Landmark Refugia: An Urban Bird Sanctuary for the Christchurch, NZ Cathedral Rebuild

Abstract

The influence of urbanization, climate change, land use changes, land fragmentation and natural disasters have destroyed many birds' natural habitats near cities. However, some birds are attracted to urban landscapes, and begin to nest and breed in urban areas, and even for some endangered avian species the city has become a valuable adopted home. After the destruction of urban structures from the 2011 earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand, building ruins near the Otakaro Avon River attracted a local endangered species, the black-billed gull, to establish a breeding colony near the city center. While the colony will be displaced by new construction, the reconstruction of the Christchurch Cathedral in the city’s center near the existing colony offers opportunities to design and construct new gull habitat where the public may easily observe nesting activity. The main research direction of this thesis is to foster awareness of the ecological value and requirements of urban spaces as protected endangered bird habitat, and stimulate social value for urban bird habitat to promote healthy and positive relationships between humans and birds. The focus of the design work is to uncover and express possibilities to integrate the ecological, historical, cultural and spiritual values in the rebuilding of the Christchurch Cathedral site.