ASA 2022
Proceedings
Architectural Science and User Experience:
How can Design Enhance the Quality of Life
55
thInternational Conference of the
Architectural Science Association (ANZAScA) 1-2 December 2022, Perth, Australia
Editors
Dr. Parisa Izadpanahi Dr. Francesca Perugia
The Architectural Science Association and Curtin University
Edited by
Dr. Parisa Izadpanahi and Dr. Francesca Perugia
Published by
The Architectural Science Association (ANZAScA) Hosted by
School of Design and Built Environment, Curtin University, Perth, Australia Printed in Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Designer: Jin Zang and Francesca Perugia
Please cite papers from these proceedings as follows
Lastname, A. (2022) Example Title of ASA 2018, in P Izadpanahi and F. Perugia (eds), Architectural Science and User Experience: How can Design Enhance the Quality of Life, 55th International Conference of the Architectural Science Association 2022, pp. XX-XX, 1-2 December 2022, Curtin University, Perth, Australia.
©2022, All rights reserved and published by The Architectural Science Association (ANZAScA), Australia ISBN 978-0-9923835-8-9
The copyright in these proceedings belongs to the Architectural Science Association and RMIT University.
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Architectural Science and User Experience: How can Design Enhance the Quality of Life: 55th International Conference of the Architectural Science Association 2022, P. Izadpanahi and F. Perugia (eds.), pp. 630–640. © 2022 and published by the Architectural Science Association (ANZAScA).
Zeroing in: A community-based approach to the design of public space for zero-carbon living
Susan J. Wake1 and Pippa Sommerville2
1, 2 Unitec Institute of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
1[email protected], 0000-0002-1837-7581
Abstract: This paper addresses our need to shift to a net-zero (zero-carbon) lifestyle. It begins by considering how public space can contribute to this and what other cities are doing about it. A case is then made for a community-based participatory approach, as it will empower people within the process of climate change mitigation. The results from participant surveys in the study area of Rānui, an outer suburb of Auckland, were followed by consultation workshops with community members. These were incorporated into a research-by-design process that has identified some key ways this community would like to see public space adapt in pursuit of a net-zero lifestyle. This research presents a holistic, integrated approach to emissions reduction which is meaningful and relevant for communities, and puts landscape architecture at the centre of the solution.
Keywords: zero emissions; net-zero, community participation; public space design.
1. Introduction
The Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) has advised that limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels is essential to reduce the extremity of weather events and avoid a collapse of essential ecosystems. They conclude that to achieve this, being carbon neutral by mid 21st century at the latest, is essential (IPCC, 2022).
20th Century urban design has assumed that fossil-fuel consumption will continue to support people’s lives and the reliance on cars has undermined the close relationship between open spaces and the buildings around them (Madanipour, 2010). The drive for zero-emissions will lead to more localised living, which will create an opportunity to bring the human scale back to our cities.
There are several case studies from global cities that are tackling the zero-carbon goal, however there is a lack of small-scale community-based examples. This research therefore investigates emissions reduction behaviour through engagement of residents in Rānui, West Auckland, via surveys and participatory design. The resulting design of public space in Rānui embraces significant aspects of the required change to a zero-carbon lifestyle within this local community over the next 30 years.
2. Literature Review
Climate change can be defined as long term shifts in temperature and weather patterns, largely attributable to human activity since the 19th Century, especially the burning of fossil fuels (United Nations, n.d.). The definition of ‘zero-carbon’ for the purpose of this research is the balancing of carbon emissions with sequestration within a predetermined geographical area (Climate Council, 2020). ‘Public space’ is defined as all streets, parks, footpaths, cycleways and public car parks.
Urban public space provides multiple and diverse functions in a city and public space contributes to the preservation of biodiversity, the reconciliation of people and nature and promotes the health and well-being of the population (Pinto and Remesar, 2009). Twentieth Century urban design has assumed that fossil-fuel consumption will continue to support people’s lives and the reliance on cars has undermined the close relationship between open spaces and the buildings around them. This has resulted in the development of public space which has little or no local network connection with other spaces in the city (Madanipour, 1999). In addition, in Auckland (Tāmaki Makaurau), regional public space planning for emissions reduction is currently considered and implemented in emissions-based silos. For example, walking and cycling planning is not aligned with public transport plans and waste and recycling plans and strategy is not aligned with food and consumption-based initiatives.
For this reason, a community-based approach, considering the behaviours, needs and limitations of the people and their streets and neighbourhoods is needed to allow a multi-functional and interdependent approach for all aspects of emissions (Kellett et al., 2013). Furthermore, a participatory design approach is necessary to ensure design interventions have a positive effect for the people living in the community and, therefore, the greatest chance of success due to the community having a vested interest in the outcome (Whitmarsh et al., 2011).
There are many theoretical models being developed and tested globally to grow and adapt cities to a low-carbon environment. The theory is diverse as solutions differ depending on the model and stage of development for each city. It is of relevance to this research that a study analysing four European cities that were each developed using a sustainable low-carbon model, observed that radical transformation of the urban landscape is necessary for such development to be successful (Fraker, 2013). Fraker proposes such radical transformation of public space could completely change the sensory experience of the city, and impact favourably not only on energy, CO2 emissions and climate, but also on health and well-being.
The New Zealand Government passed the Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Act in 2019, with a commitment to invest $14.5 billion into better public transport, walking and cycling infrastructure over the next 10 years. Much of this funding will be invested into cities, with the largest investment likely to be in Auckland (Ministry for the Environment, 2019). Auckland Council have shown commitment to reducing emissions and have prepared an action plan (Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland's Climate Action Framework). The plan aims to reduce emissions by 50% by 2030 which will have major implications, especially for transport, which is currently responsible for 40% of Auckland's carbon emissions (Wilson, 2020).
Te Tāruke ā Tāwhiri interweaves a te ao Māori world view with a te ao Pākehā perspective on climate change and outlines key shifts incorporating this dual world view required to achieve the goals of: 1.
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieving net zero emissions by 2050 and 2.
Adapting to the impacts of climate change by ensuring we plan for the changes we face under our current emissions pathway (Auckland Council, n.d.). Te Ao Māori sees people and the environment as one living system, each interdependent on one another. Fundamental to this is the understanding that poor health
of the environment and its natural systems will lead to poor health and wellbeing of the people (Lyver et al., 2019). Te ao Māori recognises sustainability of one system being interdependent on another, so views the natural systems making up the entire world as interdependent – meaning sustainability for all.
2.1. Case Studies
In Melbourne, the Victoria State Government have launched a 20-Minute Neighbourhood Pilot Program to test the theory that living locally reduces the use of carbon. Twenty-minute neighbourhoods are mixed- use places defined by a well-connected active transport network and a high-quality public realm with good access to employment, essential services, and community infrastructure (Harper, 2019). The premise is that essential goods (eg supermarkets, chemists) and services (eg doctors, public transport) can be reached within 20 minutes of walking.
In Auckland, a similar idea for a 15-minute city has been applied by Abley Consultants, as developed by Carlos Moreno, a Human Smart City expert (Abley, 2021). Abley mapped the locations of amenities and services that support a range of essential community requirements (defined as living, working, supplying, caring, learning, enjoying) and highlighted suburbs that provided these within a 15-minute walking radius.
3. Site Selection & Research Method
3.1. Site selection
The outer West Auckland suburb of Rānui was identified in Abley Consultants mapping as having 15- minute city potential. This along with being a diverse community that are engaged in their local area, having an existing public transport service (trains and buses) and open space offerings led to Rānui being selected as the study area for this research. Other key aspects that made Rānui ideal for this research was the presence of a well-established community garden, active community centre and a social services organisation called the Rānui Action Project, all which are well connected with the community.
Rānui has a population of 7,500 people with a higher-than-average proportion of Māori (23-25%), Pacific Peoples (28-35%) and young people (24% 15- to 25-year-olds), according to the New Zealand 2018 census (Stats NZ, 2020). Te Kawerau ā Maki and Ngāti Whātua ki Kaipara tribes are mana whenua (indigenous guardians) for Rānui. Consultation was undertaken with them in the early stage of this research and advice on priority areas for mana whenua, such as restoration of the awa (streams), ngahere (forest) and provision for whānau (wider family) accessibility to local taonga (treasures) has been woven into the design.
3.2. Research method
As a research-by-design project it was important to do a detailed site analysis, followed by other data collection, ahead of an iterative design process that folds in site specific data with information from the literature review and associated case studies (Roggama, 2016). Note that all images are the authors unless otherwise indicated.
A site within Rānui was selected with an area that one researcher could survey and engage with. This site takes in the train station, shops, key arterial routes and the two largest parks in the neighbourhood.
Around 1000 homes are in the study area, which are largely single dwellings on small to medium sections.
This area was extensively mapped and analysed – see Figure 1.
To understand the places that the community needs to focus on emissions reduction, it was important to establish a localized emissions profile. Surveying the community for some basic information on
Figure 1: Study area in the West Auckland suburb of Rānui. (Source: Auckland Council GeoMaps)
emissions-producing activities was undertaken in late 2020. Approximately 2000 people living in the study area were delivered a paper survey, which they could either complete by hand and return to a box at the community centre or complete online and email results to the researcher. The ‘Future Fit’ survey was designed by Auckland Council for Auckland residents and was determined to be the best tool for emissions data collection in this research. Future Fit has been designed for individuals to understand where their emissions are being generated, as encouragement to reduce them (https://www.futurefit.nz/).
The survey asks 20 multi-choice or dropdown questions that are related to emissions-generating activities. The survey then generates an emissions profile, categorizing emissions per annum into four areas – Move (generated by transport), Eat (generated by food consumption choices), Shop (generated by consumption and waste), Power (generated in the home). There are limitations to how the data in the survey translates into emissions calculations and some assumptions are made for the purpose of this research, particularly in the areas of consumption and waste. The survey revealed key areas where emissions are being generated, which was then presented back to participants at a community workshop.
This is a participatory design approach, which involves user participation and a democratic process of design. Participatory design empowers the user to own the solutions, drives motivation for design implementation and leads to tangible benefits realisation and project success (IAP2, n.d.). At the workshop, people were asked to vote for the suggested solutions which would best support emissions reduction activities and lifestyles in their suburb. Further research and interviews with groups involved in key areas relevant to this research was then conducted before public space design solutions were drafted for discussion with the community.
4. Findings
4.1. Future fit survey
While the rate of survey return was low (2%) due to surveys conducted over summer, a lack of resources to encourage participation and covid-19 related complications, results did reveal that the average Rānui resident emits 1.4 tonnes less carbon than the average Auckland resident (7.2 tonnes in Rānui compared with 8.6 tonnes for the average Aucklander). The low socio-economic demographic of Rānui, along with good local access to services and public transport including the train and bus network may have contributed to this finding.
From the analysis it was determined that transport, food consumption and waste were emission sources with the greatest potential for positive impact due to public space design. This focus was therefore taken into the participatory design workshop to garner community feedback.
4.2. Carbon sequestration
To discover how much carbon is being sequestered in the study area, land coverage for trees, shrub and grass on public space were quantified and the sequestration rates for these areas calculated using the Ministry for the Environment tool for sequestration (MFE, 2020). It was estimated that the vegetated public space areas sequester 70 tonnes of carbon per annum which is equal to the emissions of about seven people. With an estimated 2000 residents in the study area it is clear that emissions need to be drastically reduced and tree cover greatly increased for the community to reach net zero.
4.3. Participatory design workshop
At the first workshop, in July 2021, in collaboration with the Rānui Action Project, participants were asked to indicate from a series of questions which would best support emissions reduction activities and lifestyles in the three identified key areas of transport, food, consumption and waste. The questions were accompanied by a set of solutions, and participants were asked to vote by sticking a dot on the solution they would most support (see Figure 2). For example, under ‘consumption and waste’ they were asked
“Which things would make it easier for you to buy less stuff and recycle/compost more?” Solutions included:
• Having local places to share and swap things that everyone uses?
• Having local places outside of your home for composting food or garden waste?
• Having places where people can get together to fix things (or learn how)?
Figure 2: Community participants indicate their preferences to suggestions of ways to reduce carbon.
The following pie graph (Figure 3) shows the results of this participatory process for ‘Food’
Figure 3: Pie graph showing community preference (from Workshop 1) for actions to do with food.
It is planned to go back and canvas community-members’ feedback on the designs that have developed from this data. Further research was also undertaken to investigate other local initiatives that aligned with the suggested solutions – eg community gardens, bike hubs, recycling centres, repair cafés.
Advice and learnings from people running these initiatives was invaluable in informing the design process.
4.4. Design process
Taking all the information and collected data into a design process has been an exciting exploration of possibilities. After mapping the current landscape character and function of the research area, design
layers were created, driven by the most popular chosen options (see Figures 4 and 5) of the community participants that attended Workshop 1 (approx. 25 people).
Figure 4: Design layer showing possible areas in the research site for increased food production.
Figure 5: Design layer showing possible areas for ‘fixing’ things.
The views of local Māori iwi (tribes) were also folded in (see Figure 6) to increase the mauri (health or life force) of the area through forest and stream restoration. The key to this development towards a carbon zero-focused master-plan is that change should be radical and transformative, in the words of Fraker (2013). It is important to think differently in terms of the way we will be living in future and not to let small (present) detail dictate large (future) change.
Figure 6: Design layer showing increased native planting along streets, pathways and streams
Figure 7: Existing arterial road layout in Rānui
Figure 8: Cross section of proposed layout for an arterial street in the research site
Figure 7 shows an existing arterial street photo that reflects our past and current fixation with car transport while Figure 8 shows a cross section of a modified arterial street with cycle paths and extra shade trees to reduce heat island effects and create shade and nature experiences for pedestrians. In Figure 9 the possibility is shown of turning a non-arterial road into a one-way street with cycle and walking
lanes, fruit and shade trees, raised vegetable beds and storage sheds for garden maintenance tools. The existing car-focused streetscape is shown in the bottom half of the image.
Figure 9: Cross section of proposed layout for a local or non-arterial road.
To enable such an ambitious plan as this to work in a way that could supply community members with significant amounts of fresh fruit and vegetables there would need to be garden staff employed to maintain plants and manage production and distribution. This could not be done on a volunteer basis.
There would also need to be skilled staff in bike hubs and repair cafes. It is suggested that this could be the radical rethinking that Fraker (2013) refers to.
6. Conclusion
This research aims to put into practice the government-drafted plans and policies intended to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels for energy through testing their effectiveness at a neighbourhood scale for a community in suburban West Auckland. It is hoped that the penultimate design will guide sustainable, low impact public space development that supports emissions reduction activities and behaviours. The project is not quite complete as there is a further round of participatory design to occur, with community invited to give feedback and the plans then revised according to this and other feedback from industry. It is planned to incorporate this in the final paper.
The outcomes of this research, if implemented, will help reach the Auckland Climate Plan goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50 per cent by 2030 and achieving net zero emissions by 2050. It will also provide a precedent for neighbourhood-scale planning in other Auckland suburbs and highlight the need for a participatory approach, with solutions co-designed with the community for them to be supported and effective.
Acknowledgements
Auckland Council, Resource Management Law Association, Unitec Institute of Technology
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