ARCH-4980.1 | Ted Ngai, Lecturer

EXPLORING NATURE’S RESILIENCE

RACHEL EMPENSANDO

Through biomaterial experimentation one begins to realize the capabilities of a material system to alter and sustain an ecosystem. The material composition can allow for maintenance of an environment, introduction of new species, and the integration of several bionetworks. Pripyat, Ukraine is a location in which nature, through its own resilience is carrying out the abilities and performances of these biomaterials.

This site originated as marshlands along the Pripyat River. As humans began to take over, elements and organisms within the natural environment were eliminated and driven away. Marshlands were converted into farmlands by Stalin to remove undesirable inhabitants from the area further morphing the natural biosphere. In 1970, Pripyat was founded to house the workers of the Chernobyl Nuclear Plant. The introduction of a larger human population and chemical debris continued the environmental alteration.

In 1989, a reactor explosion at Chernobyl caused radioactive material to spread throughout the site creating a nuclear fallout zone. As humans were driven out of the fallout zone, nature began to thrive and survive in this area. Although there is a large presence of radioactive material, animals are able live and survive within this area because the human footprint was virtually erased. The Wormwood Forest, the forest adjacent to Chernobyl, turned red due to radioactive exposure, but has now returned to its state as a lush green forest. Beavers have returned to Pripyat, restoring the sites original state as a marshland. Animals and wildlife are living in and taking over the built environment that was left behind.

Nature’s resilience in the absence of humans makes Pripyat, Ukraine a place where people can begin to learn from nature. This system of pathways placed within the site allow for an eye-opening historical and ecological exploration of Pripyat, Ukraine. The tunneling system allows for a minimally intrusive reintroduction of large human populations onto the site. Through the use of algal technology, overlapping biospheres will allow for cohabitation between humans and a variety of organisms once again. People will no longer see Pripyat as a radioactive ghost town, but as success of nature’s resilience.