CLEVEDON ECO-ISLANDSELF SUFFICIENT SUSTAINABILITY

Amanda Tisdall 1348088

The Auckland region is rich and diverse. Its unique landscape, warm climate, multicultural population, and fantastic harbours/beaches make it a highly desirable city to live in. Much of the kiwi lifestyle revolves around the coast which has resulted in urban sprawl running in a linear direction north and south of the CBD. Resulting in a very dispersed fragmented city.

Auckland city has a vision for it’s future. “Auckland will be a quality urban city, prospering as a vibrant leading-edge city with heart and soul” The city will be the hub of the regions eco-nomic and cultural life and the powerhouse of the nations economy. Auckland is the nations economic engine and Auckland city is a magnet for work, education, entertainment and liv-ing. On Current census statistics, Auckland is expecting substational population growth and is expected to increase by 1,000,000 people in the next 40 years. Two thirds of this popula-tion growth is natural increase. Some of the growth is also coming from other parts of New Zealand and many new international migrants also stay here adding to Auckland’s diversity and cosmopolitan energy. This substantial increase in population will have a major impact on transport, housing and other infrastructure that is in many cases already considered under pressure. With Aucklands population steadily increasing, growth has to happen somewhere. Where do we house these people? and how can we identify areas suitable for development. The challenge for Auckland is to manage this growth and the change it brings, while still pre-serving the values, character and environment Aucklanders value.

BACKGROUND INFO

Introduction

Previous Project

The Site

Landscape Analysis

Development Stratergy

Stormwater

Planting

Summary

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

Clevedon is a rural town located in Manukau City, in Auckland, New Zealand. It is situated on the Wairoa River five kilometres from its estuary and outflow into the Tamaki Strait, an arm of the Hauraki Gulf, within an easy drive to the coast, It is 14 kilometres from the centre of the suburb of Manukau, which lies to the northwest. To the south of Clevedon rise the rugged hills of the Hunua Ranges. Several popular beaches are located on the coast close to Clevedon, including Duder’s Beach and Kawakawa Bay. Between these two beaches lies the Duder Regional Park. Clevedon is a destination, and also a service centre for the surrounding rural area and for trips to coastal settlements such as Maraetai and Kawakawa Bay. Although within Auckland’s commuter belt, Clevedon is a rural village with a strong sense of place. For Clevedon to remain a rural village, it must retain its rural setting. The town and surrounding rural area has a population of 2,508 (2006 census), and takes in much of the largely rural area to the east of the urban heart of the city.

‘Clevedon is a rural landscape with a distinctive character derived from its primary patterns and activities. Nestled into the surrounding Clevedon-Maraetai Hills and Hunua Ranges, it is a broad and vivid landscape comprising an interplay of bush clad hills and valleys, and an agrarian land-scape of fields and dispersed farming buildings.At the heart of Clevedon is the Village, the centre of community and commerce for the area.This village has an historic character, being largely comprised of the key qualities of a 20th Centu-ry New Zealand rural town; single story weatherboard buildings, boundaries defined by hedges, railings and picket fences, wide roads with modest, simple fixtures and furnishings. There are few elements in the village that belie a sense of historic heritage. It is this interplay of bush clad hills, archetypal farming patterns and the historic character of the village that gives Clevedon its rural landscape character and underpins its identity and sense of place.’

The aim of this project is to explore innovative development options which provide quality eco-logical and social outcomes. We must design an urban development proposal for a site zoned at a particular density from our first project. The development must maintain ecological integrity and rural – urban connectivity. The main focus of the project will be on the impact of the pro-posed development on the ecological, hydrological processes that flow through it, as well as on the microclimate it creates.

PROJECT PROJECT BRIEF

THE REGION

Analysis of Clevedon

• The main village is situated within a major catchment area between two hill ranges• Hills and valleys hint at underlying strength of hydrology• Rolling pasture transforming into steep erosion prone slopes• 2508 people currently live in Clevedon occupying 876 dwellings (0.2% of Aucklands population)• 82% = European, 7.9% = Maori, 0.9% = Pacific, and 2.5% = Asian• 45.9% of the people have post school qualifications • 30% of the population are managers, and 20% are professionals • 51% are couples with children • Majority of households are occupied by one family• 50% of households have two vechiles • 50% of the dwellings are owner occupied • 19.2% of Clevedons population was born overseas in comparison with 37% of Aucklands popu-

lation

Previously a structure plan was generated for the development of the Clevedon catchment (see inside cover). Based on the model of Auckland becoming a compact city, I want to aim new develop-ment at existing infrastructure essentially making Papakura a new hub(Satellite) for Auckland making Clevedon a sub suburb of Papkura. The structure Plan aimed to introduce new growth into the area while still retaining its existing self-sufficient resilience, the local identity and historical significance of the Clevedon area.This was done by using Clevedons significant underlying hydrological patterns (flood plain & major river systems) combined with slope, to identify areas for potential growth. I Also discovered a critical link between papakura and Clevedon through the Clevedon-Papakura Road as a possible transit upgrade to link together the two areas. Ecological connectivity between the two hill ranges (Hunua’s & Clevedon Reserve) kept the overall design(structureplan) compact and sustainable.

PREVIOUS PROJECT

THE SITE+ The site is 81 Hectares + It is an expansion of the existing Clevedon Village + Located South-East of the existing Clevedon Village+ Ephemeral streams cuts through site + Currently grazing land + Clevedon show grounds are situated within the site+ No native vegetation within site+ Boarded by Clevedon-Papakura Road+ Currently intersected by monumnet Road+ Sits within the low risk 100 year flood plain

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LANDSCAPE ANALYSISNATURAL AND PHYSICAL FEATURES

The Following maps look at Clevedon Eco-Island and the wider area including the existing Clevedon Village. A detailed analysis

has been made of the landscape, including its natural bounderies, man made interventions, and ecological habitats.

LANDSCAPE ANALYSISNATURAL AND PHYSICAL FEATURES

The Rivers and Ephemeral streams within my site have been buffered by 25m each side. By buffering these, it shows which areas need to be protected via riparian planting. This will help stop stream erosion and potential for flooding.These buffered areas will be part of my retired land and will not be suitable for developing on. These buffered areas will also provide amenity for the development with the poten-tial of walkways/cycleways running alongside the buffers.

These buffered areas will be part of the retired land which is not suitable for development.

STREAMS/FLOOD PLAINS

SLOPE

The slope within the site has been analysed, calculated, and reclassified to show slope of 15 degrees or more.Slopes of 15 degrees or more have steep gradients are difficult to develop, and are also prone to erosion. Ero-sion prone slopes can compound sedimentation in wa-terways resulting in loss of land quality. Inappropriate land use can increase the potential of land loss through this erosion process. The most effective way to mitigate this is to plant these areas, which helps to prevent ero-sion.These areas will be part of the retired land which is not suitable for development.

Also due to the site being relatively flat the amount of south facing slope is so minimal it is irrelevant and I have not included it in the retired land.

IMPERVIOUS SURFACES

Impervious surfaces are surfaces that don’t allow water to permeate through the soil. The existing building footprints and roads are part of these impervious surfaces. These areas show where development has already oc-curred and highlights areas that could be developed.

The majority of these impervious surfaces will be part of the retired land which is not suitable for development (existing roads, red existing built environment and green existing open space). As one of my key ideas is to retain as much of the local chacter as possible and incorporate the old with the new.

RETIRED LAND

The retired land includes stream/river buffers, slope above 15 degrees and more, ephemoral streams, exist-ing land cover/built environment. These have been put together to create an overall area of retired land. These areas will be planted with native vegetation, following the trends of existing landcover types that are allready within the Clevedon area.These retired areas of land provide amenities for people as well as providing an environment for other organisms, and to help connect the surrounding landscape through a network of vegetation.This map shows the area that is not going to be zoned for development. The area covers approximatly 60ha.

DEVELOPMENT STRATERGYCONNECTIVITY AND NEW GROWTH

With my development I will look at how to add new growth to my area to house more people, whilst incorporating the idea of being a self sufficient community. And also enhance the exist-

ing natural ecological/environment connections.

The Clevedon Landscape offers an exciting opportunity for new development. However, there is limited area in which Clevedon can expand due to Clevedons underlying hydrology which includes its major river/stream systems and floodplains. These substantially restrict where and how Clevedon can grow.

If Clevedon is to develop into a well-defined , desirable and dynamic centre, which is able to respond to the changing conditions of Auckland (Auckland growth strategy) and its changing society. There is a need for a strategic decision of where and how to grow!So far the analysis has revealed a few landscape processes, hidden within the site and Clevedon Valley.

• The Wairoa River and its crucial link as Clevedons stormwater outlet, which flows into the Tamaki Strait, then out to the Hauraki Gulf.

• An increasing population within Auckland and East Auckland.• Stormwater management.• A reduced supply of available land for development within Auckland’s MUL.

Using the idea of being a self-sufficient and sustainable community. How can I unravel, and manipu-late these processes in order to define a strategy that will transform Clevedon into a self-sufficient, sustainable,and resilient landscape.

The process that was undertaken to develop Clevedon and ensure ecological/recreational/and vechicu-lar connectivity is shown in the following images.

Medium density (terraced housing) - 300m2 site - 150m2 building footprintLow density (suburban 1) - 600m2 site - 250m2 building footprintLow density (suburban 2) - 1000m2 site - 300m2 building footprint

The movement of people via pedestrian and vehicular con-nections through the site is extremely important. Pedestrian and cycle access is very important within the site as limit-ing vehicle use will benefit the communities greatly. Due to the site being very walkable in terms of distance to ameni-ties this was key in how to lay out my roads and pathways for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles with pedestrians and cyclists being the priority. The road and walkway networks weave across the site and connect each part of the devel-opment to multiple other areas, drawing people intowards Clevedons new Community Hub in the middle of the site. The movement of organisms and water is also an impor-tant aspect to the area, as this keeps the ecology alive and healthy while also mitigating the amount of storm water runoff that goes into the streams.

The roads act as connective routes for vehicles, as well as pe-destrians in the form of sidewalks/cycleways alongside roads. Main roads are set out as ring roads and are connected to the existing main roads Clevedon-Papakura Road and Monument Road out from Clevedon Community Hub within the centre of the site, with minor roads intersecting between these, form-ing access to housing.

The ephemeral streams that were mapped out act as pe-destrian/cycle corridors, moving people throughout the site and beyond. The ephemeral stream buffers also provide a corridor system between patches of ecology withing the overall Clevedon area.

CIRCULATION

Existing main roadClevedon-Papakura Rd

Existing main roadMonument Rd

Walkway/Cycleway only

Minor Road (New)

Suburban Road (New)

Muse (New)

Ring Road (New)

Existing Main Roads - 20mRing Roads - 20mMinor Roads - 15mSuburban Roads - 10mMuse’s - 7mWalkway/Cycleways - 3m

MEDIUM DENSITY (TERRACED HOUSING)

3 story terraced housing 300m2 plots 150m2 building footprint, all terraced houses back onto a Muse.

LOW DENSITY (SUBURBAN HOUSING -1)

Stream frontage/100 year floodplain Risk.Detached house on 1000m2 plots, 300m2 building footprint . Because of the risk of flooding in this area, houses will be built on piles or plinths.

LOW DENSITY (SUBURBAN HOUSING -2)

Detached house on 600m2 plots 250m2 building footprint. These houses will aslo be built on piles or plinths due to thier being a risk of flooding.

COMMERCIAL

26 commercial 100m2 plots. next to new Clevdon Community Hub. Opposite the exisitng Clevedon Markets area

COMMUNITY HUB/CIVIC OPEN SPACE

The community hub/civic open space is a key compo-nent to the strategy for connecting new and existing development towards the new hub/centre. Ideally the community hub will facilitate the concentration of Clevedons activities.This new community hub forms the core of the new urban fabric in Clevedon, socially and ecologically connecting and integrating parts of the development to each other and the greater region.

STORMWATER

The topography of the area for development has two main rivers (Wairoa River and Taitaia stream) running down either side of the site, which ends up in the Tamaki Strait then feeds into the Hauraki Gulf. A subtle ridge that cuts through the middle of the site creates runoff into these rivers.Catching the stormwater and putting it through a treatment process before it permeates into the river systems is very important especially as the site lies within the 100 year flood plain. This is also a key component for the site to be sustainable and ecologically resilient.This will be done by a variety of storm water management interventions such as swales and rain gardens that will run throughout the site. These will also add to the amenity of the area.

Building Swale RoadWalkway/Cycleway

PLANTING

The retired land does not consist any existing native vegetation. Stream buffers have been created in the land-scape analysis process, which will need to be vegetated. Roading, public spaces and stormwater planting will also need to be vegetated.A variety of native species will be used to provide a range of habitats and ecosystems for fauna. Native ripar-ian species will be used in the stream buffers, and these species will also help with the treatment of storm-water.

SUMMARY

The landscape analysis maps have provided thorough insight into the components and make up of the site, and have allowed informed decisions to be made on which areas should be developed, retired or protected.Using this information the proposed site was developed creating a mix of terraced and suburban housing within a 81ha site. There are 1272 terraced houses based on 300m2 plots, 276 suburban houses based on 600m2 plots, and 75 surburban houses based on 1000m2 plots. In total there are 1623 housing plots, which gives the site 20 dwellings per hectare.

Recreational Amenities are provided throughout the site, as well as stormwater and flood management. Pe-destrian/cycle circulation networks are provided via ephemeral stream buffers moving throughout the site, while vehicular circulation is achieved via the network of roads.

A variety of vegetation would be used in the buffered areas (retired land) as well as along the roads and in public spaces.

Existing main roadClevedon-Papakura Rd

Existing main roadMonument Rd

Walkway/Cycleway only

Minor Road (New)

Suburban Road (New)

Ring Road (New)

Muse (New)

Existing Main Roads - 20mRing Roads - 20mMinor Roads - 15mSuburban Roads - 10mMuse’s - 7mWalkway/Cycleways - 3m

Medium density (terraced housing)

Low density (Suburban - 1)

Low density (Suburban - 2)

Ephemeral Streams (buffered)

Community Hub/Civic open space

MASTER PLAN

COMMUNITY HUB

81 HECTARES 1623 DWELLINGS 4869 PEOPLE

Clevedon Eco Island is a new development that is situated within the Clevedon valley south west of the existing Clevedon village, surrounded by the 100 year floodplain. Its aim is to become a sustainable self-sufficient community.

ECOLOGICAL CONNECTIVITYBuffered Ephemeral streams, green community hub combined with onsite stormwater management creates a crucial link between the Hunua Ranges, Clevedon Scenic Reserve and the Hauraki Gulf

Existing green open space in Clevedon provides an opportunity to become the new heart of Clevedon.

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Amanda Tisdall 1348088