Description:

Like many cities, New Zealand’s capital Wellington, has suffered from biodiversity loss due to human settlement and unchecked urban expansion. Grey, impermeable surfaces have replaced native habitats, contributing to the decline of many native species. As modern city dwellers, we are still grappling with a narrow view of wilderness, often positioned as separate and far away when what we need to connect with is nature in our daily lives. Zealandia Wildlife Reserve in Wellington is a vital habitat to many species as it contains predator-controlled native environments. It has uplifted species out of threatened extinction status.Its efficiency means that species are even spilling over into the surrounding environments beyond the fence. However, beyond the reserve, these species don’t have safe habitats to thrive in. Urban wildlife intervention is a concept for a paradigm shift and an innovative strategy to develop cities for tomorrow.

“Beyond the Fence '' proposes an ecological solution, in which derelict sites are regenerated into natural stepping-stones that aid in species migration and climate resiliency. Vital pathways are formed by weaving these habitats throughout central Wellington suburbs, extending to protected species in Zealandia. The regeneration process comprised three pivotal stages: identifying derelict underutilised urban spaces within the CBD for possible stepping stone sites; understanding the capabilities of the at-risk species and their natural habitats; and finally, crafting a detailed master plan for a strategised, city-wide design intervention.

Eighty percent of Wellington CBD is comprised of grey space such as concrete, ash felt and other built structures. Within this area, the ‘derelict’ sites were identified based on their current mis-use or projected insignificance. This process identified four prevalent site categories: mono-cultured grass, car parking facilities, car-related services, and abandoned sites. Each site requires a unique adaptation strategy. The purpose, histories, and natural characteristics were analysed to create development timelines for the regeneration of these sites into native stepping stones. To illustrate the program’s wide ranging potential, four distinct central sites were selected to represent each category from the broader inventory. Each site has specific natural systems to consider when designing the ecological intervention, these include elevation, relief, sunlight, soil and wind direction. Every detail was considered in the design proposal for each site typology, including native plant species, human interaction opportunities, safe connection points between, species capabilities and project timelines. Humans are considered facilitators of the project while the design focuses primarily on the non-human clients, this was done by designing boundaries between human and non-human roles in the program. Through realistic renders and stop-motion GIFs, the designs are brought to life, visualising the spaces from the resident species’ perspectives. The timeline of the master project unfolds over a decade prompting natural growth in native greenspace and the ongoing success of The Wellington Predator-Free Program.

Unlike conventional urban planning strategies that prioritise human-centric design, this project places equal emphasis on the needs of non-human species and aims to create urban environments that support biodiversity and ecological resilience. Imagine a new way of urban life, where humans and non-humans cohabitate in a renewed urban ecosystem, fostering harmonious coexistence.