Natural Elements

Kate Dunstan

The following pages introduce the natural elements that can be found at Docklands, Melbourne. The most common natural elements found in Docklands is water and flora. Docklands is home to a diversity of different plant species which help promote animal life such as bees and cross pollination. The water plays a huge part in Docklands as the development plan focuses on construction at the waters edge. The Harbour views is what brings people to live or work in Docklands, an open space where they feel more inclined to do something unlike looking into neighboring buildings in the CBD. The water creates features with reflections of light on a sunlight day and casts of shadows on a gloomy day.

GREENERY/ VEGETATION

There aren’t too many spots with greenery or patches of grass. There are trees scattered throughout the streets and along the waters edge on the North side, as well as long strips of simple grass closer to the docks on the waters edge along the South. Also, there is a Docklands park closer to the city side, that has some seating areas and cover.

Waters Edge

Water plays a major part in Docklands, as it surrounds the space and also makes up part of the image/ identity of what Docklands is known for. As you walk around, you come to notice that different areas vary in how the water acts (eg. Calm, Choppy, Still, Waves). In some spaces this can effect sound quality and atmosphere in the specific area. Another thing to note, is how the sun reflects off the water in areas and depending of what time of day you are visiting the Docklands. Most of the time when the sun reflects off the water it adds aesthetic qualities to the space. However on the other hand, it may add annoying glare to users close to the water.