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PROJECT

The dune forest margin of Transect 1, with a dense grass layer established through The under canopy of Flat Crown trees (Albizia adianthifolia), showing the established
hand seeding as a buffer between the built area of the houses and the forest. grass layer and young trees planted as part of the forest margin/ buffer zone
rehabilitation plan.

Natural dune forest margin area showing established grass layer from hand sown Grassland buffer area of Transect 1, showing the extensive grass cover as part of the
grass seed in Transect 1. Grassland buffers are key habitat areas on Salta between rehabilitation programme.
the built areas and the forest.

• Nature runs on the freely available in time will soften the built form and allow character, integrated street entrances are
resources of air, sunlight and water; movement of fauna through the urban encouraged for the private garden designs,
• Nature uses only the energy it needs; precinct. as follows:
• Nature recycles everything; The quality of existing biomes (such • linking the front door to the street with
• Nature rewards co-operation; as wetlands, grasslands, swamp forest floating concrete steps or decking;
• Nature uses chemistry and materials that and coastal forest) will be enhanced and • planting large focal trees or palms;
are safe for all living things; rehabilitated through: • creating instant tree and palm groves;
• Nature demands local expertise; • the ongoing management of alien • introducing a lush and informal sub-
• Nature curbs excesses from within; species; tropical aesthetic as well as formal sub-
• Nature taps into the power of its limits, • the introduction of more species to tropical massed planting;
assuring biodiversity. improve biodiversity; • introducing more biome planting to
• enhanced environmental buffers; and increase biodiversity;
Through planning and design, nature • the careful management of stormwater • ensuring that gardens and neighbouring
is extended as arteries through the to ensure that existing biomes are not conservation buffers are 100%
development, expanding into the Salta altered. indigenous and take the relevant biome
community. Residents will connect with into consideration;
each other and with nature through Landscape design procedures for • introducing a minimum of three trees
activities and appreciation of the outdoor private homes per site;
environment. These procedures ensure that all • encouraging courtyards as sub-tropical,
In terms of roads, pedestrians are the private gardens are designed to create a oasis-type elements;
primary focus, rather than cars, and roads harmonious aesthetic which blends with • screening between properties is a
are integrated with planting, creating a and blurs the lines between natural biomes, requirement;
type of urban oasis. Roads meet the need formal gardens, public open spaces and • no pots, garden ornaments or sculptures
for community movement in the form of the built form, all within the context of the are to be visible from the street or
walking and cycling. overall vision for Salta. The aesthetic vision neighbouring properties. They must be
Linear parks act as an extension of is one of a coastal village neighbourhood, contained within private courtyards; and
the natural biomes and the planting of merging formal and informal landscapes • landscape integration with the public
these parks is a combination of enhanced with enhanced natural biomes. verges and open space edges is to be
grasslands and various coastal trees, which To strengthen the urban landscape seamless. n

Information supplied by Michele Hofmeyr, Zandra Bowker, Bernice Rumble and the
Salta Sibaya Landscape and Conservation Guideline Document.
Images courtesy of Land Art Studio, Devmco Group and Michele Hofmeyr.

14 Landscape SA • Issue 120 2022