Open Access Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington
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Biodiver_Cities: supporting native biodiversity in the built environment

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thesis
posted on 2022-07-31, 22:57 authored by Koat, Jennifer

Future built environments need to address climate change and biodiversity loss. This research shows that by using an ecosystem services framework combined with biophilic design principles, the built environment is capable of contributing to regeneration of ecosystems and biodiversity in urban environments, while addressing the wellbeing needs of people.

Architecture and the built environment must play a crucial role in the reduction of biodiversity loss and must support or generate ecosystem services in the urban environment. New Zealand’s biodiversity is unique, evolving free from land-based mammals, excluding three bat species, for thousands of years and has left almost all indigenous species hugely vulnerable to introduced mammal predators.

 With predicted urban population increase, and the subsequent need for more infrastructure, the way architects and engineers design the required buildings and systems will have a direct impact on surrounding ecosystems and biodiversity. Therefore, designers should consider ecosystem services and biodiversity throughout the process of design. Through the emulating ecosystems and their functions and through incorporating biophilic design principles, our urban environment may work towards the creation of regenerative buildings that positively influence society from a health and wellbeing perspective, while adding to resilience as the climate continues to change.

 This research explores this topic through a design-led research methodology, combining ecology and ecological psychology knowledge, into an ecological and psychological regenerative design. The approach concludes that an understanding of the complex ecosystem services and the biophilic design principles is required to make intentional design designs and navigate trade-offs.

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

Architecture

Degree Grantor

Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

Degree Level

Masters

Degree Name

Master of Architecture (Professional)

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Outcome code

960511 Ecosystem Assessment and Management of Urban and Industrial Environments; 960812 Urban and Industrial Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity; 961208 Rehabilitation of Degraded Urban and Industrial Environments

ANZSRC Type Of Activity code

4 EXPERIMENTAL DEVELOPMENT

Victoria University of Wellington Item Type

Awarded Research Masters Thesis

Language

en_NZ

Victoria University of Wellington School

Wellington School of Architecture

Advisors

Pedersen Zari, Maibritt