Exploring the design thinking methodology to stimulate alternative approaches in peri-urban landscape planning

Abstract

Peri-urban areas are vitally important to the function and value of our communities, our environment, and the economy. They often epitomise the relationship between a community and the landscape, providing essential eco-system services for the receiving settlement. With the expansion of cities and the resulting urban sprawl, the ability of peri-urban zones to sustain food provision is threatened in Aotearoa New Zealand. This study reports and reflects on a workshop facilitated by the Centre of Excellence: Designing Future Productive Landscapes, Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki | Lincoln University, with the Canterbury Mayoral Forum, to explore alternative land use topologies for the peri-urban areas of Waitaha | Canterbury region. The focus of this paper is on the application of a ‘design-thinking methodology’, to explore this issue, and the opportunities for engagement and solution ideation that it promoted. Workshop participants were engaged in three activities designed to provoke alternative and innovative thinking about the spatial relationship between urban growth (housing) and agricultural land (production). Key findings illustrate the strengths of the methodology to elicit alternative responses to land use within the peri-urban zone, with results indicating a desire to rethink how we plan and design the edges of cities to better protect and enhance their ability to produce food and support other essential eco-system services alongside urban expansion.