HUA Rongrong_Upcycling by RMIT Landscape Architecture

UPCYCLING Explore the value behind waste as material to help build a sustanable community

ABSTRACT Cities all around the globe are currently besieged by waste, and this is becoming one of the biggest environmental phenomena. Hyper urbanisation is one of the leading causes of increased waste in the Chinese urban fabric. The conflict of increasing urban waste and its impact on the environment have become a critical social topic for discussion. In 2020, Hangzhou government released a policy of Regulations of municipal Solid waste Management in Hangzhou, encouraging its citizens to carry out reasonable waste classification, reduce waste, and reuse recyclable items. “Upcycling” is a landscape architectural system designed for the NGO, using waste as medium, aim to generate awareness about sustainable communities, upcycling knowledge and neighbour’s relationship, responding to the Sustainable Development Goals. This project explores the role of waste in creating a sustainable community by taking local materials, and rationally using waste material as resources for building community public space. In the process of determining these potential urban products, this project explores on how and who will be the participants.

SUBMITED BY Rongrong Hua RMIT UNIVERSITY School of Architecture and Design Master of Landscape Architecture Design Research Project 2021 COURSE COORDINATOR Charles Anderson

This project tests the possibility of landscape space and crowd activities in the community, as well as the reuse of local waste materials, and finally explore a new waste recycling system that can be accepted locally. This new system can be a basis one, combined with different local culture, and widely applied to other communities and regions, gradually raising people's awareness of treating waste, activating urban space and people's relationships, and creating a more sustainable life.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS In the context of waste classification, how to use waste as material to active public space of old community?

TUTORS Jen Lynch Danny Kwak June 2021

CONTENT 00 Abstract 01 Preface 02 Background 2.1 A throw away world 2.2 China situation 2.3 Why recycling important 03 Theoretical Framework 04 Environemnt and behavior 4.1 Hangzhou situation 4.2 Typical site 4.3 Site comntext 4.4 Investigate and survey 4.5 client and stakeholders 05 Design proposal 5.1 Space possibilities 5.2 Material application 5.3 New waste system 06 Design process 6.1 Project ambition 6.2 Select detail site 6.3 Detail site 1 6.4 Detail site 2 6.5 Detail site 3 07 Reflection 08 Reference

This project explores a community space landscape guided by experimental waste treatment as a sustainable system, which aims to change waste treatment methods and generate the public's awareness of correct waste treatment. This plan will be used by NGOs to promote a waste disposal awareness program. Compared with the landfill disposal methods currently implemented in various parts of China, this system can reduce the generation of waste in the community and increase the reuse rate of old things. On a global scale, the garbage problem is getting worse. This project provides a possibility for the front-end treatment of waste.

01 PREFACE

Upcycling chose Hangzhou, China as a pilot cit y to investigate and implement this new sustainable landscape system. At present, China's waste disposal methods are mainly landfill and incineration. Landfill not only takes up a lot of land, but also pollutes groundwater and soil. Pollution and stench will affect the health of surrounding residents. Incineration will produce a lot of harmful gases and pollute the air. With the rapid development of urbanization, the problem of climate warming caused by the greenhouse effect is imminent. Therefore, China urgently needs to find a sustainable waste disposal method. Hangzhou is one of the typical cases in China.

This plan aims to establish a sustainable community waste system, which will be regarded as the main result of the project, as well as the additional economic and social benefits brought by the new waste system. In this process, the two United Nations sustainable development goals (responsible consumption and production, sustainable cities and communities) will be gradually realized. This plan is based on professional knowledge to attract people to create and maintain urban spaces. Landscape architects use 3Rs theory, landscape urbanism, behavior to provide a complete plan for this project, including landscape design practice and network deployment guidance people, the framework of the project. After the initial results are achieved, the amount of waste production in the community will be reduced, and the utilization rate of old items will be increased. This also means that the burden of waste disposal in the city can be reduced, and the development of society, nature and economy can be promoted. The ambition of the project will be fully manifested during this period, human, waste and nature will participate in and feedback each other, and the whole system will coexist in a sustainable way.

Carrying out Upcycling intervention requires cooperation with the Hangzhou government, Hangzhou Environment Group, and local communities. This participatory design will be based on the three stages of waste hierarchy, reduce, reuse and upcycling. Community participation will establish emotional bonds between landscapes, waste resources and residents, thereby enhancing people's awareness of waste recycling, and personally experience and participate in the integration of nature and waste materials.

02 BACKGROUND

2,120,000,000 Tons of waste dumped on the planet every year

If all this waste was put on trucks they would go around the world 24 times.

2.1 A throw away world

2.2 CHINA SITUATION China is one of the largest polluters in the world. According to the National Statistical Yearbook, in 2017, China collected 215 million tons of municipal solid waste, with a total of 654 landfills and 286 incinerators. According to a government report, China had planned to recycle 35% of its waste in major cities by the end of 2020, but this goal has not been achieved. At the same time, the government's mandatory garbage classification has caused some residents to panic.

2.3 Why is recycling important The most effective way to reduce waste is to reduce it at the source. Making new products requires the mining of large amounts of raw materials, and the process of making products, transporting them, and disposing of them after they become waste, all cause great damage to the environment in which we live.

Least Prederred Uncontrolled deposit

Controlled deposit

Landfill

03 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

Other recovery including energy recovery

Recycling

Upcycling

Reuse

Minimization

Prevention

Most Preferred

Inspiration & Issue

Research Aim

Research Into Design

Research Method

Design Testing

Design Outcome

Waste collection and utilization

Community gathering plaza

Material application

Roof/Veggie garden

Where New waste classification policy

Create sustanable communities

Research questions UN sustanable goals

Old community lacks public space

In the context of waste classification, how to use waste as material to active public space of old community?

Literature Review

Hangzhou, China

What Design Theory

Waste as material

How Design Guideline

Public space design

Community activities

Street furniture design

Design Techniques People lack of awareness

Design Performance

Case Studies

Lack of sense of community

Plant choosing Environmental Relations

Research through design Regional policies

11.3 By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries.

12.5 By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.

Actice design

Provide environmental education

Paving plan Adaptive reuse

Site selection

‘3R’ Theory

Regional Analysis

12.8 By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature.

Reduce

Reduce waste from the source

Reuse

Reuse construction material

Recycle

Upcycling

Upcycling neighborhood relationship

04 | Environment and behavior

4.1 Hangzhou situation In 2018, Hangzhou produced 12,600 tons of garbage every day, and built 19 garbage disposal facilities, including eight incineration plants, three landfill sites and eight restaurant waste disposal sites. By the end of 2020, Hangzhou's total incineration capacity will exceed 12,000 tons.

In the main urban area of Hangzhou, nearly 6,000 tons of domestic garbage are removed, transported and disposed of every day. How to deal with the garbage in Hangzhou now ?

Listen to lectures, play games, do research Children learn waste sorting in the practice camp.

Hangzhou government published Hangzhou urban living garbage management 21.06.2019

Green cars receive green bins, and yellow cars receive yellow bins. This time, "Ask the people" to focus on garbage classification.

Hangzhou garbage classification regulations passed.

ENVIRONMENT AND BEHAVIOR

4.2 Typical site

Shiwukui Xiang

Chian

Zhejiang

Hangzhou

1368 - 1949, The old city Most building was built in Ming Dynasty or Qing Dynasty

Metropolitan Area

Shiwukui Lane

Revitalizing the Southern Song Culture Timber architecture

1129 The southern song dynasty capital

Fluff cotton flick Wood and bamboo handicrafts Convenience service point

4.3 Site context

Green space

Buildings

Traffic flow

Layout

Topography

In betwwen buildings Public

In betwwen buildings Semi - public

Public

Rooftop

Wall

4.4 Investigate and survey

Gender: Male Age: 36 Position: Resident / IT staff Thoughts about waste sorting:

Gender: Female Age: 9 Position: Visit grandparents Thoughts about waste sorting:

Thoughts about community:

Gender: Female Age: 43 Position: Resident / housewife Thoughts about waste sorting:

Gender: Female Age: 81 Position: Resident / retire Thoughts about waste sorting:

Thoughts about community:

Gender: Male Age: 76 Position: Resident / retire Thoughts about waste sorting:

Gender: Female Age: 24 Position: Tourist / student Thoughts about waste sorting:

The government has not implemented garbage collection facilities well Lack of public space

Garbage classification is very detailed but low operability Low usage of public space

Garbage classification is too complicated, usually forget to classify

Thoughts about community:

No place for neighbors to get together

The waste sorting in community not as fun as in school No place to play

Support this new policy, try my best to sorting my waste No place to gathering

Will try to sort in right bin

Thoughts about community: Old community, a lot of tree but no experience

4.5 Client and stakeholders

High resource / High impact

High resource / Low impact

Government

Community

Resident Food market merchant Cleaner

Low resource / High impact

Tourists Other merchant

Low resource / Low impact

05 | Design proposal

5.1 PUBLIC SPACE TYPE

05 DESIGN PROPOSAL

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Visual landscape can be shaped from three aspects: shape, color and texture. Different materials are used in different spaces to make a reasonable design for the environment.

In order to feel the landscape more accurately, touch the landscape objects with the hand and other tactile organs, and design with different materials to encourage people to participate in the environment.

Aromatic plants are commonly used in olfactory landscape design to draw people into the site. And the planting pool build by different material can increase people’s experience on the site.

In the design, new sound elements are added to foil the atmosphere. Use materials or plants to remove or reduce dissonant sound elements.

Integrate the taste design into the experience behavior of landscape environment, design some planting, picking and other activities, people's participation and the formation of the environment will form an interactive landscape.

The perception of space is primarily visual, but largely based on the way we perceive the space, the way we move through it, all of which create different perceptions of the space due to different scales and materials.

ELEMENTS OF SPACE

POTENTIAL ACTIVITIES

Floor

Wall

Canopy

Live

Play

Grow

Stairs

Roof

Pergola

Craft

Exchange

5.2 MATERIAL APPLICATION

PRECEDENT

This project is located in a remote location. As a children's theme park, more consideration is given to environmental protection and game activities in the venue. The main strategy is to choose construction waste recycling, participatory construction, and on-site education. In the selection of materials, this project takes into account the different feelings that different senses and different materials can produce, so as to make better practical use of each material.

SENSES OF HUMAN

Vision

Touch

Smell

Visual landscape can be shaped from three aspects: shape, color and texture. Different materials are used in different spaces to make a reasonable design for the environment.

Aromatic plants are commonly used in olfactory landscape design to draw people into the site. And the planting pool build by different material can increase people’s experience on the site.

Sound

Taste

Perception

In the design, new sound elements are added to foil the atmosphere. Use materials or plants to remove or reduce dissonant sound elements.

Location: Zhongguancun Tongzi county Guizhou province

The use of discarded materials and the rational use of the characteristics of known metal materials as microphones increase the experience of the venue.

According to the local culture, adding cultural elements to the design makes the residents more identity and more willing to enter the site.

Using the original building materials in the site, it is designed according to its own form to become a kind of amusement facilities in the site. While being environmentally friendly, it also shortens the distance between residents and the site.

During the construction of the site, the villagers were allowed to press their fingerprints on the wet cement, which increased the participation of the masses and at the same time increased the villagers’ awareness of the site.

PRECEDENT 5.3 NEW WASTE SYSTEM PingShang village of Bashan town is a immigrant village. Two big problems of this site are lack of public space and the village people strangeness. The site use local material to respond local traditions, strengthen the connection with village environment. The community garbage classification method and training line aim to guide people to participate in the waste management.

Location: Bashan village, Chengkou province, Chongqing

Orchards

Inorganic

Artistic Workshop

l oa G

Construction waste

Plastic waste

Glass waste Organic waste Paper waste

Community Construction

Goal ical log Eco

Organic

Eco no mi c

Productive circuit Recycling

Facilities Gastronomy

Exchange center

Paving

Market Neighbors

So c i a lG oal s

Upcycling

Reused Brick

Beer Bottle

Planting incubator / Plastic tray

Fence

Compost box

Bookshelf

Outside movie screen

Climbing structure

Planting incubator on wall

Sensory installation

Material installation

Flower / Vege bed

Exhibition

Landscape seats

Flower / Vege bed

Tree guard

Landscape seats

6.1 PROJECT AMBITION

Affect health

WASTE

PEOPLE

an Cr ea te

Active

Restrict

As material

DESIGN PROCESS

Reduce

Form

LANDSCAPE

COMMUNITY Provide

6.2SELECT SITE

PEOPLE: Residents / Community workers / tourist

I barely go to this area, it’s boring. I usually go straight to community service.

I hope I can feel the local culture and have some communication with the local people.

Type: Community Square Function: Links between residents and community service

PEOPLE: Residents Type: Public space

PEOPLE: Residents / Tourists Type: Street space Very lack of public space and nothing worth staying on the outside.

Function: A space with a definite function, a place where people must pass through to live and travel.

Function: Strengthen the bonding between neighbors

06 | Design process

6.3 DETAIL DETAIL SITE SITE1 6.3 1 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

2 4

Legend 1

Playground

Rest area

Reading room

vegetable garden

Gathering area

Sunken square

Square

Entrance

F‘

N E‘

48 00

10m

15m

20m

D‘

49 00

06 | Design process

51 00

D - D’

E - E’

F - F’

6.2 DETAIL SITE2

B‘

B 5

Legend

Roof terrace

Shared kitchen

Vegetable garden

Herbs garden

Planting area

leisure space

Compost center

7 6

A‘

10m

15m

20m

A - A’

B - B’

Shared kitchen Mode of operation

Reduce waste from source

Go to market buy food

Grow their own food

Bring back plastic package

No package waste

Throw food waste to bin

Throw food waste for compost

No contact with anyone

Build neibourhood bonding

Make profits by selling

Sharing and exchange Legend

Upcycling relationship

Shared dining area

Shared kitchen

Vegetable garden

Roof terrace Mode of operation

Reuce waste from local exist 2 1

Old stuff

Throw out in bin

Handcraft recreat

Buy new stuff

Reuse

No contact with anyone

Build neibourhood bonding

Impact on the environment

Raise awareness on waste Earn new knowledge Share and exchange Legend

Make profits by selling Upcycling

Overlooking Deck

laundry area

Planting incubator

Handcraft Area

Relax terrace

4 3

I've just stewed a pot of soup. What did you bring for dinner tonight? These vegetables are growing very well !

This place is getting busy!

My mother asked me to bring this dish.

Herbal garden C‘

Mode of operation C‘

Mode of operation

C‘

Mode Modeofofoperation operation

Folks Remedy Planting

Learning

Planting

Herbal infusions

Folks Remedy

Herbal infusions

Herbs

Folks Remedy

Herbal infusions

Herbs

Preperation

Learning

The main local herbal medicine

The main Plantinglocal herbal medicine Learning Planting

Folks Remedy

Herbal infusions

Preperation

Herbs

Preperation

Learning

The main local herbal medicine

The main local herbal medicine 1

Fagopyrum tataricum (L.) Gaertn

Smilax glabra Roxb

Rubus corchorifolius L. f.

Panax notoginseng

Fagopyrum tataricum (L.) Gaertn

Smilax glabra Roxb

Rubus corchorifolius L. f.

Panax notoginseng

Smilax glabra Roxb

Fagopyrum tataricum (L.) Gaertn

Rubus corchorifolius L. f.

Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt.

Panax notoginseng

Radix Puerariae

Dioscorea polystachya

Radix Puerariae

Dioscorea polystachya

Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt.

Radix Puerariae

Dioscorea polystachya 1

C - C’

Smilax glabra Roxb

Fagopyrum tataricum (L.) Gaertn

Rubus corchorifolius L. f.

Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt.

1 Panax notoginseng

Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt.

Radix Puerariae

Dioscorea polystachya

C - C’

Legend

Legend Pergola 1 Planting area Pergola Stairs Legend Planting area Gathering space Stairs Pergola 1

Gathering2spacePlanting area

Legend

2 1 3 2 4 3

3 4

Stairs

Pergola

Planting area

Stairs

Gathering space

4 2

2 2

Gathering space

C 8m

C 2m

My wife is not feeling good. I'll get some herb for her.

Haven't seen you in a while. Come here to pick up some medicine?

This place seems interesting !

06 | Design process

6.5 6.43 DETAIL DETAIL SITE SITE3 3 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Street furniture

Flower stand

Trash bin

Bookshelf Exhibition

Bench

Bike rack

New system

This project is of great significance to me, allowing me to really think about problems from the perspective of a landscape architect. Garbage is a very small part of life, but when it accumulates, it becomes a big factor that affects the environment. It seems that garbage disposal has always been a problem for the government.

The government issues policies and the government decides how to

REFLECTION

from the outside, and thought about how to use the landscape to

classify it. But this time, I reduced the rubbish brought into the home change it from another aspect, which made me very excited. And in my opinion, this approach seems feasible and operable. If there is a chance, I very much hope to continue this project. Finally, I would like to thank my mentor Danny Kwak for guiding me and supporting my project.

08 REFERENCE

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Pierre Belanger, 2009, “Landscape as Infrastructure,” Landscape Journal 28. Elizabeth Mossop.2006, “Landscapes of Infrastructure,” in The Landscape Urbanism Reader, ed. Charles Waldheim. AECOM, 2018, Melbourne regional Landfill, Landfill Operations Pty Ltd Alex, F, Scott, K, Ariane, L, Damien, G 2016, “Waste Fires in Australia: Cause for Concern”, Canberra: Department of the Environment Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, 2014, “Waste generation and resource recovery in Australia”, Blue Environment, Vol 2 Gdansk, 2019, “Local approaches to a circular economy”, Urban Agenda, Urban Resource Centers. GHD, 2016, “Works Approval Application-extension of operations”, Waikato Regional Council International Solid Waste Association, 2012, “Globalization and waste management”, viewed on 23 October. Jeannine, M, 2017, “The architecture of waste, creating new avenues for public engagement with trash”, Sardisia vol 2 Joe, P 2019, “Assessment of waste exports from Australia in February 2019”, Blue Environment, p.p 1-5 Kimberley, P, Michael, L, Edward, TAM 2016, “Material flows accounting for Scotland shows the merits of a circular economy and the folly of territorial carbon reporting Carbon Balance and Management”, p.p 11-21 Kimberly,TD, 2015, “The Hidden Life of Trash: An Examination of the Landfill by Six Contemporary Artists”, Dickinson College Lauren, MB, 2003, “Uncovering new meaning in the landscape of landfill”, University of North Carolina. Courtney Gross, 2011, Administration considers waste-to-energy. (https://www. gothamgazette.com/index.php/city/708-administration-considers-waste-to-energy) Amy Frearson, 2015, “BIG reveals sunken recycling centre below terrain for joggers and snowboarders”. (https://ww- w.dezeen.com/2015/02/24/big-sydhavns-recycling-centercopenhagen-sunken-slopes-snowboarding/) Anna A, Elena C, 2018, “Afteruse of landfills methodological approach, project requisites and relationship with the surrounding area” James M.W, 2012, “From landfill site to environmental park”. Katia T, Miguel A, 2020, “The reuse of waste heaps from extraction sites: An architectural Mehtodology” Elise M, Clémence E, 2011, “Waste landscape”. (http://inhabitat.com/wastelandscape65000-discarded-cds-form-a-sea-of-metallic-dunes-in-paris/ )

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Letts, R., 2015, “Nutrient cycles become unbalanced through: 1.Harvest of crops or timber 2.Leaching and runoff (exacerbated by irrigation) 3.Monoculture (simplification)” Donahue, M., 2018, “Report: Waste Incineration: A Dirty Secret in How States Define Renewable Energy” Rick L., 2019, “The Decomposition of Waste in Landfills: A Story of Time and Materials” Edward B., 2006, Film: Manufactured Landscapes NANCY W. S., 2009, “Turning waste into clean fuels: Commercial devices rooted in fusion research” N. Themelis, 2006, "Energy Recovery from Global Waste-to-Energy," Earth Engineering Center, Columbia University Avfall Sverige, 2008, "Towards a Greener Future with Swedish Waste to Energy" World Energy Council, 2016, "World Energy Resources 2016" J. Gold, "Waste to Energy: Europe and the United States," Physics 240, Stanford University, Fall 2012. Brian N.S.,2017, “On Waste-to-Energy: How it Works and Where it's Going” McCallum, K., Lowe, A., Breed, M., & Paton, D., 2018, “Spatially designed revegetation - why thespatial arrangement of plants should be as important to revegetation as they are to natural systems”, Restoration Ecology. Tarrant, S., Ollerton, J., Lutfor Rahman, M., Tarrant, J., McCollin, D., 2012, “Grassland restoration on landfill sites in the East Midlands, United Kingdom: An Evaluation of Floral Resources and Pollinating Insects”, Estoration Ecology Jayasinghe, Randika, 2013, “The garbage crisis a global challenge for engineers” Kate, K., Niall, K., 2015, Phyto: Principles and Resources for Site Remediation and Landscape Design

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