This is a project developed by the AUT DESIS Lab, New Zealand, which corresponds to the series of Thematic Areas. These projects are activities carried out by the DESIS Network Labs, whose objectives can be seen here
The Mangere-Otahuhu district of Auckland, New Zealand, boasts a growing, youthful population, with 60% identifying as ‘Pasifika’. Community spirit is strong, but the area faces high levels of economic deprivation. The Kirkbride Road Reserve project seeks to strengthen the community through a design-led strategy for the shared use of common land.
The Southern Initiative (TSI) is an entity within Auckland Council, tasked with creating transformational change. TSI manages a block of council land, currently occupied by Auckland Teaching Gardens and the Cook Islands Development Agency (NZ), both with distinct visions for the land. AUT design students were invited to explore the possibilities.
AUT students began by undertaking a site analysis, mapping the current environmental and social capital, and also exploring the ecological and economic potential of the land. Tensions between stakeholders were managed by bringing both parties together, along with permaculture experts and council representatives, as co-design participants in the project.
See the complete project in the PDF file below
