REPORT 2

  

Beyond the millenium:

Outline for the IEES conference in Christchurch, NZ, November 2001
  By Andrew Dakers, Christchurch, NZ
Inspiring visit of IEES president
 During period 15th to 19th July, 1999, we were delighted to receive a visit of Johannes Heeb (President of IEES), who visited Christchurch. He offered a seminar at Lincoln University, a workshop in Christchurch and visited a number of individuals and organisations. Johannes and Andrew had an enjoyable (although rather wet) weekend on the Banks Peninsula sampling the local wine and staying at Hinewai Reserve , 1200 ha of rural estate managed for the protection and restoration of native vegetation and wildlife
Local Ecological Engineering group
 As a result of JohannesÕs visit a local Ecological Engineering group has been set up. Our immediate task is to do some early planning for the IEES Conference in Christchurch, to be held in late November, 2001 - details follow.
IEES Conference, Christchurch, New Zealand
 It was announced at the June Conference in Aas that the next IEES Conference is to be held in Christchurch, New Zealand in late November 2001. Following the visit of Johannes Heeb and a meeting of the Christchurch Ecological Engineering Group the following proposal is offered for comment from IEES members. Please send any comments to Andrew Dakers (email: dakersa@clear.net.nz or Facsimile: NZ 3 3327962).
 

Conference Theme: Developing and linking rural and urban communities
Conference Process
 It is proposed that the conference processes will be to adopt a major case study and to build into this case study a selection of related workshop focus groups. There will not be a large number of oral paper presentations but instead a selection of keynote speakers (particularly related to focus group topics). There will be a call for poster papers, all being eligible for selection for publication.
  The proposed conferencing process is therefore:
  • Selection of case study - possibly the sustainable development options for the Banks Peninsula region, Canterbury, New Zealand
  • To set up pre-conference focus groups activities using Internet, and hopefully also including senior student projects (Lincoln and Canterbury Univ.
  • Christchurch 4 day Conference, End of Nov. 2001
    • Keynote speakers
    • Poster papers - eligible for selection for publication
    • Conference workshop focus groups
  • Post conference tours
  • Preparation and publication of case study documentation
  • Selection of papers for publication
Possible Focus Group Topic
 (Assuming Banks Peninsula is chosen as the major case study)
  1. Options for landscape products and services for Banks Peninsula. Integration with regional social, cultural, ecological and economic criteria.
  2. The physical environment - development, land, and natural hazard issues for Banks Peninsula.
  3. Technological innovation for integrating town and village development with Banks Peninsula land systems and ecosystems.
  4. Integrating engineering services (e.g. water supply, sanitation) to meet sustainable regional development needs.
  5. Sustainable eco-tourism opportunities for Banks Peninsula.
  6. Social, cultural, ecological and economic linkages between Christchurch City and Banks Peninsula.
  7. ducation and research opportunities in Ecological Engineering - local, national and international.
  8. Transferring case study outcomes to other national and international regions and communities.
  9. Implication for future responsibilities and activities of the IEES
Poster Paper Themes
  1. Ecological engineering for water, waste and wastewater management
  2. Ecological engineering and transport systems
  3. Ecological Engineering education
  4. More to be decided
 

Conference Outcomes
  The Conference will aim to achieve a number of important outcomes for both Ecological Engineering in general and for the Canterbury community.

It is recognised that historically Ecological Engineering has been active in restoration ecology (wetlands), agro-ecology and natural wastewater systems. The aim of this conference will be acknowledge the value of these traditional activities at the same time encourage Ecological Engineering to broaden its base into equally appropriate areas. It is suggested that at this conference Ecological Engineering could consider progressing its activities in the following areas:

  • Integrated landscape production and services
  • Strengthening of indigenous peoples networking
  • Opportunities for IEES in ecological engineering education
Likely outcomes
 Likely outcomes for Canterbury:
  • A working document on the sustainable and integrated development opportunities for the Banks Peninsula
  • Technology transfer in ecological engineering
  • Establishment of national and international contacts, networks and joint projects in ecological engineering.
  • Development of educational and research opportunities in ecological engineering
  • Identification of common ground and stronger linkages between communities, cultures, industry, and the many professional and political disciplines and groups with a common commitment to sustainable ecological, social and economic development.
  • Inspiration for all - especially students and younger people.
Why Banks Peninsula?
  • It is an interesting region with ecological potential.
  • It has a wide range of terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
  • It is geologically interesting
  • It is close to a major city
  • Traditional farming is struggling economically and viable and sustainable economic activities need to be found
  • There are a number of smaller communities with waste and wastewater problems inhibiting their development.
  • Local Rununga (the local Maori community) are looking for opportunities to revitalise their communities.
  • There are some interesting innovative landscape and marine products presently being produced - eg grapes, cheese, salmon farming, paua pearl farming, herb farming
  • There are some interesting and innovative landscape and marine services presently provided - eg, walkways, conservation farming (Hinewai), sea kayaking, winery restaurants, dolphin, seals and penguin site seeing, historical buildings, heritage parks and museums, site seeing tours.