Reconnecting man with nature : post industrial landscape development

Abstract

Dissertation (ML(Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2015.

Industries became a permanent addition to
 cities in the 18th century, transforming the
 natural landscape and influencing the people
 directly dependant on it, this enforces to the
 consumer culture we experience every day.
 This industrial development all over the
 world has disregarded apparent and non-apparent
 relationships that humans have within
 nature, resulting in the connection between
 humans and nature to become estranged,
 leaving humankind searching for identity and
 purpose.
 This study investigates the connection between
 humans and nature through adapting
 the post-industrial landscape, to ultimately
 establish an identity of place for human
 well-being.
 The study proposes that apparent and
 non-apparent relationships between humans
 and nature can be introduced in the post-industrial
 landscape through the concepts of
 ecosystem services and commemorative
 design. By commemorating the natural
 landscape, memories and experiences
 will create an appreciation for the natural
 landscape, strengthening the connection
 between humans and nature. Different
 ecosystem services are generated by the
 design to establish ecological and human
 well-being.
 The sketch plan design intervention proposes
 that, these apparent and non-apparent relationships
 between humans and nature are
 revealed and celebrated. The non-apparent
 relationships are transformed into apparent
 design features within the landscape to make
 visitors aware of their unity with nature and
 the services it provides them with. The
 design proposal creates opportunities for
 interaction, education and appreciation by
 means of food gardens, utility gardens,
 biodiversity gardens and experiments of
 spontaneous succession.
 The purpose of these interventions is to
 restore the post-industrial landscape while
 creating a strong cultural connection to
 heritage within industries and nature to
 reconnect humankind with their own identity
 as part of nature.

Architecture

ML(Prof)

Unrestricted