foundation for future resilience and development. Some layers are central to this place and the cultural landscape and which provide the framework for our design. Such layers are• Land • Water • People • Placemaking • Mahinga kai Reference: "A cultural narrative, For the University of Canterbury Masterplan process 2015, Brief prepared by Puamiria Parata-Goodall September 2015 44

MAHINGA KAI IN THE PAST Our next step was to understand Horseshoe Lake through the lens of these layers and use them as a guiding framework to develop a design concept. Looking into the past, we found that Horseshoe Lake used to be a critical Mahinga Kai site for Maori settlers. Mahinga Kai refers to a site for seasonal food and natural resource gathering that helps people prepare themselves better to survive longer harsh winter months.

Moreover, the concept of Mahinga Kai is linked inextricably with the health and wellbeing of the environment and more particularly with healthy waterways, including streams, lakes, and wetlands. Waterways are always considered as an integral part of any ecosystem and are prime sources for food and resource for both human and habitats. Furthermore, the layers embedded into the cultural landscape fits well into the idea of Mahinga Kai. This understanding encouraged our team to explore the notion of Mahinga Kai further and use it as our key design concept.

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MAHINGA KAI FOR THE FUTURE DEVELOPING DESIGN THEMES

We aim to re-establish the Mahinga Kai concept into Horseshoe Lake by exploring three design themes or strategies: RESTORE, ADAPT, AND RE-UTILIZE. By re-establishing Mahinga Kai into our site, we are hoping to restore water quality and manage quantity, regenerate native ecosystems and educate and engage people in ways to better prepare themselves for future environmental, socio-cultural and economic changes.

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THEME: RESTORE

HABITATS

WATER QUALITY

Our first theme is "Restore," which aims to bring back healthy environments. Waterways are prime sources for food and resources both for human and habitats. Therefore, we are focusing on improving the water quality and increasing stormwater capacity into our site, while restoring native ecosystems by protecting fish migration routes and creating habitats for local species such whitebait, eels, pukeko, etc.

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THEME: ADAPT

Our second theme is "Adapt," as a strategy to deal with impacts caused by climate change and provide opportunities for education. Since our site is prone to seasonal flooding and sea levels rise, by designing a flexible and adaptive landscape, we encourage people to explore and learn about the transition process during seasonal and future water level changes. Through programming such transitional spaces, we want people to engage with the site educate themselves about climate change impacts.

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THEME: REUTILIZE SPACE PROGRAMMING

WATER REUSE

LAND RESHAPPING

Our last theme is "Reutilize" of the land and water. Since there is a large amount of untreated stormwater flows into Horseshoe Lake from the surrounding neighborhoods, we decided to treat the water first through a series of wetlands and then reuse them for other functions in the site by creating a closed water loop system.

Also, to respond to the seasonal flooding and sea level rise, we are proposing a multilevel terraced buffer zone with a multifunctional stop bank along the Avon River corridor into our site. All these efforts demand lots of land cutting a filling. Therefore, we are proposing to re-utilize all the materials that will be excavated from the site during the process of creating wetlands, stop banks, and multilevel buffer zone.

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DESIGN WORK

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Horsesho e Lak e

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preserved Horseshoe Lake first flash pond stormwater treatments gateway mound fresh water storage splash playground cultural hub surface water channel art & craft center eco village urban agriculture

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freshwater wetland backup wetland recycled water wetland multifunctional stopbank pedestrain pathway shared street pedestrain & bicycle bridge board walk updated elevated road future road 0

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20

eys Rd

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PLANNING THEMES Te

rr

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RESTORE

A v o n d a le

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wetlands for treatment habitats protection and restoration water storage water quality monitoring

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ADAPT Wo 19

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Bre

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eze

sR d

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yS t

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seasonal flooding sea level rise climate change education

REUTILIZE • water circulation and reuse • land reshaping (cut & Fill) • existing infrastructure reuse

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PROGRAMMED HUBS & CONNECTIONS PROGRAMMED HUBS Four programmed hubs are designed with distinct characteristics and purposes Habitat Hub integrates features such as information center, canopy walks, and a bird watching tower to invite people to learn about the restoration process as well as experience the restored habitat and vegetation.

Water Quality Hub proposes research labs where the treated water can be tested and monitored to manage water quality and quantity.

WATER QU Water test

Cultural Hub introduces facilities such as a library, community hall, research center to gather people to celebrate Maori natural and cultural resources and knowledge. Green features such as green roofs and solar panels shades in the proposed buildings, biofiltration planters in the plaza are proposed to promote sustainable and energy efficient design practices.

CULTURAL Community

Agricultural Hub promotes productive landscapes for food production, such as community gardens and urban farmlands.

The idea aims to tie back to the Mahinga Kai concept of collecting and celebrating food and natural resources.

AGRICULTU Eco village Productive

PROPOSED CONNECTIONS An elevated driveway and a pedestrian and bicycle bridge are proposed to link adjacent east-west neighborhoods and the Avon River. A multi-functional shared path proposed connecting the site from north to south.

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HABITAT H Learn and e

HUB experience restoration process

UALITY HUB ting and monitoring

L HUB y gathering

URAL HUB landscapes

MULTIFUNCTIONAL SHARED PATH Shared path for bike + pedestrian FUTURE ROAD Elevated to protect the site for future sea level rise

PEDESTRIAN & BICYCLE BRIDGE Connects east-west neighborhoods

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PROGRAMMED ZONES & ELEMENTS

stopbank future riparian area

From north to south, the site is zoned with distinct programs with specific goals. The programs are developed based on the need of the site, the future development proposals by the City of Christchurch, and the need of the surrounding communities.

riparian area

TRANSITION ZONE NOW transition zone stopbank fresh water wetland

The transition zone proposed on the west side of the multifunctional stop bank to address the future need of freshwater wetlands as the existing freshwater resources will be impacted by future sea level rise.

FUTURE fresh water wetland

The climate change adaptation zone as a multilevel terraced buffer area proposed along the Avon River corridor on the eastern edge of the site to address both short term (seasonal flooding) and long term (future sea level rise) climate change impacts. A shared bike path and walking trail is proposed to strengthen the defense mechanism against water level changes in the future. Also, this proposed shared path would offer recreational amenities for the surrounding neighborhoods by encouraging a healthy and active living style.

stopbank

CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION ZONE stopbank future riparian area riparian area

• Seasonal flooding protection • Sea level rise adaptation

NOW transition zone stopbank fresh water wetland

FUTURE fresh water wetland

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stopbank

100 yr 50 yr 30 yr

PRESERVED HORSESHOE LAKE AREA • Information Center • Canopy Walk (Limited Public Access) • Bird Watching Towers TREATMENT + MANAGEMENT • Rsearch Labs WATER STORAGE & REUSE

100 yr 50 yr 30 yr

PRODUCTIVE LANDSCAPE • Eco Village • Community Gardens • Events Space (Exhibition/Market) • Retail + Food + Cafe • Shared Kitchen • Seed Station

EDUCATE + ENGAGE • I n fo r m a t i o n c e n t e r / e c o l o g i c a l education center/ library / community hall / museum • Urban plaza (re-programmable spaces) • Accessible green • Cafe + restaurants 57

HABITATS

WATER QUALITY

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RESTORE BRING BACK HEALTHY ENVIRONMENTS A series of wetlands is proposed north of Horseshoe Lake to treat the polluted stormwater coming from the surrounding neighborhoods. A daylighted freshwater pond has been created to store some portion of the treated water that can be reused for other functions such as irrigating agricultural farmland and other landscaping features on the site. The rest of the treated water can feed other treatment wetlands proposed in the adaptation zone before it discharges into the Avon River. The Purpose of this restoration zone is to improve existing water quality and create a healthy ecosystem so that the existing native vegetation and habitat can thrive and expand in the future.

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HABITAT RESTORATION To restore the freshwater habitats and migration routes for important species such as New Zealand Whitebait, and also to protect Horseshoe Lake from being polluted by the untreated stormwater run-off from surrounding urban areas, all of the stormwater drainages are proposed to be re-routed. The new re-routed water will then flow into a central wetland system for the treatment before it discharges into the Avon River.

The diagram on the left illustrates the restoration mechanism proposed to protect Horseshoe Lake.

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STORMWATER MANAGEMENT The stormwater management system includes a sediment pond, well-vegetated first flush basin, a series of treatment wetlands, and a reservoir for the treated, clean, fresh water.

After we reroute the stormwater drainage, the stormwater from the city will be gathered directly in the sediment pond and the first flush basin. Then it will flow through a series of wetlands for further treatment. The treated water will be stored in the open fresh water reservoir, with one part feeding the freshwater wetlands, one part flowing through the whole site for recycling, and the rest being reused for splash park and other water feature after UV treatment and will eventually go back to the treatment loop again.

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PRESERVED HORSESHOE LAKE AREA

Restored Native Habitat

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Preserve

Canopy Walk

Board Walk

Rehabilitated Native Forest

ed Horeshoe Lake Area

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ADAPT CLIMATE CHANGE + EDUCATION We propose an adaptation zone on the eastern edge of the site along the Avon River corridor. The purpose of this adaptation zone is to respond to seasonal tidal changes and future sea level rise.

A multilevel and multifunctional terraced buffer zone has been designed integrating treatment wetlands, multifunctional stop bank with recreational pathways and amenities. This adaptation zone will add water capacity, and volume needed to respond to the future sea level rise. While securing the site from seasonal flooding, the multifunctional stop bank will provide recreational amenities for the surrounding neighborhoods.

To educate people about climate change impacts, we propose interactive display boards and digital mobile apps where people can learn about how Horseshoe lake will transform and adapt both short and long term climate change impacts. The illustration on the left is reflecting this idea of promoting ecological education and knowledge sharing.

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STOPBANK DESIGN STRATEGIES

FOR SEASONAL FLOODING 缩放垂直60%，等比效果 HARD EDGE

SOFT RIPARIAN ZONE

VS

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FOR SEA LEVEL RISE MULTIFUNCTIONAL, MULTI-LEVEL BUFFER ZONE

ENGINEERED STOPBANK

VS

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SEA LEVEL SCENARIOS SITE CHANGES OVER 100 YEARS

waterways

2025

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water flow

waterways

2050

1.5ft sea level rise projection

water flow

waterways

2120

water flow

4.5ft sea level rise projection

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CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION ZONE

Avon River

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Terraced Adaptation Zone

Multifunctional Shared Path

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SPACE PROGRAMMING

LAND RESHAPPING

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WATER REUSE

REUTILIZE LAND + WATER + INFRSTRUCTURE Design strategies are developed to reutilize existing resources or materials available on the site. For instance, the proposed wetlands and multifunctional stopbank in the restoration and adaptation zone needs a lot of excavation of existing soil. Our proposal aims to reutilize these materials to build new facilities and programs proposed in different zones and hubs. The treated water from the restoration zone will be stored into the freshwater pond and will be reutilized for irrigating the agricultural hub and other landscape features in the site. Instead of introducing new infrastructure into the site, our design proposes to reuse some post-earthquake remnant infrastructures that still exist, such as the existing road network, utility grids and features like street lamps, street names, letter boxes, etc. By reutilizing existing resources and materials, we can save energy and money as well as can provide the city and the former residents an opportunity to reconnect with their past and cherish their memories of Horseshoe Lake.

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reutilize LAND RESHAPING

LAND RESHAPING The empty remnant land and the treated stormwater are proposed to be reutilized through various programs on the site. Since we need to create a multifunctional and multi-level buffer zone to adapt to the impacts of climate change, land reshaping through the cut and fill becomes a key strategy in reutilizing existing resources and materials on the site.

The materials cut in the process of creating wetlands in the restoration zone proposed on our site will be used to create new infrastructures such as multifunctional stop bank and the terraced buffer zone along the Avon River. The dig up materials can also be used to elevate existing roads on our site to respond to seasonal flooding and future sea level rise. Besides, the freshwater wetlands proposed along the Avon river will be created by cutting the existing stop bank and will be raised gradually to create multi-level buffer zone in the future.

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CUTTING AREA FILLING AREA A'

TERRACED BUFFER ZONE

A

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LAND RESHAPING & PROGRAMMING Various types of spaces are created and programs are proposed for social gatherings and cultural events through the process of land shaping. The section below illustrates how the land will be reshaped through the cut and fill process while the detail section on the right is showing how various programs in the proposed eco-village /in the agricultural hub will provide opportunities for urban farming and sharing Maori art and craft knowledge and traditions. The reused water is proposed to be channelized through a canal to water the proposed agricultural land and other landscaping features on the site.

hight exaggerated 4 times 78

CROSS SECTION A-A' 79

MULTIFUNCTIONAL STOPBANK A detail section is illustrating how the proposed multifunctional stop bank will function and formed through the cutting and filling process.

hight exaggerated 4 times 80

CROSS SECTION A-A' 81

WATER REUSE The freshwater wetlands is created along the Avon River through the land reshaping process, which could serve the final water treatment phase before they discharge into the Avon River.

hight exaggerated 4 times 82

CROSS SECTION A-A' 83

100 yr 50 yr 30 yr

stopbank future riparian area riparian area

TRANSITION ZONE NOW 2025

transition zone stopbank fresh water wetland

FUTURE 2120 fresh water wetland

stopbank

2120

2025

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2025

2050

1.5ft sea level rise projection

2120

4.5ft sea level rise projection

The Transition Zone is arranged inside the multifunctional, multi-level buffer zone that gradually transition from a open space into freshwater wetlands.

Wetlands proposed along the Avon River widen the riparian area to clean the water and improve habitat quality for the River. It is shown in the 2120 projection that 4.5ft sea level rise will cause the loss of freshwater wetlands along the Avon River. In order to protect the ecological function of the Horseshoe Lake area and provide freshwater habitats for fish species and native plant species, a transition zone is proposed inside of the buffer zone.

In 2025, this area serves as a sunken open space which people could use for gathering and events. A planting project will be programmed through 25 years from 2025 to 2050 to plant wetland plants to prepare this area ready for wetland usage.

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2025 Open Space

2120 Freshwater Wetland

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PROGRAMMED HUBS CELEBRATE, EDUCATE, ENGAGE

BRING COMMUNITIES TOGETHER BY PROMOTING ECOLOGICAL EDUCATION, AND PRACTICING MAORI CULTURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES HABITAT HUB WATER QUALITY HUB CULTURAL HUB AGRICULTURAL HUB

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CULTURAL HUB Water Testing and Monitioring Plaza Research Labs

Wetland

Water Features (urban play)

The CULTURAL HUB introduces facilities like a library, community hall, research center, art gallery, cafe, and retail to invite people from surrounding neighborhoods to gather and celebrate Maori natural and cultural resources and knowledge. Sustainable green features such as green roofs, solar panel sheds, biofiltration planters are integrated into the proposed buildings and central plaza to promote energy efficient design practices. The buildings within the cultural hub are intended to be low height, between 4-8 storied and earthquake resistant responding to the site's location within the liquefaction zone and the recent earthquake event in Christchurch.

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Green Roofs solar Panel Sheds Accessible Green Roofs

Central Plaza Cultural Land Post Grassy Mounds Cultural Entry and Event Plaza Green Space

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60

140ft

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CULTURAL HUB

Water Quality Monitoring & Testing Labs

Community Hall

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Museum

Library

Library

Preserved Horseshoe Lake Area

Grassy Mounds

Cultural Entry Plaza

Museum

Retail & Cafe

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SECTION PROPOSED BUILDING USES, PLAZA FEATURES AND VARIOUS LEVELS

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PROPOSED PROGRAM

Diagram illustrating detail programs propsed within the Cultural Hub responding to the needs of the community and the site. Buildings are proposed to be earthquake resistant following the current development standard and trend by the City of Christchurch 96

GREEN FEATURES

Diagram showing green features introduced in the proposed buildings and the plaza to promote environment-friendly and sustainable development practices in the future 97

AGRICULTURAL HUB

The AGRICULTURAL HUB promotes productive landscapes for food production, such as community gardens and urban farmlands. Temporary shelters forms an eco-village where people can stay and monitor food production and other facilities on the site. Also, smaller size eco-sheds are proposed for tourism or seasonal settlement such as summer camp or Air BnB so that people can get to know about the site's rich history and can enjoy the proposed cultural and natural resources and facilities. The eco-village is designed around a central cultural event space to provide training, and display of Maori art and craft.

Moreover, retail, cafe, and a seed station are proposed to encourage producers to sell their produce harvested from the community garden and urban farmland.

The purpose of this agricultural hub is to tie back to the Mahinga Kai concept of collecting and celebrating food and natural resources.

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0

20

60

120ft

Retail and cafe Seasonal Sheds for summer camp program and tourism Accommodation for people who will maintain the site and the productive landscape. Solar panels and green roofs are also integrated into the building design.

Water Channel: water will be reused from storage for irrigation Urban Farming Seed Center Cultural Event Plaza Housing with Soalr Panel Shadings and Green Roofs Community Gathering Space

Pedestrian Pathways Parking Shared Road (car+bike+ped)

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ECO VILLAGE

Gathering Lawn

Sustainable Sheds with Greenroofs

Cultural Even Pouwhenua, Maori cultural land post

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Temporary sheds for summer camps with green roofs and solar panels

nt Plaza

Water Channel for Irrigation and Recreation

Cultural Gateway Retail Sheds with Solar Panels

Seed Station

Urban Farm as Productive Landscape

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BUIDING SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE FOR FUTURE RESILIENCE

PROPOSED HUBS WILL HELP TO DEVELOP SOCIAL CAPITAL FOR LONG TERM RESILIENCE Through programming and partnering with public, private and community-led organizations, Christchurch communities can develop long term social capital that in turn will help them to better prepare for any future economic, environmental and socio-cultural changes and challenges. Investing in developing social infrastructure will increase community resilience for the future.

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WAIKAKARIKI FUTURES: A LIVING ECO-LABORATORY

THANK YOU

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University of Washington, Seattle, WA