Zoos of commons. Speculative approach on active citizens participations within zoos.
Zoologicals are full of contradictions. They bring the animal kingdom within cities in confined and detached surroundings. Instead of nurturing an understanding of the entangled nature of ecosystems consisting of our beautiful and alive earth, it often abstracts with a reductionist and scientific lense its inhabitants, presenting animals and organisms as detached entities, misleading understanding of our ecosystems and reinforcing paradigms that have led us to the climate crisis we are deeply entrenched in nowadays.
But zoos could be way more. They could close the gap between urban environments and their ancestral ecosystem. They could embody smaller-scale models of care and protection.
I explored how zoos could connected more meaningfully with their surrounding urban landscapes for BIAZA, the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquarium.
Through the use of the Vision In Product Design methodology, a thorough research of the current and future state was done, from which a speculative design of a participatory zoo was done. This zoo consisted of a space protecting local fauna, and inviting their urban surroundings to participate in the caretaking of this fauna through activities such as gardening.
Reflection
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This project was part of an academic assignment. Its further execution and development is under consideration and will be explored. Please feel free to reach our directly if you would like to be involved in this initiative.
Results
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The proposal consists of keeping the space dedicated to zoos within cities specifically dedicated to the care of local and indigenous species which need direct care or must be protected from complete extinction. Participation in the local zoo would be enhanced by inviting citizens from the city to participate in different care activities, for instance:
Gardening of the local species
By-waste from this small-scale agricultural structure would be composted and the heat generated would cover a small amount of the energy required by the facility. Heat is a by-product of composting, produced as a result of microbial breakdown of the organic material in the compost pile. The resulting harvest from the garden would be used to feed the inhabitants of the zoo.
Structured guerrilla planting
Distribution of local seeds and plants, allowing citizens to plant them where they would consider it the most relevant. By ensuring the mindful distribution of non-invasive and local plants, zoos can expand their source of action by increasing the presence of relevant nature throughout the city.
Methodology
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The Vision in Product Design (VIP) methodology was used for this project. ‘ViP is a context-driven and interaction-centered approach that offers you a way to come up with products that give people meaning or value´.
