Page 12 - Landscape-Issue141
P. 12

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
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