Te Tihi
replenishing the korowai
Reuben McPeak
Contents Context Te Tihi Site Review land and form hydrology ecology
Development
water solutions enhancing ecologies the movement network housing the future sustainable living
References 1
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Context Natural population growth in Auckland coupled with immigration from overseas and the wider New Zealand has led to an increased push on the urban limits of the city. Larger cities elsewhere in the world have no choice but to increase urban density because of land constraints, but Auckland is in the position where the opportunity for urban sprawl exists. The questions being asked of Auckland remain as what might be the most beneficial for the city in the longterm, and through what methods might the we best utilise and manage its natural resources. Among many benefits, the concept of sustainable urban development seeks to create an enhanced sense of community while increasing population density per hectare in a liveable and environmentally responsible manner. The pushing out of Auckland’s Metropolitan Urban Limit (MUL) to incorporate the Puhinui region has been proposed as a response to its population challenge. The incorporation of sustainability values have high importance in moving the city forward responsibly. Ladies Mile Apartments in Ellerslie, designed by Architex, are an example of higher density living in which social housing has provided connected and affordable units where individuality and privacy are effectively provided.
Beaumont Apartments, a development in Freemans Bay by Studio Pacific, has received much acclaim for its compact but innovative creation of mixed-typology terrace housing that maximises natural light, and boasts communal green areas and affordability.
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Te Tihi
defining the locale
Puhinui is presently an area of largely agricultural land. It is an area of open space and fresh ocean breeze. Small injections of industry exist in several sites. Recreation comprises the equestrian park and conservation ecologybased reserves, namely Puhinui Reserve, Pukaki Lagoon and Crater Hill. The Colin Dale Motor Park is proposed for the area but not yet installed. Pukaki Marae is home to Te Akitai, sitting on Te Akitai land largely south of Pukaki Lagoon on the Pukaki Peninsula. Puhinui is coastal in character, the Manukau Harbour extending along its western and southern boundary.
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Auckland’s International Airport is adjacent to Puhinui on its western side. The airport’s proximity brings to the area much thoroughfare traffic and much employment. Flight paths cross the site creating much noise and serving as an influencing factor in legalities for the placement of educational and medical facilities as well as housing. Noise zones have been created as a means of delineating the extent of development and activity within based on the average decibel rating experienced across the site. Site Boundary 55 dB 60 dB
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As illustrated at right, the wider Puhinui has been proposed to be divided into generalised blocks for the location of residence, agriculture, light industry, recreation, etc. This allocation of land is based on detailed analysis of soil fertility, noise contours, ecological vulnerability, access and practicality, and existing site features, in conjunction with surrounding suburbs and industry and community therein. Connection through the region and to surrounding suburbs is shown.
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DETAILED DEVELOPMENT SITE
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ide Res The site within Puhinui/Te Tihi selected for detailed sustainable development is outlined in blue. This site is a largely residential pocket of land, embraced by arms of ecological restoration. It connects with land allocated for commerce/light industry to its north, as well as being connected on the eastern border by the Equestrian Park.
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Site Review
analysing the site’s inherent elements
The site selected for Te Tihi Phase 1 development runs across all Airport noise zones. Its position is pivotal in connecting agricultural land on the north-west with Te Tihi retail and community centre, as well as linking residential areas to the suburb’s southern extent with local employment in the context of both retail and commercial zones on site. Te Tihi community centre is destined to be a hub for users of the Puhinui Equestrian Park as well as the Colin Dale Motorsport Park.
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A suburb’s character develops based on the area’s employment, inherent commerce, landform, ecology, layout, cultures and surrounding communities. Te Tihi’s character will form largely based on its proximity to the airport and associated employment. In addition to this, it will be set apart from every other suburb in Auckland by its sense of enclosure of residential areas and subsequent sub-community creation by the stream- and coastbased ecological bands, and by its unique elements contributing to returning people to a place of connection with and respect for the land.
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Site Review
land & form
Elevation Te Tihi rises to 25m above sea level at its highest point. Contours of 2.0m illustrate its relative shallow incline from sea level. The site is generally of gentle rolling hills. The exceptions to this are where vegetation has been cleared from the coastal edge and erosion is occuring to to inadequate stabilisation of the soil
Elevation 0 - 5.00m 5.01 - 10.00m 10.01 - 15.00m 15.01 - 20.00m 20.01 - 25.00m
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Slope Slopes greater than 15 degrees are highlighted as constraints to sustainable development. As such, these zones are destined to be retired as ecological patches and corridors.
Elevation Slopes greater than 15 degrees
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Site Review
hydrology
Flowpaths The natural drains that pass across the farmland are more ephemeral than streams as such, but they carry the same function as any other stream - being receptacles for natural drainage from the land, as well as playing host to waterloving wildlife. These channels in the land are avoided in agricultural tilling and production because of the difficulty the angle of slope and moisture levels create. However, agricultural influence on these depressions is not avoided. As destinations for overland flow, agricultural run-off of chemical contaminant, fertiliser and effluent finds its way in these channels, and subsequently to Manukau Harbour. This has a negative effect on marine health and the flourishing ecologies therein. Surface flow of excess agricultural nutrient has encouraged an abundance of mangrove stands in the high reaches of the harbour tributaries, altering tributary ecology as a result.
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Flow Accumulation Flow accumulation was assessed to identify areas over which increased levels of water pass, as well as those where pooling might be more significant. While highlighting places to which overland water flows, this mapping also brought to light where water flows from, i.e. “ridges� where lines of land sitting largely above the flow of overland water.
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Site Review
ecology
Habitats & Inhabitants The site plays host to an array of ecologies, bot native and introduced. Artficial habitats have been deliberately created by farming practices, the most identifiable of these being represented by shelter-belts and livestock. Fauna inherent to this habitat type includes sheep and cattle, as well as introduced wild animals that thrive on the open spaces such as rabbits, magpies, spur-winged plovers and sparrows. Some native birds also benefit from this habitat, including harrier hawks and pukekos. An abundance of introduced pasture plants and insect-life also flourish in this environ, with reduced shading and greater wind-dispersal for each.
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While native habitats are sparse on the site, some species still find access across it. Inanga are ocassionally found in the stream channels, as well as eels. Some birds also find these areas more fit for nesting due to reduced disturbance. Flora such as Coprosma and Muehlenbeckia can establish adventitiously through seed dispersal by birds, and small ecologies heren can develop including native amphibians and insects. The coastal edge provides an area where agricultural use is nul and more species can develop with minimal disturbance. Bird-distributed seed establishes shrubs that provide cover for larger plants to gain a foothold, Additional bird species in and around the site include the black stilt, NZ dotterel, fernbird, wrybill, starling, paradise shelduck and mallard.
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Development
proposing a sustainable step forward
The rural character of Te Tihi is carried through in the new development with the eccentuation of lines created by the existing shelter-belts. Primary roads run parallel to these, and further belts of Lombardy poplar and fastigiate Liriodendron will be planted for longer-term character. Areas of unprogrammed grassed parkland are important fixtures through the. Where appropriate, fencing in the site will be stylised to reflect traditional New Zealand rural fencing, i.e. post-and-wire. Wooden-rail fencing will also be used in reflection of the equestrian park opposite the town centre.
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Access to the town centre from the new Prices Rd Urban Route is by means fo a slip road, minimising interference to traffic flow passing by, as well as keeping higher speed traffic at a distance from the retails area for pedestrian safety as well as for noise buffering. Roading is based on the concept of coving, wherein resources are maximised and waste is minimised. The placement of roads is based largely on higher points found through flow accumulation analysis. irp
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Residential areas of this phase are built outside of HANA and MANA noise zones, thereby minimising on the need for noise insulation in their construction.
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Areas of slope great than 15 degrees are left for ecological restoration, as this again minimises on the requirement for additional materials. Me
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Development
water solutions
Water Catching, Retaining and Managing Each cadastral is fitted with a rainwater holding tank to retain water caught from roofs on the site. Greenroofs reduce the amount of runoff, and holding tanks provide a method of later utilising the runoff water for watering gardens, and washing cars and pets. Bioretention swales and raingardens adjacent to roading throughout Te Tihi capture stormwater and begin the filtering and purifying process. Diversity of riparian planting fish, birds and invertebrates intrinsic to these treatment devices serve to manage the water as well as slow its downhill path to encourage maximum infiltration into the earth.
Driveways and footpaths are constructed of permeable paving, again maximising infiltration of surface water while providing increased habitat for local invertebrates.
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Retention Wetlands Retention ponds created as catchment for the stormwater bioremediation system will be structured in a similar manner to the majority of contemporary wetlands - with a diversity of habitat, a large waters edge to volume ratio and designed to provide the maximum opportunity for water to be absorbed into the ground before any remainder flows out and into the stream network. These wetlands will be fed by the stormwater swales adjacent to the roading system.
Riparian-buffered Stream
Retention Wetland
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Development
enhancing ecologies
Corridors & Patches The establishment of a 50m coastal buffer of native reforestation creates a strong green corridor for native wildlife around the site and between streambeds. This also stabilises the soil the prevent further coastal cliff erosion. Streambeds will have a riparian planted zone of 50m on either side of stream centre. While enhancing ecological habitat, this also ensures residential, agricultural and industrial run-off and leachates are further from the water network when they do enter the soil, and they are given more opportunity to be biofiltered through natural sequestration. A strong urban network of ecology will be created by the bioretention swales and raingardens, wherein “backyard� ecological corridors will be supported by road-front corridors. Green roofs will to diversity of habitat within the urban realm, further promoting a wider range of native and exotic species in the area.
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Retention ponds will sustain a vast richness of species, each aiding in the more effective treatment of the water being processed. Some of the array of larger fauna this palustrine environment will encourage are as follows: north island fernbird pukeko grey heron kingfisher shag paradise shelduck pied stilt banded rail spotless crake kokopu australasian bittern eel gecko skink koura welcome swallow tui bellbird mudfish frogs australasian coot
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Development
the movement network
Proximity & Access
EMPLOYMENT
The community layout is deliberately efficient in proximity of destination. The four primary destinations in Te Tihi are located within close proximity of each other. Housing is close to local sites of employment - being the community retail cetre as well as the commerce/ light industry zone.
Te Tihi Rugby Field
The coastal linear ecological reserve provides an important pedestrian and cycling link to different parts of the wider suburb, as well as an alternative to roading where time with nature is wanted.
EMPLOYMENT
Te Tihi Town Green
Community Productive Gardens
Ngati Te Ata Marae
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10 min Walking
Pedestrian & Cycling Five- and ten-minute walking radius (400m and 800m respectively) from the town centre illustrates the convenience of the site’s layout. The local shuttle service provides an efficient and free service to the community for those not looking to walk or pedal, while maintaining an environmentally responsible stance on getting about in the community.
5 min Walking
Circulation Network Greenlink Pedestrian & Cyclist Access Pedestrian & Cyclist Pavement Access Te Tihi Shuttle Route
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Development
housing the future
Typologies Diversity of housing is important in providing interesting housing to individuals where individuality is important. Stand-alone, terrace and apartment living are all offered in Te Tihi. Most of these include community green space local to the residence, where community plots can be managed and children can play. Fourteen medium to higher density urban housing typologies are utilised, drawn from Auckland and Christchurch contemorary examples. These are spread across the residential area encouraging mixed demographic, as well as providing a variety of shaped building blocks with which the cadastral construct has optimally been assembled. Providing open green spaces has been an important driver in seeking to maintain the expansive feeling inherent to the Puhinui farmland.
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Development
housing the future
Community Living Proximity between worke and play and home has determined much of Te Tihi’s layout. The coming together of these, as shown below assists in efficiency of transport, the minimising of travel time, a reduced sense of isolation when working locally. and a greater sense of community when locals are intermingling with locals. Diversity of commerce and light industry have been mixed through the zone, with residential scattered. Greenspace is provided regularly throughou the commercial area for relaxing, and lunching during the work day, as wel as for family recreation for those centred in the surrounding blocks. The reforested stream buffer provides ample green vistas for the majority of the locally employed. This vista is even more prominent for the north-facing apartments set between the rugby field and the town centre in the background (below). These apartments will play host primarily to short-term tenants either having just arrived at or soon to be departing from the airport.
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A centralised park area boasts not only open space, greenhouses and community vegetable plots, but also houses a local cafe and boutique shpping facilities relevant to the local production of edibles in an environmentally responsible way. Urban orchards and more open space link the central parkland with the town centre. Cafes overlooking green expanse embelish the boundary of retail and residential, and locals from both the town centre as well as from adjacent residences enjoy the park’s sunny aspect.
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Development
sustainable living
Reconnecting with the Land Sustainability as an intimate and integral part of Te Tihi’s development and character represents the significance of Auckland changing its ways of accommodating the city’s residents and guests. As much as possible of the suburb’s means of environmental efficiency is determined to be visible to all, and not kept hidden as the cogs of a productive engine. Visibility of this living suburb will promote the importance of this heathy approach to conserving our natural resources as well as its ease.
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Stormwater Retention Wetlands will be part of the region’s recreation parkland. Bioretention Swales will show nature being welcomed back into the urban realm. Solar panels will highlight the free energy we take for granted on a daily basis. Urban orchards and community vegetable plots will remind people of the ease of growing your own. Communal greenspace will bring people together; neighbours talking with neighbours again.
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References Aucklanddesignmanual.co.nz. (2014). Design for places - Auckland design manual. Sourced from: http://www.aucklanddesignmanual.co.nz/design-for-places. Christchurch City Council. Condon, P. (2010). Seven rules for sustainable communities: design strategies for the post carbon world. Washington, DC: Island Press. Duany, A., Speck, J. and Lydon, M. (2010). The smart growth manual. New York: McGraw-Hill Books. Freeman, C. and Thompson-Fawcett, M. (Eds.). (2003). Living space: towards sustainable settlements in New Zealand. Dunedin, NZ: University of Otago Press. FutureChristchurch. (2014). Exploring new housing choices for changing lifestyles. King, J. (2014). Landscape+Urbanism. Landscape+Urbanism. Sourced from: http://www.landscapeandurbanism.com/. Mfe.govt.nz. (2014). Medium-density housing in New Zealand | Ministry for the Environment. Sourced from: http://www.mfe. govt.nz/issues/urban/medium-density-housing/. Smith, C., Clayden, A. and Dunnett, N. (2008). Residential landscape sustainability: a checklist tool. Oxford, UK: Blackwell Publishing.
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