ABSTRACT
Understandings of humans as distinctly separate and dominant over nature are increasingly unhelpful as people try to find solutions to climate change and biodiversity loss. To improve humanity’s existence on earth people must understand the limitations of human-centric thinking, and become aware of complex ecosystems and people’s place in them. This chapter explores the implications of changing relationships between people, culture, and an ecological entity, Te Awa Tupua (Whanganui River), New Zealand (NZ). The research occurs through a series of design projects that provide examples of how design can occur in relationship with an ecological entity.
