Finian McCarthy UCD Landscape Architecture Thesis Book

K i ll in arden Pa rk Rebuilding boundary relationships and spacial dynamics in a residential sub-urban park.

University College Dublin School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy BSc (Hons) Landscape Architecture

Thesis Book.

2021-2022 F in ia n M cC a r hty

Executive Summary

01/F.McC Thesis 2022

Residential parks are some of the most

may have been a contributing factor to the

important spaces in an suburban fabric. They

lack of resources allocated to help this park

can serve a multitude of functions for the user

to generate a positive relationships with the

including, contributing to the overall health

public.

and wellness of the public, and supporting

As the title suggests, a major part of this

the growth of ecology and biodiversity. The

design will be the boundary conditions of the

value that an effective park or open space

park which have been identified as being a

can provide cannot be understated. These

particularly important aspect to this parks

spaces are not, however, as simple as a vast

function in the landscape. In addition to the

expanse of green, which is what can been seen

boundary dynamic, the sustainability and

in abundance in many Irish suburbs today.

ecological value of the space will be explored

This is as a result of a phenomenon known as

along with the landscape features that

SLOAP (Space Left Over After Planning) when

enhance the experience for all age groups

suburban sprawl takes place, leading to some

The goal of this design thesis is to identify the

spaces in between being left undeveloped. The

spatial issues in and around Killinarden Park

lack of care given to the form and functions of

in order to put together a range of strategies

the space causes mismanagement.

which work in conjunction to fix them. In the

Killinarden Park is one such space in South

end, a comprehensive master plan will be

Dublin.

assembled to portray a new vision for the

including,

Some major issues have arisen extremely

negative

boundary

space which gives more thought and care to

conditions and spatial dynamics in the park.

the spatial dynamics and human experiences

Killinarden is a disadvantaged area which

in the park.

/02

F.McC Thesis 2022

Contents Stage 1

Research

05

07 09 10 11 13

Key Te r m s F ig u re s L ist T h e s is Sta te m e nt & T it l e Site L o c a t io n Site I nt rod u c t io n

15

17 19 21 23 25

I nt ro d u c t i o n Boundaries A nt i -S o c i a l B e h a v i o u r Ho u s i n g Ac c e ss

Intro d uc t i o n

Si te Re a d i n g

27 Re s e a rc h

03/F.McC Thesis 2022

29 Fe a t u re s a n d M a n a g e m e nt 31 C a r b o n S e q u e st ra t i o n 33 Ho u s i n g & St re ets c a p e s

Stage 2

35 41 45 57 71

Design

Conce pt

M a ste r P l a n 47 51 53 55

B ou n d a r ie s Su sta in a b l e D ra in a g e H ou s in g C om m u n it y I nte ra c t ion

73 75 77 79

I nt rod u c t io n & Re s e a rc h Site Re a d in g M a ste r P l a n D eta il

D et i a l

Rend e rs

Pres e nta t i o n /04

F.McC Thesis 2022

05/F.McC Thesis 2022

Stage 1

I nt ro d u c t i o n 07 Key Te r m s 09 F ig u re s L ist 10 T h e s is Sta te m e nt & T it le 11 Site L o c a t io n 13 Site I nt rod u c t io n

/06

F.McC Thesis 2022

Key Terms

/ Pe r s on a l D ef i n itions

Boundary

The dividing element between two or more spatial conditions.

Community Interaction

The engagement of people with the landscape and the services there-in.

Edge Condition

The type of boundary at a certain point in a space defining the relationship between them.

Frontage

When the front of a house faces a park or open space as opposed to having its back to it.

Green Desert

An open space dominated by large swards or cut lawns which provide very little ecological value.

SLOAP

Space Left Over After Planning. A term used to describe land left undeveloped during a period of urban/sub-urban sprawl.

Spatial Dynamics

The relationship between a space and its stakeholders and the ways in which the space is used.

Stakeholders

The users of a given spaces. Those whose everyday lives are impacted by a space, particularly people who live in close proximity to it.

07/F.McC Thesis 2022

Figures List Figure 1

IrishExaminer.com (2019). Killinarden Park. Evidence of anti-social behaviour.

Figure 2

Google Earth Street View (2022). Housing backing on to Killinarden Park.

Figure 3

SDCC.ie (2020). South Dublin County Council Killinarden Park survey results.

Figure 4

EPRS (2021). Total Greenhouse Gas emissions per capita 2019.

Figure 5

Google Earth (2022). Iveagh Gardens, Dublin.

Figure 6

Natalia Collarte (2012). Woonerf Method used in Massachusetts.

Figure 7

Archiweb.cz (2022). Jorn Utzon, Kingo Houses

/08

F.McC Thesis 2022

Thesis

Title Reb u i l d i n g bou n dar y re lation sh ip s and spacial dynamics in a residential s ub - u r b a n p ark .

Statement Dubli n , li ke m a ny tow n s in Irela n d , fa ces a n u m b er of iss ue s i n i t ’s s u b u r b a n la n d sc a p e, with Sp a c e L eft Over Afte r P l an n i n g ( S LOAP) b e in g a m a jor c ontr ib u tin g fa ctor.

K i l l i n a rd en c o nd i t i o n s

st r u g g le s b et we en

with h ou sin g

d ysf u n ction a l and

op en

b ou n dar y

sp a c e.

This,

al o n g w i t h a ra n g e of oth er issu es, h a s led to a la ck of us ab le fa c i li t i es i n th e p a r k, a ntisocia l b eh a viou r, and mi sm a n a g em ent f ro m th e loca l a u th or ities.

To res o lve t h e s e i ssu es, a n u n d er sta n d in g of p osit ive bo un d a r y c o n d i t i o n s is req u ired , a s well a s a stra te gic appl i c a t i o n

of

releva nt

pl acem ent a n d p la nt i n g .

09/F.McC Thesis 2022

m eth od s

su ch

as

h ousing

Figure 1: Killinarden Park. Evidence of aint-social behaviour

/10

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Site L ocation Executive Summary

11/F.McC Thesis 2022

North

/12

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Site Introduction K illinarden Park in South-West Dublin stretches

The entrances to the park consist of kissing gates

over almost 20 hectares of suburban Tallaght,

and styles which may too contribute to the parks

sitting between the Killinarden, Knockmore, and

isolated feeling.

Donomore housing estates. It is the experience

This site research will attempt to determine how

of those who live in the homes - and others

one might experience Killinarden Park and it will

surrounding Killinarden park - that will be the

analyse the relationships that people have with

main focus of the research stage of this thesis.

the park and how existing design theories and

The park is an extremely vast expanse primarily

methods might be applied to aid in mending the

dominated by grass lawns and swards, with

dynamics existing in and around this park. This

Whitestown Stream running through its northern

report does not aim to fix social or economic

end. The shape of the park consists of a 14-ha

issues existing around the space, as these are too

main body with three branches that extend out

complex to be solved simply by landscape design.

into the housing estates around the park. When

The aim of this research is to investigate issues

analysing the park, it became apparent that the

inherent in the current state of Killinarden Park

types of boundaries that enclose the park seem to

in terms of design philosophy and management,

function to create a divide between the park and

as well as issues in urban planning which have

the people living in the housing developments.

led to a feeling of empty space in the middle of

The boundaries are extremely abrupt to the point

the suburban fabric of Tallaght. This research

where they often become the most prominent

also hopes to be applicable to landscape design

feature in one’s view of the park. From the

and urban planning as a whole in order to better

perspective of someone outside the park looking

understand the dynamics in suburban parks and

in, the park feels uninviting as sharp metal fences

open spaces.

symbolise a feeling of isolation and separation.

13/F.McC Thesis 2022

100m

Park facilities in disrepair.

Map of fences around Killinarden Park.

View from Southern end of Killinarden Park.

/14

F.McC Thesis 2022

15/F.McC Thesis 2022

Stage 1

S i te Re a d ing 17 I nt ro d u c t i o n 19 B o u n d a r i e s 21 A nt i -S o c i a l B e h a v i o u r 23 Ho u s i n g 25 Ac c e ss

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F.McC Thesis 2022

Introduction Jane Jacobs once wrote, “consider city parks

with a framework for park design in order to

deprived places that need the boon of life and

consistently create successful parks that are

appreciation conferred on them.”1

This was

received well by the residents who use them.

in reference to the common belief that saw

Instead of looking at spaces when considering

neighbourhood parks as being the boon that one

these green parks, one must instead consider the

might provide to a deprived population. Jacobs

people; the users of the space and their needs

believed that it is the peoples use of parks and

in a given environment. Rodney Matsuoka and

their connection to them that create a successful

Rachel Kaplan in their analysis of landscape and

space, for it is in a state of rejection that a park

urban planning explored the “People needs” in a

fails. Killinarden Park is one such space which – as

natural landscape in an urban context. This study

will be explored further – has failed to make that

found that an urban or suburban green space

critical connection to the neighbourhood. This

needs contact with nature, encountering beauty,

phenomenon is extremely common, with every

relaxation, and recreation3. Unfortunately, for

successful neighbourhood park and open space

generations, public spaces have been designed

having

counterparts

in such a manor that suits the developer to the

that fall short of potential. As Jacobs wrote,

detriment of the people. Spaces like Killinarden

parks are often seen as a solution to issues of

Park are easy to maintain and since people avoid

uniformity in an urban and suburban landscape,

spaces like this, the developers or local authorities

or as a planner’s quick fix for an unattractive

have “no undesirable people to worry about”4.

space, however, on many occasions these spaces

As Amanda Burden stated in her 2014 TED

may have done more harm than good in their

conference, to create successful public spaces, you

communities2. Killinarden Park, along with many

must tap into your humanity instead of your design

parks in suburban Dublin feels like closed off,

expertise.

unsafe places that do not provide the community

To explore how Killinarden Park might be made

with a space to play, relax, escape, or move

more attractive and inviting to the people it serves,

through securely. One cannot simply come up

certain elements of it must be analysed in depth.

dozens

of

17/F.McC Thesis 2022

unsuccessful

/18

F.McC Thesis 2022

Boundaries Fences and kissing gates have been placed all

The fences that surround the park were clearly put

around Killinarden with over 60% of the park’s

in place by SDCC to help reduce this as an issue.

perimeter consisting of them. These fences are

There are still some parts of the park that have

sharp and directly separate the people living

been left unfenced, however, in their place is a

in the adjacent homes from the park. In recent

short concrete wall.

years this practice of restricting access to the

The boundaries between the park and the

park has continued in other locations, albeit with

people surrounding it is a crucial to the success

a different style of fencing. High, impermeable

of Killinarden Park as the intention of the space is

fences are far less attractive than other means of

not to attract visitors from long distances, rather it

space creation, and they do not create the sense

is to serve the people who live close to it. The park

of safety with passive surveillance that may have

is intended for use in the context of a residential

been intended when they were constructed. As

environment where people use it on a daily basis.

stated in an article in the Journal of Green Building,

The stakeholders of the park have an extremely

“when used inappropriately, fences can appear

close relationship with it and making that a positive

too confining”5. Having visited Killinarden Park

dynamic involves removing or softening the harsh

on a number of occasions, there was evidence of

division between them.

cars and motorbikes entering the park illegally.

The second most prevalent boundary type existing

0m

5m

19/F.McC Thesis 2022

10m

Scale 1:500

in Killinarden Park is private property walls and the

adding new housing that faces the park. Housing

gable ends of houses. As will be discussed in the

backing on to open space can create an extremely

Housing section of this research, the orientation

negative relationship between the people and the

of streets and housing in relation to the park can

space, and an entirely impermeable boundary.

be of major detriment to the usability of the space

As is stated in the book “Open(ing) Spaces”,

and the overall opinions that people who live near

the stronger a boundary in a space is, the more

the park have. These walls are rarely buffered

cramped the space tends to feel7. Intimacy in parks

and are heavily vandalised. The green carpet of

can, of course be a positive feeling, however, the

grass that dominates the vastness of the park

strength of the boundaries in question directly

runs right up to these property walls with no buffer.

contradicts the vastness of the space and the

Very basically, these extremely harsh sections of

fact that the park does not have an active and

the edge of Killinarden Park could be softened

permeable membrane.

by the use of vegetation6 or, more effectively, by

/20

F.McC Thesis 2022

Anti-Social Behaviour CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) is a method by which developers and local authorities attempt to shape the landscape to influence public behaviour. The central belief of this design philosophy is that designed spaces can either encourage or discourage crime. There are three key elements to this style of landscape design: Territoriality, Surveillance, and Access Control8. This style of controlling design manifests itself in Killinarden Park primarily through its boundaries. South Dublin County Council have, on a number of occasions attempted to aid in solving some issues that this and many other parks have been facing. According to the South Dublin County Council AntiSocial Behaviour Strategy 2018, their aim is to tackle anti-social behaviour, “through prevention, reduction, enforcement, support and rehabilitation”9.

21/F.McC Thesis 2022

/22

F.McC Thesis 2022

Housing The extremely fast urbanisation and suburban

seemed to find much recreational value.

sprawl of Dublin in the 20th century led to the

As stated previously in the Boundaries section

need to compensate by counterbalancing the

of this text, Killinarden Park borders many

negative impacts of cities. This was done by

different housing developments, many of which

adding a large number of parks in suburban

contain homes that share a border with the park.

spaces10. Unfortunately, this led to large open

The potential effects that this type of housing

spaces that like Killinarden Park which were

placement can have on the people of Killinarden

surrounded by houses but very few of the people

will be explored further in this portion of research.

23/F.McC Thesis 2022

Figure 2: Housing backing on to Killinarden Park

One of the most important things to consider

however there are very few landscape features

here is the view of the park from the houses in

that one might see and feel enticed to visit

question; from the gardens and from inside the

the space. From the front of the house there

buildings, as well as from the view of the street.

seems to be better opportunities for people to

What will also be examined is the boundary

experience the park without entering. While the

from inside the park. This is of vital importance

view might be partially obscured by the fences,

because of the effects the houses have on the

the experience of seeing the park from the front

park as itself. There are a number of parks

of the house is extremely beneficial as people will

around Dublin that border directly on to houses

see it as part of their daily lives.

and other buildings, however, it seems that many

The issues of house placement and the views

of these spaces either make better use of this by

from the homes could be solved by changing

creating intimate spaces and outdoor rooms. In

the shape of the park slightly incorporate a

more urban parts of Dublin are parks that must

buffer zone between the rear and sides of the

share borders with buildings for lack of space,

private properties and the park. Alternatively,

however in the case of the Iveagh Gardens,

the housing development could be expanded to

this has been taken advantage of by creating

reach further into the park, with the objective

beautiful views from the buildings facing the park

of having fewer – if not no houses facing away

and using the tall, built structures as walls of an

from the park. As for the front of the house,

outdoor room.

the park could even be brought up closer to the

The views are extremely limited from the homes

house, pedestrianising the access to the house

that border the park. The property walls block

and making the home feel like it is part of the

views from the gardens and from inside the

park. This concept has been employed in parts of

house which can lead to people almost forgetting

Dublin before such as Coultry Gardens in Dublin

that the park is there. The people living in these

9. The aim of this type of change is to build a

buildings would only get the opportunity to

better connection with between the park and the

see the park from the first story of their home,

people who use it.

/24

F.McC Thesis 2022

Access Killinarden Park has 19 total entrances. For the

obstacles, kissing gates and styles were installed

most part, they are located at the ends of cul-de-

by the local authorities in an effort to reduce

sacs in the various housing estates connected to

antisocial behaviour in Killinarden Park. This is

the park. There are two main road that connect

extremely common in Dublin; however, it can

to the park; Killinarden Heights and Whitestown

often have the effect of making the park seem less

Way. Access to the park for the public is purely

desirable.

pedestrian with the majority of entrances having

For a park of its size – roughly 19 hectares –

steel kissing gates or styles to prevent vehicular

Killinarden Park has an extremely high number

entry. Many of these entrances feel restrictive

of entrances. Sean Walsh Memorial Park, for

with massive boulders placed at an entrance on

example, which is located very close to Killinarden

Donomore avenue to the South of the park. They

Park is 39 hectares and has only 10 entrances.

slow down movement into the park and they feel

The entrance typologies, are extremely different

like somewhat of an obstacle. Of course, these

and this may contribute to the feeling that

25/F.McC Thesis 2022

Killinarden Park if difficult to enter. Sean Walsh

used as a route for hundreds of people to go to

Park has a number of primary entrances that

Knockmore Junior School every day. This kind of

serve as entrances for people who are traveling

restricting movement might discourage cycling

to visit the park, in Killinarden, all entrances are

from students and staff from this school. There

extremely small and almost unnoticeable. In the

are similar access restrictions for the Sacred

case of Killinarden Park, the entrances seem

Heart Senior National School along with Tallaght

to be designed to keep people out, save for

Business Park which lies to the North-East of the

absolutely necessary access. For example, the

park.

entrance on Knockmore Avenue is extremely

Movement around Tallaght and Killinarden

narrow for the purpose of not letting motorbikes

should be encouraging the use of green spaces

in, however this have the knock-on effect of

as access routes, however, in its current form,

restricting cyclist movement which is extremely

the environment seems more suited to the car

important, especially given that a school is

than people.

located right beside it. The park is, of course,

/26

F.McC Thesis 2022

27/F.McC Thesis 2022

Stage 1

Research 29 Fe a t u re s a n d M a n a g e ment 31 C a r b o n S e q u e st ra t i o n 33 Ho u s i n g & St re ets c a p e s

/28

F.McC Thesis 2022

Features & Management The inside of Killinarden Park has changed very

space that supports biodiversity and links to

little in recent history with South Dublin County

the large network of ecological patches and

Council choosing to develop other parks in the

corridors that South Dublin County Council have

county such as Tymon Park and Dodder Valley

been developing largely over the past decade.

Park. The park contains three sports fields, two of

Unfortunately, compared to comparable cities

which are for GAA while the other was for soccer,

around the European Union, Dublin falls short

however the goal posts of the soccer field are

in terms of canopy cover. The entire county of

currently in severe disrepair, and the two GAA

Dublin has roughly 10% canopy cover, but in

fields intersect each other. This means that at any

order to meet European Standards, 15% cover is

given time, only one of these fields can be used

needed13. Large spaces like Killinarden Park have

fully.

extremely high potential for being turned into

Whitestown stream runs through the Northern

Ecological hub in South Dublin, along with being

part of the park with one pedestrian bridge. Half

an attractive, friendly park for the public to feel

of this section of the stream is heavily canalised

connected to.

with the river bed and banks being made of

Unfortunately,

concrete. The less canalised part has naturally

regarding the pandemic, surveys and interviews

occurring vegetation and it can be assumed that

of Killinarden Park users was not possible so data

it is a dynamic habitat and an asset to the park.

from different sources must be used to figure

Biodiversity habitats in Killinarden Park are rare as

out what needs the people of Killinarden have

the grass that dominates the land is cut regularly

and what they would like installed in a new or

and there are few trees and shrubs.

updated suburban park. In 2020, South Dublin

Grass around the park is all uniformly cut all

County Council conducted a survey of 853 people

year round and which is not conducive to a

regarding this topic11.

29/F.McC Thesis 2022

due

to

the

circumstances

The

results

showed

that

people

who

use

There are currently no facilities in the park that

Killinarden Park have their priorities set on

allow for relaxation and play, something that

recreation, play and exercise for all age groups, as

the public seem to agree on. Judging from

well as seating areas to stop and relax in the park.

these results, it would seem that the people of

These aspects we identified earlier in this text as

Killinarden want to have a usable space for them

issues worth discussing further.

to enjoy on a daily basis.

SDCC Survey Results 2020 sdcc.ie Priority Themes (n=853)

Education / Event Spaces

Adult & Teen Spaces

Community Growing / Planting

Nature & Biodiversity

Exercise & Team Sports

Children’s Play & Recreation

Individual Exercise and Team Sports 108 96

88

81

79 62 47

Exercise/ Gym Equipment

Walking

Soccer

GAA

Social Spaces for Teens and Adults

Running

Astro

Basketball

Childrens Play & Recreation 404

116

32 Seating Areas

Dog Walking

44

Flower / Sensory Gardens

140

21 Picnic Areas

Figure 3: South Dublin County Council Killinarden Park survey results

Playgrounds

Skateparks

95 Cycle Paths

/30

F.McC Thesis 2022

Carbon Sequestration According to the European Parliament Research

park, the potential for high sequestration rates

Service (EPRS), Ireland generates 1.7% of EU

and high ecological value is obvious.

Carbon Emissions despite only representing

The carbon sequestration in Killinarden would

1.1% of the population. The per-capita emissions

almost entirely be conducted by the trees present

figures were the second highest in the union

on the site. This is because the carbon captured

in 2019, after a lower than average emissions

by the extremely abundant grass is negligible as it

decline since 2005 compared to the other EU27

is frequently cut by the local authority, producing

states12.

high emissions. It was calculated that the trees in Killinarden sequester 16.8 tonnes of carbon annually.

Killinarden - in terms of land area,

population density, and ratio of housing to open space - is comparable to an area in Northern Amsterdam called Nieuwendam. The carbon sequestered annually in this neighbourhood is almost 10 times the amount as that in Killinarden.

It is clear that the management of Killinardens open spaces is extremely flawed and that the Figure 4: Total Greenhouse Gas emissions per capita 2019

space is in dire need of ecological assets if it is

It is evident that Ireland is not doing enough

to compete with comparable European areas.

to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon

An extremely effective and quick way to create

sequestration

the

natural habitats and biodiversity is by utilising the

development of natural green spaces and native

Miyawaki forest method. This process involves

tree planting.

densely planting native species of trees to create

Through the use of an online tool called iTree-

competition. This leads to extremely fast growth

Canopy, it was possible to estimate the carbon

and the creation of established canopies in a short

sequestration rates of Killinarden. Considering the

amount of time13.

can

be

increased

by

area of Killinarden is largely made up of a public

31/F.McC Thesis 2022

K illina rd en, Dublin 7.2%

20

18.2 %

37.6%

%

16% CO2 Sequestered 16.8T Annually by trees.

Average Irish Carbon Footprint.

13.2T

CO2 Stored in Killinarden.

422T

Population of Killinarden.

7000

CO2 Emissions from Lawns.

316T

Carbon Footprint of Population.

92000T

ss a r %

Water

Bu ild i 2

4%

0%

.8

11

s ng

G

N ie uwen dam , Am sterd a m

ansca tL

her /Ot ths % Pa 17.4

34

e Sof ap

s ee r T .9%

Road s

%

11.6

andsc dL

Har pe

CO2 Sequestered Annually by trees.

164.5T

Average Dutch Carbon Footprint.

9.6T

CO2 Stored in Killinarden.

1600T

Population of Nieuwendam.

4000

CO2 Emissions from Lawns.

316T

Carbon Footprint of Population.

38500T

/32

F.McC Thesis 2022

Housing & Streets capes As was touched on in the Housing section of the

dangerous roads and concentrate pedestrians

Site Reading Chapter, one of the primary aims

to certain primary entrance arteries. This can

of this research and design thesis is to create a

work well in urban settings where a parks strong

positive relationship between Killinarden Park

boundaries can help it fit into the formal shape of

and the housing around it. There are many ways

many city blocks. This type of relationship can be

in which housing is kept separate from the open

seen in St Stephens Green, Dublin.

environment in Ireland. This is not always an issue

Killinarden Park inappropriately utilises these edge

and can often lead to an extremely positive spatial

typologies by creating a space that seems to be

dynamic. In the urban environment, it can be

purposely uninviting. In the cases where housing

extremely beneficial to separate the busy urban

along the park boundary faces the space, there

fabric from the park. The Iveagh Gardens in Dublin,

are a number of obstacles which seem to guide

for instance, uses extremely strong boundaries to

one away from entering the space. The extremely

aid in the creation of an enclosed oasis that feels

wide roads feel unsafe for pedestrians and the tall,

far from the loud city centre of Dublin.

sharp fences are completely impenetrable.

There are a number of ways in which one can help create a much safer and inviting transitional space between the housing and the park.

The housing along the boundaries of the park follow long rows of terraces lining a grid-like network of roads. These straight road can lead to traffic travelling at high speeds and an unsafe and hostile environment for pedestrians who are separated from the park by the road. The Woonerf

Figure 5: Iveagh Gardens, Dublin

concept takes a different approach to a residential

Similarly, fenced off parks are not always a negative

streetscape where the road is not just an artery

edge typology as they can create separations from

for vehicular transport, rather a social space for

33/F.McC Thesis 2022

Alternatives and additions must be considered for the housing. Many of the housing placement made during the 70s and 80s in Killinarden left this space forgotten, with little thought as to how the park incorporates into the boarder context and the housing estates. In the many places where housing faces away from the park, housing may need to be added in order to regain a feeling of incorporation and a relationship with the park.

Danish architect Jørn Utzon used many intelligent techniques when designing the Kingo Houses. He added interest to the facades of the buildings by setting them back and forth in steps. This made each part of the street feel more unique even though the housing units were identical. This texture in the rows of housing also made the relationships with the adjacent open spaces far more positive as they felt as though they contributed to the shape and the feel of the space. Utzons use of water as a boundary was also extremely successful as the water feature created a linear space around the

Figure 6: Woonerf Method used in Massachusetts

park which people would move along to get around. pedestrians as well as a space for cars . This 14

method of traffic calming and pedestrianisation incorporates tree planting and curves in the roads so that cars must slow down. This is done with the aid of natural elements being places in the drivers view such as tree planting or roadside swales etc. This method could be adapted for existing and proposed roads in Killinarden where the streetscapes seem to function poorly.

Figure 7: Jørn Utzon, Kingo Houses

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Stage 2

Concept

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F.McC Thesis 2022

Ideas & S t ra ta g ie s The conceptual approach of this design began by identifying the key strategies that would need to be at play in a park such as this in order to create better spatial relationships between the park and its users. As stated previously, the boundaries of Killinarden Park are particularly unsuccessful and play a large part in the lack of footfall that it sees. Rethinking these boundary dynamics in around the park is necessary as the current condition with fences and wall is extremely unattractive and does not serve its function. Of course, the design of this updated boundary condition would need to help prevent cars and large vehicles from getting in, however, it would also have to be far more permeable for pedestrians and cyclists. This would help to stop the lack of permeability in the current boundary and make the park more inviting.

10 - 20 years

Another extremely important aspect of the concept is to mitigate the issues of carbon emissions and lack of carbon sequestration on the site. As we see the park today, there are only extremely small pockets of woodland while the it has a lot of potential for lush, dense, and attractive biodiversity patches and corridors.

5 years

The Miyawaki Forest Method could be employed to very quickly densify parts of the park with native woodland.

These can then connect to Whitestown Stream which acts as an ecological corridor.

37/F.McC Thesis 2022

0 years

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F.McC Thesis 2022

Redesigning and reformatting the boundaries of

be used to make the short journey from the house

the park is not, in itself, enough. The roads create

to the park far more enjoyable and safe. The

a separation between the housing and the park.

existing roads around the park are 7.5m wide,

The feeling of a permeable boundary around

however, the use of the woonerf traffic calming

an open space can be hindered if there is still an

method could serve to slow traffic and give the

emphasis on cars rather than pedestrians. Semi-

streetscape back to the pedestrians.

pedestrian roads which are much narrower can

39/F.McC Thesis 2022

Before

After

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Stage 2

M a ste r Pl a n

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O6 H8

E6

O8 H10

H7 H9 E7 O5

P7

D O7

H6

PG B1

B2

WL

WL

B3

O4

SD

E5 H4

H5

PF O3 P6

P5

H3

P4 WL

E3

O2

H2

P3

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E4

Key

Bridge

O1

O8

Orchard

BP

Bike Park

P1

P7

Planters/Benches

CH

Club House

PF

Playing Fields

Dam

PG

Playground Sustainable Drainage Woodland

B1

B3

D E1

E7

Primary Entrance

SD

H1

H10

Housing Development

WL

Stone Roads

Permeable Paving

TarMac Paths

Meadow Planting

WL E1

Scale 1:2500

P1

Nort h

BP

H1

O1

CH

P2 E2

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Stage 2

Detail 29 Fe a t u re s a n d M a n a g e m ent 31 C a r b o n Se q u e st ra t i o n 33 Ho u s i n g & S t re ets c a p e s

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3000.00

Boundaries The previous studies of spatial boundaries in this thesis have

aimed to draw ever closer a decision regarding the what kind of dynamic is desirable for Killinarden Parks edge conditions and in what way people should be drawn into the space. The proposed boundaries of this design are made up of multiple ideas that 3500.00

come together in an aim to make a permeable and interactive boundary in the parts of the park closest to the residents of the area.

The first proposed boundary condition involved a series of raised planters and benches. There are a collection of modules which, when arranged along parts of the park boundary, form a

7000.00

permeable solution. This would aim to block cars and other large vehicles from entering the park, while allowing pedestrians and cyclists to pass through easily. This is in stark contrast to the gates and styles that currently exist which are difficult to manoeuvre through for bikes, prams, and wheelchairs.

4000.00

and growing by the community in an aim to make the boundary

500.00

As will be explored further, these planters will be open for planting

as interactive and enjoyable as possible. This would also give the residents a sense of ownership and contribution to the park.

4000.00 2000.00

4000.00

Scale 1:100

47/F.McC Thesis 2022

0m

5m

Planter Box Corten Steel Bench Reinforced Concrete Concrete Grid Permeable Paving 80mm Bedding Layer Coarse Aggregate 10mm Upper Filter Separator Geotextile 1mm Sub-base Granular Aggregate 100mm Lower Filter Separator Geotextile 1mm

Scale 1:10

0m

1m

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F.McC Thesis 2022

B o unda ries C o nti nued Moving through the park, the aim is for there to be

and permeability for pedestrians. Apples and pears

consistent interaction with the space and with nature

are both native to Ireland and can therefore effectively

for all age groups. The decisions that were made

attract appropriate biodiversity as well as helping bee

were largely based on the SDCC survey referenced

populations and other pollinator species.

previously. Orchards can be an extremely effective way

As seen in the section below, the initial ideas for the

to bring communities together in an educating and

boundaries and transitional spaces aimed to integrate

interactive way. They can also double as a boundary

the housing into the park by softening the boundary.

condition at certain points of the park to stop cars from

The exact boundary line between spaces is blurred

getting in while keeping up the themes of interaction

with the use of transitional spaces and permeability.

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F.McC Thesis 2022

0m

2.5m

5m

10m

Susta in able Drainage

Scale 1:200

N or th

51/F.McC Thesis 2022

It is proposed for a modest dam to be built at the Northeast end of Killinarden Park in order to raise the water

Wetland Trees

level by 1 metre. The resulting rise in water level will fill a channel that will run along the Western end of the park.

This water feature and resulting wetland will serve many functions for the purposed of sustainability, habitat creation, and spatial definition and form. Wetlands

Betula pubescens are some of the most important habitats in Ireland, Downey Birch

Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn

accommodating an extremely diverse range of native and naturalised species. The valley that Whitestown Stream runs through is would comfortably accommodate a rich wetland acting as a water attenuation scheme, filtering and cleaning water run-off from the park before

Populus tremula it moves further down the river to connect with the River Aspen

Salix caprea Willow

Dodder to the East.

Native Irish wetland trees are proposed to be planted along the river to support the soil and aid in water filtration.

The water feature serves as an extremely effective and attractive boundary condition between the housing and

Betula pendula Silver Birch

Alnus glutinosa Alder

the main body of the park. It will work in conjunction with the aforementioned boundary typologies to block cars from coming in and guiding pedestrians and cyclists into the park.

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F.McC Thesis 2022

Housing The housing proposed in Killinarden consists of 81

at 4.4m wide, as well as being clad in stone paving.

single-story units with 100m2 liveable floor space.

The resulting streets around Killinarden park are then

Inspired by the work of Danish Architect Jørn Utzon,

much safer and much more ecologically friendly. This

these houses aim to provide texture and interest to the

technique allows roads and rows of housing to follow

relationships and dynamics on the edges of the park.

steep topographical gradients at the southern ends of

All proposed houses located on the boundaries of the

the site. The curved roads make the gradient far more

park face in the direction of the park, aiding in the

accessible.

creation of a positive spatial dynamic for the residents

When a house is situated on the edges of a park, there

of the area. With the 81 new families being brought to

is the risk of the residents feeling unsafe as right in front

Killinarden, the park will see far more footfall.

of their house lies a vast expanse of public space. The

The housing that is proposed has been arranged in

proposed plan attempts to solve this issue through the

way where the facade undulates and changes as one

use of different types of boundaries in order to create

moves down the residential streetscape. This housing

a soft but effective separation of spaces and land uses.

arrangement makes the housing feel like less of a

The proposed wetland also helps to keep the housing

boundary wall for the park and more like a textured

from seeming like it is in the main body of the park,

feature in the landscape. Adapted from the Woonerf

acting as a boundary for the Northern and Western

traffic calming method, the roads bend at various

ends of the park where housing faces the open space.

points to slow traffic. The roads are also much narrower

Scale 1:100 0m

2.5m

53/F.McC Thesis 2022

5m

10m

Housing is also proposed throughout the Killinarden Estate to the North of the Park. The estate contains a series of semi-enclosed spaces which are currently under-used. Inserting housing would help solve the issue of spatial voids in the area while also using the left over space for interactive planting such as orchards.

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F.McC Thesis 2022

landscape using unprocessed materials

park is the services it provides to the public

such as timber and stones and incorporating

for recreation and other forms of community

water into this interactive space for children.

interaction. In the proposed design, a range

Another important part of the interactive

of community-focussed facilities are placed

nature of the park is the undulating

at various points in the park. As mentioned in

landscape. This feature aims to draw bikes

the Boundaries section of this design thesis,

and scramblers with its enjoyable system of

the benches and planters that run along

ramp-like hills and undulations. Scramblers

parts of the boundary are intended for use

have long been seen as a problem for the

by the public, not only for seating, but for

park as they have caused damage to

community grow gardens. This is something

the playing fields in the past. This design

that was mentioned as being a priority for

hopes to mitigate this issue by providing

the residents of the area in the SDCC 2020

a welcoming space for scramblers as it is

survey. The theme of community growing is

extremely difficult and inappropriate to

continued in the orchards situated near the

keep them from entering the park.

proposed housing locations.

The renewed playing fields at the centre of

One of the major priorities in the survey way

the park are intended for use by the public

play grounds and spaces for children. The

as well as Croi Ro Naofa GAA Club located

design incorporates a creative playground

in the park, and the two schools located to

at the banks of Whitestown Stream. This

the East and West of the park.

120000

natural play space will blend into the 80000

120000

55/F.McC Thesis 2022

80000

80000

Commun ity Interaction

A vital part of the success of a residential

140000

Scale 1:1000

0m

200m

400m

Malus domestica Apple

Pyrus communis Pear

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Stage 2

Renders

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Stage 2

P re s e nta t ion 73 I nt rod u c t io n & Re s e a rc h 75 Site Re a d in g 77 M a ste r p l a n 79 D eta il

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F.McC Thesis 2022

Education / Event Spaces

Adult & Teen Spaces

Community Growing / Planting

%

s ng

16% ld 20 i %

Bu i

%

Nature & Biodiversity

1

e Sof ap

andsc dL

11.6 %

Road s

Accessed 5-04-2022

CO2 Sequestered Annually by trees.

422T

16.8T

Childrens Play & Recreation

CO2 Stored in Killinarden.

316T

Exercise & Team Sports

CO2 Emissions from Lawns.

164.5T

13.2T

CO2 Sequestered Annually by trees.

1600T

Average Irish Carbon Footprint.

CO2 Stored in Killinarden.

316T

7000

CO2 Emissions from Lawns.

9.6T

Population of Killkinarden.

Average Dutch Carbon Footprint.

4000

92000T

Population of Nieuwendam.

38500T

Carbon Footprint of Population.

Carbon Footprint of Population.

Exercise/ Gym Equipment

Soccer

Walking

Ganz Landschaftsarchitekten, Switzerland Accessed 5-04-2022

GAA

Dog Walking

62

Running

47

Astro

44

Basketball

Seating Areas

404

Flower / Seansory Gardens

Skateparks

140

Childrens Play & Recreation

Playgrounds

Picnic Areas

95

Cycle Paths

• Many saplings are planted close together (within 1m).

• Over time, competition favours fast growing trees and shrubs.

• As slower growing trees thin out, the woodland grows denser and faster.

Miyawaki Forest Method This woodland planting method creates dense native ecological habitats extremely quickly. Fast growth is encouraged through high competition resulting from dense planting of saplings.

0 years

5 years

10 - 20 years

Crime Mitigation Killinarden Park has struggled with crime such as bonfires, vehicular entry and theft.

The proposed design is partially inspired by the concept of Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED). Passive surveillance, community engagement, and interaction play major roles in influencing behaviour in a given space.

These issues can be combated in the proposed design in a number of way such as rethinking boundary conditions and housing placement.

0m

0m

0m

0m

100m 100m

100m

250m 250m

250m

250m 250m

11 4

112

110

108

106

104

Topography (1m)

6

100m 100m

11

0m

11

8

F. M c C T h e s i s 2 0 2 2

Play spaces are a top priority for the residents of Killinarden as shown by South Dublin County Council’s survey in 2020.

SDCC has been installing creative play spaces around the county which have proven to be extremely successful. The installation of similar spaces in Killinarden would provide an enjoyable, interactive landscape for the children in the area.

Hannah Johnston 2020, Dublin

her /Ot ths a P 7.4%

.

ansca tL

18.2

.

Creative Play

34

20

Sustainability & Emissions

7.2%

Kil l inarden, D ubl in

11

Har pe

Water ss ra % 4% 8

Nieuwendam , Am sterdam

37.6% G s ee Tr 9%

126

124

122

12

0

Kil l ina rd en Pa rk

Resea rch & Ana lysis

S2

B1

SW

B2

WS

Du b lin , like m a ny tow n s in Irelan d , fac es a n um be r of i ssue s in it ’s s u b u rb a n la n d sca pe, with S p ac e L eft O ver A fter Pla n n in g ( S LOA P) b ein g a m ajor c ontrib u tin g fa cto r.

Killin a rd e n st ru g gles with d ysfu n c tio n al b ou n dar y c o n d it io n s b et we e n h o u sin g an d op en spac e. Th is, a lo n g wit h a ra ng e of oth er issu es, h a s le d to a l ack of u s a b le fa c ilit ie s in th e p ark, a nt isoc ial b eh avi ou r, an d m is m a n a g e m e nt from th e l oc al au th o rit ies.

CH

S1

BP

0m

100m 100m

250m 250m

11 4

12 0

0

11

8

11

6

8

Primary Access Roads

Housing on the Park Boundary

104

106

108

110

112

H ous e gabl e e nd

Pri vate g arde n wa l l

4

11

112

110

108

106

104

Boundary Typologies

L ow Wal l s

Fe nc e s

11

250m

250m 250m

6

100m

100m 100m

11

0m

0m

12

0m

500m

0m

To re s o lve t h e s e issu e s, a n u n de rsta n d ing of po sitive b o u n d a r y c o n d it io n s is re qu ired , an d strate gic ap plic ati on of re leva nt m eth o d s su ch as h ou sin g pl ac em ent an d p la nt in g is n e c e ssa r y.

PF

CC

250m

Scale 1:5000 0m

21

122

B3

No rth

Social Spaces for Teens and Adults 116

32

122

Business Park

Bridge

Rebuilding boundary relationships and spacial dynamics in a residential suburban park.

B3

79

124

BP

B1

Community Centre

81

Whitestown Stream

Swale

School

Club House S2

CC

S1

CH

SW WS

Individual Exercise and Team Sports

88

124

SDCC Survey Results 2020 sdcc.ie Priority Themes (n=853)

108 96

126

126

• Killinarden Park is an example of SLOAP with what seems like very little though given to how the park is used.

• Vandalism and antisocial behaviour has been abundant in the park with evidence of vehicles and bonfires.

• There are 3 sports fields in the park, however they are heavily vandalised with some goal posts having been destroyed.

• The stream is a prominent feature however it is heavily canalised.

• There are very few features in the park such as playgrounds and seating. This has led to under use.

F. M c C T h e s i s 2 0 2 2

S i te Re adi ng Boundary Relationships • Fencing surround the majority of the park giving a hostile and uninviting feel.

• Housing often backs on to the park meaning the garden walls create an abrupt and impermeable boundary.

• Entrances are extremely small in an attempt to stop vehicular entry.

• Whitestown Stream has the potential to be a soft boundary between the main body of the park and the housing developments on the other side.

• The boundaries do not seem to stop vehicular entry as there is evidence of them in the park.

Park Features

Google Earth

(Accessed 20/04/22)

H4

E5

F. M c C T h e s i s 2 0 2 2

O3

P6

P5

B1

WL

H5

H3

H6

P4

WS

O7

O4

WL

SD

O2

P3

B2

B3

H2

E4

PF

PG

E3

WL

BP

O1

WL

E2

P2

P1

H1

CH

H9

O6

H8

H7

Masterplan

E6

O5

P7

H10 O8

E7 D

WL

B3

Bridge

Bike Park

B1

BP

Prim ar y Ent rance s

C lub Ho use

E7

Housin g Deve lo pm ent

CH

E1

H10

Orch ard

Dam

H1

O8

D

O1

Pl ayi ng Fi el ds

Pl ante rs/B enche s

PF

Playgro und

P7

PG

Sustai nabl e Drai nage Syste m

P1

SD

Wo odl and

Me adow Plant in g

C oncrete Pe rm e able Pav ing

TarM ac Pat hs

Sto ne Ro ads

WL

No rth

0m

100m

spaces North of Killinarden Park.

50m

Scale 1:1000

different elements of the design.

Reference abbreviations in the key H10 and O8 refer to their respective *are *elements used in the Master Plan to locate situated in all relevant

E1

Key

Boundaries E7

P7

Pr im ar y E nt ranc es

Pl anter s /Benc hes

Relevant Master Plan References: E1

P1

One of the most important aspects of Killinarden Park, The boundaries have been reconfigured to allow for much higher permeability. The pattern of benches and planters at various

After

Before

points around the edges of the park allow passage for pedestrians and cyclists, however, does not allow cars to pass.

These work in conjunction with the orchards to create a dynamic and interactive park boundary.

F. M c C T h e s i s 2 0 2 2

3000.00

3500.00

7000.00

500.00

4000.00

0m

Scale 1:50

4000.00

Scale 1:10

2000.00

0m

4000.00

Planter Box Corten Steel

5m

Bench Reinforced Concrete

Concrete Grid Permeable Paving 80mm

Bedding Layer Coarse Aggregate 10mm

Upper Filter Separator Geotextile 1mm

Sub-base Granular Aggregate 100mm

Lower Filter Separator Geotextile 1mm

1m

Detail S ustainabl e D rainage S ystem

D am

Downey Birch

Betula pubescens

Hawthorn

Crataegus monogyna

Aspen

Willow

Salix caprea

Populus tremula

Sustainable Drainage System D

Relevant Master Plan References:

SD

The installation of a dam at the East end of Whitestown Stream would raise the water level by a metre, turning the valley into a large wetland. The resulting Betula pendula Silver Birch landscape would help clean the water by way of wetland planting.

Biodiversity and ecology will be enhanced along the stream

Alder

connecting to the River Dodder to the East.

Alnus glutinosa

N o rth

Scale 1:100

0m

2.5m

0m

5m

10m

Community Interaction BP O8

O rc hard

Bike Par k PG

PF

P l ayground

P l aying Fiel ds

Relevant Master Plan References: O1

Spaces for both adults and children are in high demand for the residents of Killinarden, as shown in the SDCC survey. The proposed design incorporates creative play on the banks of the new wetland, along with community run orchards and planters around the edges of the park. The interactive planting spaces comprise parts of the boundary of the park, giving the residents a means to contribute to the

Apple

Malus domestica

Pear

Pyrus communis

Scale 1:1000

80000

0m

120000

140000

200m

80000

park and make it their own.

F. M c C T h e s i s 2 0 2 2

400m

140000

80000

Housing H10

H ous ing D evel opm ent

Relevant Master Plan References: H1

The proposed housing plan will provide 80 new units in Killinarden. The 4.4m wide access roads are semi-pedestrian, utilising a system inspired by the Woonerf traffic calming method. The roads bend at various points to slow traffi c and make it safer for pedestrians.

0m

2.5m

5m

10m

The housing units are single story with 100m2 floor space. All units face the park creating a much better relationship with the space and a more dynamic boundary will housing frontage.

Scale 1:100

120000

80000

References 1.

Jacobs, Jane. “The death and life of great American cities.” Vintage, (2016).

2.

McNamara, Catherine. “The Cross-Bronx Double Cross: How the Cross-Bronx Expressway has Affected Paediatric Asthma in the Bronx.” (2012).

3.

Matsuoka, Rodney H., and Rachel Kaplan. “People needs in the urban landscape: analysis of landscape and urban planning contributions.” Landscape and urban planning 84, no. 1 (2008): 7-19.

4.

Burden, Amanda. “How public spaces make cities work.” TED 2014 [https:// www.ted.com/talks/amanda_burden_how_public_spaces_make_cities_ work?language=en#t-223826]

5.

Goltsman, Susan, Laurel Kelly, Susan McKay, Patricia Algara, and Larry Wight.

“Raising “free range kids”: Creating neighborhood parks that promote environmental stewardship.” Journal of Green Building 4, no. 2 (2009): 90-106.

6.

Dee, Catherine. Form and fabric in landscape architecture: a visual introduction. Taylor & Francis, 2004.

7.

Hans, Loidl, and Bernard Stefan. “Opening Spaces: Design as Landscape Architecture.” (2003)

8.

Armitage, Rachel, and Paul Ekblom. “Rebuilding Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design.” Routledge, 2018.

9.

South Dublin County Council. “Anti-social Behaviour Stratagy.” 2018

10.

Baljon, Lodewijk. ”Designing Parks: an examination of contemporary approaches to design in landscape architecture, based on a comparative design analysis of entries for the Concours International: Parc de la Villette, Paris, 1982-3.” Wageningen University and Research, 1992.

11.

South Dublin County Council. “Living with Trees, South Dublin County Council Tree Management Policy 2021 - 2026.” 2021

12.

Jensen, Liselotte. “Climate Action Research and Tracking Service, Members’ Research Service”, European Parlimentary Research Service. PE 690.580 – April 2021

13.

Miyawaki, Akira, and Frank B. Golley. “Forest reconstruction as ecological engineering.”

Ecological Engineering 2, no. 4 (1993): 333-345.

14.

Dudek, Joanna. “design Guidelines for Creating a Vital Woonerf Street.”Surveying Geology & Mining Ecology Management (SGEM), 2019. doi:10.5593/sgem2019/6.2.