September 2021 by Landscape Middle East

The First Specialised Landscape Magazine in the Middle East

middle east

september 2021

The First Specialised Landscape Magazine in the Middle East

Editor’s Note Our September issue focuses on the crucial role that parks play in our everyday lives. Whether it be in the Middle East, China or Europe these open green spaces provide a mental break for the member, there so much more than places to exercise. Parks have become the lifeblood of modern urban societies. Cairo is one of the most culturally rich metropolis’ in the world, albeit with a complicated past. Yet, despite having its shine tarnished on more than one occasion, Cairo residents remain steadfast in their devotion to the city. It’s this genuine love for their hometown that has inspired neighbourhood activists, non-profits and crowdfunding partners to collaborate to help restore and breathe new life into neighbour parks. (See page 12). Elsewhere in Cairo, the government is picking up the tab for the revitalisation of Al Fustat Park adjacent to the country’s first ever mosque, the historic Amr bin Al Aas mosque. This project will play a vital role in Cairo’s tourism sector, educating visitors both regionally and locally about the park’s colourful past and the role it played in shaping Egypt throughout the Centuries. (See page 8). A similar government backed ‘greening’ public space project is underway in Riyadh as part of the Kingdom’s 2030 Vision to encourage residents to adopt a healthier lifestyle. While in China’s Hangzhou, the rising population has pushed urban boundaries outward which has resulted in new public park developments. Just East of Hangzhou’s famous West Lake, Pengbu Central Commons realizes a new vision for urban life, one that is rooted in history and environment. (See page 22).

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Managing Partner: Ziad Maarouf Amine Copy Editor: John Hampton Administrative Assistance: Sarry Gan Art Director: Ramon Andaya Contributors: Laila Alawneh, Ashok Ganapathy Iyer, John Arthur Davies, Katrina Ortiz, Mohamed Omar El Sharkawy, Dr. Mario Rossi, Sanjay Puri, Eva Jiang, Ben Veal Printed by: Al Nisr Publishing LLC Webmaster: www.pdinventive.com

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contents

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September 2021 - Issue 171

Parks, a post pandemic global necessity No more playing around Surviving the heat (Part 2) Hangzhou nature for a community landscape A walk-through New York’s Central Park A proof within the clouds Landscaping for learning The Nest Singapore Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai Ecological landscape plans move forward for Europe’s largest logistical hub

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I news & Events

More than 20,000 trees have been planted to form a lush green belt around the Expo 2020 Dubai site It’s part of major landscaping projects that cover an area of over 2 million square metres. The projects, completed at a cost of AED 205 million covers the extension of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, Expo Street and Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Street in the direction of the Expo site.

Dubai Parks Entrance The landscaping project by Dubai Municipality also covered key landmarks near the Expo site, including the entrance to Dubai Parks, covering a total area of 177,123 square metres.

Over four million seedlings have been planted around the roads leading to the venue and around two million seedlings have been planted at the site of the mega event.

Steel landscaping works extended over an area of around 109,000 square metres.

Dubai Municipality uses cutting-edge technologies and the vertical farming method to implement its landscaping projects across the city,» said Dawoud Al Hajri, Director General of Dubai Municipality.

A pumping station with a concrete tank for irrigation water was also constructed at a value of around AED 40 million.

By expanding the green areas, we will be able to achieve the sustainability of the horticultural sector, improve air quality and boost the community’s mental and physical health,» he added.

Additionally, the main irrigation lines were extended by 10.3 km and sub-lines by 60.1 km.

The landscaping work included planting 24,474 trees, 65,000 shrubs, 1,541,710 square meters of soil covers, and 50,107 square meters of cactus plants, another 2,707,912 square meters of soil covers, 5,049 meters of fences, 76,671 square meters of green spaces, around 847,000 square meters of gravel, and 3,118 square meters of climbers.

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I news & Events

Union Properties PJSC subsidiary ServeU wins major contract to fulfil facilities management of 14 pavilions at Expo 2020 Dubai ServeU, a leading facilities management company based in the UAE and one of Union Properties’ PJSC subsidiaries, has won the bid to manage the facilities of 14 pavilions participating at Expo 2020 Dubai, which is set to open this October. The company explained that the contracts, which are valued at AED 18 million, will be executed by ServeU’s team of experts, technicians, and specialists to maintain the demands of facilities covering a total area spanning 30,000 square meters of the Expo 2020 land with a team of 300 experts, technicians and specialists. The agreement includes providing the human resource (HR) and staffing services for the pavilions, such as guide management, cleaning, security and administration, and logistics. H.E Khalifa Hassan Al Hammadi, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Union Properties PJSC, the mother company of ServeU said: “We are pleased to announce that ServeU, a subsidiary of Union Properties PJSC, has won these contracts

in a new indicator that reflects the company’s leadership in the facilities management services. This also reaffirms the market’s growing confidence in the technical expertise and specialized competencies of our teams. These contracts will open new opportunities for the company to boost its presence, enhance competitiveness in the local and regional markets, as well as highlight our capabilities in maintaining high quality standards and efficiency in the FM industry.” H.E. added: “We assure our clients that the services which will be implemented under these contracts follow leading international standards and apply the best practices and systems as well in the field. This is an opportunity for us to demonstrate our capabilities and expertise and exceed the expectations of our international stakeholders participating in the Expo. We are confident that our teams are competent and equipped with the skills and knowledge to fulfil the work required for a major global event such as Expo 2020.”

Al Zorah launches second phase of “The Fairways”

have been handed over to their owners in 2018. Meanwhile, construction is ongoing in around 55 % of the sold plots to investors in Phase 1. The infrastructure in the Fairways to serve phase 1 and phase 2 plots will be completed by the end of this year, in accordance with the highest quality and environmental standards and taking into consideration the safety protocols in effect given the current situation. Some more anticipated aspects of the development that will see completion include the Zoya Wellbeing and Health Resort and the healthcare services, among other services. As the second phase is completed, The Fairways will host a total of 90 Townhouses, 71 villas and 33 buildings featuring a striking aesthetic design and distinctive architecture all overlooking the golf course and the Al Zorah Mangrove with premium existing amenities such as the golf course, the golf club, Zoya Wellness center, and the future GEMS Education in addition to a community center well in place. Dana added: “We will continue to enhance the premium and eco-friendly features of Al Zorah, upholding the highest quality standards in all aspects to match lifestyle and aspirations of our customers. Moving forward, we hope to incorporate the latest global sustainability trends as well as introduce innovations to provide excellent experiences in our projects for the ultimate satisfaction of our customers.

Al Zorah Development Company launched the second phase of The Fairways district, making 17 new residential building plots available to investors to construct G+4 to G+10 floors modern designed buildings strategically located in Al Zorah - Ajman with unobstructed views towards the 18 holes championship golf course. Imad Dana, CEO of Al Zorah Development Company, said: “The Fairways has many distinct advantages primary of which is the vast open space that offers stunning views of the neighborhood and the 18 holes championship golf course that will be made available for the future residents of the 17 buildings which will be constructed on the plots offered for sale in Phase 2.” The Fairways occupies a total land area of one squared kilometer distributed over 196 plots. The first phase was completely sold including 176 plots split between townhouses, villas and building plots, including 40 units comprising luxury villas and townhouses which were developed by Al Zorah earlier and

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I parks

Parks, a post pandemic global necessity By: Laila Alawneh

Architect and Masterplanner

Post Pandemic time has triggered governments to revive their outdoor spaces. The world has witnessed a drop of footfall in all indoor venues and an increase in visitations to national parks, urban parks, and neighbourhood parks due to the ease of distancing and keeping up with the recommendations on Covid19 from World Health Organisation. Exposure to outdoors also raises immunity. As airing started to become a favourite activity for many around the world during the post pandemic time. On the other hand, living in a house with an immediate access to a garden has become very popular but not affordable or possible by the majority who live in urban environments. People have a natural need to be outdoor, walk, air, run and play, which boosts the physical and mental health, the lack of it proved to have a negative impact based on the mental health study performed on working mothers in the UK who suffered from depression during the lock down. Access to public parks has been crafted in the planning regulations of the mid and north European countries for decades, and the Arab Gulf development is shifting from merely providing housing with focus on the Gross Floor Area to designing neighbourhoods with convenient stretch of green outdoor spaces. Even in places with extreme climate, the Arab Gulf, Nordics, and the Sahara’s, people long to find times to go out in the most severe weather. In the Arab Gulf, several strategies have been adopted to cool outdoor areas, such as allocation of water features in the public realm to induce evaporation to cool the air, another strategy is installation of misting devices, shading, greening among other strategies. In the Nordics, people tend to use Sauna’s to allow them to sit outdoors, swim in cold weather in addition to wearing special thermal gear to allow them to stay longer outside enjoy sports, in urban planning cities and towns have

allocated cross country skiing tracks with a suitable distance to residential neighbourhoods. Cycling tracks are cleared and prepared for winter cycling, among many other procedures. The world is tending to take a fresh approach towards planning Parks and reviving Urban entities, for example Dubai 2040 Urban Masterplan inspired by Sheikh Mohammed’s vision for Sustainable development shows a lush Dubai with park areas stretching across the city. In Riyadh, The Green Riyadh Project will contribute in increasing the per capita share of green space and raise total green spaces through planting trees around all city features and facilities as well as in all provinces. Consequently, the project will encourage Riyadh citizens to follow a healthy lifestyle which is part of the Kingdom’s 2030 Vision. Dense developments not only capitalize on the use of land but it saves on building operation requirement for resources and cost due to communal use of facilities. Such developments are supported by green areas reachable by a large amount of residential units. One approach that enhanced this model is introducing a legislation in Northern Europe that necessitates every dwelling unit to be connected to green outdoor space and amenities within 500 m of walking distance. In multiple cities that are at the top of the living index, the urban development is progressing towards car free cities by 2050 aided by a solid transportation system, walkability and infrastructure for non motorized vehicles, which will make driving a car an unnecessary activity, particularly the high pollution tax imposed on car users to enjoy outdoor sports. Cities and town planning allocated cross country skiing track by the municipalities in order to mitigate air pollution in cities by using the tax money for greening and fighting global warming.

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Recently in Cairo, the government initiated the revitalization of Al Fustat Park adjacent to the First Mosque in Egypt, the historic Mosque Amr bin Al Aas. The site has been acknowledged for its historical and archeological value and has been divided into preserved areas with very limited human intervention and other areas that allow sustainable development that respects the historical background of the site and celebrates it. The iconic park has almost 1,5 km2 of green outdoor spaces dedicated for leisure, sports, and most importantly culture. The Park will educate visitors, regionally, and locally on the park’s history and the role it played in shaping Egypt throughout centuries via memorable experiences, by delivering the essence of the drama witnessed from the battle of Kadesh establishing peace for Egypt by Ramsis the second, all the way to laying the finishing stone of the Babylon fortress to the erection of the first of all mosques in Egypt. In the park the visitor will live the drama, peace, and love of Egypt, and remember and cherish the experience thereafter. The park will consist of eight unique anchors or zones that interweave to tell the story of the park. Each Zone stands out in its offering, particularly the hills zone which used to be a landfill that was re-purposed to a green hills with a meandering canyon providing hiking trails leading to the top and overlooking the history once upon a time it witnessed, including views towards the Christian quarter, the Muslim Quarter, the Citadel and the Giza pyramids. The Mosque Zone is revived by adding a plaza for praying outdoors and hosting peaceful events that

stimulate feelings of serenity and peace. The water canal is streamed from Lake Ain Al Seyra in the east towards the site’s western part facing the mosque in a form of a mini Nile that brushes by the Grove situated between the existing archeological site and the Museum of Civilisation, which enriches the experience of the journey across the zones from east to west. The introduced mosque plaza plays a vital role in the design and acts as connecting hinge between the site components’ at the western part, connecting retail strip (Souq) from the site’s northern entrance stretching towards the Coptic quarters in the south, the mosque itself from the west and the pathway along the water feature from the east. The Grove Zone reflects on the goods of the Nile, it offers trails within the planted patches of crop trees that that are historically native to the river area which will serve Farm to Table restaurants positioned between the grove and the archeological site with stunning views towards both. Each zone offers a unique visitor engagement occupying tourists up to a full week of stay either at the hospitality zone in the east of the site, or at the budget accommodation at the artisans zone in the Souq zone at the west part of the park. In parallel, the park will become the city’s clean lungs richly vegetated with local plants and shrubs from the region, in addition to being fully pedestrianized by providing routes for walking and cycling throughout the park’s diverse zones, similarly connecting the surrounding quarters to attract people to walk across the

Mosque Plaza and water feature streaming from Lake Ain Al Seyra

I parks wider area of the park, thus elevating the life quality of the people living in the surrounding neighborhoods and of Cairo residents holistically. The park has been studied heavily by the national department of archeological sites and is thus divided into archaeological preservation areas that necessitate minimal human intervention, allowing other areas on the site to have sustainable light footprint development that complements the history of the place. The current site is occupied by non planed residential neighbourhoods of underserved or non existent infrastructure, due to the latter a large landfill formed on the site’s central location. The site witnessed intensive happenings through out centuries, the site’s precious buildings stand as a witnessing icon to Egypt’s history.

Design sketches

Night shot of the park

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The view over the famous museum of culture, the designed hospitality zone and entertainment district on the east north of the south:

Amr bin Al As Mosque, was originally built in 641-642 AD, as the centre of the newly founded Capital of Egypt, Fustat. The original structure was the first mosque ever built in Egypt and the whole of Africa. For 600 years, through the twentieth century, it was the fourth largest mosque in the Islamic world. To the south west of the site is The Virgin Coptic Orthodox Church Mar Gerges, beautifully facing Amr bin Al As Mosque, and The Church of St. George that is a Greek Orthodox church within the Babylon Fortress in Coptic Cairo, which is part of the Holy Patriarchal Monastery of St George under the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and all Africa. The church dates to the 10th century. Dating back to the sixth century is The Coptic Orthodox Church of Saint Menas. In addition to Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church, in Coptic Cairo it is one of the oldest Coptic churches in Egypt, dating back to the 4th century. The design aims to apply circular economy principles that benefit and engage the local community, simultaneously covering site operational costs.

The urban design approach

Al Fustat Grand Park Design was delivered by DLR Group who was honoured to have partnered with EHAF Consultants to collaborate on developing the Concept of this ambitious project with creative landscape by EDSA.

I parks

No more playing around By: Mohamed Omar El Sharkawy Landscape Architect

Frustrated by a lack of investment in their neighborhood park, a group of Cairo residents took matters into their own hands and secured funding for its renovation

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Concerned by a lack of safe and secure play facilities for their children, coupled with concerns about the prevalence of childhood obesity, a group of Cairo residents were inspired to renovate their neighbourhood park. It’s becoming more common for non-profit organizations and private funders to partner and donate funds to municipal park departments in order to improve public parks and playgrounds. In some cases, this private investment allows for innovative design and site features or expanded community involvement in the design of a park. Investment in public parks can accrue multiple benefits to both funders and local residents, including improved property values.

Located in Maadi, in front of the Mexican embassy in Cairo, a public park was left abandoned, deteriorating day by day until a group of residents took action and with the help of a generous donor, they reopened the park. As a landscape architect, my role was to keep the existing large trees while trying to enhance their health, as well as providing a complete redesign for the five-acre park. The priority was to provide key elements/activities that will enhance the quality of life and health for the residents and encourage more engagement such as: main jogging loop Kids zone

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Yoga zone Table tennis Basketball hoop Family seating BBQ area Dog park CCTV for security issues By applying the above, donors can be proud of aesthetically appealing, tangible physical structures that are visible improvements. Local residents gain a well-equipped, novel and engaging place for recreation. When the donors involve the local residents and broader community in the design of park improvements, it can also generate greater feelings of ownership, responsibility and sense of stewardship, improve perceptions of safety, and encourage more frequent use of the park.

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I trees

Surviving the Heat (Part 2)

Despite the region’s extreme temperatures in the summer months, Tropical Trees can still thrive By John A. Davies Continuing on from my previous theme of tropical flowering trees in the August 2021 issue of Landscape ME, I provide further examples of tropical flowers that can thrive in this region. Colvillea racemosa (Fabaceae) Colville’s Glory. A deciduous, medium – sized tree attaining a height of 15 – 18m, with an open crown and attractive bi-pinnate foliage, accompanied in September by pendulous racemes of bright orange flowers. Native of Mauritius and Madagascar, it is named in honour of Sir Charles Colville, a former governor of Mauritius. Low salt tolerance.

Cordia sebestina (Boraginacae) scarlet cordia or geiger tree. A small attractive evergreen tree up to 7.5m, with large pointed ovate coarse textured leaves and bearing funnelshaped orange-scarlet flowers, these appearing in large clusters at the ends of branches throughout the year. Native to coastal regions of South Florida, the West Indies, Africa and Asia. Suitable as a stand - alone specimen or planted as an avenue. Named in honour of Valerius Cordus (1515 – 1544) a German botanist; the common name celebrates John Geiger a Key West wrecker. The fruit is a drupe with white, edible flesh. Salt tolerance is in medium range. Propagation is by fresh seed, cuttings and air layering.

Colvillea racemose (Flowers) urbantropicals.com

Colvillea racemosa trusttrees.org.au

Propagation is by seed. Considered by the UN as a near threatened tree, it’s being promoted for reforestation projects. Owing to its straight stem, smooth bark and open habit, it’s ideal as a stand alone specimen. The flowers attract bees.

Cordia sebestena alchetron.com

Cordia sebestena (flowers & fruits) commons.wikimedia.org

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Derris dalbergioides (Leguminosae) common derris. An erect, slow growing tree varying in height from 5 – 20m with an umbrella – like crown rendering it a useful shade tree. Native of Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand. The leaves are pinnate and briefly deciduous in February or March, following which the tips of branches are arrayed with 9 – 20cm racemes of purplish – violet flowers, making the tree an impressive sight. Salt tolerance is likely low. Propagation is by seed and cuttings.

Gliricidia maculata (Fabaceae) glyricidia. A small, quick growing upright tree (7-8m high) with a spreading crown native to tropical America. The arching branches, normally clothed with lush foliage, defoliate in drought conditions leading to the appearance of fragrant, purplish-pink peashaped flowers along their entire lengths, making the tree a striking object for a number of weeks. There is also a cultivar with pure white flowers. In addition to its floral display, it is valued as a shade tree and is attractive to birds and bees. Research indicates that it tolerates salinity to a considerable degree. Propagate by seed or cuttings.

Gliridicia maculate facebook.com

Gliridicia maculate (flowers) flickr.com derris dalbergioides / tropical.theferns.info

Erythrina indica (Fabaceae) Indian coral tree. A medium – sized, quick growing, spiny stemmed, deciduous tree up to 10m, with a broad canopy and large trifoliate leaves. Native to India, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. The bright red flowers are born in dense clusters at the tips of the leafless branches, Propagated by cuttings or seed. An interesting characteristic is that limbs of substantial size are capable of striking roots if planted in moist soil, a technique known as pole planting. Salt tolerance is in the medium range.

Jacaranda mimosaefolia (Bignoniaceae) jacaranda. A large fast growing tree, distinctive by virtue of its profusion of bluish – purple bell-shaped flowers and feathery mimosa-like foliage – the latter from which it derives its specific name. The flowers appear in large clusters in tandem with new foliage after a brief leafless period, remaining on the tree for several weeks during spring and summer. Native to tropical America, it attains a height of between 12-15m. A splendid example may be seen in a date palm plantation on the crest of the escarpment just south of the main road as it descends from Riffa in Bahrain. Suitable for the larger garden. Low salt tolerance. Propagate by seed.

Erythrina indica (fabaceae)-flower apps.worldagroforestry.org

Jacaranda mimosaefolia (flowers) en.wikipedia.org

Erythrina indica (fabaceae) mapio.net

Jacaranda mimosaefolia plantsoftheworldonline.org

I trees Lagerstroemia (Lythraceae) Pride-of-India or crepe myrtle. A small spreading, semi-deciduous tree up to 6m, native of India, Sri Lanka and Malaysia. Undoubtedly one of the most notable flowering trees and, depending upon the variety, producing at the branch tips large erect panicles of beautiful red, white, pink and purple flowers, these remaining from April to July. Low salt tolerance. Propagation is by seed and cuttings. Suitable for the small garden.

Millingtonia hortensis (Bignoniaceae) Indian cork tree. Native to Myanmar, Malaysia and naturalised in India, it’s widely planted in tropical regions. Named after the English 18th Century botanist, Sir Thomas Millington. An erect, elegant, narrowly conical, fast growing evergreen tree with pendulous, pinnate foliage, attaining a height of 20m or more and bearing twice a year, usually in November and June, a profusion of pure-white, intensely fragrant, tubular flowers, these descending in panicles resembling a floral cascade. Examples may be found in Andalous Garden, Manama. Salt tolerance medium. Propagate by root suckers, cuttings and seed, though for any chance of success, seed must be sown immediately after the fruit becomes ripe.

Millingtonia hortensis / greensouq.ae

Lagerstroemia / nurserylive.com/tcpal.com

Lysidice rhodostegia (Fabaceae) Miriam flower. A large handsome tree up to 18m with pinnate foliage and a spread of 15m, native to South China. The flowering period is from June to August, the fragrant blossoms appearing in upright loose panicles in shades of rose-purple, with pink leaf-like calyxes and bracts, these remaining long after the petals have dropped, thus, so to say, extending the flowering season. Rare outside China and though likely of low salt tolerance it is worth trialling. Propagate by seed.

Millingtonia hortensis (flowers) timsthailand.com

Mesua ferrea (Calophyllaceae) Ceylon Ironwood. An attractive, moderately-sized to tall, slow growing evergreen tree, native to Sri Lanka, India, southern Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Indochina, the Philippines and Sumatra. In Sri Lanka, it’s often found growing near Buddhist temples, since it’s believed by Theravada Buddhists to be the tree beneath whose branches four Lord Buddha’s achieved enlightenment, hence it is Sri Lanka’s national tree. Its common name refers to the hardness and heaviness of its wood, which is used as heavy structural timber. Eventually reaching a height of 30m in forest habitat; when young the tree assumes a conical shape, later losing its lower branches and developing a domed crown which rises above the forest canopy. Masses of fragrant white flowers with clumps of bright yellow stamens adorn the tree from April to May. The young foliage, which appears twice a year, displays a reddish-pink hue, making the tree a striking feature. Salt tolerance is likely low. Propagation is by seed and cuttings.

Mesua ferrea (flowers) Nparks.gov.sg

Lysidice rhodostegia / acoprty.co.za

Mesua ferrea / flickr.com

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I trees Peltophorum pterocarpum (Fabaceae) yellow –flamboyant. An attractive, fast growing, wide spreading evergreen tree with a domed crown, up to 25m in height, native to tropical south eastern Asia and northern Australia. The bark is grey and smooth, the young branches and stems being covered with rust coloured hairs, a pleasing characteristic also found on the undersides of the bipinnate foliage very agreeable to the touch. Blooming twice a year, the mildly fragrant, golden – yellow flowers appearing in lose panicles or racemes at the ends of branches. Spectacular when in full bloom it is often planted as an avenue tree alternately with Delonix regia. Salt tolerance is in the medium range. Propagate by seed.

Plumeria (Apocynaceae) white frangipani or temple tree. A deciduous and sometimes evergreen tree – leaf fall depending upon temperature, native to tropical America and West Indies, though it has become endemic throughout the eastern tropics, often being planted in temple gardens. Attaining a height of 8m, its habit or shape has been likened to that of a candelabra, the foliage and blooms appearing at the ends of succulent upright branches. The leaves have a similar succulent character and are 30cm long and 7cm wide, while the intensely fragrant, waxy textured flowers are borne in large clusters. The two most common to the Middle East are Plumeria obtusa, the white species and Plumeria rubra, the red species. However, hybrids are available in shades of pink, cream and purple, these being well worth trialling. The branches contain a white latex which is poison, so care must be exercised when pruning. Salt tolerance is in the medium to high range. Propagation is by cuttings, which may be as long as metre.

Peltophorum pterocarpum alchetron.com

Peltophorum pterocarpum (flowers) amazon.in

Plumeria rubra

Pongamia pinnata, also known as Pongamia glabra (Fabaceae) and commonly known as the pongam is an attractive, evergreen tree native to Africa, Tropical Asia, the Pacific islands and Australia. Reaching a height of 15m, its arching braches being clothed with glossy, deep green imparipinnate foliage; this botanical term simply means a pinnate leaf terminated by a single leaflet. The white, pink and purple flowers are borne sparsely in clusters on long raceme-like inflorescences and though not spectacular, this is compensated by their sweet fragrance. Salt tolerant to a relatively high degree. Propagation is by seed.

Pongamia pinnata pinterest.com

Tabebuia (Bignoniaceae) A genus of many evergreen and deciduous species native to South America and ranging in height from 5m to 13m. A particular species popular in Bahrain is Tabebuia rosea, an evergreen tree known as the rosy trumpet tree, with palmate compound leaves and bearing in winter a sparse display of pink, trumpet-shaped flowers. Some species, especially the deciduous types produce a spectacular display of blossoms, Tabebuia umbellata, with yellow flowers coming to mind. Generally salt tolerance is in the medium range. Propagation of both species referenced above is by seed.

Tabebuia rosea Nparks.gov.sg

Tabebuia rosea (flowers) Mybageecha.com

Pongamia pinnata flowers plantslive.in

This completes the section on beautiful tropical flowering trees. In fact all trees are beautiful and future articles will emphasise tropical trees with beautiful foliage, and other characteristics. As mentioned in previous articles, my purpose in writing, in addition to my own love of trees, is to support landscape architect John Claude Melon’s call “to save mankind by planting trees,” in the hope that readers may be similarly supportive. My deep appreciation to the agencies from which the images were obtained.

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Pengbu Central Commons:

Hangzhou nature for a community landscape By: PLAT Studio

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CONTEXT AND CONCEPT Historically, Hangzhou is famous for its scenic landscapes, poetry and tea cultivation. Today the city is highly urbanized with some protected national parks, but vastly reduced green space overall. Hangzhou’s rising population has pushed the urban boundaries outward, where city dwellers seek space to breathe, exercise and engage with each other and the natural beauty that surrounds them. Just East of Hangzhou’s famous West Lake, Pengbu Central Commons realizes a new vision for urban life, one that is rooted in history and environment. A focus on cultural and ecological relevance makes this a unique landscape. Gentle topography evokes the region’s hills, while the fluid paths remind one of the rivers and creeks that once flowed freely. With densely lush planting, residents can find quiet rest close to home. On the Western edge, a waterfront park links to the wider regional park system. With a fluid path network connecting spaces of varying scale, neighbors can meet surrounded by local plants for celebratory and everyday gatherings.

SITE FRAMEWORK Walking distance from Hangzhou’s East HighSpeed Train Station, Pengbu Central Commons is located atop a subway easement, requiring a large area of the development to be dedicated to green open space. This easement, in combination with borders defined by wide areas of riverfront and freeway buffer planting, provides the space and the ability to establish an unusually large park full of opportunities for social interaction and climate mitigation. Pengbu Central Commons is divided into zones that are organized by the social needs of the community. A central core of the ‘commons’ and social hub of the neighborhood. This core anchors north and south community areas that offer smaller social pockets of open space on the doorsteps of residential towers. This approach to space making lends a dynamic flow to the park, providing large scale amenities and smaller programmatic pockets closer to residences.

I Parks

THE CENTRAL CORE The central core is an active open space that serves the community with wide open space to accommodate large events and gatherings. The design provides significant canopy cover and other elements supporting health and wellness: a large activity lawn, strolling gardens, a playground and a sports area. The Central Lawn features an informal amphitheater as a multi-functional activity space that offers programs for various sizes of groups. The flexibility of long seating walls allows residents to use the space as needed. Visitors can meet, play and exercise utilizing the basketball and tennis courts, the children’s playgrounds and the jogging trails that vary in length and difficulty. Core activity can be viewed from a seating nook or a raised lookout platform that also provides wide views of Hangzhou. The wide and open character of the core is complemented by seasonal trees and layers of shrub planting that soften the garden pathways. A water feature on an elevated plaza evokes the fluid design language of the site, providing the sound of water to reconnect residents to the adjacent river.

NEIGHBORHOOD POCKETS Linked to opposite sides of the Central Core by a network of lush meandering pathways, the Neighborhood Pockets accommodate multipurpose programs and foster community engagement at smaller scale. In both the Northern and Southern neighborhoods, specialized gardens set the stage for a healthy community environment. The character of these neighborhoods reflect Hangzhou’s unique garden and tea culture through their layered planting around sheltered and elevated platforms. Hangzhou’s hills are covered in terraced tea shrubs, a vital element of the region’s economy and culture. Using these terraces as inspiration, elevated plazas celebrate local agriculture while providing wide garden views and lush outdoor living rooms. The seasonal gardens are enclosed by evergreen foliage and multi-stemmed trees to create a peaceful

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environment for outdoor contemplation, reflection and strolling. Community lawns provide open space for rest and serve as a space to display art installations. Pathways meander through a variety of landscape settings, lined with a site-wide planting aesthetic that showcases bold seasonal color, fragrance, and fruit through a mix of classic shrubs layers and flowering perennials. ENVIRONMENTAL REGENERATION Throughout the site, intentional topographic and landscape decisions have dramatically improved biodiversity and local air quality. The site has increased urban canopy significantly combating urban heat island effect and absorbing CO2. Installing a native and adapted plants that bloom and fruit throughout the year has improved pollinator habitat, especially along the waterfront. The Northeastern edge topographic intervention

helps protect the residents and waterfront fauna from Tongxie Road’s noise pollution. Smaller scale topography throughout the site provides more varied microclimate conditions. Meanwhile, water is managed in a variety of ways including with permeable pavement in the parking lot. Systems clean water before it enters the adjacent canal. CULTURALLY RELEVANT Pengbu Central Common’s integrated landscape framework closely blends with the surrounding landscape fabric and retains Hangzhou’s historic environmental harmony. The shifting scales and multi-dimensional program spaces create a dynamic neighborhood park for recreational and social infrastructure. This park fosters community between neighbors and sets the stage for a new type of urbanization. Culturally and environmentally relevant landscapes are vital for the environment and humans alike.

I Parks

A walk-through New York’s Central Park By Ashok Ganapathy Iyer Professor & Chairperson, School of Design & Architecture, Manipal Academy of Higher Education Dubai

Central Park had its name etched on UNESCO’s list of tentative World Heritage Sites in 2017, however, it’s long been the Green Heart of New York. My August 2019 visit to Central Park coincided with the pre-election scenario of the 2020 Presidential Elections of the United States and the incoming Covid-19 Pandemic with New York representing the Democratic clarion. As I walked along 8th Avenue (Centrl Park West) from Central Park - South to Central Park – North, grinding on my urban footpath starting at W 59th Street all the way to W 110th Street; the great American urban thinker Kevin Lynch and one of his five listed urban qualities of great cities emerged – ‘EDGES.’ The edges of New York city are spelt as urban clarions walking through the North – South – East – West boundaries of Central Park. One of the four bisecting lines within Central Park where vehicular roads crisscross this green natural urban rectangle in the East-West Axis; the 79th Street Transverse that amalgamates with W 81st Street and 8th Avenue into an architectural and landscape juxtaposition with the monumental Museum of Natural History in the background with high-rise buildings of the early 1900’s in the foreground. This urban discourse of the city edge continues on the 97th Street Transverse at the junction between W 96th Street and 8th Avenue with the towering religious venue of Crenshaw Christian Center East in the foreground and the early architectural and urban high-rise skyline moving to the backdrop. The New York

Manhattan city edge of 8th Avenue Central Park West further reveals human layers in the form of a multitude of play areas for children visiting the Central Park and are left within a safe heaven of a tiny park within this gigantic rectangular urban natural and manmade landscape jungle. The scale of Central Park is further magnified as I walked from the Cathedral Parkway junction diagonally to the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir with the 5th Avenue and Central Park - South skyline of New York in the horizon. The JK Onassis Reservoir is the largest lake inside Central Park that includes eight other waterbodies and covers an area of more than 100 acres. The walk around this gigantic water body with the juxtaposition of manmade and natural represents the turmoil of the two design principles within urban landscapes. This diagonal walk along the JKO reservoir took me to eastern edge of Central Park; the famous ‘Museum Mile’ or the 5th Avenue of New York with a museum dedicated to this great American city and the original Solomon R Guggenheim Museum designed by the greatest American Architect of the 20th Century, Frank Lloyd Wright. Sketching this journey towards understanding the importance of museum typology with reference to New York is reflected through the Guggenheim Museum stretching a mile ahead to the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) that is embedded within the green rectangular urban carousal – the Central Park of New York.

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Monumentality in the form of sculptures, fountains and architectural cum natural features are strewn all over Central Park. The underlying equation of global brand capture is represented with the ‘Steel Globe,’ a sculptural monument funded by the Trump International Hotel and Tower at one of the main entry junctions to the Central Park. Designed by Artist Kim Brandell; this contemporary monument placed in the urban plaza adjacent to the historic urban junction of New York; the Columbus Circle on the 8th Avenue and W 59th Street on the Central Park South boundary. Legend has placed a story that the former US president Donald Trump wanted his name etched on the Globe and this proposal was rejected by New York City officials. The other competing monuments are a matter of urban scale, where Central Park with its natural flora and fauna is juxtaposed by the famous skyline of New York. This symbolic urban green rectangle juxtaposed by Avenues and Streets along its boundary edges in the center of Manhattan has been converted into a brand by Central Park Conservancy; the organization that manages this park. Central Park covers a whooping 843 acres of prime-time Manhattan - New York real-estate land and is the fifth largest public park of the thirteen odd large parks within the greater New York city limits.

I Parks

Monumentality gives way to childhood fantasy when the visitor experiences a bronze sculpture depicting “Alice in Wonderland” by Lewis Carroll that was donated to the City of New York by George and Margarita Delacorte Foundation in 1959 and installed inside Central Park. As we walk through the undulating landscape, natural in some places and manicured in other parts of Central Park, the visitor does get a feeling of being in the Wonderland that Alice had created for herself, here in downtown New York. This rectangular natural wonderland includes hills and valleys

like the Cedar Hill and the Ramble below. These hills and valley ways gives the visitor a perspective of the efforts taken by New York City officials for the past one hundred and sixty-three years in nurturing Central Park. The Park also assumes the historic setting for for one of the three ‘Cleopatra’s Needles’ or an ancient Egyptian Obelisk that is placed within the heart of Central Park. The other two obelisks are in Britain and France respectively. This obelisk, the oldest manmade monument erected inside the Central Park in 1881 is a block

away from one of the greatest museums located within the park, the Metropolitan Museum of Art; popularly known as the MET. The ancient man-made monumental landscape of the MET; a popular attraction is a travelogue we will cover soon. Central Park also hosts live events in the multitude of amphitheatrical settings provided within the park including the Bethesda Fountain and Terrace, a monumental manmade miracle inside Central Park. The beautiful tiling details reflected on the ceiling of the walkway of the lower passage holding the actual Bethesda terrace evokes the Ruskinian legacy of the heydays representing the Arts and Crafts Movement that swept Europe and America. As the visitors of Central Park ponder from their tiring walk treading the urban footsteps of this natural wonderland of Manhattan Island and New York City, cooling down one’s tired feet at the Sheep Meadow, a beautiful expanse of natural turf is an enthralling invitation. The juxtaposition of the everchanging skyline of the Central Park - South Skyline as a backdrop to the Sheep Meadow is a constant reminder that this natural urban rectangle was grazed by sheep and other animals; only to be replaced by the urban nomads and citizens of New York. So, for the urban nomad in me, Central Park; New York’s UNESCO-based tentative World Heritage Site of 2017 was an urban, experiential, and impactful landscape journey.

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I Gardens

Un Tetto Fra Le Nuvole Monza, Italia

A roof within the clouds, Monza, Italy. By Dr. Mario Rossi Managing Director at ambientStudio Each green space, natural or artificial, a forest or a garden is kind of temple, a place to enter, a secret open room in which to experience and think and feel. It comes from a natural process and often - when designed - from an intellectual complex effort trying to define, assist, facilitate, comprehend the whole site, identifying the lieu with a series of acts and interventions we can call design. When approached by our Client, starting from a brief intro - thanks to a mutual friend in Abu Dhabi - we started, at lunch, literally, on paper napkins,

sketching ideas and feeling the high energy conveyed by the Owner, an amazing socialite experienced traveler, from Italy. The request was a simple one: please transform an empty and grey urban roof, a kind of a sterile place, into a secluded retreat where to enjoy protected views with greenery where the vegetation tells a story at every change of the seasons. A penthouse with an empty roof top became an open canvas in our heads. ambientStudio architects took upon the analysis of

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the site - also with a dedicated visit - to visually asses the place, the winds, the energies. A dedicated 3D model - also built for the solar assessment study - was part of the design process to facilitate the interpretation of all spaces. As we usually do - we interviewed the Owner and her Family - and prepared a dedicated questionnaire - available - inquiry within for new prospect Clients to better understand desires and needs. ambientStudio has also extensive knowledge of Italian and local administration guidelines. We were all set for the study defining all factors before embarking with the design. Monza is the third city of Lombardy, northern Italy, home of one of the largest park of Europe, crossed by the river Lambro. The property actually lies down 100 meters away from the same. Beautiful poplars and willows are visible from the property, along the curvy banks of the river. The weather in Monza is a typical submediterranean climate of the Po valley, with cool, short winters and warm summers; temperatures are

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very similar to nearby Milan, averaging 2 °C in January, the coldest month, to about 23 °C in July, the warmest. Precipitation is abundant, with most occurring in the autumn and the least in winter and summer. Plants and all materials selected are in the perfect bioclimatic range. A wide selection has been made - also for the vertical garden - to increase the biodiversity level of the space while respecting the multi coloring of the overall look of the roof garden. Colors are variable during the seasons. A massive vertical garden - open air - has been designed in the center of the rooftop, a beautiful backdrop with ferns and other fluctuating species all moving and extruding from the bi-dimensional constraint. Sliding panels, tall and in the same range of natural colors were designed to conceive the A/C exhaust, the BBQ kitchen corner and also to allow for some much needed storage, pillows and cushions. Furniture and fabrics were selected altogether with

the Client whose experience in fabrics dates back multiple generations. Planters - in cor-ten and resin - were added along low and high walls, increasing the planting area. This was done also to allow us to insert trees, low in height but raised to obtain the effect of big ones. Cotinus coggygria as red accent is among those in the background. A covered patio is structural part of the penthouse - dining table is there - and all columns have been treated with special cabling by Carl Stahl to allow Jasminus officinalis to climb over. The result is a cozy, green place, where the Owner feels at home with Her Family and also a place for fancy parties and glamorous get together for Friends and Guests. Inquiry within for more information about this and new projects. Pictures are courtesy of the grateful Owner, Madame A. V. Parravicini. Plants by Peverelli nurseries. Carpentry and installation by Others. All drawings and images by ambientStudio.

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I educational hub

Landscaping for Learning By: Sanjay Puri

The Rajasthan School is a low-rise building with open, enclosed and semi enclosed spaces to foster engagement and encourage childhood development

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Imbibing the organic character of Indian villages and old cities, the Rajasthan School is a low rise three level school with open, enclosed and semienclosed spaces of various volumes. Taking cognizance of the desert climate of its location with temperatures in excess of 35°C for most of the year, each of the classrooms is north oriented to derive indirect sunlight. The auditorium, primary school, and administration space occupy the southern side of the plot opening into a large sheltered open area towards the north beyond which the secondary school classrooms, library and cafeteria are located. The semi-sheltered courtyard has multiple angular pathways, connecting the two parts of the school with landscaped play spaces that foster engagement. Traversed by a series of linear trapezoidal frames and sun-breakers, this focal area has a constantly changing shadow pattern depending on

the sun’s direction throughout the day. The layout is intentionally fragmented allowing open landscaped spaces to be interspersed with the school’s learning spaces. The entire school opens towards a multipurpose playground & athletics track on the northern side. The entire circulation is through open naturally ventilated corridors traversing and skirting the focal semi-sheltered landscaped court in the

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center. Angled vertical walls act as sun breakers to reduce heat gain from the east, west & south sides generating cooler internal spaces. The complete electrical power requirement is generated by the residual energy of a cement plant nearby. In addition, the entire water is recycled & reused. The building by its design is thus extremely energy efficient. The organic layout creates a different character to each part of the school orienting each space with different views & different perceptions. The Rajasthan School derives its character from the organic old cities, with an informal layout, interspersed open & enclosed volumes, designed in response to the hot climate, creating a school that is exploratory in multiple ways. Technical sheet Client: Shree Cement Ltd. Site area: 190,000 sq.ft. Built area: 93,000 sq.ft. Location: Ras, Rajasthan, India Principal architect: Sanjay Puri Project architects: Ishveen Bhasin, Ankush Malde, Pooja Prajapati Credit to v2com

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I parks

Nest The

By: 100 Architects

The Nest is an eye-catching and hyper-stimulating design by 100architects to improve and beautify the urban public realm in the city of Chengdu, the capital of the Chinese province of Sichuan. The project belongs to a particular typology of urban public interventions intending to be “urban toys for the city”. Following the studio’s belief that “Play is not only for kids”, 100architects have designed this urban playscape to boost joy and entertainment for kids and adults alike, regardless of their age. A colorful playscape

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that acts as an urban attractor, calling the attention by standing out from its urban surrounding environment. The narrative of the design of this multifunctional playscape, and hence its name The Nest, is driven and inspired by the idea of a colorful birth, a magical moment of birth of two little chicks in their nest, being accompanied by their mother bird, who is trying to provide them with their first meal. The three birds, as main IP objects, emerge in the center

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as vertical play structures which can be habitable by kids, climbing up & sliding down, finding in each of them different play opportunities. Surrounding the main birds, the project evolves with a pattern based on circles, which act as platforms for leisure and social interaction and in which a wide range of other functions are implemented in order to enhance the multifunctionality of the playscape. Those surrounding circles provide kids for instance with a sunken sandpit, swings or a trampoline; youngsters with a round ping-pong table and a fitness core; and adults & elders with features such as a Chinese chess table, elderly exercising equipment, and even different sitting components under eggshellshaped canopies for shadowing.

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I parks As a way of sewing all the circular components together, a meandering running track is used around them, turning the playscape into a multifunctional circuit of events to be enjoyed by kids and adults alike. To complete this urban intervention in a holistic way, the surrounding landscape is also solved with circular shapes of greenery, bushes, flowers and trees, enclosing the playscape in a safe way for kids to play freely. The colorful floor, solved with EPDM to absorb impacts while playing, renders a wide range of patterns, graphics and interactive games which connect the different spaces and activities of the space. The night effect of the project enhances the meandering shapes of all the eggshells through decorative lighting with flex LED strips on the edges. This includes the eggshells from which the little chicks are arise, and the ones serving as shadowing canopies. For functional lighting, lampposts were designed with smaller eggshell-shaped lamps on top. Project Name: The Nest Design: 100 Architects (Shanghai) Design Team: Marcial Jesús, Javier González, Mónica Páez, Lara Broglio, Ponyo Zhao, Keith Gong, Cosima Jiang, Hayley Huang, Jango Zhang & Yuntong Liu. Project Management Team: jenny fan, nicholas lv & eva jiang. Client: New Hope Group Size: 1,300 m2 Status: Built Location: Chengdu (China) Photography: Rex Zou

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I showcase

Experience a future where nature meets architecture, technology and art at the Singapore Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai The Singapore Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai puts green architecture at the forefront, to help visitors appreciate the benefits and possibilities of integrating nature within our urban environments. Layered with a showcase of greenery, digital solutions and art, the Pavilion exemplifies Singapore’s vision of becoming a City in Nature, and ethos of sustainable development via innovative and impactful urban solutions. Ms Yap Lay Bee, Deputy Commissioner-General of the Singapore Pavilion and Group Director, Architecture & Urban Design Group at the Urban Redevelopment Authority said, “The Singapore Pavilion demonstrates the potential to push the envelope to integrate nature, architecture and technology through various design strategies and digital elements. We wish to invite visitors to contemplate their relationship with nature as they explore the Pavilion’s green, digital ecosystem and its artistic representation of the Pavilion’s integrated system of greenery, water and energy management. In doing so, visitors will be able to appreciate the challenges in realising the Singapore Pavilion, and the ways we can co-exist with our natural and built environment, where both people and ecologies are cared for.” Designing a lush Pavilion with a rich and diverse selection of plants Considered one of the greenest pavilions at this year’s Expo, the Singapore Pavilion will showcase more than 170 varieties of plants within different layers of greenery in various spaces of the pavilion. From hanging gardens to vertical walls that feature plants of ethnobotanical value[1], visitors are enveloped in an inviting threedimensional green space that also provides a cool respite from the buzz and excitement of the Expo grounds. Capturing one›s attention upon entering the Rainforest Cone is the Dipterocarp seed kinetic sculpture. It is inspired by the helicopter-like spinning movement of the winged seeds of trees from the Dipterocarp family. These ecologically important giants are some of the tallest trees in Southeast Asia’s tropical forests, and make up 50 to 80 per cent of the forest canopy. The landscape design, digital and art elements are helmed by Singapore landscape architecture firm Salad Dressing, in close partnership with the Pavilion architect WOHA. The planting strategy for the Pavilion features plants from diverse unique habitats from the natural heritage of Singapore, including varieties found in the tropical

rainforest, freshwater forest streams and mangrove habitats that are central to Singapore’s natural environment. Recognising the challenge of growing these plants in Dubai’s desert environment, plants are also strategically situated within the various spaces in the Pavilion based on their specific growth needs. For example, the Pavilion’s perimeter is protected by trees and palms that thrive well in the Dubai climate, mimicking a forest strata[2] to form a well-shaded layer that shields the interior. Sun-loving plants such as Singapore’s national flower, the Vanda Miss Joaquim, will greet visitors at the front of the Pavilion, where it receives the most direct sunlight. As part of water conservation efforts, potable water produced through the on-site solar desalination process is also deployed through drip irrigation[3] to minimise water wastage. In addition, leaf litter is also used to replace water consuming ground cover, to retain water in the soil. Together with misting, the greenery helps to increase humidity and thermal comfort within the Pavilion. These strategies enable the creation of microclimates within the Rainforest Cone and the Flower Cone to sustain rainforest plants. The growth of the multitude of plant varieties despite the ground conditions demonstrates the possibility for such lush landscapes to thrive in different environments around the world while using renewable resources. Capitalising on technology to augment bold landscaping design Caring for the varieties of plants within the Pavilion is no easy feat, especially those on the curved green walls of the Pavilion’s iconic cones. To address this challenge, three prototype climbing robots will traverse the green walls around the Flower Cone to inspect the health of the plants, as well as to collect environmental data to monitor the performance of the Pavilion’s systems. These dome-shaped robots are the result of a collaboration with Singapore-based robotics start-up Oceania Robotics, and they are among the first robots in the world deployed for the purpose of landscape maintenance on curved vertical green walls. These prototypes present a novel solution particularly relevant in Singapore, where vertical and skyrise greenery is an increasingly common sight in our built environment, a result of the nation’s urban greening policies that encourage building owners to inject more greenery into the buildings. It also provides a starting point for similar technologies to be developed in the future as such greening initiatives become more commonplace around the world. Each robot is equipped with cameras and sensors, and is trained through machine learning to evaluate the health status of individual plants. As they move along green walls, the robots can recognise plants in poor health that need to be replaced, as well as capture data for the calibration of irrigation and grow light settings to help the plants thrive. This creative application of technology also extends to the existing innovations used by the National Parks Board (NParks) in Singapore, such as tree inspection microdrones and ultraviolet cameras. Preparations for the Singapore Pavilion are at the final phase. Landscaping works have wrapped up and finishing touches are being made to the digital exhibits ahead of its opening on 1 October 2021. Various elements of the Singapore Pavilion experience will also be presented on online platforms, given the current travel restrictions and safe management measures.

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I ecological ENVIRONMENT

Ecological landscape plans move forward for Europe’s largest logistical hub By Grant Associates Landscape architect Grant Associates is leading on the delivery of the ecological landscape design and environmental planning for Britain’s Magna Park, one of the largest distribution locations in Europe. The landscape design of the expanded 550 acre Leicestershire site will feature a clear focus on biodiversity, habitat enhancement and close integration and accessibility to the wider community.

The latest phase for Magna Park will provide a strong fusion of interwoven infrastructure, landscape, ecology and community facilities, designed to enhance the first phase of planting and large wetland areas that are already starting to become established. The vision is to create a truly green logistics park with spaces for wildlife, people, agriculture,

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innovation, education, recreation and play spaces as well as open spaces for people to engage with the wider countryside and become immersed in nature. Grant Associates has played a central role in the development of Magna Park since 2014, supporting developer GLP’s aspiration for the development of a high quality, sustainable site wwwhich responds positively to the geographical, political and economic context of the site. The practice is working alongside architects Chetwoods and Stephen George Partnership for Magna North and Magna South respectively, as well as Bath-based environmental consultants Nicholas Pearson Associates, who have overseen the landscape and virtual impact assessment for the site. To date, over 1 million square metres of total

habitat has been created at the Magna Park site, including 619,540 square metres of woodland area and 266,000 square metres of wildflower meadow area. Over half a million hedging plants, shrubs and transplants have been planted, alongside 138,000 wetland, marginal and aquatic plants. The landscape framework consists of three primary interconnected strategies: a centralised ecology park focused on ecological enhancement (including SuDS wetlands, waterbodies woodlands and wildflower grasslands), a retained agricultural heart (facilitating the continued integration of grazing for arable use) and an extensive network of green corridors which connect the park with the landscape to the north, south and east of the development parcels.

I Book review

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Books of interest ROOTED IN SESIGN ISBN-9781607746973 PRISE-107.00Dhs.

Book Descriptions: A stylish and full-color guide to creatively integrating indoor plants with home decor from the owners of the popular Sprout Home garden design boutiques. Indoor plants play a large role in the design and feel of a space. Focusing on indoor gardening--from small containers and vertical installations with air plants to unique tabletop creations--Rooted in Design provides readers with the means to create beautiful and long-lasting indoor landscapes. Tara Heibel and Tassy De Give, owners of the successful Sprout Home gardening stores, offer expert advice for choosing plant varieties and pairing them with unique design ideas. Sharing practical tips honed through hundreds of plant design classes, Heibel and DeGive tell readers everything they need to know to care for their one-of-a-kind green creations

The Course of Landscape Architecture ISBN: 9780500342978 PUBLICATION DATE: May 31, 2016 HARDCOVER: 304 pages

Book Descriptions: . Christophe Girot sets out to chronicle this history, drawing on all aspects of mankind’s creativity and ingenuity. In twelve chapters, he brings together the key stories that have shaped our man-made landscapes. Each chapter consists of a thematic essay that ties together the central developments, as well as a case study illustrated with specially commissioned photographs and meticulously detailed 3D re–creations showing the featured site in its original context. The result of over two decades of teaching experience and academic research at one of the world’s leading universities, The Course of Landscape Architecture will reach international students and professionals. But its wealth of visual material, the wide range of its cultural references and the beauty of the landscapes it features will attract the interest of all who desire to enrich their understanding of how our landscapes have been formed, and how we relate to them.600 illustrations, 550 in color

Urban Environmental Landscape ISBN: 9781864706307 Author: Dieter Grau Hardcover: 256 pages

Publication Date: (10 Jun. 2015) Book Descriptions: The book provides the latest trends in urban environmental landscaping, with informative chapters on basic principles, dimensions, reference standards and considerations across a range of themes, such as public parks, public plazas, waterfront public open spaces, and urban street environments It Showcases a broad range of informative high-quality projects spanning the United States, Mexico, Australia, China, and Europe and provides comprehensive reference material for architects, urban planners, preservationists ,and landscape designers, and all who are directly involved in town planning in the urban environment. For each part, we selected the most striking cases with the newest design standards to showcase spectacular landscape design With its headquarter in Tokyo, Japan and world class stores spread over countries like America, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Australia, Taiwan and now in DUBAI – UAE, Kinokuniya is a globally known book seller of repute. The store in Dubai Mall is a massive 68,000 square feet wide paragon book gallery which stocks more than half a million books and thousand magazines in English, Arabic, Japanese, French, German and Chinese at any given time. The Store is also a distinct cross cultural hub wide range of time to time multicultural events such a comic art demonstrations, language learning workshops, book launches etc. The pleasant ambiance, stenographic design and add to it the impressive view of modern skyline – world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa, Kinokuniya at The Dubai Mall is just the place to evoke emotions and add pleasure to your book shopping. You may like to visit our website for more information. www.kinokuniya.com

I Company Listings

Landscape Contractor Desert Group T: +971 4 5904000 T: +971 4 3404441 group@desertgroup.ae www.desertgroup.ae Green & More T: +971 4 8830100 T: +971 4 8830101 info@greendmore.com www.greendmore.com Basatin Landscaping LLC T: +971 2 2077729 info@basatinlandscaping.com www.basatinlandscaping.com Proscape LLC T: +971 4 277 0244 info@proscapeuae.com www.proscapeuae.com

Fountain Ghesa T: +971 4 4328299 F: +971 4 4328298 info@ghesa.ae www.ghesawaterart.com Aquashi T: +971 4 3208777 sales@aquashi.co.uk www.aquashi.co.uk

TURF/LANDSCAPE PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTS Polyclean LLC (Turf Division) T: +971 4 338 8226 F: +971 4 338 8785 babiker.khateeb@polyclean.ae www.polyclean.ae

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Swimming pool

Zeoplant LLC T: +971 4 4473588 F: +971 4 4473587 info@zeoplant.com www.zeoplant.com

Pentair T: +971 4 320 8777 malikhan@mettsfzc.com www.mettsfzc.com

Landscape products WT Burden T: +971 4 8860700 F: +971 4 8860701 streetfurniture@wtburden.ae www.wtburden.ae Tanseeq LLC T: +971 4 3617199 F: +971 4 3607966 info@tanseeqllc.com www.tanseeqllc.com

Irrigation Hunter Industries T: +001 760 591 7114 F: +001 760 591 7194 Hanna.Zaidan@ hunderindustries.com www.hunterindustries.com Middle East Agrculture Company (MEAC) T: +971 4 8861151 F: +971 4 8861152 www.meac.com.sa METTS FZC T: +971 4 4470927 F: +971 4 4470928 info@mettsfzc.com www.mettsfzc.com Alwasail Industrial Co. T: +971 4 8886987 F: +971 2 6733565 hashim@alwasail.com www.alwasail.com

Satma International L.L.C. T: +971 4 2956088 F: +971 4 2956077 satmaint@emirates.net.ae www.satma.ae Trade Circle Technical Industries T: +971 4 338 1941 Fax: +971 4 338 1140 raskin.robins@wafi.com or info@tcti.net www.tcti.net & www.thosepoolguys.com Water in Motion LLC T: +971 4 277 0244 info@waterinmotionllc.com www.waterinmotionllc.com

Design & Urban planning ambientStudio T: +971 4 5544716 info@ambientStudio.com www.ambientStudio.com

Soil Additives Gulf Perlite T: +971 55 1235248 T: +971 55 15339640 info@uaeperlite.com www.gulfperlite.com

Landscape Consultants JC Melone Landscape Design FZ LLE T: +971 50 6410715 jcmelone@gmail.com

Precast Concrete Products / Hard Landscaping Products Consent LLC T: +97143472011 F: +97143472957 sales@consent.ae www.consentblock.com

BUILDING MATERIALS Stones &Slates llc T: +971 4 885 4688 info@stonesandslates.com www.stonesandslates.com

TREES & HERBS Acacia LLC T: +971 4 265 3397 info@acacia-ae.com www.acacia-ae.com

SPORTS FACILITIES/ PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENTS Tanseeq Projects LLC T: +971 4 361 7199 info@tanseeqprojects.com www.tanseeqprojects.com WT Burden T: +971 4 8860700 F: +971 4 8860701 streetfurniture@wtburden.ae www.wtburden.ae

METAL FABRICATOR Metaline LLC T: +971 224 3369 info@metalinellc.com www.metalinellc.com

Book your space Now! Contact: admin@landscape-me.com • Tel: +971 4 4470927

The First Specialised Landscape Magazine in the Middle East

I new ongoing projects

middleeasttenders.com

+971 2 634 8495

Status : New Tender Trade Category : Agricultural, Landscaping and Irrigation

NEW & CURRENT PROJECTS Tender Name

Description

Client

Region

Tender Cost (USD)

Post Date

Closing Date

Ornamental Plants Applied Units O&M

Operation and Maintenance of Applied Units for Ornamental Plants and Cut Flowers.

Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs & Fish Resources - PAAFR (Kuwait)

Kuwait

1000

7/10/2021

10/5/2021

Artificial Grass Maintenance

Maintenance, Repair and Replacement of Artificial Grass.

Ministry of Education (Kuwait)

Kuwait

1000

8/16/2021

9/14/2021

Artificial Grass Maintenance

Maintenance, Repair and Replacement of Artificial Grass.

Ministry of Education (Kuwait)

Kuwait

1000

8/9/2021

9/14/2021

Maintenance Contract

Maintenance Contract for the Green Areas

Ministry of Interior (Qatar)

Qatar

165

8/7/2021

9/12/2021

Planting Works

Execution of Planting Works.

Public Authority for Youth & Sports (Kuwait)

Kuwait

250

8/17/2021

9/7/2021

Plantations & Gardens O&M

Operation and Maintenance of Plantations and Gardens with the Scope of the North Municipality.

Riyadh Municipality (Saudi Arabia)

Saudi Arabia

1467

7/23/2021

9/5/2021

Aggroups & Gardens O&M

Operation and Maintenance of Aggroups and Gardens in Al-Batha Municipality.

Riyadh Municipality (Saudi Arabia)

Saudi Arabia

1467

7/23/2021

9/5/2021

Plantations & Gardens O&M

Operation and Maintenance of Plantations and Gardens in the Malaz Municipality.

Riyadh Municipality (Saudi Arabia)

Saudi Arabia

1467

7/23/2021

9/5/2021

Irrigation & Horticulture Services

Provision of Irrigation and Horticulture Services.

College of Applied Sciences (Oman)

Oman

7/13/2021

9/2/2021

Irrigation Canal-Network

Provision of Irrigation Canal-Network Laboueh.

United Nations Development Programme UNDP (Lebanon)

Lebanon

8/13/2021

9/1/2021

Gardening Maintenance Works

Maintenance of gardens, green spaces and irrigation networks in Najran.

Najran Municipality (Saudi Arabia)

Saudi Arabia

8/13/2021

9/1/2021

Landscaping & Irrigation Maintenance

Call-off Price Agreement for Landscaping ,Irrigation, Ancillary Works and Test.

Public Works Authority - ASHGHAL (Qatar)

Qatar

8585

8/15/2021

8/31/2021

Fresh Cut Flower Arrangements

Provision of Fresh Cut Flower Arrangements to Banana Island Resort, Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels, Al Najada Hotel and Souq, Al Wakra Hotel for 2 Years.

ARPM Tender Committee (Qatar)

Qatar

275

8/11/2021

8/31/2021

Annual Landscape & Plants Maintenance Services

Provision of Annual Landscape & Plants Maintenance Services.

ARPM Tender Committee (Qatar)

Qatar

549

8/11/2021

8/31/2021

Green Areas Maintenance

Maintenance of Green Areas and Irrigation Systems.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation (Dubai)

Dubai

8/19/2021

8/29/2021

Agricultural Equipment

Supply of Agricultural Equipment for Agricultural Research Center.

Ministry of Environment, Water & Agriculture (Saudi Arabia)

Saudi Arabia

267

8/18/2021

8/29/2021

Trees & Shrubs

Supply of Trees and Shrubs.

Khamis Mushait Municipality (Saudi Arabia)

Saudi Arabia

667

8/11/2021

8/29/2021

Palm & Maintenance Works

Tip of Palm and Maintenance of Agriculture.

Khamis Mushait Municipality (Saudi Arabia)

Saudi Arabia

667

8/11/2021

8/29/2021

Irrigation Networks & Systems Construction

Construction and Installation Works of Irrigation Networks and Systems for Afforestation Sites

Buraimi Governor Office (Oman)

Oman

8/8/2021

8/29/2021

The First Specialised Landscape Magazine in the Middle East

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