Catalysts for Environmentalism: Re-Engaging Local Communities with Natural Systems to Facilitate Environmentalist Thinking

Abstract

Contemporary attitudes towards New Zealand ecosystems have developed a dominative mindset towards natural systems. They are perceived as controllable infrastructure rather than a reflection of the parallel relationship we historically had with nature as a guardian. This dominating attitude has disconnected many New Zealand residents from the natural landscape and has begun affecting the quality of ecosystems based on a lack of interest towards pollution and ecosystem health. In order to protect these sensitive ecologies and rebuild ecosystem health we must redefine public attitudes towards natural environments and rediscover our place with nature. An example of this disconnection is seen within Feilding, Manawatu. Situated adjacent to this rural town is the Oroua River, one of the most polluted rivers in New Zealand and a major contributor to the Manawatu River’s pollution problems. The Oroua suffers from a lack of community interest in its pollution, which has resulted from limited access to the waterway since the 1980’s. In order to mitigate pollution and protect the river we must redefine the attitude of the community and re-engage residents with their surrounding natural environment. Environmentalism offers a new mindset that redefines our place within nature to reflect a parallel relationship and discard dominating attitudes. Landscape architecture offers an opportunity to re-engage the local community with natural systems and through education reconnect local communities with their surrounding natural environment. By illustrating the capabilities and opportunities natural systems offer within urban public space we may be able to facilitate a change in public attitude and exhibit a new perspective on the treatment of our natural environment. This thesis examines landscape architecture as a facilitator for environmental thinking. It aims at re-engaging the local community with natural systems to develop interest in natural processes and redefine attitudes towards the Oroua River. Through generating a relationship with the river local residents can begin confronting pollution problems and work towards rebuilding their local degraded ecosystem