‘Tropical architecture’: Cultural collisions and reverberations in the vernacular of Aotearoa New Zealand

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Therapeutic Landscapes: A Natural Weaving of Culture, Health and Land

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Cross-cultural Rongoā healing: a landscape response to urban health

The growing interest in Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and Indigenous worldviews has refocused attention on land and resource management systems as well as local knowledge of flora and fauna. As Western medicine often ignores the spiritual and mental intricacies of health, finding a balance between Western and Non-Western knowledge is vital to creating a culturally and ecologically responsive environment. This paper addresses the growing interest in TEK as a catalyst for urban landscape regeneration by incorporating the biophysical dimensions of place and environment. It explores the proposed design of a Māori Rongoā learning garden in a public space in the city of Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand. By identifying opportunities in designing plant collections and issues for plant harvesting, this paper aids the discourse on potential cultural collisions and strategies for both reconnecting with Indigenous people but also connecting non-Indigenous people to the natural surroundings

Improving Community Health and Wellbeing through Multi-functional Green Infrastructure in Cities Undergoing Densification

Evidence shows that maintaining a relationship with nature is essential for human health and wellbeing. This is of great importance when migration to urban areas is increasing globally and the need for nature as well as green and blue spaces as a source of recreation and relaxation is highly regarded for the health and wellbeing of local communities. Sustainable urban development and alternative design solutions to address urban compactness and densification are becoming increasingly important tools to counteract the adverse effects of urban sprawl. In the context of the highly compact bicultural capital city of Wellington, Aotearoa-New Zealand, this paper examines the effects of urban densification and compact city development in urban green spaces. It explores how architecture and landscape architecture can transform urban environments into desirable places to live and capitalise on the potentials of interstitial spaces, outdated zoning and changing land-use. To achieve that, it looks at green and blue infrastructure design solutions and opportunities that foster sustainable intensification and by offering new views for health and wellbeing that improve the social, cultural and environmental health of the city

In pursuit of happiness in a multicultural society: the case of medium density towns in Aotearoa-New Zealand

The increased focus on mental health and well-being in the past few decades has brought renewed attention to our urban environments, where more than half of the world’s population live. Happiness in cities, often measured by tourist dollars or a city’s ability to recruit and retain skilled professionals or estimates of general satisfaction and wellbeing, has fostered a competitive nature between cities. Helsinki (Finland), Aarhus (Denmark), and Wellington (New Zealand) are internationally recognised, ranking as the top three happiest cities in the world according to the World Happiness Report of 2020. However, a close examination of the Happiness Report, the manner in which data is captured and the congruencies between the top cities raises questions about the ability of a second-tier city to ever rank highly. This research investigates the section of the report that addresses the design of cities and compares it with the literature on those elements of the built form that can improve the happiness of city residents. After extracting the key elements of urban design for a happy city, it then uses these constructs to examine a second-tier city in New Zealand and uses the example of an unhappy city to illuminate improvements that might make it happier. The research finds some alignment with the Happy City predicates but also finds sufficient additional complexity in second-tier cities to warrant a set of independent measures

Public Spaces for Older People: A Review of the Relationship between Public Space to Quality of Life

This paper investigates the relationship between public spaces and quality of life (QoL) for older adults, aiming to identify knowledge gaps within the context of population ageing and urbanisation. Recognising the growing importance of sustainable urban development, the research explores how cities can foster active ageing and improve QoL through accessible and inclusive public spaces. A scoping literature review identifies five key QoL domains for older adults: autonomy, meaningful activities, positive social relationships, leisure opportunities, and health. To identify knowledge gaps, a review of the literature was conducted for each of the highlighted themes. The review highlights areas requiring further investigation, including the interplay between environmental design and social connections, intergenerational perspectives on public space liveliness, the influence of context on QoL and the built environment, and the value of qualitative research in this field. By contributing to the understanding of QoL in relation to public spaces through the lens of person–environment fit theory, this study aims to inform urban design, landscape architecture, and policymaking in the creation of age-friendly communities with inclusive public spaces

The Importance of Outdoor Spaces during the COVID-19 Lockdown in Aotearoa—New Zealand

The novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and its extensive variants have caused drastic changes to people’s habits and routines in many countries worldwide, including Aotearoa—New Zealand. The levels of lockdown and/or movement limitations affected how people used outdoor spaces, often keeping them away from nature’s benefits. The COVID-19 pandemic and the measures adopted to control it provide an interesting experiment investigating the links between nature exposure, recreational use of outdoor spaces, and people’s health and wellbeing under extreme conditions. Using an online survey distributed during lockdown and based on 212 responses, this article explores the different typologies of the outdoor spaces that people had access to during lockdown and the associated physical activities practised. It investigates how outdoor space affects our emotional response and how such space and related activities can help us cope with confinement. The results of this study enable us to better understand those spatial elements and characteristics of outdoor spaces that are essential to people’s wellbeing, especially in unusual circumstances where access is restricted. View Full-Tex

Searching for identity: finding the expression of place under ground

Cities are increasingly looking for green solutions to urban development, such as green roofs and vertical green infrastructure, as a response to globalisation and climate change. However, while engineered topsoils are being used to support green infrastructure initiatives, the hidden layers of mineral soil and rock that give landscapes their unique shape are often ignored. This research looks at the potential of subterranean soil conditions to express regional differences and challenge global trends in soil use by engaging with the underground in Aotearoa New Zealand. It finds that the uniqueness and richness of the layers of hidden soil can lead to new ways of understanding place through texture, colour, and structure, which in turn can inform aesthetic decisions and develop authentic regional aesthetics