Page 12 - Landscape-Issue141(2)

PROJECT

community interaction and ecological
benefits.
• Ecological connectivity: Strategies
to ensure ecological corridors and
connectivity throughout the landscape,
promoting active and healthy living. A
sustainability information learning route
will also be included.
• Landscaping guidelines: Residents’
private gardens to include a locally
indigenous planting palette.
• Community amenities: Sports amenities,
an outdoor amphitheatre and other
community infrastructure promotes a
neighbourhood feel.
• Urban farm: An on-site farm for growing
organic produce serves both an
educational purpose and contributes to
job creation.
• Water-sensitive design: Irrigation and
A monthly farmer’s market will be held at the amphitheatre, selling fresh, organic vegetables. The farm will stormwater management is designed
also have a children’s section designed for visiting school groups sensitively and includes swales and
attenuation ponds.
• Circular waste processing systems: Wet,
economic development initiative that Renosterveld will be irrigated year-round. solid waste processing is done on site and
targets entrepreneurial training for Newinbosch receives water for irrigation goes back into the communal landscaping
unemployed individuals,” says Brom. They from the river and dam systems serving the areas.
will be provided with hydroponic vegetable farms in the area and 40% of this will be
growing infrastructure and training. In supplemented with recaptured greywater Setting a sustainable precedent
addition to being preferred suppliers to the from the apartment blocks. The greywater Newinbosch Neighbourhood Estate sets a
on-site restaurant, there will be a monthly is treated on site and feeds into a dam on new standard for sustainable landscaping
farmers’ market at the amphitheatre where the eastern end of the neighbourhood, in residential developments, driving a more
the local community can purchase fresh where it is pumped to the irrigation lines. holistic and environmentally conscious
organic vegetables. The farm will also have For managing organic waste there will be approach to urban living. From the extensive
a children’s section specifically designed for a large composting facility on site, which use of locally indigenous plants and creation
school groups. will receive garden and organic waste from of pocket forests, to the implementation of an
the residents, restaurant and urban farm. urban farm and water-wise irrigation systems,
Water and waste management The compost will be available for use in the every aspect of Newinbosch’s landscaping
No landscaping can be successful without communal landscaping, and residents will strategy is meticulously planned to promote
proper irrigation, stormwater management be able to purchase it at a reduced price. biodiversity, conserve resources, and enhance
and a waste management plan. community living.
Local indigenous plants need less Features of the Newinbosch Harold Spies concludes: “Similan is proud
irrigation because they are adapted to local landscaping strategy to be implementing some experimental
weather conditions. Water-wise irrigation • Pocket forests: Small groves of indigenous initiatives at Newinbosch. These pioneering
and storm water management strategies trees inspired by the Miyawaki method, efforts in sustainability and community
such as dams and swales will ensure that using local species to promote rapid development are what set us apart and drive
as much rainfall as possible is retained in growth and biodiversity. us forward.”
the landscaping during the rainy season, • Public open spaces: Creation of dog
thus recharging groundwater systems. parks, green corridors, pocket parks and Text by Mary Ann Constable. Photos supplied by
For aesthetic reasons, the Swartland pedestrian-friendly roads designed for Maryann Shaw Communications.

Harold Spies, CEO and founder of Similan, receives the 6-Star Green The 6-Star Green Star Rating for Newinbosch reflects commitment to sustainable
Star Sustainable Precincts plaque from Georgina Smit, GBCSA building practices across the entire site, rather than only for individual buildings. n

10 Landscape SA • Issue 141 2024 Check us out www.salandscape.co.za