Water Elements in Biophilic Landscapes

ARCH10009 CONTEMPORARY PRACTICE WATER ELEMENTS IN BIOPHILIC LANDSCAPES WORD COUNT: 4390 (174+ 3563 + 652) LOK CHI AUDREY CHAN (S1433555) APRIL 2018

ABSTRACT In light of natural resource exhaustion and deteriorating environments, countries are seeking solutions to promote sustainable measures in urban environments, where implementing biophilic design resolve many problems. This essay examines the role of water in enhancing biophilic landscapes, where the concept of biophilia is explained. Two projects are evaluated according to the biophilic indicators, analyzing to what extent the project is biophilic and the role of water in the project to accentuate biophilic experiences. This essay shall provide an introductory insight to principles and benefits of biophilic designs, and the benefits of implementing water elements in a biophilic landscape.

Biophilic designs reconnects the separate duality of civilization and nature, reintroducing nature into the urban environments and lifestyle. Water is especially important in biophilic designs due to its therapeutic effects and versatility in spatial experience. Evaluation from two case studies show that water act as a recreational asset, therapeutic device, educational showcase, and water sensitive urban design. This essay reveals the interconnection between water, urban environment and population to nature, promoting biophilia in urban environments.

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INTRODUCTION - BIOPHILIA Landscape architects curate living environment that determines the living quality, pattern of movement and environmental circulation of the area; The traditional city development models have separated nature from human civilization, where people misperceive ‘nature is an environment that we don’t live in’ (Beatley and Wilson, 2011). Biophilic designs overcome such separate duality through integrating natural element and biodiversity into urban environments, reconnecting population to nature (Beatley and Wilson, 2011).

BIO PHILIC LIFE

FRIEND

Figure 1 - Breakdown of word Biophilic (Dictionary.com, 2018) & (Chandler, 2018)

Biophilic design incorporate natural elements into urban environments. Water, a dominant element in nature is often included in a biophilic landscape for its aesthetics and primal visual preference (Burn, 2018). This essay shall examine the role of Water elements in enhancing biophilic designs in landscape architecture projects. The essay explains and breaks down the concept of Biophilia into physical indicators.. Two projects shall be evaluated based on the indicators, deciding how biophilic the project is and examine the role of Water in enhancing such biophilic qualities.

Conservationist E.O.Wilson theorizes humans are evolved to learn and interact with other living systems (Beatley and Wilson, 2011), hence the term Biophilia. Biophilia describes the underlying emotional attachment of human beings to other living organisms in an environment, appreciating nature and continuously finding creative solutions where nature can take place in city (Beatley and Wilson, 2011). Water is an effective natural element as a therapeutic device, and aesthetic showcase aside from being a crucial element in multiple habitats. Being near to water show signs of heightened senses, reduced stress, tranquillity, lower heart rate and blood pressure (TEDx Talks, 2013). The visual stimulation also improves concentration and memory restoration (Nichols, W., 2015). Furthermore, Water Sensitive Urban Design can contribute to sustainable water supply for a given area.

The criteria below are set out to determine how biophilic the following case studies are(Terrapin Bright Green, 2017; Sustainabledevelopment.un.org, 2018): 1.

Improve social health and well-being

People living in heavily vegetated neighborhoods are found to have lower stress level and lower chance of obesity, improving social stigma. (Beatley and Wilson, 2011) 2.

Improve local education

To build up sense of stewardship in local citizens towards their living environments, one must acquire knowledge on environments and acknowledge nature as a part of the community, achieving a closer relationship with nature.

3.

Stimulate local economic growth

A biophilic landscape provides a better living environment through adding greenery. Properties with more physical and visual access to greenspaces are USD4000-34000 compared to similar homes with lack of access to greenspaces. (Beatley and Wilson, 2011).

4.

Safe living environment for local community

Safe access to point of interests within and outside the park should be provided especially during evening hours, with good surveilience. Designs should also balance between the risk presented with suitable safety measures (Terrapin Bright Green, 2017).

5.

Resilient infrastructure, inclusive and sustainable industrialization

Figure 2 - The High Line development attracted $4billion investment (Hall, 2018)

Besides traditional greening strategies, biophilic cities should also invest in research developments on innovating sustainable and nature restoration measures.

6.

Opportunity to interact with nature and connects with other natural systems

Biophilic cities restores the ecological integrity of their area, which requires a more holistic connection between habitats and public accessibility.

7.

Preserve and restore local environment

Biophilic landscapes invites wildlife to dwell in urban environments. It should be present with both introduced but appropriately restored habitats from local history with good maintenance.

(Beatley and Wilson, 2017)

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8.

Presence of water habitats and improve water quality

A healthy water habitat nourishes land and nurture local biodiversity. (NSW Environment and Heritage, 2018) A water feature must be maintained to maximize its benefits to the environment.

A sustainable water habitat should also filter and cleanse local water resources.

9.

Recharge on-site water resources

While water features provide alternative water supply, strategies on conserving and recharging used water resources should be adapted to ensure sustainable use of water resources.

10.

Combat Climate change

Biophilic landscapes improve quality of cityscapes. It reconnects human with local climate and provide thermal and airflow variability, making local climate enjoyable again. (Beatley and Wilson, 2017) 11. Biomorphism Mimicking natural living systems at all scales innovates sustainable and eco-friendly structures and landscapes. Materials used on site should also resemble local material palettes. (Terrapin Green, 2017)

Biomorphic design (Terrapin Green, 2017)

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BISHAN ANG-MO-KIO PARK, SINGAPORE

Figure 3 (Image by myself)

Singapore, the 2nd smallest country in Asia, is one of the most developed countries in South East Asia. Envisioned to become a ‘City in a garden’, the city advocates in creating a biophilic city. Bishan Ang-Mo-Kio Park is an award-winning project which showcases innovative solutions to improve urban drainage and outdoor lifestyle.

PROGRAMME As the flagship project of Active Beautiful Clean Water Programme (abbreviated as ABC Programme), it offers a pleasant near water experience through facilitating available water resources and incorporating it into the community’s daily life. The programme aims to transform Singapore’s waterbodies into a hybrid landform that provides social and communal environment, whilst recharging water resources.

The park has recreational facilities like running trails, open meadows, gardens and more. Water elements are applied to draw the community closer to nature. The park has a constructed floodplain, which is open to public to interact and reconnect with nature. (Dreiseitl.com, 2018)

Figure 4 - Park Map (Michalschein.com, 2018)

In the 1960s, a tributary to Kallang River was channelized to become a major stormwater discharge to alleviate flood risk. A segment of the channel was included in the development of Bishan Park in 1988. In 2012, it was redeveloped to transform the concrete canal into a picturesque river teeming with life and more functions. Under the context of ABC Water Programme, on-site features are water-themed in all types of form to accommodate multiple user groups.

(En.wikipedia.org, 2018) Figure 5 - Naturalised Floodplain (Image by Myself)

Figure 7 - Before and After Renovation, Bishan Ang Mo Kio Park (En.wikipedia.org, 2018)

Figure 6 - Public Recreational Space (Image by Myself)

Figure 8 - ABC Water Scheme (Active Beautiful Clean Water Design Guidelines, 2014)

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The 3.2km naturalized river floodplain serves as the major feature of the park. Converted from a 2.7km concrete conveyance channel, the new channel meanders in a floodplain constructed with soil bio-engineering techniques, which is a first in Singapore.

River banks are heavily vegetated with a combination of plants, natural materials such as rocks.

It softens the water edge and create multiple habitats. It accommodates discharge from a 1 in 10 years flood events at 30% of their capacity, which also detain and release water in a slower rate on a storm event. (Ng, 2017) At low water levels, the floodplain is accessible for playing along the river edge. During a storm event or high-water levels, announcement will be made to restrict visitors from accessing the river bank (Dreiseitl.com, 2018).

Cleansing Biotope is an artificial terrace that contains different cells and levels of terraces with multiple plant species. imitating wetland filtration principles, the plants target specific excess nutrients in the water. In addition, an ultraviolet treatment is applied to remove bacteria. The water is then used in water playground and ponds on-site (Dreiseitl.com, 2018)

Figure 9 - Non-renovated part of conveyance channel (Photo taken by myself)

A water themed playground is installed to provide informal learning opportunities for children.

Interactive elements are installed to let children experiment with water’s behavior (Little Day Out, 2018). Water used in the playground are filtered, potable water from Cleansing Biotope. (PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency, 2018).

Lotus garden provides a pond habitat for local species to dwell in, as well as creating a more passive encounter, point of interest for visitors (National Parks Board, 2018) .

Figure 10 - Renovated part of conveyance channel (Photo taken by myself)

Figure 12 - Cleansing Biotope Detail (Schaefer, 2014)

Figure 11 - Cleansing Biotope (Photo taken by Myself)

Figure 13 - Water Playground

Figure 14 - Lotus Garden (Image taken by myself)

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UNDERLYING PRINCIPLES 1. Visitors can picnic, play, exercise, and wind down at Bishan Ang-Mo-Kio Park (National Parks Board, 2018). These activities burn calories and relax one’s mind in a naturalistic outdoor setting. This shows people that nature can be located next to their homes and associate nature as a tool to wind down anytime.

2. Educational panel are placed across the park to inform public about local biodiversity, water sensitive urban design at the park. Local tours are held weekly to educate participants about biodiversity in the park. Informal learning is provided through experiment at playgrounds and volunteering to maintain gardens. These opportunities equip the public with knowledge to how the ecosystem works and to understand how to nurture one’s living environment (National Parks Board, 2018).

3. Four local businesses are opened in the park. Addition of retail units have provided employment opportunities to food and beverages or services. (National Parks Board, 2018). Also, the average estate price at both Ang Mo Kio and Bishan are higher than national average after 2013 (Property Invest SG, 2018).

Figure 15 - Children playing on river (Image taken by myself)

4.

Additional lighting is added to the park to provide safe access and prevent crimes.

People are commuting and exercising at the running trail after daylight hours. Businesses onsite also provided passive surveillance across the park (Ng, 2017).

5.

The park provided an experimental testbed for soil bioengineering techniques, providing references for future soil bio-engineering projects (Landezine.com, 2018). Secondly, the allotment gardens is an experimental ground on local agriculture, reducing dependency to international produce. The therapeutic garden also supports naturalistic therapy research (National Parks Board, 2018).

Figure 16 - Signage near river (Image taken by myself)

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The naturalised river edge offers intimate natural encounters for the public at low water level. Moreover, the park provides designated paths and natural interacting opportunities such as exercising in the open lawn and isolating surrounding urban scenery. Ecological surveys and photo hunts are held as regularly (National Parks Board, 2018).

The park is adjacent to Lower Peirce Reservoir park, a nature reserve of Singapore, as well as Kallang Park Connector, an ecological network corridor connecting public parks. (National Parks Board, 2018) The redevelopment of the park has added both macro and micro-habitats to site, increasing the diversity of species in the park. A 30% increase in urban biodiversity was observed in the park, including 66 species of wildflower, 59 species of birds and 22 species of dragonfly. As Singapore lies within the Asian-Australasian Flyway, migratory birds also seek shelter in the park. (National Parks Board, 2018)

Figure 17 - Average estate price in Singapore (Property Invest SG, 2018)

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For water sensitive measures, five types of water habitats are offered at the park, including floodplains at the river’s edge, several still ponds located across the park, and artificial wetland at the cleansing biotope. On-site filtration and purification systems take place at the naturalised river channel and cleansing biotope. (Schaefer, 2014) 9.

Stormwater harvesting strategies are applied in this park to detain and harvest stormwater, reducing flood risk and provide additional water resources. It reduces the reliance on chemical purification process off site. (Schaefer, 2014) Moreover, low maintenance species are proposed at the park to minimise additional watering.

Figure 18 - Park at Night (National Parks Board, 2018)

10.

Situated in an equatorial climate, Singapore battles with increasing flooding from climate change. The constructed floodplain remediates flood risk through uptaking excess stormwater and releasing it slower than traditional conveyance channels, preventing overflow at the lower course. Lush planting in the park purifies the air through absorbing pollutants and carbon dioxide, intercept insolation through lush canopy, reducing the impact of heat island effect. Urban cooling creates thermal and airflow variability.

11.

The constructed river banks mimic the meandering form of natural rivers. Same pattern has been used in paths, creating views from multiple angles, encouraging people to explore the park. A leaf-shaped pavilion was built to mimic natural form, but it was not successful due to material and scale of item. (Dreiseitl.com, 2018) Biomimicry designs naturalise the geometries in the city, enhancing natural aesthetics and curate sense of refuge. It also restores and replaces sustainable natural systems.

Figure 19 - Soil Bioengineering technique details, (Schaefer, 2014)

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EVALUATION Water is used to enhance picturesque scenery through increasing the depth of scene and change the lighting on the scene. Water curates a naturalistic atmosphere through adding tranquilising colors to green sceneries. A still waterbody provide a reflective feature, whereas a running river create movements in a scene. Water softens the scenery at the park, separating it from urban environments.

Water fulfils both passive and active recreational needs. It is used actively at the water playground, and passively at the ponds, to tranquilise one’s mind when appreciating water. Multisensory stimulation from water blocks out urban noises and reduce stress level (Mail Online, 2016).

Water element in water playground serves as an educational device, to nurture youngster’s interest to learn about natural systems through interaction. Other visitors can learn more about sustainable construction through visiting the cleansing biotope.

At last, the water sensitively engineered floodplain and cleansing biotope provides an alternative water source to support local water consumption reducing dependency to external water supply. It restores habitats and reintroduces local biodiversity. It nurtures the community’s stewardship over the living environment through outdoor education and providing opportunities for one to reconnect with nature.

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SYDNEY PARK WETLANDS Sydney Park Wetlands is the largest environment project of Sydney. The park is a showcase to the National Urban Water and Desalination Plan, an integral to Water for the Future initiative and Sustainable Sydney 2030, to reach the goal of fulfilling 10% of water demands in Sydney through the local water capture and re-use. (Cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au, 2018). Located 20 minutes away from central Sydney, it is an accessible park that easily provides refuge for public to hide from the urban paces.

The park was proposed to transform a derelict former brick-making site and rubbish tip into an attractive regional park, offering recreation for all ages, while harvesting and reusing urban waste water. Through careful environmental engineering, the park emphasizes on the recharging water resources while reconnecting the inherited relationship between landform, biodiversity and civilisation. The 44 hectare park features rolling hills, meandering pathways and 4 wetlands. (Cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au, 2018).

Figure 20 - Sydney Park Wetlands (Cityofsydney. nsw.gov.au, 2017)

Once a lush forest and swamps rich of wildlife, the site was developed into a brick-making work site in 19th century. In 20th century, the excavated pits are converted to waste depot and industrial warehouses, where domestic waste are disposed. The remanent structures from former brickworks provided a recognizable identity in the park. (Cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au, 2018) To celebrate local industrial heritage, kilns and brickworks chimneys are preserved at the park for viewing (Cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au, 2018). Basic park facilities are provided such as sports field, children’s playground, cycling facilities, and a high ground for kite flying and other active engagements. The bio-retention wetlands act as another main feature to accommodate passive activities. (Cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au, 2018) There are 4 wetlands at the park, which filters and captures stormwater equivalent to 340 Olympic sized swimming pools annually. The wetlands is crucial for the park’s ecosystems, playing a role in flood mitigation. It provides sustainable water supply to the local park, improves water quality, and reduces external potable water consumption.

Figure 21 - Brickwork structures (Cityofsydney. nsw.gov.au, 2017)

UNDERLYING PRINCIPLES 1.

While Sydney Park emphasizes on the bio-retention system, other facilities are built to fulfill both physical and mental pursue for all age groups. Cycle and walking trails are carefully arranged around the park, youngster can play at the playground, and pet owners can enjoy a large open space with their pets in the off leash area. For passive pursue, visitors can wind down as they walk through the wetland, picnic at the open lawn, to enjoy the picturesque scenery under the bright sun. There is a series of installation along the water edge, which generates ambience sounds of dripping water, relaxing one’s mind aurally.

2. The wetlands in Sydney reiterates the pre-European period conditions, as Sydney Park embeds a rich historical background. It provides outdoor education through signages, ecological tours and workshops about regional history, influencing the public to steward over the park.

3.

Sydney Park Wetlands has a kiosk that provides food and beverages for visitors.

Operated by local owners, it ensures revenue are reinvested into other resources locally. On the other side, the self-sustaining water filtration and storage systems reduces expenses on treating water, allowing more investments on other infrastructure.

Figure 22 - Children’s Playground (Tripadvisor.

com.au, 2018)

As a point of interest, Sydney Park attracts visitors to visit Sydney, stimulating tourism.

4. Local businesses and visitors on site provide passive surveillance, preventing anti-social behaviour in the neighborhood.

The constructed wetland mitigates flood risk on the lower-lying area through uptaking stormwater and releasing them gradually than traditional detention ponds and concrete conveyance channels. (Wong, 2006) 5.The wetland in Sydney Park mimics the natural form at the bioretention system, through applying blended engineering interventions. It requires high technical skills and craftmanship, with the appropriate planting.

Figure 23 - Kiosk (Tripadvisor.com.au, 2018)

To reduce waste from construction, recycled bricks and other materials are practiced sensitively.

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6. Visitors can enjoy a close water experience as they walk along the elevated walkway on top of the wetland, and crossing stepping stones, reconnecting one’s mind with nature as they appreciate the surroundings. Otherwise, one can enjoy passive interaction with the nature at the open lawn, have a picnic, and meditate under sunshine.

However, there is a lack of connection to nearby ecological network or greenspaces, despite having a canal and open recreational lawn within 1km radius of the park. It hinders ecological interaction between the wetland habitat at Sydney Park with modified grasslands nearby. This can be improved by planting green accessible corridor, which attracts more species into Sydney Park from nearby greenspaces.

7. Sydney Park effectively recovers several swamps, marshes from historical records. It reconnects with aboriginal cultural history, celebrates their presence in the site as this used to be a hunting and foraging ground of the aboriginals. For the industrial hisoty, the park remediates the contaminated soil from the former industrial actions and preserves historical structures present on site.

The constructed wetland cleans stormwater and manage floods. It attracts 22 wetland species, accommodating the highest population of native bird species in the local area. It is a permanently wet waterbody in Sydney, providing refuge for local species during dry seasons.

(Cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au, 2017)

Figure 24 - Elevated Walking (Cityofsydney.nsw. gov.au, 2017)

8. The wetlands act as the dominant water habitat present across the parkland. It provides a static waterbody for aquatic species, mudflats as a nesting ground for birds, and lush wetland planting for small invertebres and reptiles. Despite primarily used as a water retention and filtration feature, swales are also incorporated as a water habitat.

Stormwater detained in the wetlands are filtered and purified through a series of equipment and ebbs and flows plantings in the landscape: • A pollution trap which removes litter, coarse sediment and organic matter from stormwater through a physical screen • A bioretention system that collects water in shallow depressions and filters it through plant roots and soil. Planted with native grasses, it filters stormwater runoff and reduces the toxic substances flowing downstream towards lower course.

• More filtration and ultra-violet cleansing processes as water is drawn from the system for reuse.

Figure 25 - Birds in Wetland (tripadvisor.com.

au, 2018)

9. As a permanently wet waterbody, it provides a sustainable water supply, and protects the wetlands from problems like poor plant establishment, blue-green algae blooms and rapid growth of unwanted, submerged aquatic plants, which block sunlight. The restored wetland creates a positive feedback loop as a stormwater harvesting system, it captures, detains stormwater, providing an additional water supply.

Identified as a nature reserve, it presents an insufficient condition as a nesting ground for bird species, due to the proximity to human activities, however it provides a stop-over spot for birds in the middle of urbanised areas, while pursuing of less disturbed grounds for breeding.

10. Climate change lengthens dry season in Eastern Australia with decreasing rainfall. Arid soils have a lower capacity taking in precipitation, which results an increase of risk of flash flooding. Sydney Park Wetland mitigates flood risk by detaining stormwater runoff temporarily in the nearby planting and the waterbody. Compared to traditional stormwater conveyance channels, bio-retention systems detains and releases runoff at a slower rate, allowing more time at the lower course to discharge excess runoff from a storm event. (Wong, 2006) The permanently wet waterbody also prepares emergency water supply during dry seasons, replacing the need of extracting from underground aquifers, recharging underground water resources. (Howard Perlman, 2018) 11. Sydney Park is composed of a mix of geometric and organic patterns. Walkways and water edges are arranged in a meandering, organic curves with crossing stones. The shape of islands in the middle of wetland mimics the natural erosional forms, allowing natural processes to take place. However, majority of the park remains heavily modified to accommodate urban needs, such as modified grassland, and geometric edges on part of the wetland.

Figure 26 - Meandering pattern (Cityofsydney. nsw.gov.au, 2017)

Figure 27 - Gabion water features (Cityofsydney. nsw.gov.au, 2017)

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EVALUATION Water is used for multiple roles. It is used to enhance multisensory experience, providing naturalistic experience from the heavily modified open lawns, and recreational facilities. It provokes public to rethink and discuss their relationship with nature, while providing a pleasant backdrop to artworks installed on site.

Water enhances the picturesque sceneries, creating refuge from urban area. Sounds of dripping water from artworks block urban sounds, unwinding people’s mind, enhancing the therapeutic effect provided by the surround natural sceneries.

Restoring wetlands and local habitats pays tribute to the ecological history of the site. It reconnects the public with the history on site, through hands-on experience of how this site used to look like. It re-introduces wildlife near urban environment, where Public are educated informally about local wildlife, history and sustainable lifestyle through observation workshops. These experiences are community-building and promote stewardship over the wetland.

As a water sensitive urban design element, it shows the public how natural filtration systems reduces city’s reliance on treating water chemically and replacing underground water extraction.

Figure 28 (Cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au, 2017)

CONCLUSION Upon evaluating two projects of contrasting backgrounds and climate conditions, both projects promote biophilia through using water in curating pleasant multi-sensory refuge with therapeutic effects, educational resources through informal learning, as well as re-introducing wildlife into urban areas. Water elements poses a stigma change on public’s perception on stormwater, as a sustainable water supply if treated and stored properly.

This essay demonstrates ways to evaluate biophilia in landscape architecture and the interconnection between water, urban environment and population to nature. As further explorations, relationship between water sensitive urban design, new greening strategies in landscape architecture and urban planning with biophilic designs in non-recreational developments should be explored.

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