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Research, to me, was initially a vague concept. I thought of it as a rigorous, linear process, like following a fixed path to reach a definitive answer. But as I engaged with it more, I realized research isn’t like that. Research isn’t just about finding answers; it’s about asking questions. It’s not just about confirming what’s known but exploring what’s unknown.

At its core, research is driven by curiosity and critical thinking. It requires us to step outside established frameworks, to uncover overlooked connections, and to challenge accepted truths. Research is a dialogue—with texts, with data, with oneself, and with others.

My creative practice, whether it’s writing or design, is an extension of this spirit of research. The process of creation is itself a form of research—it demands observation, analysis, experimentation, and finding new ways of expression through trial and error. Each piece of work is my response to a question, my interpretation and reimagining of the world. In this way, research becomes less of a cold academic exercise and more of a vibrant practice, deeply intertwined with creation, each nourishing the other.

I’ve come to understand that research and creation are not opposites but two sides of the same coin. Together, they shape how I explore the world and define my relationship with knowledge. Moving forward, I hope to integrate these two more deeply, letting research become the foundation of creation and creation the expression of research. This, perhaps, is my truest understanding of “research”—it’s not just about discovery but also about creation; not just about answers but about the questions themselves.

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1. Connections Between Your Introduction & Creative Work

Mine project focuses on reconnecting people with nature through spatial design, which ties into your broader interests in ecological restoration, accessibility, and urban well-being.

The daylighting of Waitangi Stream symbolizes a larger theme of revealing hidden systems—both natural and social.

Mine emphasis on inclusivity (ramps, wooden walkways, stepping stones) reflects a concern for equitable access to public space.

2. Research Methods That Informed the Work

Site Analysis: Understanding the history, geology, and ecology of the Waitangi Stream and its surroundings.

Case Studies: Looking at successful daylighting projects (e.g., Cheonggyecheon Stream in Seoul) and how they influenced urban wellbeing.

Community Engagement: Considering how local people might interact with and benefit from the space.

Material Studies: Researching local, sustainable materials like Totara wood for durability in wet environments.

3. Group Suggestions for a Revised Video

Content Suggestions:

Clarify your personal connection to the project—why is this important to you?

Highlight how your design choices impact different communities.

Show more about the process, including sketches, models, or references.

Technical Tips:

Improve audio clarity—ensure voiceovers are clear and background noise is minimal.

Use visual layering—overlay sketches, maps, and process images with your narration.

Keep pacing engaging—make sure the video is structured logically and concisely.

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1. context

2. Urban design

3. Public space

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https://research.ebsco.com/c/4egzpd/search/details/6awkrspajz/details?q=Gehl%2C+Jan.+Cities+for+People.+Island+Press%2C+2010.

Book: Gehl, Jan. Cities for People. Island Press, 2010.
Chapter: "Lively, Safe, Sustainable, and Healthy Cities"

Summary: This chapter explores how urban design shapes human behavior, arguing that cities should prioritize livability, accessibility, and ecological sustainability. Gehl emphasizes the need for people-centered design that fosters inclusivity and engagement.

Relevance: Aligns with mine project’s goals of designing an inclusive and ecologically sustainable public space by daylighting Waitangi Stream and making it accessible through ramps, wooden walkways, and stepping stones.

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https://research.ebsco.com/c/4egzpd/search/details/x226tpffr5?q=Lynch%2C%20Kevin.%20%281960%29.%20The%20Image%20of%20the%20City.

Lynch, Kevin. (1960). The Image of the City.

Chapter: "The Legibility of the City"

Summary:
Lynch explores how people perceive and navigate urban environments through key elements like paths, edges, districts, nodes, and landmarks. He argues that urban design should create clear, engaging spaces that foster a strong sense of place and identity.

Relevance:
This helps in structuring the eco-park’s layout—ensuring that the stream, wooden walkways, and stepping stones form a recognizable and engaging urban landscape.

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https://www.researchgate.net/publication/327151488_Principles_for_public_space_design_planning_to_do_better

Carmona, M. (2019). Principles for public space design. Journal of Urban Design, 24(1), 1-34.

Summary:
This article outlines key principles for successful public spaces, including accessibility, comfort, sociability, and ecological integration. Carmona emphasizes multi-functional, adaptable spaces that serve diverse communities and respond to environmental needs.

Relevance:
Supports the eco-park’s inclusive design, highlighting how smooth ramps, wooden walkways, and stepping stones enhance accessibility and user experience.

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https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0169204603001865

Chiesura, A. (2004). The role of urban parks for sustainable city life. Landscape and Urban Planning, 68(1), 129-138.

Summary:
This study examines urban parks as essential spaces for ecological balance and mental wellbeing. It discusses the role of nature in cities, emphasizing how green spaces reduce stress, foster social cohesion, and enhance urban resilience.

Relevance:
This reinforces the eco-park’s focus on nature-based solutions, daylighting Waitangi Stream, and promoting wellbeing for both humans and ecosystems.

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https://louisapenfold.com/noguchi-playscapes/

Isamu Noguchi’s Urban Playgrounds

Summary:
Noguchi designed playful, sculptural urban spaces that encouraged interaction between people and nature. His parks integrate fluid, organic forms that invite exploration.

Relevance:
This connects to the eco-park’s emphasis on sensory experience, where people can move through different textures like wooden walkways, stepping stones, and water edges.

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Cheonggyecheon Stream Restoration, Seoul, South Korea

Summary:
This project revived a buried urban river, transforming it into a public space with walking paths, stepping stones, and ecological habitats. It improved urban biodiversity, cooled the city, and boosted community engagement.

Relevance:
Provides a direct precedent for daylighting Waitangi Stream, showing the ecological and social benefits of restoring water in urban environments.

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Before

After

Provides flood protection for up to a 200-year flood event and can sustain a flow rate of 118mm/hr.

Increased overall biodiversity by 639% between the pre-restoration work in 2003 and the end of 2008 with the number of plant species increasing from 62 to 308, fish species from 4 to 25, bird species from 6 to 36, aquatic invertebrate species from 5 to 53, insect species from 15 to 192, mammals from 2 to 4, and amphibians from 4 to 8.

Reduces the urban heat island effect with temperatures along the stream 3.3° to 5.9°C cooler than on a parallel road 4-7 blocks away. This results from the removal of the paved expressway, the cooling effect of the stream, increased vegetation, reduction in auto trips, and a 2.2-7.8% increase in wind speeds moving through the corridor.

Reduced small-particle air pollution by 35% from 74 to 48 micrograms per cubic meter. Before the restoration, residents of the area were more than twice as likely to suffer from respiratory disease as those in other parts of the city.

Contributed to 15.1% increase in bus ridership and 3.3% in subway ridership in Seoul between 2003 and the end of 2008.

Attracts an average of 64,000 visitors daily. Of those, 1,408 are foreign tourists who contribute up to 2.1 billion won ($1.9 million USD) in visitor spending to the Seoul economy.

View/Download a PDF showing how the landscape performance benefits were derived.
Download Methods

Increased the price of land by 30-50% for properties within 50 meters of the restoration project. This is double the rate of property increases in other areas of Seoul.

Increased number of businesses by 3.5% in Cheonggyecheon area during 2002-2003, which was double the rate of business growth in downtown Seoul; increased the number of working people in the Cheonggyecheon area by 0.8%, versus a decrease in downtown Seoul of 2.6%.

The City of Seoul is in the process of an important paradigm shift, changing from an autocentric development-oriented urban landscape to one that values the quality of life of its people and the importance of functioning ecosystems. By demolishing an elevated freeway and uncovering a section of the historic Cheonggyecheon Stream, the Cheonggyecheon Restoration Project created both ecological and recreational opportunities along a 3.6-mile corridor in the center of Seoul. The project has proven catalytic, spurring economic growth and development in an area of Seoul that had languished over the last several decades.

Challenge

The aging elevated freeway and concrete deck covering the Cheonggyecheon stream posed safety risks and needed to be repaired or removed. The government wanted to improve connectivity between the city's north and south sides, which the freeway divided. Transportation experts were concerned that removing the elevated highway would increase traffic congestion and chaos in the northern end of the city since it carried 169,000 vehicles per day. The idea of removing the freeway also met initial opposition from many local business owners. The proposed stream restoration also presented challenges. Water is not naturally present in the Cheonggyecheon for most of the year except during the summer rainy season, making it difficult to create a consistent urban amenity.

Solution

The Seoul Metropolitan Government chose to dismantle the elevated freeway and concrete deck covering the stream. To improve north-south linkages, 22 bridges - 12 pedestrian bridges and 10 for automobiles and pedestrians - were proposed to connect the two sides of the Cheonggyecheon. To reduce traffic congestion, car use was discouraged in the city center, rapid bus lines were added, and improved loading and unloading systems were implemented. To address business owners' concerns, the Seoul Metropolitan Government held over 4,200 meetings to build consensus. Economic support was given to businesses and special agreements were made with vendors who had to move due to project construction. To address the variable flow of the Cheonggyecheon, water from the Han River and several subway pump stations is treated and pumped to create a consistent flow with an average depth of 40 centimeters in the Cheonggyecheon.

The restoration created a 3.6-mile continuous east-west green corridor for pedestrians, bicyclists, and wildlife.

Connectivity within the greater transportation network was improved by adding 22 bridges (12 pedestrian, 10 for automobiles and pedestrians), connections with 5 nearby subway lines, and 18 bus lines serving the neighborhood.

The restoration reestablished connections between waterways. The Cheonggyecheon eventually runs into Jungraechon stream, which leads out into the Han River. The wetlands at their meeting point are designated as an ecological conservation area.

Because water is only naturally present in the Cheonggyecheon during the summer rainy season, 120,000 tons of water from the Han River and several subway pump stations is is pumped and treated to create a consistent flow with an average depth of 40 centimeters in Cheonggyecheon.

Native willow swamps, shallows and marshes were constructed in 29 different locations along the restoration, creating habitat for fish, amphibians, insects, and birds.

A fish spawning ground was created where the Cheonggyecheon and Jungnangcheon meet.

Terraced vertical walls give visitors access as water levels change, create seasonal interest as levels submerge and re-emerge, and provide flood protection for the city.

Natural stones bridge the two banks, creating walkways for adventurous pedestrians and to helping regulate water speeds and levels and various points along the stream.

Construction materials were salvaged and re-used from the concrete deck structure and elevated highway demolition. All of the scrap iron and 95% of waste concrete and asphalt was reused.

Had the Cheonggyecheon Expressway remained, it would have required 100 billion won ($90 million USD) and 3 years of repairs to secure the safety of the aging structure. While these costs would be approximately 289 billion won ($260 million USD) less than the cost of the Cheonggyecheon Stream Restoration, the restoration has served as a catalyst for an estimated 22 trillion won ($1.98 billion USD) worth of capital investment in Cheonggyecheon-area redevelopment that would not have otherwise been invested.

Design solutions must consider the needs of all users from the initial planning and design phase. With the Cheonggyecheon restoration, the needs of certain user groups, including those with visual impairments and mobility challenges, were overlooked. After complaints culminated in a protest march, elevators were installed at seven locations, and free wheelchairs were provided for users with mobility problems. Because these design interventions were added later, they were more costly and are not fully integrated accessibility solutions.

A Seoul Development Institute study included the following suggestions for how the restoration could improve its ecological performance: replace granite with vegetated low-flow revetment to increase habitat area, install spur dyke to deepen water and decrease velocity to improve fish habitat in certain areas, conserve variation in river bottom to support invertebrates, create alternate detour channels for fish to encourage migration, and create vegetated filter strips to reduce contaminants entering the stream from motorway runoff.

Project Team

Client: Seoul Metropolitan Government
Main Designers: Cheongsuk Engineering (Section 1) Saman Engineering (Section 2) Dongmyung Engineering (Section 3)
Landscape Architect: SeoAhn Total Landscape
Main Contractors: Daelim (Section 1) LG Construction (Section 2) Hyundai Construction (Section 3)
Independent Check Engineers: Suhyoung Engineering (Section 1) Cheil Engineering (Section 2) Cheongsuk Engineering (Section 3)

Role of the Landscape Architect

After the civil engineers oversaw the first phase of the project, the landscape architects and designers directly oversaw the second and third stages of the construction in an attempt to create a more seamless environment. This is atypical for Korean construction projects, with the landscape architects managing three different landscape design groups, the civil engineering team, the bridge design team, and the lighting design team.

Additional Images References and Resources
Case Study Prepared By

Research Fellow: Alexander Robinson, Assistant Professor, University of Southern California
Research Assistant: H. Myvonwynn Hopton, MLA Candidate, University of Southern California
August 2011

To cite:

Robinson, Alexander, and Myvonwynn Hopton. "Cheonggyecheon Stream Restoration Project." Landscape Performance Series. Landscape Architecture Foundation, 2011. https://doi.org/10.31353/cs0140

The LPS Case Study Briefs are produced by the Landscape Architecture Foundation (LAF), working in conjunction with designers and/or academic research teams to assess performance and document each project. LAF has no involvement in the design, construction, operation, or maintenance of the projects. See the Project Team tab for details. If you have questions or comments on the case study itself, contact us at email hidden; JavaScript is required.

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The City of Seoul is in the process of an important paradigm shift, changing from an autocentric development-oriented urban landscape to one that values the quality of life of its people and the importance of functioning ecosystems. By demolishing an elevated freeway and uncovering a section of the historic Cheonggyecheon Stream, the Cheonggyecheon Restoration Project created both ecological and recreational opportunities along a 3.6-mile corridor in the center of Seoul.

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Processes of Discovery and Inquiry

My process began with site analysis—examining Waitangi Stream’s history, urban conditions, and existing ecological challenges.

I researched nature-based solutions, urban waterways, and accessibility in public spaces to inform the park’s design.

Sourcing and Analyzing Other Materials

I studied case studies like Cheonggyecheon Stream Restoration and Jan Gehl’s urban design principles to understand how water can shape public space.

I analyzed local policies and planning guidelines to align the project with Wellington’s urban and environmental strategies.

Understanding Place and History

I explored Waitangi Stream’s colonial history and its impact on local ecology, using historical maps and community insights.

I researched Māori perspectives on water as a living entity and its cultural significance.

Referencing Policies, Guidelines, or Specifications

I reviewed Wellington’s climate resilience plans and accessibility standards to ensure inclusivity in design.

I looked into stormwater management regulations and the feasibility of daylighting the stream.

Seeking Expert Advice

I consulted with landscape architects, urban planners, and ecologists for insights on material choices and biodiversity impact.

I engaged with the local community to understand their needs and aspirations for public space.

Testing and Experimentation

I created physical models and digital mock-ups to test spatial relationships, pathways, and accessibility.

I experimented with stepping stone arrangements, wooden walkway structures, and soil stabilization methods on sloped areas.

Feedback and Evaluation

I received peer and tutor critiques, which helped refine the park’s layout and accessibility features.

Community feedback emphasized the importance of seating, shade, and interactive water features, leading to design adjustments.

Digesting and Acting on Feedback

I modified the stepping stone placement to enhance safety and accessibility.

I adjusted the wooden walkway structure based on material recommendations for durability near water.

Finalizing the Work’s Form

The design took shape after testing material feasibility, circulation flow, and ecological impact.

The final form evolved into a layered landscape with walkways, seating, biodiversity zones, and interactive water crossings.

Significant Changes and Why

Initially, I planned a linear park, but after studying ecological water flow, I adopted a more organic, meandering stream design.

The original stepping stones evolved into a hybrid crossing system after feedback on accessibility concerns.

Hindsight: What Would I Do Differently?

Begin community consultation earlier to integrate their insights from the start.

Conduct material durability tests in real conditions to refine walkway structures.

Explore more immersive elements, like sensor-based water features or interactive lighting.

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Bolt, Barbara. ‘The Magic Is in the Handling’. Practice as Research: Approaches to Creative Arts Enquiry, I. B. Tauris, 2007, pp. 27–34.

In The Magic Is in the Handling, Bolt explores the importance of practice in research, particularly in the field of creative arts. She believes that the process of creating art itself has research value, not just the final product. Bolt emphasizes how the process of "handling" materials and technologies can generate new knowledge and understanding. She believes that through practical operation and experiment, artists can discover new possibilities in the creative process, and this practice is itself a form of research.

Bolt's views provide important theoretical support for the practice-oriented approach to Research (PaR), especially in the fields of art and design. Her work helps scholars and artists recognize that the creative process is not only an artistic expression, but also a means of knowledge generation

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Milton, Alex, and Paul Rodgers. Research Methods for Product Design, 2013

Research Methods for Product Design is a book about product design research methods, which aims to provide product designers with a systematic methodology to help them enhance the design process and innovation through research. The book covers a variety of research methods and tools, including user research, market analysis, design thinking, prototyping, and testing. Milton and Rodgers emphasized the importance of research in product design, arguing that through systematic research, designers can better understand user needs, market trends, and technical possibilities to create more innovative and practical products.

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Research, to me, was initially a vague concept. I thought of it as a rigorous, linear process, like following a fixed path to reach a definitive answer. But as I engaged with it more, I realized research isn’t like that. Research isn’t just about finding answers; it’s about asking questions. It’s not just about confirming what’s known but exploring what’s unknown.

At its core, research is driven by curiosity and critical thinking. It requires us to step outside established frameworks, to uncover overlooked connections, and to challenge accepted truths. Research is a dialogue—with texts, with data, with oneself, and with others.

My creative practice, whether it’s writing or design, is an extension of this spirit of research. The process of creation is itself a form of research—it demands observation, analysis, experimentation, and finding new ways of expression through trial and error. Each piece of work is my response to a question, my interpretation and reimagining of the world. In this way, research becomes less of a cold academic exercise and more of a vibrant practice, deeply intertwined with creation, each nourishing the other.

I’ve come to understand that research and creation are not opposites but two sides of the same coin. Together, they shape how I explore the world and define my relationship with knowledge. Moving forward, I hope to integrate these two more deeply, letting research become the foundation of creation and creation the expression of research. This, perhaps, is my truest understanding of “research”—it’s not just about discovery but also about creation; not just about answers but about the questions themselves.