ROCKDALE WETLAND CORRIDOR

from Landscape Architecture Portfolio - Shalin Thankam

PERSONAL STATEMENT SHALIN THANKAM

Second Year Capstone Project

The Rockdale Wetland Corridor project is a restoration initiative, located in Sydney as part of a 5km wetland stretch. The chosen site belongs to the San Souci catchment and lies along Bado-Berong Creek, encompassing Bona Park.The site’s unique characteristics, such as tall trees, open sky, and a rich biodiversity hotspot, offer immense potential for innovative design. However, the project faces significant challenges such as sea level rise causing salination of fresh water, resulting in biodiversity loss, and water overflow from the creek affecting nearby low-lying residential areas. Addressing poor water quality and soil contamination are also key objectives.

To overcome these challenges, the project aims to build a resilient system that can adapt to sea level rise and water overflow, while simultaneously restoring and enhancing the wetland’s ecological functions. Phytotechnologies will play a crucial role in this effort, utilizing plants and vegetation to address water and soil quality issues and promote overall ecosystem health. Community engagement and participation will be fostered to create a sense of ownership and stewardship among local residents.The Rockdale Wetland Corridor project envisions longterm results within a timeframe of 20 to 30 years, recognizing the time required for the wetland to fully recover and showcase the desired eco-