From Literatures of the illuminating spirits
to their Habitat Restoration
:In the case of Amphawa, Thailand

Advisors:
Edward Eigen (Harvard GSD)
Dr. Sara Lewis (Tufts University)

Irresistibly enchanting, landscapes of these swirling lights are embedded in all cultures that possess them. The research aims to read the landscapes of illuminating fireflies through cultural literature and interpret them to reimagine design interventions in modern habitat restoration.

This proposal will focus on the region of Amphawa, Thailand, where cultural appreciation of fireflies has existed throughout its long history but where recent over-tourism has exploited its habitat. With the landscape already possessing unique aesthetics value, the project aims to produce tools and management models that could advocate for the conservation of the landscape.

The research will first be approached from a poetic standpoint; I will attempt to understand the historic and contemporary bonds between Amphawa’s fireflies and the people’s culture, including their art, literature and traditions. Then, I will examine the present landscape management of the cases to learn of the ecological economic and social challenges and issues associated with the presence and co-existence of fireflies and the people of Amphawa .

The expected outcome includes communication. Starting from earlier arts, the project wishes to feature emerging artists in reinterpreting the visions of those cultural landscapes. The photography would be works of art and also tools in provoking awareness of habitat interruptions mostly throughout modern development. Collaborating with experts, Landscape Architecture design guidelines could be developed for specific landscapes of fireflies - to spread the knowledge of practices. Lastly, the project hopes to advocate for wild habitat restoration with well managed human intervention in sustaining the landscapes economically, ecologically, and culturally.