The sustainable landscape : brownfield site transformation

Abstract

Auckland is growing rapidly and the Auckland Plan promotes a compact city model. This situation favours the redevelopment of brownfield sites in central areas of the city, to enable both the provision of housing close to employment and public transport, and the commercial activities and public space to support such a new community. This type of development has strong potential for commercial gain in the current economic climate.

Abandoned brownfield sites cause disconnection between neighbourhoods, and can have adverse effects on the environment including contamination where the sites are located. This project aims to reconcile the contradiction between urban development and environmental deterioration has been identified as an option for supporting sustainable development, especially for the transformation of brownfield sites in a landscape architectural way.

A review of the literature discussed the design methodology, sustainability, liveability potentials, along with a wide range of national and international case studies. The suitable criteria was clarified for the selection of a suitable Auckland brownfield site at Crown Lynn pottery and brickworks site in New Lynn, for which an existing council development proposal is available for critique and comparison.

Through site analysis and an informal interview with the Operations Manager, an evaluation of the potentials and constraints of the site was made. Then came design testing with a range of options for the type of development privileged. In this project, the environment, economy and community were identified to be main considerations for achieving the goal of site sustainable development. The concept of pedestrianism encouraged a development of walkability and accessibility to provide a healthy, safe and comfortable environment within a variety of functional considerations, which include density and layout, mixed uses, urban open spaces, reutilisation of industrial buildings, conservation of landform features associated with past uses, restoration of hydrological patterns and associated vegetation configuration. This project has attempted to suggest possibilities for demonstrating that the relationships between environment, economy and community are interdependent. All of the sustainable landscape design outcomes are visible and have potential to encourage sustainable behaviour and awareness.

The proposed outcome of sustainable transformation aims to advocate a nature and people prioritised environment for the development of a liveable community. The reflection and comparison with the existing New Lynn Urban Plan provide another perspective to demonstrate how a new sustainable community could be developed in the New Zealand context.