Page 18 - Landscape-Issue138

PROJECT

also define a heritage line that runs through The proposed SUDS system thus consists benches, litter bins, bollards and bicycle
the development, connecting two historical of a capture and attenuation area, bio- racks, were also custom designed for the
buildings which have been converted to swale, street planters, detention ponds and project.
public amenities along a historical windbreak. wet ponds / artificial wetlands. Irrigation uses treated effluent which is
available in Cape Town. Most irrigation is
Sustainable urban drainage (SUDS) Design approach for affordable done through drip to avoid loss in windy
A key design feature of the development is housing development and hot conditions. Large areas like the
that it incorporates green infrastructure into Kerrin says that the design approach was big parks are irrigated through manually
the public realm in the form of sustainable slightly different compared to a ‘normal’ moved sprayers.
urban drainage, rather than a conventional type of landscape project. “Obviously
hard engineering approach to stormwater the budget was a key consideration, so Conclusion
attenuation. The design aims to achieve the we needed to find clever alternatives to The strategic planning and design focussed
following: materials and construction techniques. on the project’s key needs and this has
• to use pocket parks as stormwater capture Design solutions also needed to be very resulted in a successful landscaping
and infiltration areas; robust and simple to replicate at a later environment that meets the community’s
• to integrate the stormwater infrastructure stage (should areas need to be repaired). requirements, whilst also creating new
into the streetscape as amenity planters However, the approach from a design landscaped spaces. Concor also encourages
(bio-swales); perspective remained the same as any the surrounding communities to come
• to integrate stormwater detention storage other project, namely to provide good and enjoy the various green open spaces,
areas into a park design as an integrated spaces for people to connect.” fostering the spirit of the project, namely
space; The strong winds and hot, dry summers a safe, integrated, mixed-use development
• to capture as much stormwater as possible of the Cape Flats also had to be factored for everyone.
in soft and planted areas; into the design. Mark Schonrock of Concor Construction
• to infiltrate as much stormwater as says they are extremely proud of what
possible into the groundwater system; Soft and hard landscaping they have achieved so far, and they look
• to treat and filtrate as much stormwater as All plants are indigenous to the Western forward to the successful completion of
possible along its routing to the detention Cape biome. In terms of hard landscaping, the development, which stands as one of
facility; this comprised a combination of two the Western Cape’s seven strategic ‘game
• to store as much stormwater as possible paving palettes: a red brick palette that changer’ projects.
on-site for future, non-potable water uses; responds to the heritage of the site, and a
and concrete grey paver palette to add contrast Text supplied by Andrew Kerrin of GREENinc
• to accommodate all 1:50 year storm events’ and variety (pavers were custom-designed Photos supplied by Andrew Kerrin and Mark
stormwater within the development. for the project). All street furniture, namely Schonrock of Concor Construction

Primary pedestrian spine linking the heritage precinct to the Grand Park

Social housing courtyard

Above and left: Indigenous Cape planting mixes n

16 Landscape SA • Issue 138 2024 Check us out www.salandscape.co.za