- Title
- The design of a research aquarium for hippocampus capensis in the Knysna Estuary, Western Cape province
- Creator
- Rautenbach, Richard
- Subject
- Public aquariums -- South Africa -- Western Cape -- Designs and plans Public aquariums -- South Africa -- Western Cape
- Date Issued
- 2015
- Date
- 2015
- Type
- Thesis
- Type
- Masters
- Type
- MArch
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39043
- Identifier
- vital:35025
- Description
- This thesis developed out of a concern for the ecological biodiversity of natural environments and the way in which human interventions place constant and increasing pressure on them. Modern cities have generally placed little concern on the overall well-being of these systems which all flora and fauna depend upon. This causes stress on many species, with some ending in extinction. The Knysna Seahorse (Hippocampus capensis) is one such species which has suffered because of irresponsible city development. It is a small and seemingly irrelevant animal to many, but its well-being is a far greater issue than that of the tiny endangered creature. It acts as an indicator species of a threatened environment. This treatise takes a critical look at developing an awareness among people of the importance of the ecological well-being of nature alongside the cities of South Africa. More specifically it focuses on the secret and vulnerable lives of the endangered and endemic Knysna Seahorse within its threatened natural environment. The issues facing the natural environment of Knysna will be looked at in depth and sets of interventions will be proposed to minimise further anthropocentric effects on nature. The first part of the proposal will be a larger scale urban intervention that will set the framework for the treatise building design. It has been proposed to design a Research Aquarium for the Knysna Seahorse (H. capensis) as an active ecological research, conservation and education centre. The buildings activities will aid in public education and raise a place specific awareness of the Knysna Estuary and its endangered seahorse species through its conservation efforts. The Seahorse Research Aquarium is to be positioned within a new vision of a waterfront for the Knysna Central. The Research Aquarium will seek to become a mediator between man’s urban environment and the ecological systems of nature. This can be realised as part of a promotion for an enhanced connection of Knysna’s urban environment to that of the natural environment. Ultimately a positive shift in the way in which people respond to the well-being of the environment will be created. The research conducted will focus on the particular interaction between the man-made urban environments within Knysna and the natural environment. The resulting urban and architectural strategies implemented will allow for an empathetic and balanced relationship between man and nature. This harmonious coexistence is essential for the sustenance of the unique natural environments that South Africa should cherish (GNTO .2013). Promoting a healthy and vibrant natural ecology within an urban environment will enhance the quality of life of both man and nature.
- Format
- vii, 188 leaves
- Format
- Publisher
- Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
- Publisher
- Faculty of Arts
- Language
- English
- Rights
- Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
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| Thumbnail | File | Description | Size | Format | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| View Details Download | SOURCE1 | Research Aquarium for Hippocampus Capensis - Richard Rautenbach (Document).pdf | 211 MB | Adobe Acrobat PDF | View Details Download |