Page 9 - Landscape-Issue123

PROJECT

The synthetic turf sports field accommodates five-a-side and futsal soccer View of the Chiveve River from the water tower

View of one of the kiosks from the water tower Water play feature in Basin 1, near the recreation area

material in accordance with the project’s planting plans, maintenance one in Basin 2 (near Casa dos Bicos) and one in Basin 3 (next to the
operations for green areas, mulching and compost production, botanical garden building).
construction of a nursery and production of seedlings for plant
material. Plant material was sourced from nurseries in Mozambique Several wooden bridges were considered across the terrain in the
and South Africa, with phytosanitary certificates. various basins, increasing the crossing of the Chiveve River through
the park and into the city as a whole.
Justin Young of Life Landscapes says that a major challenge they
faced was adapting to the natural elements affecting Mozambique Boardwalks, about 2500m in length and made from sustainably
in the form of heat, humidity and cyclones. “The plants too, coming sourced local Umbila wood, provide pedestrian access and circulation
from South Africa, needed to adapt. Some did so easily, whilst through the mangrove and marsh areas, while lifting people off
others took a lot of strain. We also had to endure a massive cyclone the muddy ground and protecting sensitive ecological areas. The
but fortunately, we were only doing earthworks at that time. After boardwalk routes are also intended to be a destination in their own
cyclone Idai there were three more, each one bringing its own right for park users, providing access to the park’s natural amenities
problems. In addition, we had Covid to contend with, preventing us and highlighting the tidal ecology of the mangroves. There are rest
from bringing in the necessary plant material. Despite everything, we points with benches along the walkways.
believe we created an amazing park for the people of Mozambique
to use and enjoy. Our contract ended in October 2022.” The cycle way is a continuous route for cyclists and pedestrians,
connecting all areas inside the park (between the port and the
The project used autochthonous plants and those well adapted Goto settlement). It also connects the GUI park with the rest of
to local climatic conditions with reduced water requirements; this the city of Beira. The route allows access through a series of urban
promoted local biodiversity, avoided possible invasions of other park environments containing active and passive leisure areas and
species, and are more resistant to pests and diseases, therefore commercial developments.
needing less maintenance. Care was also taken to choose plants with
resistance to dryness and salinity. There were approximately four ha Low walls are organisational design elements that occur throughout
of garden areas (excluding mangrove areas) and 1 664 trees were the park. They are used to delineate and create spaces and to define
planted. entrances, borders and thresholds between different park use areas
without blocking the visual connection or visibility across the terrain.
Hard landscaping elements They also provide seating throughout the site and have organic and
The park is surrounded by visually permeable fencing to provide sinuous forms influenced by the natural forms of the estuarine river.
security without diminishing the visual connection between it and In some cases, the seating walls serve as retaining walls, and in others,
the city. Four main entrances (gateways) were considered: two in the low walls become game items in their own right, expanding into
Basin 1 (next to the exhibition centre and next to the entrance kiosk), playgrounds. n

Landscape SA • Issue 123 2023 7