merging green + grey infrastructure

P2

P1

community integration + connectivity

utilising existing infrastructure to integrate natural and man-made systems

view of bridge looking south from parallel north bank

view of bridge looking east from west bank towards viewing platform

P3

ecological restoration + enhancement

P4

stormwater management + treatment

improved pedestrain connectivity to open space, community services, transport centres and key economic growth areas of Otahuhu and Papatoetoe

view of storm water treatment wetlands from north looking south

view of bridge looking west from east bank towards Tip Top bread factory

P1

P2 P4

P3

existing main Hunua potable water supply pipes crossing estuary looking east from near Otara Spinal Clinic (same location as photo P2 above right)

east bankwest bank

re-engagement with the Tamaki

education by design + experience

A

A1

B

B1

C C1

C1

A1

B1

C A

Bstrengthen cultural and social ties to the water by regaining historic access to the River, while improving environmental conditions

increasing awareness of and opportnities for connection to this unique ecological resource to restore and protect for future generations

Scale 1:100,000

Otara

Laxon Ave

100m

TAMAKI GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE GROWTH PLAN

Scale 1:100,000

Given the close proximity to central Auckland, the Tamaki River edge provides opportunities to test future urban development scenarios for the region. Given the strategic importance and long-standing human use of the area, the River serves as a cultural, social, transportation and environmental heritage feature to the Auckland region. If Auckland is to become “the world’s most liveable city”, the anitcipated growth and intensifaction of the city must be undertaken with a sustainble apporach.

This project aims to remedy the piecemeal expansion of the city in the past that has lead to community severance, both social and ecological, that has disconnected people from the environment.By addressing exisiting problems prior to new development, it is proposed that greater maximaisation of space could be achieved.

Upper Tamaki River: a model for sustainable suburban renewal

Laxon Ave pedestrian pipe bridgestage one concept plan

salt swamp - mangrove management

salt marsh - revegetation

sustainable hardwood steps to jetty down to salt marsh

bridge viewing platform

water mains pipe

3m wide sustainable hardwood bridge with stainless steel detailing over pipes

permable paving 3-6m wide footpath

gathering plaza

3m wide sustainable hardwood boardwalks over vegetation

storm water treatment wetlands

coastal clay bank revegetation

amenity plantings

open space

infrastructure follows infrastructure

Southern Motorw

ay SH1

Upper Tamaki River Park Suburb Renewal - Structure PlanStage One highlighted in orange area (detail plan below left)

Laxon Ave

Wym

ondley Road

Gt South Road

Bairds Road

Otahuhu

Papatoetoe

Vital infrastructure networks that required over time have sliced up the city, creating pockets of urban isolation. What was once industrial land has now been engulfed by suburbia, leading to areas of fragmented urban fabric, created by outdated planning zone rules. As the urban environment has grown, so too has the volume of storm water run-off. Vast quantities of untreated storm water and litter enter the Tamaki River, particularly from stormwater drains, giving the River one of the poorest ecological ratings in the Auckland area.

If the amount of impervious surface areas increase with anticipated development in the catchment, the volume of run-off directly entering the River will be set increase. In conjunction with upgrading the vehicle fleet and retrofitting roof structures to address the sources of heavy metal contaminants, it is vital that people are engaged, educated and made more aware of the River and the unique social and ecological values that it has to offer. Mangrove ecosystems are taken for granted and at times much maligned. However, they play a key role in stabilising coastline sediment run-off as well as fulfilling a very specialised ecological function. The Tamaki River provides an opportunity to test design interventions that compliment this role, while improving water quality and taking into account the social needs of the current and future population.

Typical of many 1940s state house suburbs, Wymondley is comprised of curving roads and cul-de-sacs, bound by the Tamaki River along the north-west edge. Only Wymondley Road leads into the suburb from the south, from Otara or Otahuhu via Bairds Road, while SH1 creates the eastern perimeter, adjacent to Highbrook Power Station. At roughly 500 metres at the widest point to 850m at the longest, the suburb comprises 19 hectares of low-density housing, serviced by Wymondley Primary School, a dairy and a liquor store.

The site was selected by overlaying 10 sub-catchment areas of the poorest storm water treatment levels with 10 census area units of low social indicator results (see map, left). Each of these overlaps were assessed in terms of potential and opportunity for suburban renewal, with the final selection of Wymondley. The area is representative of many suburbs around the Tamaki edge, such as Point England and Otara, where old entrenched areas of state housing have been intensified around, or isolated by the shift of industry elsewhere.

This suburb is proposed as the testing ground to apply the theory that by providing opportunity for local communities to (re)engage with the Tamaki River, a range of social, cultural and ecological benefits could be produced.

Conceptual design development of Structure Plan

structure planWymondley, Otara West

In terms of infrastructure, the area around Wymondley was highly used by both Maori and European settlers. One of the earliest European stores, Baird’s Wharf, was located within the site, serviced by a wharf that sizeable ships could reach. Mangrove growth has increased rapidly over the past 50 years, preventing access to the water. The main barrier to accessing the river is the development of major grey infrastructure, including State HIghway 1, the main potable water main pipeline from the Hunua Ranges to supply Auckland and the national power grid, serviced by the nearlby HIghbrook Power Station.

LAND7226 StudioHeather Docherty1345281

100m