Puhinui Urban Growth Strategy - Creating Connections

Puhinui Phase 2 - Creating Connections

Urban Development Strategy

Robert Nairn

Contents CONTEXT

Introduction to Puhinui

Our Rationale

Phase 1: Design Driver

Phase 1: Proposed Strategy

Phase 2: Site Selection

MISSION STATEMENT ‘‘To base development around a centralized transport node which in turn can manifest out to the wider landscape, whilst restoring regions to ecological significance’’.

ANALYSIS Elevation Slope Aspect Hydrology

Existing Vegetation

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DEVELOPMENT

Design Drivers

Development Strategy

Master Plan

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CONCLUSION RENDERS

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Introduction to Puhinui

Puhinui is presently a 1100 hectare rural backdrop in South Auckland. Situated on a peninsula that extends into the Manukau Harbour, the area is consistant in the coastal characterictics of the Auckland Ithsmus.

PAPATOETOE

The landscape is comprised of small pockets of agricultural and rural land that border commercial and residential areas, the result of an accumulation of physical and cultural processes acting in the area.

A brief investigation into the site’s topography reveals a relatively flat landscape prominent in large open spaces of paddock areas, fields, shelter belt planting, outstanding outlooks, and low density rural housing.

Our Rationale The Puhinui landscape is a primary agricultural base for Auckland City – siting one of the last remaining food production areas close to the CBD. Values of rural land tend to be overlooked when planning new suburban areas, as taking over vast ‘empty’ landscapes is regarded as the only answer for a city requiring more space for sprawl.

However productive rural land is also the key to keeping our city alive – a rising population means an increased need for local food productivity.

PUHINUI

Thus our objective is to analyse both existing and potential features of the site.

Taking into consideration the agricultural processes and ecological habitats present, we aim to develop an urban strategy for Puhinui that will merge agriculture within a new urban realm.

AUCKLAND AIRPORT

The Puhinui area faces significant pressure for urbanisation due to its close proximity to the Auckland International Airport and large adjacent urban centres.

MANUKAU HARBOUR

SCALE: 1:30,000

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Phase 1: Design Driver - Multiple Nuclei Model The exploration of a Multiple Nuclei Urban Model is the design driver behind our proposed development strategy.

Our intention is to be able to create a selfsufficient urban village in a polycentric environment.

A Multiple Nuclei model is an ecological urban model based on planning cities around multiple nodes of activity, rather than sprawling out from one focal point (eg. Auckland’s current CBD). The idea behind this is to create areas of different activities that are appropriate to each others’ functions, and over time the nodes begin to merge to create a single urban area that allows an even spread of both land and urban resources amongst the sprawling city.

The diagram shows an example of a Multiple Nuclei urban model, where there are several different nodes located on the landscape which are circulated respectively by commercial zones, and high, medium and low density residential areas.

Using a similar model for Puhinui will ensure an even distribution of urban resources in the area while retaining sustainable communities and exisitng land ecologies.

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Phase 1: Proposed Strategy SCALE: 1:30,000

Commercial Zone

High Density Residential

Medium Density Residential

Low Density Residential

Using the Multiple Nuclei model, we have located our main commercial node towards the centre of the Eastern fringe of Puhinui, extending the current industrial and commercial area that exists in Wiri (on the otherside of the motorway).

A second smaller node is located approximately 14 ha to the Southwest of the initial hub. Both nodes are surrounded by high density housing, progressing to medium density housing which extends all the way to the Puhinui Reserve boundary (refer to map).

The addition of a second main transport route running through these urban areas and adjacent to the current Puhinui Road, will provide direct access to the new urban and commercial area for residents, workers and passer-by’s alike. The development of new roading infrastructure also allows the opportunity for a proposed light rail link to the airport which can be formed on the existing Puhinui Road.

Low-density housing will be located around the rim of Crater Hill - adjacent to Mangere’s existing urban zone. This will be zoned as Residential 3 under the Auckland Unitary Plan, allowing the Outstanding Natural Feature status of Crater Hill to be preserved.

Puhinui Reserve will be maintained and protected, with several new urban reserves created on Crater Hill and extending from the Manukau Memorial Gardens - creating green space for wildlife and people alike, as well as enhancing native planting and trees in Puhinui.

The important agricultural productivity of the landscape will be preserved, with majority of current productive areas kept for agricultural processes, as seen on the map.

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Phase 2: Site Selection Further development of a 75 hectare site will be investigated during Phase 2 of the Puhinui Urban Development Strategy.

The selected site is outlined in the adjoining images, and demonstrates a mixture of intersecting features from our initial proposal stratgey including: high and medium density residential areas, a commercial zone, a transport hub, and several ecological area’s.

PUHINUI

PHASE 2 SITE

Aerial image of 75ha site showing connectivity to existing land-uses of Puhinui.

In-depth analysis of this focused site, as well as additional research, will assist in the creation of an urban development masterplan for Puhinui.

MANUKAU HARBOUR

SCALE: 1:30,000

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Site in context with the proposed design strategy

Elevation

This analysis demonstrates landform elevation of the site as contour groups, showing an elevation range of 0 - 20.5m above sea level. The North-eastern corner of the site is the highest, but also the flattest terrain as shown by the 1.5m contour lines. While two areas on the Western side of the site illustrate land that is steeper and also closest to sea level - consistant with stream environments.

Slope Analysis

SCALE: 1:4,000

SCALE: 1:4,000

A GIS slope analysis is broken up into 3 categories: 0-4o slopes and 4-8o slopes are ideal for building on, while 8-15o slopes are generally considered unsuitable for building footprints.

This slope map reveals that most of the site is flat and therefore ideal for development; while the few steep zones (shown in orange) are areas where building plans should be retired and riparian planting should become the focus instead.

SCALE: 1:30,000

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Aspect

The following aspect analysis shows all north-facing sites in red - exposing spaces which receive the most sun and are thus generally warmer and drier than the southfacing area’s (shown in blue). It is typical to build houses with living areas north or northwest facing to maximise on the natural warmth provided by the sun, while southfacing spaces are commonly reserved for rooms in the house that are rarely used ie the garage, or the kitchen which provides its own warmth through the use of oven’s etc.

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SCALE: 1:4,000

Hydrology

SCALE: 1:4,000

Hydrology is a major process occurring on site. There are several drainage catchments apparent on the land, as well as an intricate network of flow accumulation paths, and two larger stream environments which dominate the western side of the site.

It is important to note flow accumulation detailed on the map. These paths are where water collects as shallow, transitory tributaries, which then flow down the sloping landscape into larger stream systems, and subsequently out into the Manukau Harbour.

This natural accumulation and deposition of water into a wider water body is a significant process to take into consideration when developing a stormwater system to ultimately manage and clean water from all areas of the site.

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Existing Vegetation

Existing vegetation on the site is predominantly open pastural land, with 2 small pockets of cropland apparent on the Eastern side protected by tall shetler belts.

Due to the lack of development on the landscape thus far, the stream environments are not protected with native riparian planting, and there is currently no native bush or woodland in the area. Vegetative buffers will be necessary along the stream edges to protect and enhance the natural ecology of these spaces. Natural shelter belts like the ones shown in the aerial image would be ideal for the division of space on site between different proposed uses eg. commercial and agricultural zones.

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SCALE: 1:4,000

Interconnectedness

Infrustructure

Puhinui Urban Development Proposal

Interconnectedness is the state of being connected from a centralized point, which in turn can feed out to the wider context of a landscape to form an overall oneness or whole. Puhinui development is an oppotunity to connect out to the wider environment through centralized transport nodes, offering people a sustainable alternative means of travel. A proposed rail link through to the airport based within development could help Aucklands growing congestion issues meanwhile creating circulation patterns where people disperse from 17

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Cadastrals

Stormwater Managemement

Property boundaries of single standing medium density dwellings are 350sqm where the compactness of these property sizes fits in well along linear grid roads. Property boundaries in high density residential zones are unnecessary where all apartment blocks are exposed to open recreational zones for people to readily use. This concept of shared spaces between dwelling owners is a necessary step for high density development which ultimately proves a more productive use of land. Cadastral boundaries are unnecessary to indicate with commercial development in this phase, where such confined development also features many shared spaces between buildings.

Depressed swale catchments are situated along main arterial roads and drain to low point retention ponds in times of excessive water flow. Such methods of water treatment systems filtrate water and reduce flow through the uptake of vegetation that can thrive in wet conditions. Retention ponds can offer a form of passive recreation with walkways around the edges as well as provide a form of habitat for species that enjoy wetland like environments. The location of retention ponds in relation to low points of the site is necessary to ensure water flow cleaned as it flows through before flowing further toward the coast.

Commercial

Swale Catchments

High Density

Retention Ponds

Medium Density Cadastral

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Ecological Values

Master Plan

Low lying land such as the stream tributary arms are to be revegetated with native cover. A heavy cover of Kahikatea is to be restored in lowest regions to break up hard surfacing of development, inhance biodiversity, or provide passive recreation to residents of the new development. Once a canopy cover of kahikatea takes form further species can take form beneath, enhancing biodiversity in the region as a whole. Green space corridors are to be left in bands running through development, allowing residents opportunity to connect directly to further open spaces.

Are large scale parkland is to be left on the north eastern extent of development to be seen as commual grounds for sports and other means of recreation.

The extent of Puhinui Reserve is to be left intact with native shelter belts planted arounded boundaires.

Bands of titoki tree are to be planted in amongst development along axis routes to enhance greenery, as well as to encourage people to use such routes.

Retention pond edges should be heavily planted with native species that thrive in such conditions including cabbage tree, oi oi, carex grasses or flaxes for an example. Species such as these create a good blend between surfaces and are suitable vegetation to filtrate excess water flow.

Development is based around a centralized transportation hub. Development connects out and feeds directly into high density dwellings through a series of arterial roads. Pathways and cycle routes are kept away from the roads and run inbetween high density development, focused on the concept of creating alternative means of travel other than a standard vehicle.

Commercial development based around a transport hub will provide sufficient cirrculation of people who work in the area and wish to travel abroad.

Swale gardens are to be constructed in a medium between arterial roads and footpaths which will feed in to two large scale retention ponds located in the low stream tributaries of the site. The overall design seeks to find a balance between hard materiality development and ecological values meanwhile creating a grid that connects in and out of a central point of the commercial district.

Perspective A

Significant Native Vegetation Significant urban

Perspective B

Parkland

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A Final Product

Auckland City is transforming as a result of a significant increase in population that will be seen in close coming years. It is apparent the city is in great need of resources for the growing number of residents to thrive in expanding environments; what services they require; the activities they participate in and ways in which they want to connect. Creating broad connections through transportation is the next step.

Development with the Puhinui Strategy is based around a centralized transport node in the commercial zone of the city. This zone feeds out to high density apartment blocks through a series of arterial roads, walkways and cycle paths interconnecting with one another. Walkways are situated away from the roads and intersect in amongst high density development creating a alternative route that is practical and desirable. A centralized transport node is an idea that aims to reduce congestion within large scale cities providing a sustainable means of travel for the social realm.

The reality of this project was a reflection on the need of a more dense development scheme to house Aucklands growing population while the logic is the avaliablilty of a transport hub as a sustainable means of commencement.

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B

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