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.
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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0 years
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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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F.McC Thesis 2022
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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.