Synthetic undulation: improving the marine life quality on the Indonesian island of Seleyar

Beginning with a study on the properties and properties of plastic, this thesis examines perspectives and experiences of coastal communities forced to deal with overwhelming quantities of plastic pollution in their waters. With a focus on Indonesia, the second largest plastic polluter in the world, the study examines Selayar island’s vernacular ways of being and making as a possible way to understand and deal with the problems affecting their local marine health. Through different research methods, a complex set of factors are identified besides plastic pollution, including the decline in farming and practices that contribute to overfishing. Through design investigation, three types of aid operating at distinct timescales are proposed in triangulation – immediate, continuous, and long term. These strategies include dealing with plastic, integrating land and water-based practices, and proposing alternative material uses to plastic. The thesis suggests that without access to biodegradable, environmentally friendly products, and a more circular system to deal with plastic utilization and pollution, coastal communities and surrounding marine ecosystems will continue to be inundated in plastic waste