< Embedded >Urban Agriculture < / Embedded>

A study of regenative agriculture in an urban context

As the worlds population continues to explode, we are faced with the problem of ecological sustainability of the human civilization. We understand that the way we use the earth to live on and sustain us is incompatible with the Earths natural limited resources. Because of this, we must find ways to continue supporting our existence, while at the same time decreasing the effects on the planet.
Urbanisation is an area of concern in China, where urban sprawl has continued to grow exponentially due to the rural population continuing to move into city centers to live. There are many consequences due this, one I am particularly interested in is the continued relocation of agriculture sites as urban centers grow and also the removal of agriculture from urban environments.
This thesis will examine the existing conditions of the HaiZhu community area in Guangzhou, where the site has become disconnected from its historical relationship with the Pearl river delta. Using the idea of urban/vertical farming, i am investigating re-embedding agriculture production back into an urban environment, while at the same time redeveloping the current situation. Parametric architecture will be looked into as a possible solution to these problems.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Thesis Ideas

There are three ideas of which that i am putting in consideration, for my design thesis.
I will describe them in brief and also list the Conditions that are against them

1. The Pearl River itself has been poluted due the intense and rapid growth in industrial production in the pass 30 - 40 years. I could some how address this factor with an architectural design solution.
  • Con: The scale of this would intense and also it would be more technical/enginnering rather than something architectural, as the standard solution that research points to would be some kind of wastewater or sewerge treatment plant. It would also be unlikely to be located in the Guangzhou Centres, more likely in the more Rural Areas.

2. The Pearl River is pone to flood maybe once or two a year. Possiblity lead to death and disturbance to the City. An architectural Solution could be designing a Flood Barrier, similar to the Themes Barrier in London.

  • Con: After speaking to my uncle who is from Guangzhou, it seems the scale of the floods are not as devestiating as one would imagine. He says, they might occur once or twice and quite managable and would normally have alot of warning. Also this could develop towards a more enginnering based Design rather than Architectural.
3. The Pearl River Delta Region consist of all cities which run from Hong Kong to Guangzhou back down to Macau.
  • Yet however, Hong Kong was governed by British till 1997 and now independantly governed and Macau was governed by Portugal till 1999 and now is independant as well.
  • These cities are in close proximity to each other, as well as sharing the same language, culture and have similar lifestyles.
  • However for many years, Hong Kong has been the leader in economic growth in the region, due to it's western connections. Thus leaving Guangzhou (Guangdong province) behind as the industrial workhorse that supplied for Hong Kong.
  • It is only in recent 30 years or so, that Guangzhou (Guangdong province) started to fourish in rapid economic growth, meeting if not exceeding Hong Kong.
  • Mayority of families in Hong Kong came from Guangdong in search for economic wealth, as many still have connections to Guangdong



















My architectural design would be based upon the union of the cities of the Pearl River Delta. Minely addressing Hong Kong, Macau and Guangzhou. Site would be based in Guangzhou cities central, somewhere accessible in the city. I am intending it to be a building/space which would provide a sense of union for the Pearl River Delta inhabitants. Function TBA but could be
  • Food
  • Retail/Commerce from direct regions
  • Place to learn history
  • Cultural entertainment
  • Recreation
  • Accommdation?
  • A centre to address conflicts within region
CON: It would some what force me to design something that is Iconic as the driving factors are some what Iconic. Would also not deal with environment issues like the other two topics.

I am some what edging towards No 3. Will be doing more research and then dicuss at meeting next week.
Posted by DavidL at 1:00 AM

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