STATEMENT OF STRATEGY
"YARRA'S RUNWAY"
The Yarra River is a public park filled with historical significance and blessed with natural beauty. It is also a place for users to unwind and spend time together cycling or strolling down the Capital City Trail while enjoying the sights and sound of nature. However, findings from previous projects indicated that there is a clear and distinct separation between the parks on both sides of the river. This, in the future, could lead to an overcrowding on the southern bank of the park duet to the expected population growth in the area (City of Yarra, n.d.). Taking on the role of a Landscape Architect, project "Yarra's Runway" aims to establish a series of networks and improvements on the underutilized eastern bank of the park to showcase its natural aesthetics and highlight the historical importance of the area. A key aspect of the project is to reconstruct (con structed system) the existing pathways (network system) and creating spaces of interest such as the Dight's Fall lookout (social system) for users which will in turn create a unique experience when visiting the park. More greeneries (natural system) will also be added in the hope that it will help to combat climate change and reduce the urban heat effect on the site and a small plot dedicated to a new community garden (constructed, social & natural system) to encourage urban agriculture within the commu nity.
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Fi9,ure 1: Map of '0\/ei:.ill i;ite
SITE LOCATION - The site is located in Abottsford, a suburb of Melbourne and 2km east from Melbourne's CBD. - It has an estimated p opulation of 8110 (as of 30 June 2016) with a p opulation density of 40.45 person/hectare (City of Yarra, n.d.) - The area of interest is located on the eastern bank of the Yarra River. - The site is currently in a bad state and underutilized - The decision was made to redevelop the chosen area to accomodate to the ex[ected growth of population in Abbotsford - The eastern bank will be linked to the southern bank by a bridge as proposed in the group project
Y�4-� - pg 4-
Figure 1: Map of overall site
Neighbourhood Survey by City of Yarra
What residents like most about their neigbourhood 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0%
Parks & Gardens
Streets & Landscape •Agree
Public Transport
Restaurant & cafes
Do Not Agree Source: (City of Yarra, 2009)
- A survey done by City of Yarra revealed that a high percentage of residents in the area liked the neighbourhood for the abundance of park and gardens in the vicinity.
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Neighbourhood Survey by City of Yarra
Whal residents wont more in their neighbourhood
Better Footpath Maintenance
Better Access to Streets
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Recreational Facilities
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• Abbotsford Residents Source: (City of Yarra, 2009)
- The same survey also found that residents of Abbotsford will like to see more recreational facilities such as parks and gardens in their neighbourhood. YaJ<NA-d, � - pg 5 -
ANALYSIS: SITE CONDITION To further understand the needs and conditions of the site, a site visit was conducted. The visit was done on a weekday with fine weather over the lunch period. While there was a number of users at the park during that time, it was found that most of the users tends to only patronise the southern bank of the park. In all, there were only a total of 2 users on the eastern bank throughout the whole visit. This can be attributed to the landing effect (Girot, 1999), where the southern bank has better facilities whereas the eastern bank lies in a dilapidated state. This further strengthen the needs to redevelop the eastern bank in order to attract more users and ease the crowds on the southern bank.
PATHS The existing trail running through the park is patchy and full of potholes. This can be dangerous to users and restrict the diverity of the users to the site. Current lack of proper pathways also resulted in a user having to trek through the dense vegetation to get back on path as seen in figure 8.
USERS Users observed at the site includes human, pets and cyclists. As such, any future pathways constructed has to accomodate to them.
Y�4-� - pg 6 -
PRECEDENCE 2 LONDON BRIDGE
LOOKOUT
Figure 10. Image of London Bridge's Lookout
The London Bridge Lookout, along Great Ocean Road serves to provide visitors with a vintage view of the forma tion as well as educate visitors about the history of the formation and how it was formed. This is done via the numerous informa tion boards installed strategically around the lookout. Figure 11. Image of London Bridge's information board
yQ.l<f<(J,4, � - pg 7 -
PROPOSAL 1 PATHWAYS
• •
WHY The existing paths are in a bad state and in need of repairs and improvements to make the park safer and more accessible for the various users.
HOW MATERIAL - Compacted Stone Compacted stone paths are cost effec tive yet able to withstand heavy usage. It also complements the natural aesthetics of the park while being user friendly for cyclists, pedestrians and wheelchair users alike. It can be made from any types of crushed rocks such as lime stones, sandstones and recycled stone which can be sourced locally and are permeable thus making it a very eco nomical and eco-friendly choice. (Perma trak, 2015)
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Figure 16. Image of path width
Figure 15. Image of Compacted stone path
WIDTH- 2500mm To accomodate to the dif ferent types of users, the paths will be 2500mm in width (Bicycle Network, 2017). This is to ensure cyclist and pedestrian can share the paths in a safe manner. y OHa,.s. � - pg 8 -
PROPOSAL 2:
SOCIAL SPACES WHY In order to attract more users to the site, social spaces will be created along the trail to attract users as they can use the spaces to congregrate and allow for more activities to be done at the park such as birthday parties and picnics. This will hopefully encourage the users return to the park in the near future and eventually help to ease the crowd on the southern bank.
HOW SHELTERED SPACES - Gazebos Gazebos with seats will be installed at two points in the park where there is enough plantation clearing so as to avoid the need to clear plants for the construction. The gazebos will provide users with a space to interact and spend time together at the park.
Figure 79. Image of gazebo
REST AREAS - Park Benches Benches along the trail will allow users to spend more time at the park, resting and interactin with other park users while enjoying the nature.
Figure 20. Image of bench
Yďż˝.s.ďż˝ - pg 9 -
PROPOSAL 2:
SOCIAL SPACES WHY In addition to the various social spaces, the existing lookout will also be redeveloped as a space for users to enjoy. It will most importantly be used as a key historical spot to highlight and preserve the history (Girot, 1999) of Dight's Falls that it is overlook ing.
HOW RESTING AREA - Seats with Planter Box A resting area is to be built to allow for users to enjoy the sights and sounds at the lookout while learning more about the history of Dight's Falls. The tree will help provide shade for the users. 125 mm sphere must no, passihrough opening
RAILING HEIGHT -1000mm The railings along the lookout are to be at least 1000mm in height with openings no bigger than 125mm to ensure that users, particularly small children are safe at height.
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Landing
Figure 24. Diagram of railing
INFORMATION BOARDS lnfomation boards highlighting the history of Dight's Falls and the site in general will be put up to educate users and preserve the history for the generations ahead.
Figure 25. Image of Dlght's Falls Board
y().J<f',(Ld. ďż˝ - pg 10 -
PROPOSAL 3 PLANTINGS
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WHY
Eventhough the park is filled with dense trees, most of the paved areas are exposed and devoid of any plantings. There is also a distinct lack of shrubs around the side, robbing the park of any identity and wildlife that comes with having flowering shrubs. As such more vegetatin will be planted to liven up the area as well as shading the paths from the urban heat effect which is becoming more relevant as more green spaces are destroyed to make way for new developments (Carey, Sheridan,&Larsen,2015).
HOW TREES
The new trees will be planted along the paths to specifically provide shade to users. They are also native and evergreen.
Figure 30. Image of Acacia melanoxylon
Figure 31. Image of Eucalyptus leucoxylon
Figure 32. Image of Figure 33. Image of Corymbia eximia Eucalyptus scoparia
SHRUBS Benches along the trail will allow users to spend more time at the park, resting and interactin with other park users while enjoying the nature.
Figure 34. Image of Acacia jacunda
Figure 35. Image of Boronia 'Shark Bay'
PROPOSAL 4:
COMMUNITY GARDEN WHY As the number of population grows yearly, the need for food increases along with it. However, with new developments taking priority, fertile farming lands are lost to developers. With an esti mated 7 million people in Melbourne by 2050, 60% more food will be needed but only 18% can be produced currrently (Sheridan, 2017). As such the City of Yarra has adopted the Urban Agriculture Strategy to encourage and support urban agriculture in the com munity (City of Yarra, 2017). In line with the strategy, a community garden is proposed to be built on site. It will help to draw more users to the site as well as easing a long waiting list for a commu nity garden plot in Abbotsford.
HOW LOCATION The community garden will be located at a current bare plot of land in the park, as seen in the location map, to avoid the need to destroy any trees and plantations. GARDENING PLOTS 20% of the plots will be set aside as communal plots while the rest will be leased out to residents on a yearly basis. The communal plot will be free for all and it will be maintained by a group of volunteers and the public themself. This will encourage cummunal gardening and create a stronger bond amongst the resident. It is also a good chance for thsoe who did not managed to get a plot to still grow their own food. Any food grown on the communal plot will be free for all to share.
y�4,� - pg 12 -
BIBLIOGRAPHY LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1: Google Map. (2017). Map of overall site. Retrieved from https://www.google.com.au/maps Figure 2: Google Map. (2017). Map of chosen site. Retrieved from https://www.google.com.au/maps Figure 3: Nearmap. (2017). Map of parks in Abbotsford. Retrieved from http://maps.au.nearmap.com Figure 4: City ofYarra. (2015). Population forecast in Abbotsford. Retrieved from from file:///Users/
Huzaifah/Downloads/Appendix%20A%20-%20Johnston%20Street%20Local%20Area%20Plan%20· %20Policy%20Context.pdf Figure 5: Author. (2017). Existing lookout [Photograph). Figure 6: Author. (2017). Existing plantings on site [Photograph). Figure 7: Author. (2017). Existing paths on site [Photograph]. Figure 8: Author. (2017). Image of user off tracks [Photograph).
Figure 28: Author. (2017). Current site plantings [Photograph]. Figure 29: Author. (2017). Impression of site plantings [Photograph).
Figure 30: Selectree. (n.d.). Image of Acacia melanoxylon. Retrieved from https://selectree.calpoly. edu/tree-detail/acacia-melanoxylon Figure 31: Selectree. (n.d.). Image of Eucalyptus leucoxylon . Retrieved from https://selectree.calpoly. edu/tree-deta i I/euca lyptus-leucoxylon-megalocarpa Figure 32: Treelogic. (2017). Image of Coryrnbia eximia . Retrieved from http://treelogic.com.au/facts/ corymbia-eximia-syn-eucalyptus-eximia-ye Ilow-bloodwood/ Figure 33: Blerick Tree Farm. (n.d.). Image of Eucalyptus scoparia. Retrieved from http://www.
onlinetrees.com .au/p/4388311 /eucalyptus-scoparia···wallangarra-white-gum. html
Figure 34: Australian Native Plants. (2017). Image of Acacia jacunda . Retrieved from http://www. austra Iianplants.com/plants .aspx?id=1030 Figure 35: Star Roses & Plants. (2017). Image of Boronia 'Shark Bay' . Retrieved from http:// www.starrosesandplants.com/plants/shrubs/boronia-crenulata-shark-bay Figure 36: Ozbreed. (2017). Image of Callistemon viminalis. Retrieved from https://www.
ozbreed.com.au/native-shrubs-groundcovers/macarthur-callistemon-is-a-better-flowering-native-s hrub-with-fresh-green-toned-foliage-native-shrubs-ground-covers/ Figure 37: Australian Native Plants. (2017). Image of Grevillea 'Casitas Pink'. Retrieved from http://
Figure 9: Moreland Community Gardening. (2017). Layout plan of West Brunswick garden. Retrieved
www.australianplants.com/plants.aspx?id= 1600
Figure 10: Stones, D. (n.d.). Image of London Bridge's Lookout. Retrieved from https://www.
Figure 38: Arlington. (2017). Image of Community Garden. Retrieved from http:// www.arlington-tx.gov/news/2015/02/04/uta-community-garden-shifts-management/
from http://www. morelandcommunitygardening. org/
redbubble.com/people/dgstones/writing/4441609-in-and-around-port-campbell
Figure 11: Foursquare. (n.d.). Image of London Bridge's information board. Retrieved from https:// foursquar@.com/v/london-bridge/4cbfd4b2a0c4f04deb6b57 31
Figure 12: Nearmap. (2017). Layout plan of pathways. Retrieved from http://rnaps.au.nearmap.com
Figure 13: Author. (2017). Impression of pathways [Photograph].
Figure 14: Author. (2017). Image of current paths [Photograph].
Figure 15: Phototrails. (n.d.). Image of Compacted stone path. Retrieved from http://www.phototrails.
org/default.cfrn?walk=Magus-Muir-&page=trail&walk_id=73 Figure 16: Author. (2017). Image of path width [Photograph). Figure 17: Author. (2017). Image of current empty space [Photograph]. Figure 18: Author. (2017). Impression of gazebo [Photograph].
Figure 19: Pinterest. (n.d.). Image of Gazebo. Retrieved from https://au.pinterest.com/pin/
333759022359289702/ Figure 20: PublicDomainPictures.net. (2017). Image of bench. Retrieved from http://www.publicd omainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=4563 Figure 21: Author. (2017). Image of current lookout [Photograph). Figure 22: Author. (2017). Impression of lookout [Photograph]. Figure 23: Author. (2017). Layout plan of lookout [Photograph].
Figure 39: Author. (2017). Layout plan of community garden [Photograph).
REFERENCES City ofYarra. (n.d.). Community Profile. Retrieved from IDCommunity: http://profile.id.eom.au/yarra City of Yarra. (2017). Parks and ReseNes. Retrieved from City ofYarra: http://www.yarracity.vic.gov .au/environment/Parks-and-reseNes/ City ofYarra. (2009). Abbotsford Neighbourhood Profile. Retrieved from City ofYarra: http://www. yarracity.vic.gov.au/lgnitionSuite/uploads/docs/Abbotsford.pdf Moreland Community Gardening. (2017). West Brunswick Community Garden. Retrieved from http://www.morelandcommun itygarden ing.org/ Permatrak. (2015). Which Multi Use Trail Materials Are Right for Your Project? . Retrieved from http://www.permatrak.com/news-events/multi-use-trail-material-companson Bicycle Network. (2017). Path Width. Retrieved from https://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/general/. for-government-and-business/2855/ Carey, R., Sheridan, J., & Larse�. K. (2015). To feed growing cities we needt o stop urban sprawl eating up our food supply. Retrieved from The Conversation: https:/the-conversation.com/ to-feed-growing-cit. ies-we-need. to-stop-u rban-spraw I-eating-up-our-food-suppl y-49651
Figure 24: Poppem. (2014). Diagram of railing. Retrieved from http://poppem.blogspot.com.au/
Girot, C. (1999). The Four Traces Concept. Retrieved from https://mscdceramics.wikispaces.com/. file/view/Girot-4TraceConcepts.pdf
Figure 25: Author. (2017). Image of Dight's Falls Board [Photograph].
City of Yarra. (2017). Urban Agriculture Strategy. Retrieved from htp:/www.·yaracity.vic.gov.au/envi ronment/Community-gardens/urban-agriculture-strategy-/
2014_03_01_archive html
Figure 26: Author. (2017). Image of current plantings [Photograph). Figure 27: Author. (2017). Impression of proposed plantings [Photograph). Figure 28: Author. (2017). Current site plantings [Photograph].
Sheridan, J. (2017). Systems Applied: Melbourne's Food [PDF]. . Retrieved from University of Melbourne Changing Melbourne LMS site.