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Autumn Show 2023
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Island Futures: A Landscape Response to Tuvalu

Project details

Student Meilin Li
Programme
Design Studio Design Studio 4
Year 2

This project takes Tuvalu, a South Pacific island nation, as an example to reflect on the relationship between people and landscape, and the fragmentation presented in the process of global climate change. Taking the phenomenon of coastline erosion as a cue, it responds to the landscape perspective on the series of neo-colonial conflicts that have evolved due to maritime economic zones and national identity.

By reflecting on the adaptation of island landscapes to climate, the project proposes that the relationship between islanders and local landscapes continues in a state of seasonal regression in the later stages of migration. The islands provide economic and spiritual support for the people, who return seasonally to fish and use the income to build new communities. Design strategy 1 proposes coral systems' development to dissipate coastal erosion caused by wave energy. Strategy 2 introduces mangrove planting which better adapts to the island's saline hydrological conditions and acts as a second barrier to protect the island.

The seasonal return of people to the site, the support of the island landscape for new communities after migration, and the consolidation of pre-existing identities.

Site Future Outlook

The seasonal return of people to the site, the support of the island landscape for new communities after migration, and the consolidation of pre-existing identities.

Site design based on adaptation of vegetation to saline water: periods of low groundwater salinity and crop failure.

Phase 1 - Present

Site design based on adaptation of vegetation to saline water: periods of low groundwater salinity and crop failure.

Site design based on adaptation of vegetation to salt water: heavy salt water intrusion results in vegetation decline in the high land of the island and crop death.

Phase 2 - 70 Years

Site design based on adaptation of vegetation to salt water: heavy salt water intrusion results in vegetation decline in the high land of the island and crop death.

Site design based on adaptation of vegetation to saline water: groundwater and seawater salinity equal resulting in 94% vegetation dead and mangroves that have adapted to this environment.

Phase 3 - 140 Years

Site design based on adaptation of vegetation to saline water: groundwater and seawater salinity equal resulting in 94% vegetation dead and mangroves that have adapted to this environment.

Accelerating reef flat development by increasing seabed height and friction while resisting wave erosion.

Coral System: Reef flat

Accelerating reef flat development by increasing seabed height and friction while resisting wave erosion.

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The Bartlett
Autumn Show 2023
26 September – 6 October
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