Karaka: Urban Growth Strategy

URBAN

GROWTH

STRATEGY An ethical approach to shape our cities

Riyasp Bhandari Shayne Noronha Vaughan Mackenzie-Browne Logan Pennington

“Cities were always like people, showing their varying personalities to the traveler. Depending on the city and on the traveler, there might begin a mutual love, or dislike, friendship, or enmity. Where one city will rise a certain individual to glory, it will destroy another who is not suited to its personality. Only through travel can we know where we belong or not, where we are loved and where we are rejected.” ― Roman Payne, Cities & Countries “In merging nature and culture the most successful cities combine such universal needs as maintaining or restoring contact with the cycles of nature, with specific, local characteristics.” ― Sally A. Kitt Chappell, Chicago’s Urban Nature: A Guide to the City’s Architecture + Landscape

CONTENTS Introduction: -Auckland Context -Auckland Unitary Plan -Karaka -Brief

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Context: -Existing Slopes and Elevation -Existing Vegetation -Existing Rivers and Buffer Zones -Hydrology -Existing Soil -Heritage Zones -Existing Transport Network -Collective Zone

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Proposal: -Design Model and Design Drivers -Core Zone -Proposed High Density Areas -Proposed Medium Density Areas -Proposed Low Density Areas -Proposed Agricultural Areas -Weymouth - Karaka Connection -Transport Proximity -Revegetation -Dwellings vs Community Requirements -Integrated Proposal Map -Intensity of Zones

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Final Note

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References

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AUCKLAND CONTEXT

Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city, commercial centre and home to a third of the population. It is the dominant commercial focus of New Zealand with its large domestic market, infrastructure, port and airport, commercial expertise and diverse manufacturing and industrial base. It is also one of the fastest growing cities in Australasia. Alongside this growth is a growing demand for business, housing and a consequent increase in our use of infrastructure and natural resources. Growth and development provide new opportunities and make Auckland an exciting and vibrant place to live. However, if not managed well, growth can affect the health and amenity of our natural and physical environment that we value highly.

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This map/plan is illustrative only and all information should be independently verified on site before taking any action.Copyright Auckland Council. Boundary information from LINZ (Crown Copyright Reserved).

Whilst due care has been taken, Auckland Council gives no warranty as to the accuracy and completeness of any information on this map/plan and accepts no liability for any error, omission or use of the information.

Height datum: Auckland 1946.

Map Title

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AUCKLAND UNITARY PLAN

Auckland is growing rapidly. Since 2001, Auckland’s growth rate has been higher than other regions in New Zealand. The estimated population of Auckland is 1.4 billion and is projected to increase by one million over the next 30 years.

There are two key drivers of population growth: natural increase (births minus deaths), and positive net migration. Historically, population gains from natural increase have been relatively consistent. However, gains from immigration have been more variable and subject to national and international factors.

The Unitary Plan has two key functions. Firstly, it describes how we will manage our natural and physical resources while enabling growth and development and protecting the things we value. This will help council to carry out its functions and achieve the purpose of the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) as a regional council and a district council.

Secondly, it will help make Auckland a quality place to live, attractive to people and businesses and a place where environments and social standards are respected. It is also the key tool for implenting the Auckland Plan, the 30-year spatial plan and vision to make Auckland the world’s most liveable city.

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KARAKA Home to just over 6000, Karaka is traditionally a rural district, with only around 2000 homes that inhabit the area today. A young population with a median age of 38, Karaka is best known for its production of thoroughbred horses and sales that attract buyers from all over the world. Currently the area is being used as farmland, this is due to its highly fertile soil, flat open spaces and ecologically rich environment producing high quality stock and exports. Before the forming of the Auckland super city, Karaka was part of the Franklin district about 30mins from central Auckland.

Surrounded by the Manukau harbor and boarded by Weymouth to the north, Karaka has the potential for a substantial urban development.

With the urban sprawling pattern that Auckland is going through, Karaka is in an optimal place to develop. Taking inspiration from other rural developments like Flatbush and the Albany transport hub, Karaka can be transformed into an example urban development, showcasing innovation and ecological planning. Planning a site that is at its forefront of modern thinking and accessible to all forms of public transport, creating a community that can set a standard for Auckland’s progression.

View of Karaka from Weymouth

Productive Rural style living at the North most point of Karaka

View of development at Milano Boulevard

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SCALE: 1:100000

BRIEF

Aim: To recognise and analyse the main landscape factors, elements, processes and patterns within the wider Auckland region in order to: a) Identify areas where innovative forms of settlement growth can be located (identified) and implemented b) Illustrate and demonstrate landscape architectural analyses and design processes to support informed spatial decision making c) Apply landscape ecological design principles to measure and enhance ecological performance Develop a growth strategy (structure plan) for an area that is located around south of Auckland’s urban edge (around Karaka).

The growth strategy should be based on sound analyses of the hydrological catchment/s your site is positioned within, as well as, its local and regional context. These analyses form the base performative materials that give rise to an infinite array of interpretations or ‘logics’.

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EXISTING SLOPES AND ELEVATION

Analyzing the existing landform in terms of slope and elevation allows us to allocate exactly where we have the potential to develop. The slopes greater than 15° have been retired.

These areas will not be a logical place to carry out urban development. However, from looking at the retired slope areas we can see that Karaka’s landform is mainly flat, allowing for development across a majority of the area (statement based only on the topographical information gathered). These slopes could however accommodate a number of vegetation species and be the basis for a revegetation scheme.

KEY 15 ° Slope SCALE: 1:40000

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EXISTING VEGETATION

Based on the information gathered, there is a very small number of existing native vegetation. Even though urban development is the future for the area, it is important that we see the increase in native vegetation and retain the natural features within the landscape.

It is important to find ways to keep the population growth proportional to the growth of vegetation species instead of prioritizing between them. It is possible to integrate ecology within the urban environment and move towards a positive development paradigm of urban areas.

KEY Broadleaved Indigenous Hardwoods Lake and Pond Indigenous Forest Mangroves SCALE: 1:40000

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EXISTING RIVERS AND BUFFER ZONES

There are a number of rivers and streams that make its way into the Karaka. These link to Pahurehure Inlet, Bottle Top Bay and the Papakura Channel which all feed into the Manukau Harbour which is the second largest natural harbour in New Zealand by area. With this flowing connection, it is important to filter our systems naturally through vegetation so that Karaka as a city will continue to promote the ethical development paradigm. A 15m buffer around these rivers display the existing space for vegetation that is used to secure the steep banks.

KEY 15m Vegetation Buffer Zone River SCALE: 1:40000

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HYDROLOGY

A floodplain is an area of land adjacent to a stream or river that stretches from the banks of its channel to the base of the enclosing valley walls and experiences flooding during periods of high discharge.

Floodplains can support particularly rich ecosystems, both in quantity and diversity. Wetting of the floodplain soil releases an immediate surge of nutrients: those left over from the last flood, and those that result from the rapid decomposition of organic matter that has accumulated since then. The production of nutrients peaks and falls away quickly; however the surge of new growth endures for some time. This makes floodplains particularly valuable for agriculture. Within the next 100 years, Karaka will not be affected by flooding, which will cause no threat or harm on the urban proposal.

KEY Catchment 100 year Floodplain SCALE: 1:40000

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EXISTING SOIL

From looking at the soil on the Karaka landscape, we can see that a majority of the landscape contains rich soils that are ideal for agricultural processes. With minor limitations, we can map out areas where urban development can be applied, so that the productive character of the landscape can be retained whilst addressing the growing population issue.

In terms of revegetation, the quality of the land is ideal to establish an increase in native vegetation population which with contribute to the idea of an integrated system between human and ecological processes.

KEY Hm Ka Th Tk Wm SCALE: 1:40000

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HERITAGE ZONES

Karaka features areas of significant cultural heritage. Areas feature historical structures, maritime sites, reported historical sites, and archaeological sites. These features create a visual trend which forms a story of how the land was used during its historic past. Cultural footprints typically follow the coast and portray a sense of how Maori treasured their coastal areas being the main source of food. A significant cultural zone within Karaka is located at the northern tip of west Karaka. We believe it is important to protect these zones and showcase its importance.

KEY Archaeological Sites Historical Sites Reported Historical Sites Maritime Sites SCALE: 1:40000

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EXISTING TRANSPORT NETWORK

Currently, the only logical way to access Karaka through automotive transport from other areas is through the Southern Motorway, or a similar street route. This route sees an unnecessary need to travel an additional distance. We believe this is an action that sees the isolation of Karaka from the rest of Auckland. With Karaka currently being an agricultural based landscape, this current isolation seems ideal. However, with the growing population and the urban development of the area, there will be a need for a more efficient transport route. The proposal of an alternative route would ease the intensity and congestion of traffic along the current Southern Motorway route. At the same time it would also create a more direct connection to the developing landscape.

KEY Public Transport Allocated Stops Southern Motorway Existing Public Transport Route SCALE: 1:40000

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COLLECTIVE ZONE

The Karaka Collective welcomes the opportunity to make this submission to the Auckland Council on options for future growth an a Rural Urban Boundary in the South of Auckland.

The vision of the Collective is based on the concept of settling lightly on the land. It intends to develop a new Auckland vernacular human settlement pattern that is at the forefront of sustainability internationally. Much of the way Auckland has developed in the past has been to copy and introduce arguably inappropriate Northern Hemisphere models to local urban design and settlement character patterns.

The Collective is committed to developing natural and physical resources in an innovative and sustainable manner that enables people to sustain themselves from the local area where possible. The objective is to build a strong and resilient community with a clear sense of identity and a powerful place based connection.

The Collective is made up of major land owners in the Karaka North, Urquhart’s Peninsula (Karaka West) and Kingseat areas. Land under the stewardship of the parties represented in the submission.

KEY Collective Zone SCALE: 1:40000

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DESIGN MODEL AND DESIGN DRIVERS

Low Impact Urban Design Development (LIUDD) LIUDD applies the concept of ecological carrying capacity, a measure of the ability of an area or environment to regenerate the resources that humans consume and to handle resulting waste. Avoids within catchments the adverse effects of a physiochemical, biodiversity, social, economic and amenity nature resulting from conventional development. LIUDD aims to ensure human activities do not damage or destroy natural processes protecting aquatic and terrestrial ecological integrity while allowing urbanization at all densities.

Traditional Subdivision Pattern Planned infrastructure that draws attention to sustainable water treatment and ecological restoration through design and planting. The development aims to generate a sense of localness and private collective space. The edges create a buffer zone of larger trees and a higher density of housing development, which becomes more spacious towards the central site to facilitate the feeling of ownership of the development core with recreational lakes and playground.

Integrated Catchment Management (ICM) Landscape patterns and systems provide the basis for site design. Sense of place and community identity created – sense of ownership. Community based conservation local engagement. Building sites factor slope, aspect and avoid hill-shade. Scenic protection of visual impact of buildings (are set off ridge lines) and land use activities. Ensured ecological outcomes, aesthetic of care evoking enjoyment and approval. Heritage values weave a common thread through planning.

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CORE ZONE

Every successful city is developed around a core central business district. The functionality and sustainable use of resources that determines the longevity of a city. For Karaka, we have introduced new core areas, with the central one being the focal point and the largest of the three. The locations of these cores have been strategically placed to cater for the surrounding landscape and will pinpoint a new flow of movement through the area. The core consists of a town center and industrial zones where residents can find work and everyday amenities. The core will form the community’s identity and allow people of the wider landscape to connect with Karaka. The central core would also accommodate Karaka’s community center, which will showcase and educate visitors as well as residents about Karaka’s agricultural history.

KEY Central Hub Secondary Core SCALE: 1:40000

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PROPOSED HIGH DENSITY AREAS

With the requirement to develop areas to accommodate 400,000 dwellings to absorb the 1.0million increase in Auckland’s population the development for higher density zones is crucial. We have allocated a high density-housing area around our core zones within Karaka.

The reason for this is that is creates a close proximity for people who are looking for a shorter travel distance to work and prefer apartment style living and rely on public transport.

Our definition of high-density housing is 40 dwellings per hectare, based on a 3-story apartment living style. The reason for this is so that we can maximize the development potential within a section of Karaka. Small parks will be integrated within this section of the landscape to encourage the integration of ecological and human co-existence within the urban environment. The total area allocated for the high density zone is 211Ha (including the core) of which 73Ha has been taken away for the allocation of reserves and parks, sports fields, shops and malls. This leaves us with a rough 138Ha dedicated to dwelling space. Within this high density area, we have the potential to accommodate a high of 54,351 residents.

KEY High Density SCALE: 1:40000

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PROPOSED MEDIUM DENSITY AREAS

Medium density housing has been applied to the collective zone. It will be the majority of the landscape and create the image of the lifestyle we visualize for Karaka. Our definition of medium density housing is 25 dwellings per hectare. This layout resembles a traditional subdivision model. We have allocated 515Ha to medium density where 212Ha take up amenities within the area. Medium density amenities consist of community focal points, recreation, service stations, sports fields and clubs, entertainment centers, churches and schools. This leaves 303Ha for dwelling development. Within the medium density zone, we have the potential to accommodate 25,245 people.

KEY Medium Density SCALE: 1:40000

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PROPOSED LOW DENSITY AREAS

Low-density zones have been applied to areas where we believe the landscape needs to retain its landscape quality with minor urban influences. We define our low-density zones as 12 dwellings per hectare. We believe this is a low impact proposal that would benefit the landscape. Within Karaka, the low-density proposal has an area of 141Ha, where vegetative buffer zones and public parks create the natural sense of the area with minimal housing.

Within the low density area, we have the potential to accommodate 5,583 people.

KEY Low Density SCALE: 1:40000

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PROPOSED AGRICULTURAL AREAS

Currently, Karaka is a productive agricultural landscape. It is a contributive landscape as it supplies a number of resources required by existing urban systems. We believe that it is important to retain this character and sustain the existing productive cultivation. This is why we have decided to propose areas where we can continue this process. 367Ha has been designated for this purpose, in areas where the soil is of high quality. Once the surrounding urban areas have settled in, these agricultural areas will showcase Karaka’s agricultural history.

KEY Agricultural Areas SCALE: 1:40000

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WEYMOUTH - KARAKA CONNECTION

With the development of Karaka, a direct, more efficient route of travel must be established.

Managing the traffic within the Southern Motorway route will lead to large amounts of congestion and an increase in travel time. The proposal of an alternative route that connects directly towards the heart of Karaka is most applicable from Weymouth. The WeymouthKaraka Bridge will allow a shorter travel distance where road-users could easily access Karaka through Manurewa. Transport into Karaka can flow into the core, which is the urban focal point, or to numerous natural areas such as parks and reserves situated within the different densities.

KEY Main Transport Route SCALE: 1:40000

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TRANSPORT PROXIMITY

The transport proximity map shows the general area for – pedestrian walking distance, private/public transport within high density zones and private/public transport for all Karaka residents to the three main cores.

The pedestrian walking distance from the high density zone to the main core is 1km, which as an average walking distance between a high density zone and CBD. Residents within this zone are not required to own a private vehicle, and can access all amenities within a short walk.

A combination of private and public transport is a quick and robust way of travelling within high density zones. It is a mixture of transport use which allows residents the option of multiple forms of travel with a focus on the three main core destinations.

On larger scale, the radius of people who live around the wider areas of Karaka is much greater than the radius of transportation for high density residents. These people can too access the three main cores via private owned and public transport of their choice.

KEY Walking Public Transport Public and Private Transport SCALE: 1:40000

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REVEGETATION

The revegetation procedure that we have decided to undertake is to manipulate the existing 15째 slope to act as the landform of our native vegetation area. Re-vegetating along these steep slopes is also a way to secure and protect these areas from erosive behavior. From an ecological sense, it is also a way of introducing the coexistence between ecological and urban environments. With the coastal edges of Karaka being so heavily populated by cultural and heritage properties, revegetating the coastline is not only a mitigation technique, but also a way to isolate and protect these significant areas within a natural environment.

KEY Revegetation SCALE: 1:40000

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DWELLINGS VS COMMUNITY FACILITIES

This map represents the approximate ratio between dwellings and community facilities (community centre, reserves, parks, sports fields/clubs, recreational centres and etc.). These facilities will be integrated within the allocated high and medium density zones. However the rural and low density zones will have a majority of re-vegetated areas, which will be protected and preserved in order to retain Karaka’s rural character.

The rural and low density zones follow the LIUDD model by carrying out its fundamental characteristics in order to function suitably within the development. Traditional Subdivision Pattern model has been incorporated within the medium density to acquire further community facilities and open spaces in relation to the wider context. Medium density can be referred to as having the greatest land area of 515Ha for development. Although over half the land is utilized for dwellings the rest of the land is benefited for community facilities, open spaces and other shares spaces.

High density zone is one of the most intensified zones, which are developed around the three main cores and which also run adjacent to medium density. Out of the 211Ha of land, approximately three-quarters of it is dominated by dwellings compared to the remaining land which is designated for community facilities and open spaces. This is an logical approach for allocating high density zones around the main cores.

A small portion of all densities will be used as a 30m buffer for stream and riparian areas.

KEY Dwellings Facilities SCALE: 1:40000

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INTEGRATED PROPOSAL MAP

Integrating all the different zones shows how the proposed movement would impact the land. With the combination of the Weymouth/Karaka bridge and the hubs, a new form of movement is created through the landscape. The journey into Karaka over the bridge will enter the rural character of Karaka and showcase the landscapes historic agricultural greatness. Approaching towards the urban areas, travellers will see and experience the developed land. In terms of addressing the Unitary Plan, the total dwelling space accommodates roughly 85,000 people while areas within the landscape still retain the rural character.

KEY High Density

Revegetation

Medium Density

Central Hub

Low Density

Secondary Cores

Agricultural Areas

Roads SCALE: 1:40000

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INTENSITY OF ZONES REVEGETATION

As stewards of the land, it is always important to understand and communicate the consequences of the proposal on the wider landscape. We feel it is important to see how the proposal is seated within the wider landscape. With significant focus on the southern landscape, there is always potential to create a direct connection to Pukekohe, not necessarily through an urban development strategy but also creating opportunities integrating a network of ecological niches.

CORE

HOUSING DENSITY

TOPOGRAPHY

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FINAL NOTE

The driver behind moving forward in a landscape design, is to approach an ethical strategy which meets the brief’s requirements. With a huge pressure to accommodate a massive increase to the cities population, we need to ensure that we retain the beauty of not only Karaka, but also New Zealand as a country. It is about finding ways to incorporate the proposal within the significant character of the existing landscape. As a team, we believe that it is our priority to integrate the human and ecological systems to the extent where we form a coexisting community. We strongly recommend that this driver should be applied to all cities facing the same problem. Whether it may be culture, heritage, particular land qualities or communal beliefs every community should retain its character in some way, or at least ensure it is carried forward through the development for future generations.

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REFERENCES

-Auckland Unitary Plan, Auckland Council, http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

-Karaka Collective, 2012, Submission on the Southern Rural Urban Boundary

-Landorn Project Teams, 2010, Residential Density Guide

-Housing New Zealand, 2011, Housing at Higher Densities, Design Guide

-New Zealand Bloodstock, 2013, http://www.nzb.co.nz

-Karaka Lakes, 2013, http://www.karaka-lakes.co.nz

-Diane Fan, 2013, Karaka Stats, Statistics New Zealand

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