Urban Grassland project - Non Fiction Cities module by Juu L

URBAN GRASSLAND JOO LIEW | 831400 TUTOR | JUSTYNA KARAKIEWICZ NON FICTIONAL CITIES | REPORT BOOKLET

Report Folio

Joo Liew Masters of Architecture (MC-Arch) 2019-2020 The University of Melbourne Acknowledgments to Collaborators Deon Cham Heyu Lu Jie Jin Linked Research Group Yukyee Chan Yangfan Pan 2

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION 04

DESIGN RESEARCH 07

DESIGN PROPOSAL 14

INTERNATIONAL SCHEME: RESEARCH 25

FINAL ANIMATION FRAMES 30

FINAL DRAWING 36

REFERENCES 40

INTRODUCTION DESIGN TRIGGERS

The following are design triggers for the studio of University of Melbourne. “Ruined by Design”. “Don’t blame the pangolins.” “Coupled urban and natural systems.”

Looking toward the Anthropocene. The Urban Grassland attempts to create a framework that responds to such triggers, whilst introduced by other influences regarding the Dominant Social Paradigm, where mankind superiority is compared to other species and a belief that Earth has unlimited resources. The other destructive influence is that of the Conservation Phase wherein there is certainty and stability following a flow however this compromises on resilience and versatility, which can manifest in a more dramatic collapse.

The Urban Grassland. What happens if the grassland invades the city? Will the nature of Australia finally consume that which rid of it in the first place, or will it forgive mankind’s terror upon it? We will investigate the conditions of the existing native flora, vulnerable fauna, and attempt to recreate a comfortable space for them. Water placements, future grassland site context exploration and transportation limits will be analysed alongside this. Natural land and agriculture will play significant roles in managing the composition of the scheme, encroaching in the designated urban area by subdivision and suburbs. The newly introduced landscape can then provide self-sufficiency in at a community level.

Man and Nature. Collaborative efforts. A new sense of togetherness. We will give back what we once took away, with our own hands.

Digital illustration by Joo Liew, done in Procreate on iPad. Lewis Caroll’s ‘Alice in Wonderland’, a literature classic, is a prime example of communicating a design message, although text-based, about the open-endedness of design. That there will always be paradigm shifts in the way the world works, and the events of yesterday are not always interpreted similarly to the events of ‘today’. Wonderland however, has a consequential system; that there is always a result to every action-- essentially a cycle would occur. As Alice has her daydreams, she lingers between sanity and insanity, though this serves as a measure of balance, similar to dystopian and utopian focused designs in architecture. When two is placed in a single composition a system is sustained. This ‘sustainability’ is the core that remains consistent throughout the project.

DESIGN RESEARCH

NATIVE INDIGENOUS GRASSLAND Note of Credit: The following research components were divided into separate categories, of which members of the group prioritized their research on, however it is not limited to these factors. There were many overlapping points and as such research was ultimately conducted as a group. Here are the prioritized specifications-- Site context (Joo Liew), Grassland conditions (Yangfan Pan), Traditions (Yukyee Chan). Grassland Conditions in Victoria are mostly understorey, which does not support a typical shrub layer. Scattered shrubs appear in deeper soils, drainage lines or close to rocky outcrops. The ground layer is predominantly perennial, mostly tufted or tussock-forming grasses: Kangaroo Grass / Tussock Grass / Spear Grass / Wallaby Grass / Windmill Grass These are the main grasses for which we will account for. Supporting grasses are including rhizomatous or stoloniferous species (Weeping Grass) and a few annuals (Blown Grass). In most areas the grasses are accompanied by a wide range of perennial and annual herbs: Wood-sorrel, bindweed, sundew, woodruff, everlasting, bidgee-widgee, lobelia, trigger plant, blue devil), sedges (Carex, Schoenus), lilies (mat-rush, chocolate lily, milkmaids, early nancy) and small shrubs (rice-flower, sida, astroloma, peas). Majority of the food eaten by the Indigenous were derived from plants; such as root vegetables, greens, fruits and seeds. Women were often the gatherers whilst men were the hunters.

Roots were typically available all year round an imported foods were replanted. The regular lining of the soil, thinning out the collection of planted clumps and providing fertiliser is still similar to modern day garderning practices. In the southern parts of Australia, akin to the Maoris of New Zealand, the Australians used the long roots (rhizomes) of Bracken Fern, (Pteridium esculentum) from which they chewed or beat out a sticky starch. Native lilies with small tuberous roots which were collected for food Early Nancy (Wurmbea dioica), Chocolate Lily (Dichopogon strictus) and Milkmaids (Burchardia umbellata) for example. Murnong or Yam-daisy (Microseris lanceolata) was a plentiful and favourite food. Along the MurrayDarling river system, cumbungi or Bulrush (Typha spp.) provided much nourishment, as did Water Ribbons (Triglochin procera), and Marsh Club-rush (Bolboschoenus medianus), which has hard walnutsized tubers. Most southern fruits were small, including those of the Heath Family (Epacridaceae) and Dillon Bush (Nitraria billardieri), which bears heavy crops of red fruits which were much liked.

Plantations to Amenities and Benefits The use of plants by the Indigenous. Plants were used for many other things besides food. The long leaves of sedges, rushes and lilies were collected to make baskets and mats and soaked and beaten to free the fibres to make string. The bark of trees made buckets, dishes and shields; River Red-gum bark was particularly good for making canoes and old scarred ‘canoe trees’ can still be seen. Some rice-flower shrubs (Pimelea spp.) have strong fibres used by the Aborigines to make fine nets in which to collect Bogong Moths to eat. Medicines also came from plants native mints (Mentha spp.) were remedies for coughs and colds, and the gum from gumtrees, which is rich in tannin, was used for burns. 7

Native species, have high drought tolerance and low maintenance.

Proteaceae family (Banksia baxteri).

Eucalyptus family (evergreen tree). eg.Eucalyptus viminalis (Manna Gum) but its ability to dry tolerance is average to poor. Where holes have been made by insects in the young branches, sap flows out and dries into hard sugary drops which fall to the ground, hence the name ‘manna’. The wood could be used as shield instalments, and for the design of cutlery such as ‘tarnuk’ bowls.

The flower-cones soaked in water in bark or wooden containers to extract the nectar for make sweet drinks. Known by early settlers as ‘honeysuckles’. The local Silver Banksia, Banksia marginata, retained the dry flowers on the cones and was used these as strainers for drinking water.

Acacia melanoxylon (Blackwood). Hard and close-grained, the wood of this was often used for shields, and the bark was infused with water for bathing rheumatic joints, with the inner bark used as string for weaving.

Themeda triandra, a native grass that could undergo chemical and morphological mechanisms for photosynthesis under hot, dry conditions with low nitrogen. The C4 carbon fixation process enabled conversion of carbon to sugars more than the C3 pathway. Plants such as the Kangaroo grass, with the employed C3 pathway, allows for the Grassland ecosystem for growth options under droughts.

Callitris spp. (Native Cypress Pine). Only some have the average ability to resist dry conditions. Aboriginals often used these to make a combined canoe pole and fish spear nearly 4 m long. Its resin was also a cement to fasten barbs to spears.

Here as a group, we research on the native Indigenous plants that primarily survived the Australian bushfires that have occurred the past several years. These plants of choice mainly thrive in drought environments, requiring little maintenance. It was important to note if each of these plants had multiple utilities, such as some contributing to filtration and its fibres to weaving, for baskets, bowls and other crafts. Upon investigation, we were able to narrow down our choices of the native plants to be depicted and illustrated into the final image of the Urban Grassland scheme, which was also helpful in deriving colour choice and clarity in the linework for reference so as to portray the details as clearly as visually possible within the drawing. 8

DESIGN RESEARCH

SPECIES OF ENDANGERED ANIMALS IN VICTORIA In the Grassland Ecosystem, the scheme will enable reintroduction of habitat characteristics that cater for smaller endangered species that have been left vulnerable to destruction due to fire disasters, deforestation and most dominantly, urbanization.

Food and the sustainable practice of indigenous people: Indigenous people lived by not only hunting and gathering, but also fishing. Women gathered vegetables, roots, herbs, nuts, eggs and honey, and small land animals such as snakes. Men hunted large animals such as birds, small marsupials, kangaroos and emu. They organized in a group to hunt large land animals such as kangaroos and emu. People of the Kulin nation had a different method to hunt emu with a 12 inches long hollow hunting tool that made the same sound as birds to attract emus. They would also leave enough roots of plants in the ground for the next season during harvesting. This was sustainable practice to ensure the continuity of food sources for the tribes. Agricultural methods that were employed consequent in having temporary dwellings. The organization of the landscape and usage of fire assisted in food and resource gathering. Land was not completely forested in indigenous land management traditionally, as an open forest encouraged animals for hunting, to gather in areas where renewed grass was harvested more easily, due to fire management.

The mammalian fauna is sparse in Grassland and consists primarily of large grazers (kangaroos), some small to medium-sized groundfeeding marsupials (bandicoots, dunnarts), occasional arboreal species (possums) and bats. Most native birds are common species of grasslands and grassy woodlands (magpies, lapwings, raven, swallows, wagtails, ibis, falcons, kites, kestrel, pigeons, thornbills, treecreepers, whistlers, honeyeaters, rosellas, parrots, pipits, robins, pardalotes, corellas, Galahs, finches). Reptilian species are mostly small ground-dwelling or burrowing skinks and legless lizards, with occasional snakes (Eastern Brown and Tiger Snakes are most common). Frogs are uncommon. Less than 5% of natural Temperate Grassland and Eucalpyt Woodland remains in Victoria. Currently threatened by clearing and mismanagement. It provides habitat for threatened species such as the matted flax lily and striped legless lizard. The Eucalyptus microcarpa occurs naturally in drier sites, with spear and wallaby grasses more prominent in related areas.

Traditional Indigenous Management of the Environment Aboriginal fire management had 3 major benefits: to encourage native grasses to regenerate and produce new feed, to clean the country to make land accessible and promote biodiversity conservation. Indigenous selected specific sites and dates to burn with consideration of local conditions, season, plants and animals. These were noted as ecological calendars, knowledge frameworks to which burning of selected areas. Indigenous in Victoria typically burned selected areas of the plains during fall to encourage fresh grass for the coming spring. This also forced animals into foothills which ensured food supply for those who moved there during winter.

In the reports by Moreland City Council and the Whittlesea council reports regarding sustainability conservation and environmental management, pest management would also be required in order to prevent the newly introduced habitat characteristics from repeating the same mistake of being ruined by design. Thus the Urban Grassland project scheme could be more specialised to catering for specified smaller species of animals.

The following reference is from the research paper by Prober, 2011.

The Urban Grassland scheme also refers to the following adaptations in a smaller aspect of habitat reintroduction, to attracting the more vulnerable wildlife and offering a place of care for these species. It is important to note that despite the integration of human activities, reducing the already compromised road system within this area would greatly benefit the building of habitat-related zones for both the wildlife and human population to provide opportunity to thrive, in a more ‘natural’ environment. The following are excerpts from the Moreland City Council report for Sustainability and Conservation.

DESIGN RESEARCH SITE CONTEXT

Locality of Brunswick and Brunswick east is approx. 791 hectares. With strategic urban planning, there is currently a movement to coordinate land provision, urban buffers, moving transport away from operations of commercial and residential activities. The designated site area is mostly heritage parks, health services and industrial activities. Existing issues: • Expansive vacant space in the Brunswick Activity Centre • Lack of transport and access to the area and industrial manufacturing areas. • Mismatch between residents and job types available in the area. • Urban economic planning concerns to add to overall activity levels by encouraging more advanced business services. • More open space for introducing nature-preferred (hence the parks, however there is a need to introduce more). • Area for a well-located youth space to become a new youth destination. • Need for buildings to minimize environmental impact and for new buildings to adopt efficient use of energy, water and materials. • Some places recommended for heritage overlay but not yet protected. • Limited recreational services for young people and elderly, including health, housing and non-commercial entertainment.

Associated folklore within the specified vicinity is the Tangurung story of Bundjil. In which, the Crow created the mountains, rivers, flora and fauna as well as respective laws for humans to abide by. Waang the Crow, on the other hand, was known for bringing fire to mankind, both the symbol of sun and life, and also a means to an ‘end’, as interpreted in other cultures in modern-day societal views.

Boundary map of the Wurundjeri Nation (Melbourne Planning, Culture Heritage Council Victoria). From this, we have to discern which parts of the city are most beneficial to depict-- low rise or high rise, building typologies within the boundary area etc.

Housing types: Mansions (entrepreneurs), Worker cottagers, apartments and medium-density townhouses. Existing road conditions: Unsuitable for large freight vehicles, but has access to City Link.

attempt to be an iconic landmark

strategic placement of shops, amenities

Demographic: 27.3% residents 25-34 years of age, with lower proportions of children, middle-aged and elderly. Approximately 30% of residents are overseas-born.

community collaboration

generate ecological framework

promote restoration

Other strategies the Urban Grassland can integrate with direct reference to the current Urban Planning Scheme are: • Allow the community in the site to cope with holistic challenges including climate change, industrial re-action, introducing ‘life’ and activity back into the area. • Restoring street enhancement and access ways. • Build community support for cultural activities associated with the site history and the demographic, such as gardening, arts and crafts, cooking, stalled festivals etc. • Preservation of the existing nature strips as well as reintroducing native plantations back into the city, to restore flora and fauna populations over the long-term. • Create a place for restoration of the indigenous vegetation with no recreational facility coverage in order to integrate flora and fauna populations. • Promote intensification in strategic locations such as transport and retail stations, to enhance human amenities and increase quality of this public open realm.

The Tanderrum (country ceremony) was an event to celebrate and bring gifts for the hosts, signifying cleansing and respect for the Wurundjeri. The Yarra River i.e. Birrarung, contained mostly fish, eel and duyang as the main food source. The environment was looked after and nourished through the extensive gardening prowess of the people, as they believed it was human responsibility to Care for the Country.

AGRICULTURAL HISTORY <1838 Eucalypt tree area, previously hunting grounds for Aboriginals, not for long-term stay.

1839 Road ways measured out and planned by Robert Hoddle and assistant Darke, in block of 1.5 miles long and 0.25 miles width.

1840s Land was sold separately and distributed to several buyers. The Wesleyan Chapel was built on land donated by Thomas Wilkinson. Hotels and main roads, along with a cattle farm, was established by William Lobb.

1850 Retail shops and butcheries opened on the south-west corner of Sydney Road and Albert Street, quickly bringing in human amenity-based traffic and although the shop retired in the 90s, retail growth was encouraged.

1851 Gold Rush. The site (vicinity of Brunswick) was devoted to the goldfields. Shops and hotels opened specifically to accommodate for incoming flux of international and local workers.

1860s Extensive public parklands, later known as the Royal Park. The site was reserved for public amenities initially but was reduced in size in order to provide more land for residential development for colonies and Gold Rush worker accommodation. Part of the land was then set aside, reserved for scientific purposes and exploration, such as the Experimental Farm (1858), and Acclimatisation Society of Victoria (1861).

1890s Industrial evolution to create more employment opportunities. Quarries were filled and converted to parks and reserves. It also served as an amenity area for parades and military purposes, as well as public health and welfare. It has been preserved, relatively unchanged since 1876 due to its extensive use and to conserve the natural beauty of the park. In 2010, the City of Melbourne incorporated it into the Master Plan, of which urban development schemes would help to preserve and develop this natural landscape closer to the city centre. 12

URBAN WATER CYCLE MANAGEMENT Major water filtration & treatment plants within Urban Melbourne: • The primary water plant, Winneke: coagulation, clarification, main filtration and correction. Fully treated water. • Tarago Water treatment plant: pre-dosing, coagulation, Air flotation and filtration, fluoridation and chlorination. Drinking water. • Victorian Desalination Plant: seawater filtration from the Bass Strait. The above are confirmed to be major treatment plants that mainly serve the urban central parts of Melbourne city. From this we were able to realize the different sub functions within the water filtration process, and drew systems accordingly to convey the notion that these aspects could be installed and working alongside each other. This further helped improve the depth of the project, adding yet another layer of complexity to the ‘life cycle’ of the Urban Grassland.

Solar & energy

Food crops People

Water & irrigation

H2 for mobility

Crops & harvest

Undertaking historical research on the site helped in regards to realizing this part of the city was once rich with gold and industrialised action. In a sense, the project attempts to encapsulate this factor contributing to economic boom, but in a more naturally desired process, which would rely on plantations, gardening and symbiotic care of the community towards these new grasslands. Reusing nutrients for nature, an urban water cycle management system was required. Storm and grey water systems were incorporated as the demand and supply of water for areas in Melbourne varies every year and also throughout the year. Where there is insufficient rain, these systems will be required to maintain the hydro environment necessary to sustain native grass growth especially. A filtration mechanism was also necessary. In which we were able to find the Silver Banksia plant and its related familial species, could potentially act as strainers and filters. Whilst it is mostly used at a small scale to filter drinking water in a traditional sense, we questioned if this could be implemented to a medium scale mechanic. This was then drawn as part of the filters, incorporating both artificial and natural in the same scheme, mutually working to benefit each other’s systems. From this we could deduce that, from the varying plant conditions, we could form a large scaled grassland expanse to which could make use of the slight access to the sea from the Brunswick vicinity as well as most of the land that is currently left vacant. The issues that were part of the Urban Planning Scheme that were also addressed, as a result of this was taking full advantage of the land at hand, and ‘repairing’ it so as to allow nature (flora and fauna) to re-inhabit the urban site. 13

DESIGN PROPOSAL URBAN GRASSLAND

Intentions are as follows: • Create a place for restoration of the indigenous vegetation with no recreational facility coverage in order to integrate flora and fauna populations. • Promote traditional skills for the benefit of community health as well as self-sufficiency (by providing areas for gardening in the city, this also helps generate economic growth of natural foods and traditional herbs used for medicine). • Also providing collaborative value by uniting the community to be able to sustain its own food/plantation resources. • Enhance the quality of life for people in a post-pandemic scenario, particularly in defense of those more vulnerable. The following images are sketches made in very early development of the scheme, fleshing out the variety of scales we may undertake as a group. As the Urban Grassland strongly supports the notion of collaborative efforts drawn to fruition, as a group, we also emulate that very same emotion into our practice. Discussions were imperative, and improvements and levels of depth and complexity to the overall project were fulfilled by melding each of our perceptions of the scale, variety and other conditions that could fulfill maximum need of ‘integrating the Indigenous landscape’. Much of the explorative factor was informed by major research on the native flora and fauna species, but this could have been improved in perhaps sketching out some more iterations for the image composition. The overall core ideas were later divided into three major branches, of which utilized stronger colours to draw the viewer’s attention to the details of the research we undertook, visually and prominently.

The basic initiation of the framework, mostly conveying the key functions and direct links of the core notions and workings of each system, which all connect to support the main idea of bringing the Indigenous landscape into the urban vicinity, however modernised.

kangaroo grass employs chemical and morphological mechanisms for photosynthesis that are very efficient under hot, dry conditions and low nitrogen availability. This method of capturing carbon and converting it to sugar requires more energy than the C3 pathway but releases far less water into the atmosphere.

SPECIES

GARDENS

PLANTS & ANIMALS

ABORIGINAL DRAWINGS

Silver Banksia, Banksia marginata can retain the dry flowers on the cones, and Victorian Aborigines used these as strainers for drinking water.

Aboriginal Symbols

Creating a indigenous garden on the ground and remove the road instead for grassland. Planting native species to attract animals especially for those endangered animals who live with native species. Native grass species that can be used as filtration in a catchment to provide clean water.

In response to triggers, animals are not to blame for the setbacks we inherently, and currently, face. This landscape offers recreational opportunities such as gardening and habitats for endangered species threatened by deforestation, fires and urbanisation. Coupling urban and natural systems, Indigenous grasses can form partial boundaries that encourage social distancing in the midst of a pandemic. The grassland introduction can also contribute to food security and garner increase in employment opportunities.

The drawing tried to use aboriginal drawing elements to convey a message that how the garden works as part of huge system and provides an idea of how the final poster can present.

Traditional aboriginal dot paintings represent a story, generally regarding hunting or food gathering and usually have traditional aboriginal symbols imbedded throughout the painting. These symbols, when explained, give a completely whole new meaning to the painting. The paintings consist of thousands of “Dots” and executed the traditional way, takes the artist hundreds of hours of committed attentiveness just to “fill in the background.”

As it produces management and food (bakery)- related roles required in the vicinity for optimal operation of this scheme. The water system is sustained via thermo-energy from bakeries (that make use of grassmade foods). The energy is used to warm bathing pools for recreationalhydrotherapy purposes for vulnerable people of the community. This water can then be reused into the storm or greywater systems, to provide for the plants.

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT URBAN GRASSLAND

The Urban Grassland hopes to re-introduce the Indigenous Australian landscape into the urban area of the city, specifically in the Brunswick vicinity. The landscape offers recreational opportunities such as traditional gardening and also habitat for smaller endangered species that have lost their habitats to deforestation, fires and urbanisation. Recreation such as gardening, will also encourage collaboration within the community to grow and sustain their own food and some medicinal sources such as vegetables, herbs and honey, in order to create a thriving community wherein both native animals and people can once again live in symbiosis without destruction toward one another. Food sustainability and a cyclical water system will be an integral part of the Grassland, which works to enhance the growth of vegetation. Potentially, species that can be provided for are the Greater Glider, Orange-bellied parrot etc. With the loss of native plants from the original grasslands, proceeded the local extinction of native animals. UG intends to rid the mainstream perception of roadways and in this vicinity, we take advantage of the unused vacancy and less busy traffic to encourage a platform for eventually taking away the use of vehicles here, thus allowing the new urban grassland to flourish.

The Indigenous landscape has been ruined by rapid urbanisation and consequented in damage to the original grasslands. In this framework, UG will integrate specific Indigenous grasses as well as types of native eucalypt to not only form partial boundaries that encourage social distancing in the midst of a pandemic, but also involve native grasses that can ultimately harvest food sources such as grains and bread for people. Smaller endangered animal species can be reintroduced into the habitat in accordance to their food sources. In order to maintain a hydro-environment for the grassland, there needs to be a water system that can be sustained via heat from bakeries (that take advantage of the grass-made foods) and this can be used for electricity through thermoelectric ‘TEG’ generators or to warm bathing pools for recreational or hydrotherapy purposes for the older, vulnerable people of the community. When the water for the baths is no longer required, this can be reused into the stormwater and/or greywater systems, to provide for the plants. Alongside this framework are support systems, that include wave generators to allow for hydroelectricity to support the power source of the bathing pools as well as solar powered components to assist in maintenance and growth of the grassland gardens. From this, the cycle of growth and enhancement, from decomposition and collection, is meant to form a continual metabolic relationship between the users and the new urban grassland. This will enable the community to lean toward practices of pragmatic acceptance and radical engagement, to which reassures a positive outlook for future survival.

SYSTEM WATER CYCLE

pools

precipitation condensation

falling water

hydroelectric power

evapotranspiration

treatment filtration

interception

hydro environment for adjacent plantation

[overland flow] [interflow] soil moisture groundwater flow catchment water collection system

groundwater seepage

ANCIENT REFERENCE

PROPOSED FRAMEWORK

FACILITIES

Honey medicine

Urban Water Cycle food grains

pools freshwater seawater

bakery heat

hydroelectric power

falling water

rebuild

small endangered species homes

treatment filtration

hot water

hydro environment for adjacent plantation

compost Habitat for species Recreational area

water collection system Silver Banksia

catchment system Knobby Club-rub Creek Mat-rush Tussel Rush

Garden

baths

food waste human waste

drinking water greywater stormwater

gardening traditional weaving

PROPOSED FRAMEWORK + GARDEN SYSTEM

The above flowcharts was created upon group Urban Grassland’s discussion, based on further research and upon discovering links between each system. The urban water cycle is essentially a modern remake of nature’s own cycle regarding the flow of water between land, earth and sky. From the urbanised system, we incorporate this into the bigger Grassland formation, allowing it to smoothly contribute to the cyclical flow of resources and thus allow the new reformed landscape in this urban area, to thrive.

FACILITIES Urban Water Cycle

Envisioning the urban version of the water cycle; supporting the gardens

Sketch by Yukyee Chan

FACILITIES BATHING & RECREATION

Sketch by Joo Liew

Envision of landscape at both land and sea; encouraging recreation and social distancing but still with collaborative factors.

PRECEDENTS Waste to Energy Power plant Compost to energy - Oslo School of Architecture Wheelie-bin (human waste to electricity & compost) - Studio Makkink & Bey Flow2 kitchen (waste for plant fertiliser) - Studio Gorm Thermoelectric Generators - study Solar power - cooking bread, heat to warm the bathing pools Hydroelectric power - provide hydro environment for the gardens Garden - encourage social distancing, habitat for small endangered species, area for traditional gardening/recreational

Waste heap (high mass + low surface) = maintain heat

Parc de la Distance - Studio Precht

Socio-Technical City by UNStudio

PRECEDENT Water Cycle

Water Cycle Study - Council House 2 (Melbourne)

Water Cycle Study - Living Building Challenge Strategy

PRECEDENT Growing Food

Aquaponics = aquaculture (the raising of edible fish) + hydroponics (growing vegetables and herbs without soil)

Bathing pools hydrotherapy & recreation hydroelectricity Greywater - plantation Stormwater - for filtration

Bakery food heat - thermoelectricity

Grassland gardens food & recreation Ruins to Regrowth

Bakery minor; power source scattered throughout

Filtration gardens Silver banksia; water collection & catchments No ‘self-sufficiency in self-isolation’

Urban grassland habitat & public recreation gardening ‘Don’t blame the pangolins!’

Line by Joo Liew 21

Envisioning the framework

To understand the social utility of the community native landscapeturned-gardens, to recognize the community contributions first is a crucial step. From the site’s history, we are able to see that despite having accumulated a vast population, there is simply not enough amenities driving activity to this area, and the vacancy of building lots only emphasizes this consequence. However, by implementing small scale yet a number of bakeries throughout the vicinity that make use of the Indigenous plantations, this can help with encouraging community collaborative efforts-- to sharing planting and gardening practices that support the traditional skills of the Aboriginal people, sharing recipes, etc. This assists in generating an environment for the comfort of users to build social networks even across ethnicities involved. Furthermore the community garden that is to be implemented within this scheme also serves as a metaphorical mediation between nature, people and culture, with regard to medicinal purposes, nutritional needs and socio-cultural stability. It results in the encouragement building community bonds without the consequence of cultural isolation. In regards to improvement on solidification of this scheme, reference to social ties could have been made stronger with incorporating a vision that may foster interest with larger agricultural systems, to promote the community capital on a major urban scale. Pedestrians, consumers and sellers could promote bulk-buying, and gardening. From international insights, gardening may potentially be viewed as a political activity, but one that indirectly empowers those previously powerless as they gain more ready access to economic resources and higher social interactions, including non-profit organization connections and networks. Alongside this comes with the environmental benefit that, with regular maintenance by the community, the state of cleanliness and reduced pollution/litter rates may occur and therefore generate a more thriving environment for both nature and people involved in this scheme.

A visualization of the bathing pools in connection to the native gardens and grasslands. The gardens were originally intended to be designed on a separate ‘plane of ground’, that does not impede on the existing buildings, however this later was refined into a framework that could potentially coexist with existing buildings and also be partially implemented onto their rooftops, making use of both new and old structures and therefore already making use of any structure that our city already has. This notion supports the idea that the Urban Grassland does not seek to allow nature to overrun the artificial terrain, but instead be peacefully reintroduced into the same environment and thus, coexist in harmony with manmade structures.

A conceptual reimagined visualisation of some of the urban streetscape of Melbourne city, were parts of the Urban Grassland scheme to be integrated within. Note that this was done prior to deliberating the core research of the proposal, and was mostly for visual purposes to convey a main thematic idea. The referenced streetscape that was visualised in this concept art was running along King Street, close to the Southern Cross station. For equipment purposes, this was drawn using a Wacom Intuos with Photoshop CS6.

INTERNATIONAL SCHEME: COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH

SOUTH CHINA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

As they look to encourage the culture of social distancing, their insights were particularly beneficial to part of our scheme depicting the native modernised grassland area. This informed how we may shape public spaces and thus reform public life standards, and from this we were able to gain inspiration as a group to realize the positive effects social distancing would have on a community. Though it appears counterproductive, the composition of our Urban Grassland plantation can passively orientate people and groups to maintain distance from another group, yet still initiate their own activities within the same close area. The intention is to introduce a slightly tweaked version of our current perception of social life within urban vicinities, particularly in pandemic and post-pandemic scenarios. This notion may potentially benefit a large population that is left vulnerable.

PONTIFICIA UNIVERSIDAD CATOLICA DE CHILE Similarly, many of the students from the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile analysed their proposals according to dystopian measures, with intention to build toward a post-utopic circumstance. The resolve to reach new heights for resilience in a post-pandemic era explores algae farming, nature’s harvesting techniques, seclusion and among other seemingly restraining factors that would actually increase the quality of life for community benefit on a larger scale than that of an individual. It is observed and learned here that from their project schemes, they have similar foundation of ideas as to the University of Melbourne’s groups as a holistic scheme, despite triggers being vastly different. On a experiential level, this gives a strong impression our generation is much less selfish and is able to empathise and realize the larger impact of value that a community has, rather than only caring for the individual self. With the ongoing pandemic, the modern generation has at least been able to develop a more holistic view of the world, likely a result of globalisation and internet networking, as compared to previous generations. With a change of mindset and open-mindedness, collaboration has begun to benefit all, that expands beyond the individual, group, and even for those who they design for.

*Please note the following are works of the studio groups as labeled per university. Exploration of thoughts was done to gain insight into their projects, in order to further develop ours to increased complexity, authenticity, and utility.

ARCHITECTURE ASSOCIATION

UNIVERSIDAD SIMON BOLIVAR

The A.A look towards promoting a work-life balance, as well as finding more keys to achieving a superior quality of working for what is classified as ‘non-essential’ jobs. They appear to strive for radical change at a major urban scale, which serves almost opposite to our scheme, as they intend to reclaim specific types of environments, some of which may be considered as ‘natural’ to us, although not in the standard sense of ‘nature’. The design proposals continue to be vastly human-centric and in contrast, we developed our proposal in opposition. From here, as the Urban Grassland group, we learn that the self-centredness of human-centric design, while not necessarily unwarranted, may not garner maximally optimized solutions for the current circumstances. To allow for sustainability, both human and nature must give each other the environment, the opportunity, to thrive and serve each other. Nature has given us her land, prize enough already. We should look to other ways that provide more than a one or two-way road to this built relationship.

UNIVERSIDAD DE BUENOS AIRES

CENTRAL DE VENEZUELA

University of Buenos Aires students explore the notions of growth, flow, escape and artificial systems, alongside reconfiguration of the new city and urban structures according to the high rise of need for resiliency. The tactics of their perception of urbanism enables insights into their support of the economic value that small businesses may contribute to, such as the importance of side street vendors. An insightful impression is that these vendors are also a pedestrian driving force, encouraging flow of finances into the area whilst physically serving as a ‘obstruction’ to which may promote social distancing culture.

Universidad Central de Venezuela investigates the storage capacity and capabilities of the urban realm, and how the virtual realm can coexist alongside this physical reality. Where reality has become somewhat blurred, it is interesting to note their attempt to indicate that major social amenities have now been crossed into the internet instead.

INTERNATIONAL SCHEME: UNIVERSITY OF LOS ANDES COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH

Insights gained from Universidad de Los Andes-- they challenge the notions of denaturing events that are currently ingrained into societal expectations, and these expectations have not necessarily been beneficial for human or the environment. They seek to transition between defining the social status quo and levels of the city, thus restructuring urban ‘life’ anew. Reconciliation with the natural environment appears to be a recurring theme in many of the international design schemes. It is important to note this change in perception, that this is the beginning of a new type of continuity and sustainability. Changes in mindset per generation is what ultimately affects the growth trajectory of mankind’s realm, after all.

INTERNATIONAL SCHEME: UNIVERSITY OF MONTERREY COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH

As the studio focuses on the concept of habitats at a variety of scales, such as the city, suburbs and the individual home, the students of University of Monterrey delve into notions of community and social organization, that inherently affect the future of social living and wellbeing support after the pandemic. Many factors of progressing to a state of new life lies in tandem with the schemes of University of Melbourne’s group of students as well. Whilst we have less concern over the politics that affects the community’s mental welfare, we also attempt to question the existing status quo and ultimately, seek redemption through designs that implement a nature bias. In relation to the scheme of our Urban Grassland, the clean and logical drawing styles of the Los Andes studio helped determine our direction in how to depict the functionalities of the grassland system within a drawn image. Figuratively, the information provided us with other alternatives to maximise the utility of the bakery whilst minimizing support systems, so as to compose a scheme that encapsulates one core idea with minor sub branches of ideas to support this core.

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT URBAN GRASSLAND

COLLAGE OF URBAN GRASSLAND BY AUTHOR (JOO).

FINAL ANIMATION FRAME SHOTS YUKYEE CHAN, JOO LIEW, YANGFAN PAN

Animation Link: https://vimeo.com/442301589

The animation frame depicting the urban grassland landscape, with swaying movements, motions and activity timelapses of the use of newly implemented amenities within the Urban Grassland scheme. However with this community garden comes with risk, and that is why only specific Indigenous plant species will be accounted for. The risk with standard community gardens regards direct food security and also can influence for decrease in farmer’s crop yielding and market sales. To avoid this issue, the scheme will have major prioritisation especially toward the Kangaroo Grass, which contributed to the flour and ‘bread’ dough making within the included bakeries.

Regarding the bakery, this was installed to allow for convenient access to bread-making facilities, to which the oven’s heat could potentially be used to heat the baths. Situated closely to the grassland, the bakery would make use of the grassland harvests, and within walking distance, reduce the amount of vehicle traffic within the area. This especially combats the ‘ruined by design’ trigger, as it directly causes the area to rely solely on natural growths to facilitate the energy source and also figuratively empower the area. Citizens can engage with this area regularly, increasing the productivity and responding to the Urban Planning Scheme to insert active amenities to drive economic value to the area. The community may also work to propagate the agricultural produce through nearby gardening amenities. This can generate community pride and empowerment, encourage social interactions, education, recreation and providing equal opportunity for employment thus building the community and improving from its current state. Additionally, existing vacant lots can be used as the bakery or recreational spaces, in which also directly addresses the planning scheme’s need to occupy empty buildings and generate value to the surrounding area.

As Kearney presents, community gardens have been shown to help improve social networking and organize capacity in communities especially for minority neighbourhoods or less busier environments. Coincidentally the Brunswick boundaries suit these conditions for encouraging a larger focus onto reintroduction of the Indigenous landscape in order to regrow and enhance the current state of community gardens. For the post-pandemic scenario, the scheme installs social distancing measures, spaces to which are defined by taller shrubs and trees, whilst surrounded by the native grassland. Access is unlimited, however navigation is subtly controlled, in a way that promotes boundaries as a communally beneficial factor, to ultimately encourage sufficient distance in reducing the spread of disease. The amount of native grasses which could be planted on site was particularly insightful, as well as their nonconventional uses such as being able to convert to starch and sugars for food harvesting. In combination with being able to encourage social distancing-especially convenient in the time of a pandemic or to separate ailing groups within a community-- the native plants may essentially prevail over manmade boundary structures such as fences, creating a more authentic experience to ‘bringing the Indigenous landscape to the urban city’.

For the bathing pools, previous knowledge about the kneipp technologies as well as implementing massage pumps, supported by the bath filters could potentially allow for hydrotherapy uses. This combined with the idea of integrating warm waters in a nature-focused environment was intended to provide a public gathering area of a comfortable temperature for those vulnerable to colds and prone to seemingly short-term ailments. However, some other possibilities that could have been portrayed, in hindsight, were perhaps incorporating small treatment rooms with a higher privacy factor, enabling ease of access to spaces for medical emergencies or treatment where necessary that is close to the bakery, grasslands and the pools. This would have been more focused on the convenience and reduction of use of transport toward the scheme.

FINAL DRAWING

YUKYEE CHAN, JOO LIEW, YANGFAN PAN

Rough animation storyboard sketching and analysis of compositional images for drafting ideas, occurred with verbal discussion alongside group members Yukyee Chan and Yangfan Pan.

The intake of international schemes and ideas assisted in enhancement of our own ideas to further implement support systems into the Urban Grassland project which would be intended to increase the feasibility of the scheme further. Reflectively, listening to others allowed for exposure to different perceptions and understanding of the post-pandemic related triggers to which each university had to resolve. Improvements that could have been implemented was to resolve the issue of harvesting plantations on varying planes, to allow for a more abundant variety of native plants to be compacted within the vicinity, essentially maximising the use of surface area, existing on ground and also on existing buildings.

Colouring process sheets, in which was done wholly in Photoshop after drawing and defining the linework from previous sketches. The scheme was broken into 3 main parts (bakery, grasslands, waters/roof gardens); these parts were designated to each member and linework was produced.

Initially the colouring was using a vibrant palette to emulate traditional Aboriginal paintings however this distracted and lost the quality of the linework, so the image was then changed to use a more desaturated and simplified scheme, with 3 main colour shades to depict the 3 main focal areas.

This is the resulting linework, without painting of the colours. From the left to right of the composition-- In the Grassland, we have details of animal habitats, social distancing and human amenities available. In the bakery, are details of the target user groups this landscape design will mostly benefit for. Towards the rooftop gardens are a futuristic depiction of largerscale harvesting technologies and finally to the right of the composition are the bathing pools accompanied by hydroponics. The pools have benefits for those who require hydrotherapy, as well as making use of the plants from the grassland for strainers/ filtering systems and for therapeutic purposes. 35

The final coloured version of the linework, and drawing composition, depicting the connective systems of the entire Urban Grassland framework and ultimately, the reintroduction of a modernized version of the Indigenous landscape incorporated into future urban Melbourne.

Visualised message; bringing the Indigenous landscape into the Urban City.

Rooftop gardens; planting on different planes. Maximisation of ‘area’ not limited to simply the ‘ground’.

The bakery; powerhouse of the system. Generation of heat, food, energy and facilitating plantation and ‘life’/activity/ employment. 37

The Grasslands; native grass and habitat reintroduction. For the benefit of native flora and threatened, vulnerable fauna.

Bathing pools; warmed by the heat generated from the bakeries, providing recreation opportunities, socializing at a community level. Also includes spaces for hydrotherapy purposes. Hydroponic fields are also installed, catering for native plants that thrive in less dry conditions.

Close-up of the existing Melbourne city in the backdrop, including the connection of systems. Public spaces for people and nature to live in a continually symbiotic relationship. 38

FINALE

The Urban Grassland intends to provide environments that will enhance the quality of life via re-introduction of the Indigenous Australian landscape into urban Melbourne. The landscape offers recreational opportunities such as traditional gardening and habitat for smaller endangered species that have lost their habitats to deforestation, fires and urbanization. Recreation such as gardening, helps encourage collaboration within the community to grow and sustain their own food and some medicinal sources such as vegetables, herbs and honey, in order to create a thriving community wherein both native animals and people can once again live in symbiosis without destruction toward one another. Food sustainability and a cyclical water system is an integral part of the Grassland, working to enhance the growth of vegetation. Potentially, species that can be provided for are the Greater Glider, Orange-bellied parrot etc. With the loss of native plants from the original grasslands, proceeded the local extinction of native animals. To increase amenity safety, we make use of unused vacancy and lesser traffic to drastically reduce use of vehicles. The Indigenous landscape has been ruined by rapid urbanization and consequences in damage to the original grasslands. It will integrate specific Indigenous grasses as well as types of native eucalypt to not only form partial boundaries that encourage social distancing during a pandemic, including harvesting food sources such as grains and breads. The grass which withstood many bushfire disasters was the Kangaroo grass. Seed harvests accompanied by the science of baking allows this grass to be grounded into a paste or flour, to specifically bake new bread, mamadyang ngalluk. With high adaptability, the grass thrives in drought and low maintenance and extends its growth from the water banks toward fields and forest horizons together. To maintain a hydro-environment for the grassland, the cyclical water system can be sustained via heat from bakeries. This can be used for electricity through thermoelectric generators or to warm bathing pools for recreational or hydrotherapy purposes for the older/vulnerable population of the community. The water of the baths can be recycled into the stormwater and/or greywater systems, for the plants. Support systems include wave generators, creating hydroelectricity to support the power source of the bathing pools. Solar-powered components assist in maintenance and growth of the rooftop gardens. The cycle of growth and enhancement, from decomposition and collection, forms a continual metabolic relationship between users and the Urban Grassland. Ultimately, enabling the community to lean toward practices of pragmatic acceptance and radical engagement which reassures a positive outlook for future survival.

Members: Joo Liew, Yukyee Chan, Yangfan Pan Tutors: Justyna Karakiewicz

REFERENCES

_BOOKS & JOURNAL READINGS

Aboriginal Heritage Council. n.d. “Aboriginal Heritage Council.” Https://Www.Aboriginalheritagecouncil.Vic.Gov.Au/. Accessed July 26, 2020a. https://www.aboriginalheritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2018-10/Wurundjeri-wv12SEP17_0.pdf. Arora, Meenakshi, and Hector Malano. 2017. Urban Water Cycle Modelling and Management. 1st ed. Vol. 1. Basel, Switzerland: MDPI. https://www.mdpi.com/journal/water. City of Whittlesea. n.d. “Sustainable Gardens for Local Wildlife.” Accessed July 26, 2020b. https://www.whittlesea.vic. gov.au/media/1256/your-indigenous-garden.pdf. Council 11. 2010. “Brunswick Structure Plan.” https://www.moreland.vic.gov.au/globalassets/areas/strategic-planning/ brunswick-structure-plan-volume-1-part-1.pdf. Department of Sustainability. 1999. “Acknowledgement of Indigenous Heritage Content.” https://www. environment.gov.au/system/files/resources/e97c2d51-08f2-45e0-9d2f-f0d277c836fa/files/grasslands-victoria. pdf?fbclid=IwAR1AIOHimT-NcIUgFowzXJuMjFMQ_63Ddjy4oN3BJ5rPlk56v7an44ansD0. Guallart, Vicente. 2016. “From FabLabs to Self-Sufficient FabCities.” http://www.hva.nl/binaries/content/assets/ subsites/kc-mr/fabcity/vicente-guallart---iaac---europe-by-people-fabcity.compressed.pdf. Kearney, Shanon. 2014. “The Community Garden as a Tool for Community Empowerment: A Study of Community Gardens in Hampden County.” Masters Theses 1911 - February 2014 1 (1). https://scholarworks.umass.edu/ theses/361/. Moreland City Council. 2005. “Moreland City Council Gardening with Indigenous Plants in Moreland.” https://www. moreland.vic.gov.au/globalassets/areas/open-space/gardening-with-indigenous-plants-in-moreland-guide-booklet.pdf?f bclid=IwAR01dslCt1ComUUugxe0zObsWjjC1yOK39Vb0vx8-fEZRuUhWfAx8peZKGM. Prober, Suzanne. 2011. “(PDF) Australian Aboriginal Peoples’ Seasonal Knowledge: A Potential Basis for Shared Understanding in Environmental Management.” ResearchGate. June 2011. https://www.researchgate.net/ publication/235758470_Australian_Aboriginal_Peoples. rohan.antao@landcareaustralia.com.au. 2016. “Traditional Aboriginal Burning in Modern Day Land Management Landcare Australia.” Landcare Australia. 2016. https://landcareaustralia.org.au/project/traditional-aboriginal-burningmodern-day-land-management/. Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. 2017. “Aboriginal Resource Trail.” Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. 2017. http://nrg.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Aboriginal-Resource-RBG.pdf. Tello, Sergio Castillo, and María Hernández Enríquez. 2010. “Self Sufficient City.” Issuu. 2010. https://issuu.com/actar/ docs/selfsufficientcity.

_OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS & REPORTS

City of Melbourne. 2019a. “Aboriginal Melbourne - City of Melbourne.” Vic.Gov.Au. 2019. https://www.melbourne.vic.gov. au/about-melbourne/melbourne-profile/aboriginal-culture/Pages/aboriginal-culture.aspx. Moreland City Council. 2006. “MORELAND POST-CONTACT ABORIGINAL HERITAGE STUDY.” https://www.moreland.vic. gov.au/globalassets/areas/heritagelib-7504/post-contact-aboriginal-heritage-study-report.pdf. Pryor, Cathy. 2019. “Rethinking Indigenous Australia’s Agricultural Past.” ABC News, 2019. https://www.abc.net.au/ radionational/programs/archived/bushtelegraph/rethinking-indigenous-australias-agricultural-past/5452454. Victoria University. 2019b. “Victoria University | Melbourne Australia.” Victoria University | Melbourne Australia. 2019. https://www.vu.edu.au/.

_MISCELLANEOUS

“2. HYDROLOGY, SOIL ARCHITECTURE AND WATER MOVEMENT.” 2020. Fao.Org. 2020. http://www.fao.org/3/y4690e/ y4690e07.htm. Aboriginal Association Art & Culture. 2020a. “History Hunting and Gathering - Aboriginal Australian Art & Culture.” Www. Aboriginalart.Com.Au. 2020. https://www.aboriginalart.com.au/culture/arrernte3.html. “Aboriginal Trail - Australian National Botanic Gardens.” 2019. Anbg.Gov.Au. Australian National Botanic Gardens, Parks Australia. 2019. http://www.anbg.gov.au/gardens/visiting/exploring/aboriginal-trail/. “Creation Stories – Taungurung Land & Waters Council.” n.d. Taungurung.Com.Au. Accessed July 26, 2020. https:// taungurung.com.au/culture/creation-stories/. Gullan, Paul. 2017. “Victorian Ecosystems - Grassland.” Www.Viridans.Com. 2017. http://www.viridans.com/ECOVEG/ grassland.htm. “Introduction.” n.d. Www.Yarrahealing.Catholic.Edu.Au. http://www.yarrahealing.catholic.edu.au/kulin-nation/index_ wide.cfm?loadref=32. Jack, Margaret. 2020. “First Peoples | Mont Park to Springthorpe.” 2020. https://www.montparktospringthorpe.com/ first-peoples/. Melbourne Water. 2019. “Natural and Urban Water Cycle | Melbourne Water.” Www.Melbournewater.Com.Au. 2019. https://www.melbournewater.com.au/community-and-education/education/natural-and-urban-water-cycle. Royal Parkville Inc. 2020b. “History - Friends of Royal Park - Parkville.” Royalpark.Org.Au. 2020. https://royalpark.org.au/ history. UNStudio. 2018. “Socio-Technical City by UNStudio.” Www.Gooood.Cn. December 4, 2018. https://www.gooood.cn/ socio-technical-city-by-unstudio.htm?fbclid=IwAR1sBDp_9DgkCdHsyqD5pcgMb44cyu5keDA4uNWLoQNoLkbyYWX7 vY-eqTE. Victorian National Parks Association. 2020c. “Urban Sprawl.” Victorian National Parks Association. 2020. https://vnpa. org.au/urban-sprawl/.

Urban Grassland project - Non Fiction Cities module

Articles inside

FINAL DRAWING

DESIGN RESEARCH

FINAL ANIMATION FRAMES

INTERNATIONAL SCHEME: RESEARCH

INTRODUCTION