shaylaikitule

[shaylaikitule]

Final Reflection

Through my investigation, I have learned that many issues pollution is not only just caused by humans, As I discussed briefly in my second investigation, the wind played a huge part in pollution as it has the ability to blow rubbish out of rubbish bins, meaning more pollution around places, However, the main issue about this investigation was the situation with the Rubbish bins, either being to small to fit the amount of rubbish, not emptied regularly, or not enough bins around the place.

If I were to continue on with this investigation, or to do it again, I would avidly continue to contact people with higher authority that can do something about the pollution. I may even contact the rubbish disposal company and interview them about how and when the bins are emptied, and to get their personal opinions on whether or not their needs to be upgrades in the Rubbish department eg. More bins, bigger bins etc.

If I were to start over, I would chose a different topic, as I felt as though this one was quite difficult to find a solution, as well as very time consuming and producing little outcomes. I believe a different topic with a more clear understanding and more entertaining there would be a different outcome.

[shaylaikitule]

WEEK TEN

Second Investigation 

I had initially aimed to investigate the rubbish and pollution around Newtown, looking into the ways in which the pollution can be fixed. For my second investigation I will be investigating how the pollution in Wellington, specifically Newtown, is made.

Overview I am interested in Investigating how the pollution in Newtown and surrounding suburbs got there. 

Key resources (Background information) An important piece of information I have found is from the “Environmental protection team” website. This website details the way in which pollution is taken care of, through their 24 hour days, 7 days a week environmental hotline, in which when a member of public site pollution around the city, they call the number and the team come and fix the issue.

Another way I conducted my investigation was by doing my own personal investigations. I walked around Newtown, examining the litter and found some harrowing knowledge about how pollution is caused. Every day for a week 01/05/2018-05/05/2018 I wondered around the streets taking notes on how pollution is spread.

I also emailed the Council asking questions based upon my findings I had encountered when walking around Newtown.

Investigation Through investigation I found that Rubbish Bins played a major role in the pollution of Newtown. The many bins around the suburb, on a daily basis, based of my findings are often over flowing, with only be emptied and changed a couple of times a day. Through the overflowing of the bins, the rubbish spills out onto the street, and blown around the entire suburb by the wind as they are not securely in a rubbish bin, or held down by something able to stop it. I have emailed the council the following questions regarding the Rubbish bins within Wellington City and received the following information. 

Questionnaire:  

1. How many rubbish bins are available to the public in wellington city?

We have 1497 bins in wellington.

2. Do you believe we have enough rubbish bins in wellington for public use?

Yes at the moment we do, this is something we monitor and change through new Urban design projects and requests from our contractor and public.

3. From observation a lot of time rubbish bins are packed and overflowing do you believe we need larger rubbish bins within Wellington or is there a reason for the bins sizes?

There is always going to be cases where one group will place a large amount of litter in a bin. If this occurs a number of times we do look at changing the size of the bin, or to increase the frequency that the bins are emptied  

4. When are the public rubbish disposed of, how regularly are they done and whose responsibility is it to dispose of them?

There is a huge variation on frequencies in when a bin is emptied such as time of year, e.g. coastal bins in summer, in the CBD several times a day,  outer suburbs daily to two daily depending on where the bin is placed.

Our contractors must dispose of the litter in approved landfills.

5. Do believe the public rubbish bins are a concern to the cities environment and pollution, if so what is being done around this issue?

Rubbish bins enhance the Cities environment by collection of litter so reduces pollution.

6. What is the cost for one rubbish bin to be displayed in Wellington City and does the cost effect amount of rubbish bins being displayed around the city?

$1200 to $2400 depending on type of bin.

7. Is there any restrictions around public rubbish bins e.g. a limit of rubbish bin in each suburb or distant between bins?

No, rubbish bins are placed on a need basis, shop fronts is a driving factor when making these decisions and history of the area.

Second Investigation Reflection

These questions are the main questions I have asked as through my findings I have found that the bins and the wind have affected the pollution, and as wind cannot really be stopped, then the Bins is the next factor that needs to be changed.

From my investigation, I have found that the Wellington City Council have seen the rubbish as a concern by improving their system with the new smart recycling bins, however I believe we could improve this even more with installing more than 50 sets of bins as Wellington is a large City and would require more than to achieving a tidy environment. It appears the Council agree with the amount of rubbish bins installed and the sizes, however from observations rubbish bins are left overflowing on daily, specially around Newtown.This may be because the area has little bins, are being noticed or because the area not as respected compared to other suburbs around Wellington, either way I strongly believe there needs to be more monitoring around this area. A possible solution would be to place bins in more unlikely areas that would need attention, instead of using the method of need basis. 

As I have not received an answer from DOCS, I am highly disappointed as the pollution issue holds high moral grounds within me, and these affect my core values and ethics personally, as I feel very attached to the issue of pollution and I do everything I can to ensure that I do not litter so that my surroundings and other can be a cleaner, more safer and healthier place to live in.

[shaylaikitule]

WEEK NINE

First investigation

I will be investigating the trash around one of Wellington’s busiest suburbs, Newtown.

During my investigation I will be interviewing several people whom often visit the suburb of Newtown, and asking them questions relating to my investigation. The reason as to why I want to investigate the rubbish because it is apart of my ethics an values, as I highly value a clean and tidy environment, with little to no pollution as possible. I chosen Newtown to observe because out of the times I’ve visited Newtown I’ve found the area to be untidy from rubbish flying around and ofter has a bitter lingering smell to it. 

I have taken multiple observations of the area, as well as interviews through emails to various members that work in that industry such as the council and DOCS, as well as members of the public while there, in hopes to find supportive information to my investigation. 

Interview one - Thomson


Shayla: “ How many times a week do you visit Newtown?” Thomson: “ Umm at least 3-4 times a week”

Shayla: “ What are your thoughts on the cleanliness of the main streets of Newtown” Thomson: “ I don’t see it as a big problem as I cannot really see much litter, but I assume that it can get worse on more busier days and times”

Shayla: “I feel very strongly about pollution and I often see a lot of trash and littering around the street, What is one way you believe this can be changed for the better” Thomson: “ If someone litters then give them a fine haha I don’t know”

Interview two - Alanah

Shayla: “As a member of public that lives in Newtown, do you think their is quite a lot of litter around the main areas of the suburb?” Alanah: “Yeah it does get quite dirty especially on weekends”

Shayla: “How do you propose we fix this issue to ensure Newtown stays a safe and clean environment?” Alanah: “I’m not sure, I guess we could go to the council or parliament and see what they think”

Interview three - Charlotte

Shayla: “Do you think the pollution in Newtown should be a high concern for the council” Charlotte: “I think there a lot of concerns at the moment the council is dealing with but definitely the pollution not just in Newtown but in Wellington as a whole should be a concern”

Shayla: “So how do you plan we make sure something can be done about the litter” Charlotte: “There are usually meetings and protests that are being held to Clean up wellington so that may be an option”

First Investigation Reflection 

From my interviews with the public I can see that the following people believe Newtown is an untidy environment from the amount of litter being distributed. I think that comes from the lack of respect the public has for the suburb, as the area has small shops, bakeries, the supermarket, therefore the area isn’t considered a formal place, like Cuba Street for example. This supports the theory of “The broken widows” Which explains peoples tendency to destroy an environment if its already been destroyed or disrespected.  Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broken_windows_theory

From this research I strongly believe that the evidence conducted supports my theory of Newtown being an unclean environment for people to surround themselves around. I also can see that the rubbish bins within the area are another main cause to the situation, as I can’t control peoples decisions to litter but a solution could be to upgrade the rubbish bins e.g. colour scheme making them bright and noticeable to the public. Another possibility is to change the size of them, increasing the size will allow more trash and for the bins to last longer throughout the day. 

[shaylaikitule]

WEEK EIGHT

Background Research

Investigation: I will be investigating the main cause of Rubbish and Pollution in Wellington City. 

Overview I am interested in researching the rubbish bins in the city and to if these are an important factor to causing pollution within the city. I value a clean environment for myself and others to be sorrounded in, therefore my decision to carry out further research. 

BACKGROUND INFORMATION I have emailed the Wellington Council for some information regarding the rubbish bins within Wellington City, specifically around rubbish and the overflowing of the bins that are situated all around Wellington. In my email I asked many questions pondering the rubbish I have witnessed. The main topic of my argument was how often do the bins get unloaded as they always seem to be constantly overflowing with rubbish, which then unfortunately leaks out onto the street creating a pungent smell, as well as causing litter to be flying around all over the place.

The next place I searched for information was DOCs (Department of Conservation). I emailed a very similar email outlining the atrocity I have to see everyday of the overflowing bins and trash spread out all over Newtown.

Further research that I have found from the web is the City has started trialling smart recycling bins, in hopes of improving recycling and collection launched by Associate Environment Minister Eugenie Sage today. The launch of a four set recycling bin (one of ten sets) have been disturbed to Wellington and along with Tauranga, Rotorua, Marlborough and Queenstown Lakes, fifty sets of bins will be installed in the five regions. The design for the bins have been cleverly done in order to meet with expectations. These bins will stand out with bright colour-coded colours and feature “eye-fi” technology which lets operators know when they are getting full and need to be emptied. The positives are keeping the streets clean and also reducing servicing costs for operators.

Main Sorces: 

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1805/S00330/recycle-smart-with-bright-new-bins.htm 

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1805/S00547/wellington-city-launches-new-recycling-and-waste-technology.htm 

Outcomes From my research investigation I am hoping for the council to improve the system with the rubbish bin, as well as having litter sprayed all around the busy streets as this is not only a good look but very disastrous for the environment. I would also find out more information on how their system operates regards to the public rubbish bins and whether the rubbish is a concern to the council.  

[shaylaikitule]

WEEK SEVEN

Reflection and consolidation

Calypso: Kasey Jones, an Interdisciplinary artist, created a sculpture, modelled after Calypso which is a sea turtle that lives at the National Aquarium. Jones’ art focuses on the participatory aspect of art, in which it allows for the community to work together to build projects due to needs or issues such as environmental issues. Over 4000 recycled bags were used to create this project. The idea was to create a project that would engage people and bring them into a space to begin the conversation about the issues of plastics in the oceans, highlighting the environmental issue of pollution, as well as the effect these plastic bags have on animals living in the ocean, such as sea turtles. Kasey Jones connects world wide issues (such as pollution of plastic bags in the oceans) to a multitude of communities, ranging from students to adults in their older years, by allowing them to take part in the creation of her art, ensure they are aware of what is at stake. Jones is an avid environmentalist, clearly shown throughout a majority of her works, she has a clear understanding of what issues are relevant and how they will connect to the community. Calypso is a very popular attraction at the Aquarium, so by creating an emotive project, Jones is well and truly aware that the community will respond in a positive way.

Chinatown Art Brigade: The Chinatown art brigade, reflects the gentrification of many residents in Chinatown, highlighting the importance of equality. Betty Yu, Tomie Arai and ManSee Kong created this brigade in order to spread the word about how Chinese citizens living in Chinatown must fight for their rights and avoid gentrification. This project really related to the Chinese citizens of lower income levels as they were threatened to be evicted from their premises so that more affluent citizens could renovate their homes. In an interview, Co-founder Betty Yu states that she grew up watching her parents suffer and go through misery due to be treated less equally, and by doing so, she decided to fight against and gain major popularity in the community of Chinatown as the project really understood the importance of community involvement, in order for them to understand their rights and positions in the community. The brigade made sure tenants were aware of this by having projections on the walls of buildings all through China town, making a bold statement to get peoples attention. They  also got members involved by organising a show, and having members display they own art, which really shows a cohesive story and embodies resilience.   

Research: Reflection on what communities might see the artefact you will investigate in a different light than you. 

Rubbish or trash, is the artefact I have been researching. The difference in the way I view rubbish and others may view rubbish has a varying effect. I believe Rubbish is bad for the environment, especially the overflowing bins and litter we see all around the street. However, this may not necessarily consummate well with others. For example, the famous quote “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure”, deciphers the social and economic injustice between the two different types of people in the world. A homeless man may find a half eaten burger on the ground and that could be his one and only meal for the day, whereas I see a half eaten burger on the ground and automatically want to find a place for it to go such as the bin.

Partnership and knowing in the New Zealand context

1.) The first thing that surprised me when reading the article “Treaty of Waitangi” was the fact that during the settlement of the treaty, and especially afterwards, many Maori citizens had travelled overseas on diplomatic missions to European leaders, as well as integrating themselves with the pakeha on sailing and whaling trips. By 1840, it was estimated that over 1000 Maori had travelled overseas and returned to describe their experiences. This fact made me quite surprised as I was never aware of such an interesting idea.

2.) Another piece of information I found interesting was that early settlers followed the principles of Maori people, they also owed their survival to the care shown to them by the local Hapu (families). It is surprising that the early settlers were unable to survive on their own, considering they came from a far more advanced place (England).

[shaylaikitule]

WEEK SIX

The hidden life of public buildings

The gay community was not welcomed to the public and the police within 80′s which is the same time Lee grew up in. There were whole different attitudes and these weren’t accepting towards gays and lesbians. The LGBT community didn’t exist and therefore there was no support behind them and before the 80′s it wasn’t legal to have gay sex. Because gay sex was illegal cruising was kept on the down-low, which would be secretive and quiet practises. The 

Designs used and seen in different ways by different groups of people. Different meanings for different people. The toilets were considered the best place for cruising as it's a private place and is accessible to everyone. Although it was designed as a toilet the designer cant fully control how it is used. The cruisers use the designs in the cubicles to shape their own language within toilet and give the designs their own purpose. For example using the gap beneath the door to see if there are people coming in or out.