Habitats in harmony: nurturing biodiversity in Sudbury, Ontario, through wetland restoration and community education

Abstract

Human land practices continue to pose existential threats across global ecosystems. As a result, designers must learn to redefine the methodologies of the human-built environment, prioritizing human well-being with ecological productivity. This Thesis delves into strategies for biodiversity enhancement and ecological recovery through architecture, drawing from diverse research methodologies in relation to wetland ecosystems in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. By proposing a mixed-use research and community center in Robinson Marsh, this Thesis aims to demonstrate how ecologically sensitive architecture can be integrated within wetland environments, thus nurturing biodiversity and improving the community’s relationship with its natural ecology. Through Nature-based Solutions such as circular urban farming, wetland restoration, and ecologically-productive urban green spaces, this Thesis strives to accomplish multispecies coexistence, harmonizing the human community as part of its surrounding ecosystem.