Peri-Rural Soil Profile

wood, clay, moss, asphalt, lights

2020

Soil profiles are like pages in a book telling the story of the landscape; they provide information on the properties and quality of soils and their uses, they tell past environmental conditions and historical events in cultural history.

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This sculptural piece is an abstracted soil profile mimicking traditional soil column monoliths frequent in agricultural science but within an urbanizing context. Urban soils are often found in small, linear pockets within and among the agricultural regions of Nova Scotia. Urbanization morphologically transforms soils. Urban soils underneath pavement and roadways are a often highly disturbed and contaminated with low fertility (Mitchell et al., 2014).

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This piece places asphalt as the upper horizon in order to highlight the lost vitality of rural soils. It visualizes the subsurface of interstitial voids and damaged soil. It conceptualizes adaptive management and restoration of urbanized agricultural soils through the addition of Mycorrhizae, a fungal organism attached to plant roots which symbiotically results in better soil structure and higher organic matter content.

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Mitchell, R.G., Spliethoff, H.M., Ribaudo, L.N., Lopp, D.M., Shayler, H.A., Marquez-Bravo, L.G., Lambert, V.T., Ferenz, G.S., Russell-Anelli, J.M., Stone, E.B., and McBride, M.B.. 2014. Lead (Pb) and other metals in New York City community garden soils: Factors influencing contaminant distributions. Environ. Pollut. 187: 162-169. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.envpol.2014.01.007.

Transformative Socio-Ecologies

acrylic polycarbonate, laser etching, photo paper

2022

Location provides something that data desperately needs: Context. It makes the numbers meaningful, turning them into a story that is clear, compelling, actionable. In our data-rich world, here's the most fascinating aspect of spatial analysis: The more complex the problem, the more multi-layered it is, the more powerful spatial analysis is.

Building a 3-dimensional landscape occurs in varied forms; here, clear acrylic panels allow the viewer to manipulate their focus or layers of data analysis. This overlay-technique is often completed digitally, however panels can be interchanged here providing visceral evidence the distinct relationships between biotic and abiotic elements.

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The human mind will attempt to fill in the gaps between the individual image layers. By constructing we are deconstructing; we provide new insights to alter perceptions and explore perspectives. This becomes a form of experimentation as new layers can be added and removed. Line up 1 or line up 7 panels; what are the opportunities which arise? What are the constraints for building sustainable interrelationships?

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In the post COVID landscape, plexiglass and acrylic has become a physical barrier to communication. Clear acrylic has made interaction permeable out of its materialistic impermeability. In this piece, the acrylic panels facilitate sharing and visibility to create a personal and inclusive landscape narrative.

Liminal Rhythms

wood, moss, acrylic paint, glue, nail

2022

There are very few landscapes that have remained free from impact due to humans. The anthropocentric landscape has been made and re-made, re-oriented, and re-purposed for centuries, creating new natures in its wake. These shaped natures are highly adaptable and create dynamic ecologies.

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Shifting economies, particularly in Nova Scotia's agriculture sector, will place pressures on rural landscapes and their interdependent and complementary performance (1).

Blending the dualism of re-naturing and de-naturing creates important interplays upon the landscape. The tenuous spatio-temporal co-action of open systems, material cycles, species movement, cultural heritage, and damaged landscapes is complex. Orienting productivism and environmentalism within these Nova Scotia's rapidly evolving "fields' require a new design language to enable agency (2). Future landscapes must collaborate with the non-linear landscape.

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This piece focusses on a unique ephemeral ecology of Nova Scotia, the vernal pool. Climate change will impact these highly productive hydro-elements not through drought, for which the habitat has adapted to respond, but now through over wetness. How to manage these saturated landscapes is a new challenge.

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(1) Devanne, M. (2007). The Total Value of Nova Scotia's Agri-food Industry. Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture.

(2) Government of Canada (2019). Rural Opportunity, National Prosperity: An Economic Development Strategy for Rural Canada. Retrieved from:

http://www.infrastructure.qc.ca/pub/index-eng.html.

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Narrative Observations

photographs

2018 - 2022

The relationship between urban and rural spaces is changing at a very dynamic pace and is subject to a process of transformation. Spatial design research needs to look at the issue from a different angle because cities and rural areas are mostly looked at, analysed, and categorised quite simply and separately.

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I chose to examine the urban-rural connections and their role in the process of societal transformation, part of the Highway 102 Economic Corridor's trajectory of gentrification. This culturally induced and divided way of looking at these issues is a hindrance to transformation processes because it allows systemic correlations to go unnoticed. A new approach for geospatial transformation research that seeks to overcome the undercomplex urban-rural dichotomy is if importance for Nova Scotia.

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These textural images serve as a recording of those transformations and places them within another traditional dichotomous relationship, one which has the potential to yet be something very different.

Biophilic Communication

clay, soil, acrylic paint

2021

Biophilia (Kellert and Wilson, 1993), or the human tendency to seek connections with nature, is an important component of landscape architecture and design for sustainability and wellbeing (Velarde et al., 2007). An under-explored facet of this subconscious relationship is that of color and color schemes within the organization, rendering, and display of landscape architecture drawings.

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Literature encompassing colour theory and environmental psychology notes the emotive affect colour produces (Valdez & Mehrabian, 1994). And perhaps there is an underlying affinity towards those colours found in the natural landscape. The discipline of experiential graphic design (EGD) inclusive of visual communication affirms color as an integrated visual element within landscape drawings and renderings (Calori, 2007).

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These drawings serve to convey goals, ideas, messages, narratives and emotions found within the experience of that proposed landscape. In this study, the most common colors found on Google Earth's orthophoto (2021) of the peri-rural Truro landscape were documented, analysed, and abstracted to create a 3-dimensional, tactile array.

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Kellert S. & Wilson E., 1993. The Biophilia Hypothesis. Island Press; Washington, DC, USA.

Velarde, M., Fry, G., & Tveit, M., 2007. Health effects of viewing landscapes - Landscape types in environmental psychology. Urb. For. Urb. Greening, 6:199-212.

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Valdez, P., & Mehrabian, A., 1994. Effects of color on emotions. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 123(4), 394-409.

Calori, C., 2007. Signage and Wayfinding Design: A Complete Guide to Creating Environmental Graphic Design Systems. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Land-Water Interface

Shubenacadie River Valley

2023

Canada has long-established patterns of water-based urbanization. In Nova Scotia, the majority of the population has settled along the coast or along the region's freshwater resources of rivers, lakes and streams, or lentic (standing water) and lotic (running water) environments.

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These water resources are within the impact zone of climate change (Allaire,

2018). As a result, many of Nova Scotia's communities are becoming increasingly vulnerable. More frequent and powerful storms with stronger winds and increased periods of rapid precipitation are challenging Atlantic Provincial citizens safety of both inland and coastal communities (Jellett, 2017).

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Flood events are among the most serious natural hazards in Canada. Approximately 5% of the land area of Nova Scotia is covered by freshwater in the form of lakes, rivers and wetlands, representing a total of 2408 km2. Many of these lakes and ponds are bounded by thousands of kilometres of ocean coast. There are 6674 lakes in the province which are greater than one hectare in surface area, with a mean surface area estimated at 34 hectares (Alexander et al., 2006), making the province particularly vulnerable to major freshwater flood events and other climate change impacts. These flood events are activated mostly by heavy rainfall, as well as high tide/storm surge, ice jams, snowmelt, or an amalgamation of (Environment Canada, 2012).

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Floods can have devastating consequences on Nova Scotia's economy, environment and people. These include property, development and infrastructure damage, transit and public service interruption, government emergency actions and recovery expenditure, erosion and water quality impacts, economic and productivity depletion (Manuel et al, 2016), as well as socio-emotional stress (Stroke et al., 2012) and personal safety including loss of human life. Nonetheless, floods can also rejuvenate areas that are affected by drought and restore soil fertility. Floodwaters carry many nutrients that are deposited in the agricultural farms and fields along the rivers and waterways in Nova Scotia and Truro.

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Land use planning with an understanding of ecosystem capacity and resilience including the principles of green infrastructure are well-suited to meet the long term challenges imposed by climate change and flood risk in Nova Scotia by utilising improved design, technologies and strategies. Examples of low impact development, natural infrastructure, and effective land-use regulations by municipal governments can all help protect and preserve communities and the functionality of floodplains which have a significant mitigating effect during flood events.

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Allaire, Maura. 2018. Socio-economic impacts of flooding: A review of the empirical literature. Water Security. 3. 18-26.

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Jellett, Melanie. 2017. Planning the Blue Zone. Retrieved from: httos://www.nbse.ca/Planning_the_Blue_one-Interactive.pdi

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Alexander, D.R., .. Kerekes and B.c. Sabean. 2006. Description ot selected lake characteristics and occurrence ot fish species in /81 Nova scotia lakes. Froc. N.o. Inst oCI. 36 121.

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Environment Canada. 2012. Flooding Events in Canada - Atlantic Provinces. Retrieved November 27, 2021 from htto://www.ec.ac.ca/eau-water, default.asp?lang=En&n=4FCB81 DD-1#NB.

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Manuel. Patricia, Reeves, Yvonne and Kevin Hopper. 2016. Adapting to Climate Change in Coastal Communities of the Atlantic Provinces, Canada: Land Use Planning and Engineering and Natural Approaches. Part 2 Land Use Planning Tools Adaptation Options. Prepared for ACASt (Atlantic Climate Adaptation solutions Association

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Stanke C, Murray V, Amlot R, Nurse J, Williams R. zol2. The Eifects of Flooding on Mental Health: Outcomes and Recommendations from Review of the Literature. eLOs Gurrents Disasters. 2012 May 30. Edition 1.

A Peri-Rural Tidal Park

foam, balsa wood, clay

2022

Natural or non-urbanised zones located on the outskirts of cities are the most visited greenspaces by urban dwellers. The peri-rural park concept emerges from the interaction between urban and rural/natural territory. Peri-rural parks and greenspaces play an essential role in nature and people's health and wellbeing, as well as in mitigating the local climate and serving as places for local food production (Europarc Federation, 2019). These areas bring together problems connected to biological diversity, landscape, leisure activities, environmental education, and sustainable management of rapidly growing metropolitan areas like Halifax.

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Unlike Canada's "national parks" located far from densely populated areas, designed exclusively for preservation, the natural areas located in peri-rural zones have a conflicting, double role: that of providing for a growing and diverse public, while maintaining cultural heritage and biodiversity.

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Where can the new rural residents coming from urban cities recreate and connect with nature locally? What are the landscapes available to them and how do they differ from their urban contemporary greenspaces?

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This model explores the multifunctional prospect for a peri-rural park along the Bay of Fundy. The conceptual design program includes environmental education, aquaculture, floodwater detention, water quality improvements, and outdoor recreation.

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Tidal mud is removed to allow for water to be expressed in a orthogonal shapes. Aquaculture ponds are situated along a main walkway, based on forms which mimic land-based agricultural fields and farm roads. Each of these has a different plant product and is accompanied by seating and viewing decks. A long walking platform links the spaces, overhangs the cliff edge, and focusses views of the dynamic hydrology of the Bay.

Europarc Federation, 2019. Retrieved January 2022. https://www.europarc.org/w-content/uploads/ 2019/08/Periurban-Parks-their-place-in-EU-Policies_EUROPARC-position-paper.pdf

Future Agrinfrastructure

wood, sponge, computer module, sandpaper, staples

2020

Designing and engineering our way out environmental risks and detrimental impacts from producing our food are not new. The 60's and 70's technical post-modernism promoted a

"techno-utopia' vision of agricultural landscapes and living. How accurate were these predictions for 21st Century agriculture? What unimplemented ideas are still fomenting today? What will the 22nd Century farm look like?

From production to consumption, future sustainable food systems and agri-business will be synthesized through the the complex interrelationships of landscape to agricultural use (Hoes et al., 2019) to people (Pretty, 2013). This 3-dimensional model envisions the future agricultural landscape through conceptual forms and functions, providing a critical and creative exploration of the "wicked" problems in food and agricultural systems (large and small).

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The organic black sandpaper nodes represent rural communities of various sizes and densities. These are located concentric to the agricultural hub-centre (i.e. the computer module), who's functional landscape is geometric and linear in order to maximize automated production.

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The interstitial landscape, or in-between 'blank' spaces, will require planning, design, and management to maintain production, landscape connectivity for ecosystem functions, and quality of life for residents.

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Hoes, A. C., Jongeneel, R., van Berkum, S., & Poppe, K. 2019. Towards sustainable food systems: a Dutch approach. Wageningen Economic Research.

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Pretty, J. 2013. Agri-culture: reconnecting people, land and nature. Routledge.

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The Peri-Urban Development Grid

laser etched balsa wood

2022

Urban development typically follows the simple 'grid' pattern of expansion; a form based on infrastructural efficiency (1). This pattern physically amalgamates to peri-urban nodes easily, filling in the interstitial spaces with similar forms and elements. This urban expansion grid pattern does not coalesce with peri-rural landscapes as well, creating distinct edges and incongruous spaces of reduced quality and function, ecological and cultural.

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These abstracted study reflects the Urban Regional Core of Truro and the adjacent townships; if focusses on the peri-urban edge as noted by urban density (2). A relatively-scaled urban grid includes various etched depts or darkness which represents land cover qualities of which these unseen peri-rural landscapes will contest with as urban development continues.

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(1) Tan, K., Lim, H., MatJafri, M., & Abdulla, K. 2010. Landsat data to evaluate urban expansion and determine land use/land cover changes in Penang Island, Malaysia. Environmental Earth Science, 60, 1509-1521.

(2) Statistics Canada, 2018. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1710000901.

Planning for Places - Truro Growth Patterns 2030

photoshop laser print

2022

This Plan-Analysis synthesizes local objectives for growth and future climate change impacts within a planning approach for Truro, NS. The graphic plan can help deliver the vision and objectives of the Town's 'Municipal Planning Strategy ' and 'Sustainability Plan'. The plan regards and reorients current zoning in order to accommodate increased housing within a polycentric form. Polycentric development reduces the negative impacts of traditional densification and urban sprawl. Polycentric development frameworks are localizied; they can ensure all communities have an appropriate balance of jobs, services, facilities, and homes.

HMR Urban Population Density

wood, black paint, pins, string

2020

Nova Scotia has an estimated population of 977,457 in 2020 , up from 921,700 in 2011. This makes Nova Scotia the 2nd most densely populated province in the country with a population density of 45 m2 / 17 km2. Nova Scotia is the second-smallest province in Canada in terms of area behind Prince Edward Island . Urban growth will primarily occur along the major roads and highways connecting the Halifax Metropolitan Region (HMR) with Truro and Kings County/Annapolis Valley.

This multimedia piece reflects the pattern of urbanization in Nova Scotia focussing on the HMR expansion along the Highway 102 Corridor to Truro and the 101 Corridor to Wolfville.  The most common approach to measuring urban sprawl is through population density. Though limited in expressing rural-urban interrelationships, this dimension of urban development is spatially compelling. Each pin does not represent a population number but rather a spatial density, and the grey string reflects the network of physical landscape and community connections.

Statistics Canada, 2018. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1710000901.

World Population Review, 2020. https://worldpopulationreview.com/canadian-provinces/nova-scotia-population/.

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