Hasta La Ideas

Over the next months we will be highlighting award-winning projects and ideas from this year’s Core77 Design Awards! For full details on the project, jury commenting and more information about the awards program, go to Core77DesignAwards.com

Designer: Emma Watson
Location: Wellington, New Zealand
Category: Graphics/Branding/Identity
Award: Student Notable

HI – the Hazard Initiative

New Zealand is prone to natural disasters, especially earthquakes. In times of civil crisis a neighbourly support network can make all the difference. The Hazard Initiative is a subsidiary of Civil Defence, providing ways to initiate the pooling of community resources and encouraging students to get to know their neighbors.

Through my original supporting research I found that out that inner-city Wellington had the least sense of community and the lowest belief in the importance of a community in society. The area is also densely populated due to a large urban population living in and around CBD, high-rise buildings and subdivided houses and properties. As a result there is a lack of transitional space (such as driveways and front lawns) where traditionally neighbourhood interaction took place and pride was displayed. A united community is also incredibly beneficial as people feel safer, crime, litter and graffiti is reduced and people are more respectful and proud of their neighbourhood. This issue of ‘lack of community feeling’ was particularly important to me as I had been living in Wellington City for four years as I attended University, and had personally experienced this ‘neighbourly isolation.’

Core77: What’s the latest news or development with your project?

I have approached Civil Defense in Wellington about whether they could integrate my project into their current strategy. At the moment they are reviewing my work.

What is one quick anecdote about your project?

I left a package (addressed to me) outside my neighbour’s front door. It was an experiment to see if they would return it to me, and how long it would take them. That night my neighbour knocked on my door and returned it to me. I tried to use it as an excuse to introduce myself but he wasn’t that keen to stick around to chat!

Read on for full details on the project and jury comments.

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