A Nature-Positive Transect Line

Over time, urban green spaces have reduced in area due to the increasing housing density and commercial expansion in our cities. This reduction in urban green spaces has brought new problems into our cities, such as stormwater management. The discussion of how cities should best combat these problems is now a prominent topic. In New Zealand concerns raised are reflected in the recent release of the government report: Are we building harder, hotter cities? The vital importance of urban green spaces. In response to these issues, this thesis takes the Wellington City Council Green Network Plan as the impetus to investigate how these ideas can be expanded across the city. The design research has been undertaken by reference to a design rubric that looks at five design criteria. These criteria were tested along a significant transect line to explore how the associated ideas could be applied in Wellington. These explorations provide an example of how the ideas can be incorporated via strategic green initiatives. This thesis aims to illustrate how such ideas can be taken and applied across the city.