The various professors at the school of architecture showed us how they teach sustainability in their classrooms. I though it was very cool how one of the professors made an assignment for their students to make a stable chair out of cardboard. This encouraged the students to use materials that are easily available to them instead of buying new materials.
Today we talked to different members of the Wellington City Council. Steph O’Shea showed us around Cuba street and showed us all the different ways that the council tried to make the area sustainable but accessible for citizens. One of my favorite ways was by having carefully thought out green spaces. The rain gardens are very prominent. They include piping systems that gather and filter rain water for plants. Steph mentioned that the plants used for those areas are usually native and hardy plants that can survive with a lack of water.
Farzad showed us the Civic Square. He explained that many of the buildings in the area are earthquake prone and were placed on the old shore line. Many of the buildings flood and two of the buildings, formally civic centers, are scheduled to be demolished. Farzad mentioned that it may be better for the area to be cleared out. He says its a very big and dangerous thought and no one in office would be brave enough to suggest it.
Finally we were able to hear from various members of the Otago university about public housing. Guy Peters spoke about his research into the factors of wellbeing for Māori people. He hopes that his research sparks conversation about ways that the factors of wellbeing can be met.
