Open Access Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington
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Plastic Wetland, An investigation into provocative landscape design

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thesis
posted on 2022-07-31, 22:34 authored by Morgan, Abigail Victoria Lobo

With increasing global consumption, plastic debris has become an overwhelming concern for coastal and marine ecologies. The accumulation of plastic materials in local and isolated environments currently constitutes a threat to global ecologies, continuously impacting the health and well-being of communities. The process of photo-oxidative degradation, commonly referred to as plastic fragmentation from ultra-violet sunlight and the presence of microplastics have become a damaging reality for many countries. As the size of the plastic litter can span from microplastic particles to mega litter, it is able to infiltrate environments on multiple levels. Solving problems associated with fragmentation is hindered by an ‘out of sight, out of mind’ mentality, as people are largely unaware of the detrimental impacts of degraded plastics. Coastal and marine ecosystems are being increasingly subjected to plastic waste and flora and fauna are catastrophically damaged, resulting in severe threats to their existence (see figure 0.1).

Landscape architecture has the potential to bridge the gap between biology, conservation and public urban spaces, in order to highlight and increase public awareness of this anthropological problem. Previous work on environmental conservation has focused around storm water management and urban wetlands, but has yet to address plastic debris. This research proposal identifies new ways of addressing plastic pollution through encouraging public interaction with plastic debris in recreational urban spaces and countering the ‘out of sight, out of mind’ mentality. Case studies are explored to highlight how plastic removal has previously been remediated, and site explorations are conducted to understand the extent of plastic debris within Wellington. The aim of this research is to educate the public on the devastating consequences of plastic pollution, highlighting how reducing plastic consumption will decrease this ongoing threat.

This thesis argues that it is possible to create social and cultural behavioural change towards the subject matter of plastic pollution, by creating spatial interaction and visually expressive design moves. In order to achieve this, the research considers not only the environmental functions of the site, but how people orientate themselves in an educational landscape, and how their subconscious understanding of plastic pollution can trigger conscious thought.

History

Copyright Date

2020-01-01

Date of Award

2020-01-01

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

ANZSRC Type Of Activity code

1 PURE BASIC RESEARCH

Victoria University of Wellington Item Type

Awarded Research Masters Thesis

Language

en_NZ

Victoria University of Wellington School

Wellington School of Architecture

Advisors

Rodgers, Maria; Marques, Bruno