Date of Award

Spring 5-30-2019

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA)

Department

Landscape Architecture

First Advisor

Helen Kongsgaard

Second Advisor

Nick DePace

Abstract

This thesis book seeks new meanings for the concept of “cohabitation”, it is important to understand “cohabitation” as the link to connect cultural inheritance and natural restoration. We need to find a way to coexist with nature and create something beyond - the new relationship for “economy, nature, and culture.”

The salt pans in Cabo de gata of Andalucia, Spain is not just a potential habitat for the migrating birds, especially for flamingos, but also for the cultural heritage of the traditional craft of salt production. Unfortunately, it is the only salt pan still under operation in the region today. Actually, in recent years, the local salt pans have declined because the local traditional salt production has been replaced by industrially produced salt(chemical mined salt) from other countries. While the salt pans are gradually abandoned, the habitat lost, too.

It is important for us to think about ecosystem transformation and cultural protection at this point. Could the traditional salt industry still have value today? What is the potential for the future? The unique thing about the site is that the salt pan is facing to the sea and right beside the volcano, which creates a shift in scale from the deep topo to a vast flatness. It extracts the water from the sea to create the color palette, which is different from the natural salt pan.

This book brings an idea to guide the salt pan for future development from aesthetic, ecological and experiencial viewpoint. The first chapter will talk about the importance of the salt pan, how it works and how the craft of salt production relates to habitat.

The issue will lead us to think about how could we preserve this special landscape by keeping its natural function and cultural value but also by creating “a unique and valuable experience for visitors”. That could be the reason for it should exist even when the salt production has less economic value for this area in the future.

The design proposal for the “narrative experience”- an experience of knowledge and engagement, and experience about the interaction between the natural process and artificial production.

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