ZOOLOGICAL URBANISM 1 ARCHITECTURE AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT EDINBURGH [LEITH] March Modular Pathway (Studio C)
Forth Properties Ltd
Outline Planning Application for Leith Docks Environmental Statement
A17.4.2 Location of the Subtidal Sampling Stations
Figure A17.4.1. Locations of the sample cores taken, together with the outline of the previously proposed cruise liner berth and dredge area. Sample locations are indicated by a red cross and numbered accordingly.
Tern colony, Imperial dock, Leith Nesting sites / Flight paths / feeding and loafing area / Impact Mitigation / Building Effected (RMJM / Arup Scotland LDDF 2008)
Z O O L O G I C A L
U R B A N I S M :
L E I T H
1
INTRODUCTION On Animals and Rules Signs A sign on the wall reads “NO ANIMALS PERMITTED IN HARBOUR AREA”. Itʼs unclear who the sign is written for. Animals donʼt read. Or to be more precise; it is only the human animal that reads and writes, and it is precisely on account of this capacity (Homoʼs ʻsapienceʼ) that it both creates the category ʻAnimalʼ and excludes Humanity from it. Signifying Marks The wall that the sign is fixed to, and the gate within that wall, appear to answer to the legibility deficit of the sign; if reason doesnʼt work, try violence. However, this arrangement is equally limited; airborne species fly or are blown above them, aquatic species swim or drift around them, subterranean animals burrow beneath, small terrestrial animals walk on through. The gate/wall arrangement is only meaningful in relation to certain forms of life; that is, to Humans, and other medium-sized domesticated terrestrial mammals. Like 1 the sign, the built environment of Man does not constitute a ʻsignifying markʼ within the environment of all animals. To suggest that these animals are breaking or transgressing any rule – the written law of the sign, the built law of the wall - would be futile. To break a rule you have to be (a) subject to it. Animals, like Kings, exist in a state of exception from the law; not necessarily ʻbelowʼ or ʻbeyondʼ it, but certainly innocent and 2 ignorant of it. Architecture and Law are, after all, only ʻnicheʼ concerns. Most forms of life remain indifferent toward them. Reflexive Limitation However, some aspects of the Human environment do intersect with some aspects of the environment of other species. We are familiar with the concern that, the more we modify (build) that environment to suit our own convenience, the more we inconvenience those other species that have grown to depend upon it. Understanding that Human life is dependent upon that of his its ʻanimalʼ co-occupants, we have begun to subject our ability to design and construct our world to forms of reflexive limitation; legislative and regulatory codes, standards and rules, that limit the design of the built environment so as to protect the environment of all animals. But like the sign and the wall, these rules should not be mistaken for a form of legislative ʻunderstandingʼ between the Human and animal; differing forms of life are necessarily ignorant of one anotherʼs understanding. Environmental regulation, then, establishes an asymmetry between forms of life; limiting human activity so as to make space for and protect the/its ignorance of other animals.
1 The environment of the animal is, according to bio-semiotic zoology of Jacob van Uexkull, constituted by a series of elements called "carriers of significance" or "marks". These signifying marks constitute all that is meaningful and interesting for that Species. They define the environment of one animal as a subset of the environment of all animals. 2 A niche, according to the perceptual theories of James Gibson, is the sum of signifying marks that constitute an animals ‘world’. A niche is that into which an animal fits, and is made up of objects, terrain features, shapes, colours, textures, boundaries (surfaces, edges), and other animals.
Z O O L O G I C A L
U R B A N I S M :
L E I T H
2
Architecture and Life This studio invites students to explore the relationship between architecture and life. More specifically, it asks students to make urban and architectural design proposals that make accommodation for non-human occupants. As a vehicle for this, it proposes a study of the legislative apparatus through which the design of the built environment is limited as a means to protect the environment. The course will study the architectural implication and potential of practices of Environmental Impact Assessment. The context for this exploration is Leith Docks, a site which is significant in terms of the environment it provides for animals, and whose current development plans are limited by environmental regulation. Through the studio, students will be asked to develop regulatory limits, urban designs and detailed architectural designs, that engage with the legal apparatus, built environment and ecology of Leith Docks. Totemic Figures As an opening gambit, the studio proposes two architectural possibilities for exploration; two totemic figures that might offer principles for a Zoological Urbanism. 1) RULE: Architecture is a means by which the environment of one species is limited and separated from the environment of another. Architecture is a means by which Humanity withholds itself with respect for the/its ignorance of the other. 2) ANIMAL: Architecture is a means by which the environment of one species might be made to intersect with the environment of another. Architecture is a means by which Humanity might be brought into an indifferent proximity with other animals.
Above and overleaf; Robert Davies, Development, 2011
Staff and Guests Studio Leader: Studio Tutor: Critics: Consultants:
Liam Ross Tolulope Onabolu Dorian Wiszniewski Lisa Moffit Kati Blom Andrew Sikes Andrew ? Robert Davies Jonathan Hughes Andrew Stevenson Gemma Jennings
Z O O L O G I C A L
Newcastle University City of Edinburgh Council Historic Scotland University of Edinburgh Scottish Wildlife Trust Scottish Natural Heritage University of Glasgow
U R B A N I S M :
L E I T H
3
ZU_1
BROKEN MACHINES
GROUPS
Map Leith Docks as a physical, legislative and strategic framework Exercise
Guidance
Events
Describe Leith Docks as an APPARATUS: that is, as a relationship of PARTS, each of which plays a strategic role within a larger ARRANGEMENT. Focus on either 1) the existing physical heritage, 2) the current development framework, or 3) its strategic infrastructural significance. Form groups in order to understand and represent the parts and relations that form each of these assemblies, through text, drawings, a model and perhaps an animation. Form groups of approximately equal size. Within groups, form clusters responsible for the drawing, model and textual report. Work within the studio style guide. Conclude all research week 2. Use week 3 to coordinate your documentation with the other groups, so as to produce a collective model. Briefing, Monday Week 2 Group Workshops, Friday weeks 1 & 2 Coordination Meeting Monday Week 3 Presentation Friday Week 3.
FRAME 1: Industrial Heritage
Leith is the historic port, home to the first dry and wet docks in Scotland. Its. Its has experienced a number of periods of growth and decline during its history, and some of the dock infrastructure is currently in use, some not. The docks are home to a number of listed buildings, features and scheduled monuments. Section 8 of the ‘Environmental Statement’ of the ‘Leith Docks Development Framework’ offers an exhaustive survey of built heritage at Leith Docks, and to links further source material: Leith Docks Development Framework: http://www.leithdocksdevelopment Image database (SCRAN): http://www.scran.ac.uk Maps (National Library of Scotland): http://www.nls.uk/collections/maps Maps (RCAHMS): http://jura.rcahms.gov.uk/PASTMAP/start.jsp Data on Scheduled Monuments (RCAHMS): http://www.rcahms.gov.uk/
FRAME 2: Residential Development
In 2004, the owner of the ports – Forth Ports – announced a plan to close the docks, and in 2008, Leith Docks became subject to the largest single planning application in British History; the Leith Docks Development Framework. This plan included the development of 17,000 new homes, as well as commercial, business and retails buildings. This outline planning application, and several detailed planning applications for the area, are still in the process of application, and are ‘minded to grant’. For details visit: http://www.leithdocksdevelopment.com/home.asp
FRAME 3: Infrastructural Proposals
In 2011, Forth Ports was bought for £760M by Arcus European Infrastructure Fund. The development of the dock site is once again in question. Arcus do not appear interested in persuing property development themselves, but have sold of some land within the LDDF area for development. The majority of the site is likely to continue to be used for industry; a number of international manufacturers are bidding to use the site for the manufacture of off-shore wave generation technology. There has been a failed bid to develop a biomass powerstation on the site. Scottish Enterprise and Edinburgh City Council have entered a memorandum of agreement with Forth Ports with a view to developing a number of national infrastructure projects, including the construction of an extension to the harbour, and revision to the dock gate, to allow berthing of larger ships.
References
Memorandum: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business15680630 Offshore Energy: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/mar/23/gamesa-‐ offshore-‐windfarm Leith BioMass: http://www.noleithbiomass.org.uk/ Edinburgh TIF project: http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/download/meetings/id/31489/report-‐ edinburgh_waterfront_tax_incremental_financing_tif_pilot_project
Z O O L O G I C A L
U R B A N I S M :
L E I T H
4
ZU_2
UNKNOWABLE WORLDS
CLUSTERS
Describe the niche of a selected species
Exercise
Guidance
Events
Site Visit & Field Trips
Describe Leith Docks as an ENVIRONMENT: that is, as the surroundings of a form of animal life. Note that there are many SPECIES of animal life, and that each inhabits its own NICHE; the set of conditions that make life possible for that species. Select a single species and describe these conditions through text, drawings, models and perhaps an animation. Select one species per individual or pair, but form clusters where the niche of that species overlaps significantly with that of others; i.e. where species form part of an ʻeco-systemʼ. When selecting your species, be informed by the Environmental Impact Assessments studied in Project 1. Select a species that forms an important part of the Dock environment, the protection of which has, or might have, consequence for its urban design. Use inventive media as required to describe the specificity of the species environment. Work within the studio style guide. Conclude all research week 6. Use week 7 to coordinate your documentation with other students / clusters so as to produce a collective drawing, model and report. Briefing and Site Visit, Monday Week 4 ‘Forth Ecologies’ Field Trips, Monday week 5 Group Tutorials, Friday weeks 4 - 6 Coordination and Presentation Week 7.
Site Visits: Access to Forth Ports Property by TBC. Liason with Forth Ports by Course Organiser only. No student to trespass on Forth Ports property. ‘Forth Ecologies’ Field Trips: Study the niche of your selected species through a trip to the extended environment Leith Docks. Form a group and attend one of the following field-trips. NB: Students to organise trips themselves. Ecology
Location
Travel / Cost
The Docks form part of a broader estuarine ecology. Take a ‘Sea.Fari Adventure Trip’ to study the Niche of marine species living in the Firth of Forth. http://www.seafari.co.uk
Bus / Boat (£22)
Leith Docks are a tidal control mechanism. Visit Crammond to study the niche intertidal species.
Bus
The Water of Leith forms an important ‘green corridor’ into Leith Docks. Walk or cycle from Balerno to Leith (12 Miles) to study the niche of species that depend on this riverine corridor. http://www.waterofleith.org.uk
Cycle / Foot
FOREST
The Forth banks were previously oak woodlands. Visit the East Lammamuir Deans to study the niche of woodland species: http://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk
Car
URBAN
Many animals thrive in urban environments. Study the niche of urban species by surveying Leith itself.
N/A
Study the niche of species that thrive in reclaimed industrial environments at Jupiter Urban Wildlife Centre. http://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk
Car
MARINE
INTERTIDAL RIVER
CONTAMINATED
References
Volume 3 of the Leith Docks Development Framework ‘Environmental Statement’ includes a detailed written survey of the environment of the Leith docks, including appendices on terretrial, intertidal, subtidal and marine ecologies. It also provides an extensive assessment of those ecological niches that are likely to be impacted upon by the proposed residential development. http://www.leithdocksdevelopment.com/assets/pdf/documents/environmental%20statement/env-statement.pdf
Z O O L O G I C A L
U R B A N I S M :
L E I T H
5
ZU_3
LIMIT / BREACH
PAIRS*
Design small architectural intervention in Leith Docks Exercise
Guidance
Events
References
Design a small architectural intervention that articulates a relation between a human and non-human occupant. Use the design to resolve an identified conflict or opportunity arising between the human and non-human occupation of the docks; between the ENVIRONMENT of Leith Docks and the physical, legal and infrastructural APPARATUS that enframe it; the intervention should engage with both a PART of the dock apparatus, and a NICHE of the dock environment. You might think of this intervention as a means to separate the niche of human and non-human occupants (a LIMIT), and/or as a means to overlap these niches (BREACH), a means to generate a state of indifference between Human and non-human occupant. Be inventive; the specificity of this Limit/Breach might include spatial, programmatic, material, procedural, or temporal dimensions. * NB: MArch student should NOT form pairs with MSc students working on the same studio. Students are at liberty to propose any architectural programme at any location across the site, however, it is recommended that students consider their intervention as a modification of existing proposals; how could the existing industrial heritage, residential development proposals or infrastructural ambitions be modified to better accommodate non-human occupants? Students to work individually or in pairs to make discreet proposals. All students to make full use of prior group work to represent your limit, and intervention, through text, drawings, a model and perhaps an animation. Briefing, Monday Week 8 Individual Tutorials, Friday weeks 8-10 Review Friday Week 11. Volume 3 of the Leith Docks Development Framework ‘Environmental Statement’ includes detailed recommendation on the mitigation of Environmental Impact at Leith Docks. Broadly, these design recommendations might be categorized as follows: • avoidance of sensitive habitats; • limitations on construction/operation timing; • specification of sensitive construction methods; • habitat restoration; • active management of habitats that are affected
ZU_G
ZOO-GLOSSARY
PAIRS*
Seminar on Architectural Principles for an age of Post-Humanism Exercise
Guidance Events 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Prepare a short (5 minute) talk on a selected reading from the course bibliography. Use your talk to explain the meaning of a key term as used by the relevant author. Illustrate your talk. Document your talk as a short (500 word) glossary entry to be collated as a class resource. Illustrate your glossary entry with a single image of architectural relevance. Work in pairs. Select a term that resonates with your own interest. Supply your glossary entry using the template provided. Limit your glossary entry to 500 words. Provide an image in JPG format, 500x500 pixels. Reading Seminar Week 7.
LIFE SPECIES FORM OF LIFE BIOS / ZOE UMWELT NICHE BUBBLE PARASITE MUSICALITY ENLIVENMENT MACHINE APPARATUS DIAGRAM ABSOLUTE INDIFFERENCE
Z O O L O G I C A L
Aristotle, De Anima Virno, P. Multitude: between innovation and wit Agamben, G. Means Without End. Agamben, G. Homo Sacer: Sovereign Power and Bare Life Uexkull, J V. A Foray into the World of Animals and Humans Gibson, J. J. The Ecological Approach to Visual Perception. Sloterdijk, P, Bubbles. Spheres Volume 1: Microsphereology Serre, M, The Parasite. Uexkull, J V. A Foray into the World of Animals and Humans Sloterdijk, P. Bubbles. Spheres Volume 1: Microsphereology Agamben, G. What is an Apparatus? and other essays. Wallenstein, S.O. Biopolitics and the Emergence of Modern Arch. Aureli, P.V. The Possibility of an Absolute Architecture Ingraham, C. Architecture, Animal, Human
U R B A N I S M :
L E I T H
6
Learning Outcomes Conceptual Framework
LO1
The ability to develop and act on a productive conceptual framework both individually and in teams for an architectural project or proposition, based on critical analysis of relevant issues
Architectural Language
LO2
The ability to develop an architectural, spatial and material language that is carefully considered at an experiential level and that is in clear dialogue with conceptual and contextual concerns.
Representation skills
LO3
A critical understanding of, and the development of skills in using, differing forms of representation (eg. Verbal, drawing, modeling, photography, film, computer, and workshop techniques), especially in relation to individual and group work.
GC1 – 1 3 GC2 – 3 GC3 – 3 GC7 – 1 2 3
Style Guide Recommend following text and CAD style guide where appropriate to coordinate group and class work: Line
Cut Elevation Hidden Virtual Grid Dimensions
Text
Title Sub-title Body Caption
Solid line Solid line Dashed line Dotted Dot-Dash Dimension / extension / tick
0.25 mm 0.13 mm 0.13 mm 0.13 mm 0.13 mm 0.13 mm
Helvetica “ “ “
Bold / Bold-Italic Bold Regular / Italic Regular
20 pt 12 pt 10 pt 8 pt
File Templates, Sharing and Naming Students to develop system of digital file-sharing to afford effective group work. Student pairs, clusters and groups to develop appropriate document templates to facilitate collective presentation. Students to adopt common file-naming format:
Z O O L O G I C A L
Course
Project
Author
ZU_
1_ 2_ 3_ 4_
U R B A N I S M :
Media
Number
Frame1_
Dr_
01
Frame 2_ Frame 3_ {Cluster title}_ {Student Initials}_
Dr (drawing)_ Re (Report)_
L E I T H
7
APPENDIX 1
Leith Bestiary
Brief guide to common Fauna of Leith Docks. This is a non-exhaustive list, and students are free to select any species of relevance.
WHALE
Mammals
DOG CAT FOX RAT
WEASAL BAT TERN
Brids
SWIFT KNOT GULL KESTREL SWAN MALLARD PIGEON EIDER MAGPIE TROUT
Fish
COD Invertebrates
BUTTERFLY BEE WORM ANT FLEA SPIDER CRAB MUSSELS ZOOPLANKTON
Z O O L O G I C A L
Marine Mammal of cetacean order, including some of the most intelligent animals on earth (Dolphins) and the most monstrous. Important figures in human economy and mythology. Most widely kept domesticated companion animal, sometimes serving as aids for perceptual deficiencies in their owners. Dogs are said to resemble their owners, and vice versa. Domesticated companion animal. Primarily nocturnal with excellent night-vision. Hunt vermin. Cultic animal in many human civilizations. Medium-sized omnivorous mammal and symbols of cunning and trickery in many cultures. Fox-hunting with dogs is banned, though hunting without dogs is legal. Medium sized long-tailed rodent, with difficult relation to humans. Rats are opportunistic survivors and thrive in urban environments. They carry zoontic pathogens, and can pass diseases to humans. ‘Laboratory Rats’ are a bred in captivity for research in psychology and medicine. Carniverous semi-aquatic family of mammals, including Otters and Minks. Minks have prized fur, and those found wild in Edinburgh are escapee from fur-farms. The only mammal capable of true flight. Bats are nocturnal and their perceptual system images its surroundings through ultrasonic echolocation. Migratory seabird, breeding in subarctic regions, wintering in tropics. Nest on flat surface, readily adapts to artificial substrates. Protected colony in Leith Docks. Highly aerial birds whose scientific name, Apodidae, means “without feet”. Never settles voluntarily on ground but clings to vertical surfaces. Catch insects in flight. Migratory shorebird that winters in Africa. Forms enormous flocks when not breeding. Feeds on hard-shell molluscs. Ground-nesting carnivorous bird that scavenges for food. Thrives in human habitats. Exhibit tool-using behavior, complex methods of communication and mobbing. Hunting Falcon that preys on small mammals and large insects. Hovers 10-20 metres over prey before swooping. Requires a headwind to hover. Large bird that mates for life (‘divorce’ occur occasionally, usually after nesting failure). The Monarch of the United Kingdom retains ownership of all unmarked swans. Ancestor of most domestic ducks. Drake has glossy iridescent plumage, while the females are drab. Pigeons are the oldest form of domesticated bird, and have made important contributions to human history. ‘Feral’ pigeons are those that have returned to the wild. Abundant in towns and well adapted to urban life. Eider are the heaviest and fastest sea-ducks in the UK. They feed on mussels, and frequently come into conflict with Mussel-farmers. Believed to be one of the most intelligent of all animals, and known to recognize itself in a mirror test. Associated with habit of ‘stealing’ shiny objects. Salmonid fish, some species of which spend time in the sea, returning to fresh water to spawn. The Water of Leith is the only free fishery for Brown Trout in Scotland. Preferred ingredient in Fish and Chips. Subject to quota due to over-fishing; 9,552 tonnes landed in Scotland in 2011, with a value of £24 million. Insect with large brightly coloured wings that exhibit mimicry to dupe predators. Their pupation offers a popular symbol of rebirth, and research into their wing structure is responsible for innovations in aircraft, LED and display technology design. Flying insect known for their role in pollination. Figure within political theory as a model for human society. Farmed for honey. Birrowing non-arthropod invertebrate. Forms important link in virtually all ecosystems in the world. Worms condition the soil, and are used in contaminated soil remediation projects. Pejorative term for cowardly person. Ants are social insects whose colonies consist of a range of castes including workers soldiers, drones and queens. Ants form 15-25% of the terrestrial biomass, and their success is attributed to an ability to modify habitat, and enter into mutualistic relations. Parasitic insect that lives from the blood of mammals and birds, providing a vector for the spreading of viral and bacterial disease. Large number of fleas attributed to the variety of hosts, and thus the variety of ecological niches they survive in. Eight legged arthropod, that traps prey in a web, and injects them with venom. Male spiders have elaborate courtship rituals to avoid being eaten by their mates. Eight legged crustacean with thick exoskeleton. Crabs are armed with two large claws. Crabs are caught or farmed to be eaten. Scientfic research is divided as to weather crabs feel pain when bolied alive. Bivalve mollusk abundant in temperate intertidal zones. Mussels are a cheap form of food, typically steamed in white wine, garlic, butter and onions. Extensive mussel beds lie along the Firth of Forth, lending their name to the town of Musselburgh. The term Zooplankton (animal-drifter) describes any organism that drifts in oceans, seas or fresh water, from invisible protozoans, to krill and jellyfish.
U R B A N I S M :
L E I T H
8
APPENDIX 2
Dock Habitats
Brief guide to the key animal habitats in Leith Docks, and their regulatory protection. For further details refer to section 17, Ecology, Environmental Statement, Leith Docks Development Framework: http://www.leithdocksdevelopment.com
Overview
Statutory sites of importance
The majority of the core study area consists of an operating port area comprising loading/unloading berths, gantry lights, cranes etc and associated infrastructure such as buildings, hard standing, storage areas and railway sidings. There are small areas of amenity grassland and waste ground of limited ecological value. The features of highest ecological value in the context of the OPA development site are Imperial Dock Lock, where a large colony of common terns nests each summer, and parts of the existing coastal defences, which are used by large numbers of non-breeding wildfowl and over wintering wading birds. Imperial Dock Lock SPA The Imperial Dock Lock is a Special Protection Area due to the presence of an important colony of breeding common terns. This site hosts one of the largest (and increasing) common tern colonies in the UK (c. 5% of the British population). The colony this year supported 989 breeding pairs. Firth of Forth SPA, SSSI and Ramsar sites. These regulatory protections encompass all of the intertidal zone within the area, as well as coastal terrestrial habitats (e.g. salt-marsh, sand dune, saline lagoon and dune grassland) and important habitat types within the estuary.. The SPA continues to the east almost continuously as far as Belhaven Bay near Dunbar. The site regularly supports at least 20,000 waterfowl.
Non-statutory sites of importance
Water of Leith UWS and SWT WS The Water of Leith, which flows into the western harbour of Leith Docks, is designated as an Urban Wildlife Site. The Water of Leith is a locally important wildlife corridor as well as being an important breeding and foraging habitat for a wide range of species some of which are Edinburgh Biodiversity Action Plan (EBAP) species (e.g. Daubenton’s bat, kingfisher, dipper, otter, brown trout). Coastline Urban Wildlife Site (UWS) The foreshore and some areas of land above the high-tide mark, along the eastern breakwater side of the Docks are designated as a Coastline Urban Wildlife Site (UWS). This UWS includes the same intertidal habitats designed as part of the Firth of Forth SPA/SSSI and Ramsar Site and some additional areas of grassland/ scrub close to East Sands of Leith.
Habitats
Terrestrial The dock is dominated by industrial/commercial buildings, quay sides and docks. Semi-natural terrestrial habitat (excluding amenity grassland and areas of landscape planting) is restricted to the coastal strip and the south-eastern section of the study area associated with the railway sidings. There are also extensive areas of primarily bare soil which are used to store steel pipes (placed on raised soil bunds). There are also areas of scattered and dense scrub habitats with species such as bramble, buddleia, elder, hawthorn and goat willow and some scattered semi-mature broadleaved trees. Along the eastern seawall there are some very small areas of seminatural dune grassland habitat with lyme-grass. The upper shore at East Sands of Leith has some remnant natural strandline vegetation typical of shingle/sandy beaches. Intertidal Intertidal habitats along the eastern coastal edge of the docks, although relatively exposed, are varied due to the range of substrate types (i.e. from sandy beach to exposed bedrock outcrops). There is some variation in wave exposure due to the presence of bedrock outcrops Middle Craigs and Eastern Craigs. The rock outcrops form a reef, which is partly exposed at low tide, creating slightly more sheltered conditions on the lee-side from strong easterly winds. The majority of the foraging habitat for coastal birds is associated with these intertidal and subtidal bedrock outcrops and the areas of intertidal sand/mud. Subtidal The subtidal environment within the docks is comprised of relatively shallow water (maximum depth is approximately 5m Below Ordnance Datum) over mostly soft benthic sediments (sand, silt and clay). Standing water and riparian The impounded water within the docks, particularly the western harbour, has some value as a source of prey for terns, sea ducks and occasionally otter and has also been used by small numbers of breeding common eider and ringed plover in the past. The lower reaches of the Water of Leith draining into the impounded western harbour have artificial concrete, steel or wooden ‘piled’ banks with little natural or semi-natural riparian habitat. However, the reaches have some ecological value as a locally important wildlife corridor and as breeding and foraging habitat for species such as mute swan and mallard. This area is also used by otter as a movement corridor and foraging area and forms part of a wider habitat important to brown trout and river lamprey.
Z O O L O G I C A L
U R B A N I S M :
L E I T H
9
APPENDIX 3
LDDF Agreed Mitigations
Summary of the Environmental Impact Mitigations agreed within the current Development Framework. For full details refer to section 17, Ecology, Environmental Statement, Leith Docks Development Framework: http://www.leithdocksdevelopment.com
Location
No building within 200m of the tern colony. The detailed design of a footbridge near the tern colony will require careful consideration of potential impacts (height, form and construction). The location and detailed design of any construction on foreshore will need to be selected to minimise visual impact and noise disturbance on coastal wintering/non-breeding birds. Access to the foreshore should be discouraged, using architectural deterrents. In the vicinity of particularly sensitive areas, physical barriers will be constructed to prevent access and avoid significant disturbance to coastal wintering/non-breeding birds. Any coastal footway should be routed away from the existing breakwater before the western end of Martello Park and at East Sands of Leith to provide adequate separation of sources of disturbance from important concentrations of coastal wintering/non-breeding waders and wildfowl. The western end of the east breakwater is an important low and mid-tide roost site for waders, terns and eider ducks. The detailed design of any new breakwater in the vicinity of the shingle beach would ensure that direct loss of this habitat.
Materials
The selection of construction materials, particularly along the water’s edge, will be informed by scientific literature and guidance, with the aim of optimising the speed of colonisation by intertidal marine biota and the quality of habitat. For example, the use of natural stone for rip-rap breakwaters to provide suitable substrate for species associated with exposed rocky shore littoral habitat. The selection of materials for building finishes, glazing and lighting in areas overlooking sensitive areas for coastal birds will also be considered at the detailed design stage.
Landscaping
Programme
Construction
The opportunity of landscape design to enhance existing terrestrial habitats, floral and faunal species diversity should be recognised. Detailed landscape designs will maximise the use of native species of local provenance. Landscaping design associated with any coastal footway will comprise appropriate native species and will be designed to reduce the potential for visual disturbance to coastal birds from pedestrians. The areas of public realm to the north and to the south of the common tern colony, will be designed to prevent human access from May - August inclusive. Designs will ensure against activities along these quaysides where such activities are likely to be detrimental to the tern colony. This is likely to comprise a form of gated access and physical screening. Any change in the frequency of boat movements within 140m of the colony as a result of any marina proposals will be assessed for the impact on the tern colony by comparison with existing boat movements, and will be reported within the marina feasibility study as part of the detailed planning application for this area. The quay edge to the south of the colony will be managed to prevent pedestrian disturbance. This is likely to comprise gated access and some form of physical screening. The detailed design of the edge of the terrestrial development will minimise the visual intrusion from people and buildings on the foreshore. Some form of screening, in particular of sensitive areas (i.e. important roost sites) will be implemented which is effective from the birds’ perspective but does not significantly impinge on views of the Forth from the development. Construction works in the vicinity of the tern colony will be completed outside of the most sensitive periods of the year. There will be a presumption against any works within 150m occurring between May to August. Coastal works will be completed outside of the most sensitive periods of the year for coastal wintering/nonbreeding birds. All coastal defence works will be undertaken outside of the main winter months. Construction of the coastal defence and any new piers will be undertaken solely from landward side. Construction works for buildings and other structures adjacent to sections of the foreshore that have the potential to cause repeated disturbance to significant numbers of coastal birds (e.g. earthworks, piling, crane operation) will be programmed to avoid the most sensitive periods for coastal wintering/non-breeding birds.
Z O O L O G I C A L
U R B A N I S M :
L E I T H
10
APPENDIX 4
Bibliography & References Required reading is the selected text for seminar contribution. Further reading is for student reference only.
Philosophy
Agamben, G. 1998. Homo Sacer: Sovereign Power and Bare Life. Stanford University Press. Agamben, G. 2000. Means Without End.Minesota Agamben, G. 2002. The Open: Man and Animal. Stanford University Press. Agamben, G. 2009. What is an Apparatus?: and other essays. Stanford University Press. Berger, J. 1980. “Why Look at Animals” in About Looking. New York Calarco, M. 2008. Zoographies: The Question of the Animal from Heidegger to Derrida. Columbia Gibson, J. J. 1979. The Ecological Approach to Visual Perception. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Derrida, J. 2008. The Animal that I therefore Am. Fordham University Press. Derrida, J. 2009. The Beast and the Sovereign. University of Chicago Press. Foucault, M. 2010. The Birth of Biopolitics: Lectures at College De France 1978-79, Macmillan Nagel, T, 1974. “What is it like to be a bat” The Philosophical Review, 4, pp. 435-50. Sloterdijk, P, 2011. Bubbles. Spheres Volume 1: Microsphereology. Semiotexte Serre, M, 2007, The Parasite. Minesota Uexkull, J V. 2010. A Foray into the World of Animals and Humans. Minesota Virno, P. 2008. Multitude: innovation and wit. Semiotexte Wolfe, C, 1998. Critical Environments. Minesota Wolfe, C (ed), 2003. Zoontologies. Minesota Wolfe, C, 2009. What is Posthumanism?. Minesota
Architecture
Allen, S. 2011. Landform Building: Architectures New Terrain. Lars Muller Aranda / Lasch. 2005. Tooling. Pamphlet Architecture 27 Aureli, P.V. 2011. The Possibility of an Absolute Architecture. MIT. Behrens, R. 2009. Camoupedia: A Compendium of Research on Art, Architecture and Camouflage. Hwang, j. http://www.antsoftheprairie.com/ Ingraham, C. 2006. Architecture, Animal, Human: The Asymmetrical Condition. Oxford: Routledge Kaplan, K. 2009. Mosquitoes: A Handbook for Survival. Pamphlet Architecture 14 Latour, B and Yaneva, A. 2008. “Give me a gun and I will make all buildings move: An ANT’s view of architecture” in Explorations in Architecture. Basel: Birkhauser Leach, N. 2006. Camouflage. MIT Press Leatherbarrow, D. 2009. Architecture Oriented Otherwise. Princeton Architectural Press Marshall, V. (editor) 2008. Designing Patch Dynamics. Columbia University GSAPP Mostafavi, M. 2010. Ecological Urbanism. Lars Muller Smout Allen. 2007. Augmented Landscapes. Pamphlet Architecture 28 Turan, N. (editor) 2009. New Geographies 0. Harvard University Graduate School Wallenstein, S.O. 2009. Biopolitics and the Emergence of Modern Architecture. Princeton. White, M. 2011. Coupling: Strategies for Infrastructural Opportunism. Pamphlet Architecture 30
Literature
The Aberdeen Bestiary. 12 C., Aberdeen University Library Aesop. 5 C. BC. Aesops Fables Apollinaire, Guillaume. 1911. The Bestiary, or Procession of Orpheus Auster, Paul. 1942. Timbuktu. Berger, John. 2000. King Borges, Jorge Luis. 1957. Book of Imaginary Beings Bulghakov, Mikhail. 1925. The Heart of a Dog. Calvino, Italo. 1965. Cosmicomics Casares, Adolfo Bioy. Asleep in the Sun Kafka, Franz. 1917. Jackals and Arabs Kafka, Franz. 1917. A Report to an Academy Kafka, Franz. 1922. Investigations of a Dog Kafka, Franz. 1924. Josephine the Singer, or The Mouse Folk Kafka, Franz. 1931. The Burrow Orwell, George. 1957. Animal Farm Ovid. 8 AD. Metamorphoses Ponge, Francis. 1942. The Nature of Things. Self, Will. 2001. Great Apes. Simac, Clifford. 1952. City. th
th
Z O O L O G I C A L
U R B A N I S M :
L E I T H
11
Timetable
Tuesday 10-1
Thursday 9-5
BREIFINGS, MEETINGS & SEMINARS
TUTORIALS, PRESENTATIONS & REVIEWS
2 BRIEFING 1
GROUP WORKSHOP Studio GROUP WORKSHOP Studio
Planning / Historic Scotland The Urban Room
3 COORDINATION: MODEL 1 Studio
4 BRIEFING 2 Scottish Wildlife Trust / Natural Heritage SWT Offices
5 FIELD TRIPS
PRESENTATION Studio GROUP TUTORIAL Studio
ZU_2 UNKNOWABLE WORLDS
GROUP TUTORIAL Studio
Forth Ecologies Field Trips Various
6 ZU_G: READING SEMINAR Studio
7 COORDINATION: MODEL 2 Studio
8 BRIEFING 3
GROUP TUTORIAL Studio PRESENTATION Studio ZU_3 LIMIT / BREACH
TUTORIAL Studio
Studio
9
TUTORIAL Studio
10
TUTORIAL Studio
11
REVIEW Studio
12 COORDINATION: EXHIBITION
EXHIBITION & PORTFOLIO
Studio
Z O O L O G I C A L
ZU_1 BROKEN MACHINES
ZOOLOGICAL URBANISM 1
Studio
2012/13 Semester 1: Studio C / Design Project 1
1 ANIMAL MASQUERADE
U R B A N I S M :
L E I T H
12