New Zealand's Living River City

This project details the futures of more than 100 cities and towns across the globe as they fight to overcome all the grave environmental challenges of the 21st century. As part of this process, we highlight the future of Whanganui, New Zealand

The Whanganui River, located in New Zealand, was granted legal personhood in 2017 through the Te Awa Tupua (Whanganui River Claims Settlement) Act. This groundbreaking legislation recognizes the river as an indivisible and living whole, possessing its own rights and responsibilities. The river is represented by two guardians, one appointed by the indigenous Māori community and the other by the government, ensuring that its interests are protected and managed according to both Māori cultural values and modern environmental principles.

The city of Whanganui can leverage its river's legal rights and mandate the integration of community-maintained 'Life Bridges' to transform and enable cross-river pedestrian transport.

By treating the river as a legal entity with the right to life, the city can also enforce stringent protections against pollution and overuse, fostering a sustainable relationship between human activity and natural ecosystems. Integrating living bridges, which incorporate vegetation and renewable energy sources, can further enhance this relationship. These structures can serve as ecological corridors, support biodiversity, and reduce carbon footprints by generating clean energy and improving urban air quality. By embedding these innovations within urban planning, Whanganui can create a resilient, sustainable urban environment that harmonizes with the natural world, setting a global example of ecofriendly urban development.