Open Access Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington
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Inhabiting the Shifting Edge: Increasing the Adaptive Capacity of Coastal Sand Spit Communities in a Changing Climate

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posted on 2021-11-12, 09:17 authored by Bloomfield, Sibyl Ella May

This masters thesis uses urban design and landscape architecture to investigate the role of open spaces in increasing the adaptive capacity of New Zealand's sand spit communities in the face of climate related change. In order to respond to potential climate related change, the design of open spaces should acknowledge the crucial role that natural processes and ecosystems play in protecting coastal environments. Urban design and landscape architecture have the potential to encourage interaction at the interface of the social and ecological systems within these coastal communities. The design of public open space can encourage more sensitive development patterns and increase the communities' awareness of coastal processes. These spaces can become the focus of social capital building while ensuring the environment has the capacity to absorb potential climate related changes. This research focuses on three sand spit resort communities on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island. Through a series of design studies, a range of strategies are proposed and tested in response to the potential impacts of climate change and sea level rise. The exclusive and expensive coastal development trend is augmented to provide for all potential beach users. Diversification in both the users, and types of use, in these coastal areas will increase the social capital investment and awareness, further building the adaptive capacity of the spit system.

History

Copyright Date

2011-01-01

Date of Award

2011-01-01

Publisher

Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

Rights License

Author Retains Copyright

Degree Discipline

Landscape Architecture

Degree Grantor

Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

Degree Level

Masters

Degree Name

Master of Landscape Architecture (Professional)

Victoria University of Wellington Item Type

Awarded Research Masters Thesis

Language

en_NZ

Victoria University of Wellington School

School of Architecture

Advisors

Bryant, Martin