Lucia Caves from Lincoln University has been awarded the 2022 NZILA Vectorworks Landmark Student Scholarship.

Lucia is a master’s student at Lincoln University undertaking a thesis on behalf of the Cancer Society of New Zealand looking at the analysis of shade UV protection in the places where community happens i.e our parks. She aims to complete this study by March 2023.

Q: Why investigate shade provision in parks?
Overexposure to solar ultraviolet radiation leads to significant adverse health effects globally, the most dangerous being skin cancer. With climate change the number of people effected is expected to increase substantially, with one study predicting a 11% increase with a 2°C increase in ambient temperature by 2050.

Wearing hats and applying sunscreen can reduce the incidence of cancer but supplemental measures are also needed, particularly the provision of shade through landscape design. Such measures are particularly important in city parks where many people recreate. There is concern that shade may be particularly lacking within parks found in low-income neighbourhoods and those with racial/ethnic majorities. Studies show these communities often face inadequate access to and quality of recreation opportunities within parks compared to wealthier communities and those with racial/ethnic majorities. However, less is known about whether there is a difference in shade provision between these two types of neighbourhoods.

Using Christchurch, New Zealand, as a case study, the research involves conducting shade audits within parks to answer these questions:

• To what extent are people protected from direct UVR exposure within parks?
• And do parks located in low-income neighbourhoods and those with racial/ethnic minorities provide less protection from direct UVR exposure than parks located in higher income neighbourhoods and those with racial/ethnic majorities?

Lucia's interest in designing for UVR protection comes from her grounding interest in amenity horticulture, and the importance of greenspace for creating temperate relief. It is her strong belief that this will become more critical as we quickly come to face the consequences of sprawling development and climate change.

Q: How did you feel when you heard you had won the scholarship?

LC: Well, I was pretty surprised if I'm honest! When I applied I never really expected to be shortlisted, let alone receive the scholarship. 

Q: How do you see winning the Vectorworks Scholarship will helping your research?

LC: I saw the scholarship as a unique opportunity to get the word out about my research topic. My topic has been assisted by the Cancer Society, who are looking at primary prevention methods for skin cancer, some of which concern public open spaces. This research will help highlight the disparity (and need for) more shade provision in parks. I thought this scholarship would be a great way to help get the word out to LA's and increase awareness of the importance of considering UV protection in parks through design, or even through the placement of vegetation and shade structures in existing open spaces. Having said that, the Vectorworks license is also helping with some of the drafting work required for the development of my research, so there was a practical reason for the application as well.

Q: What advise would you give students who are interested in applying for next years Scholarship?

Don't hesitate and just apply, the process is very straightforward and does not take much time to complete. I would recommend putting some thought into how your research will benefit the LA community and after that you should be away!