1 Patricia Morrison
MISSION STATEMENT Merging agricultural processes within an urban fabrication: retaining the land’s sustainability and ecological values of Puhinui whilst providing urban space for the rising Auckland population.
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Contents CONTEXT Introduction to Puhinui Our Rationale Phase 1: Design Driver Phase 1: Proposed Strategy Phase 2: Site Selection
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ANALYSIS Elevation Slope Aspect Hydrology Noise Considerations Existing Vegetation
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DEVELOPMENT Design Statement Development Strategy 3D Model
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CONCLUSION
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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.
PUHINUI
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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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. 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.
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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. 6
Commercial Zone
High Density Residential
Medium Density Residential
Low Density Residential
Phase 1: Proposed Strategy SCALE: 1:30,000
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. 7
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
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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.
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SCALE: 1:4,000
Slope Analysis
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.
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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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Noise Considerations
Puhinui’s close proximity to the Auckland International Airport creates noise issues which restrict how the area can be developed residentially. The red zone on the map indicates the path where aircraft noise will be the loudest, showing where we are unable to situate residential housing. Prospective commercial buildings can be constructed in this zone but are limited to an 8 metre maximum height restriction, and also require particular acustic insulation to ensure the outside noise level inside each building does not exceed 40 decibels when all windows and doors are closed.
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SCALE: 1:4,000
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.
SCALE: 1:4,000
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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DESIGN STATEMENT MY MAIN DESIGN DRIVER IS THE PRESERVATION OF THE ESTURIES WHILE PROVIDING A PUBLIC RESERVE, WATER RE-USE AND RETENTION ON SITE FOR THE COMMUNITY. THIS LINEAR PARK IS CREATING A CORRIDOR FOR THE HABITAT AND A HIGH WALKABILITY ROUTE FOR HUMANS USING AND LIVING ON THE SITE. RETAINING THE NATURAL FLOW DIRECTION OF WATER IS IMPORTANT FOR A MORE SUSTAINABLE AND RESILIANT LANDSCAPE WHILE THE VEGETATION HELPS TO RELEASE CLEANER WATERS IN OUR OCEANS. OTHER INTRODUCED ASPECTS ON SITE ARE COMPLIMENTING SURROUNDING AGRICULTURE AND BUSINESSESS WHICH IS TO BE IMPLEMENTED.
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This is the site of Puhinui that has been chosen to further explore innovative development options. The rationale identified previously has been further looked into and the aim to develop an urban strategy for Puhinui that will merge agriculture within a new urban realm has been met. Three landscape analysis factors identified previously have been chosen and portrayed in the proposed design scheme as they raised suitability and capability for the future urban growth of Puhinui, Auckland.
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The identified aircraft noise has depicted the placement of housing densities and commercial buildings. The previous design strategy of commercial in the high impact zone and residential in the medium was taken into consideration then followed by the layout of the roads fit for each zone. The layouts of the roads and paths not only work around the housing density and commercial buildings, but also work in with high walkability infrastructure. The impervious surfaces have been calculated to 377,474.08m2 and pervious surfaces are rounded up to be 417,330.99m2. These calculations show that the pervious surfaces outway the impervious surfaces which pursue the sustainable outcome to the project.
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Former slope analysis reveals that the red areas are too steep and should be avoided when planning a suburban subdivision. These areas are to be ecologically maintained and enhanced, as the light green areas are suitable for urban housing and commercial developments as seen on the building proposal map to the right. The plot sizes given to each high density dwelling is rounded up to 300m2 and the medium density dwellings 500m2 per plot. For each high density and medium density plot there has been given 150m2 house and the rest of the plot area left for open pervious space for the resident.
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The hydrology communicated the water flow direction well, which then pursued the theme to sustain the ability of water re-use and retention on site for the community. The existing natural routes for flow direction and accumulation have been preserved with wetland species and are connected together acting as a linear park and providing a public reserve with boardwalks and canopied vegetation such as specimen trees. The open public space which carries similar species and low native.
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IN CONCLUSION... In conclusion to this design strategy all aspects of this sustainable, useable and workable community need to co-inside one another for it to work. The proposed urban farm and existing agricultural land to the west of the chosen site for example is to compliment each other instead of working against each other. This also includes the community orchard and the water supplies company located to the southeast of the site that could also be involved with things such as the irrigation of the site in these proposed agricultural spaces. Combining human needs, structural needs and natural existing habitats like waterways, parklands and also built and nurtured garden areas such as orchards, this plan educates us to work together to create a self sufficient and successful project.
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