Utilise The Environmental Benefits Print

Designs should work to intelligently harness the environmental benefits of our parks. 

Parks should naturally manage stormwater, improve air quality, reduce flood risk and help mitigate the effects of climate change. Designs should also look to restore ecological and hydrological systems to promote healthy, thriving ecosystems. Auckland's parks should lead by example, using sustainable design ideas and showcasing these to educate and inspire the public.

 

Integrate and effectively manage water on site

Designing parks to maximise the environmental benefits to the area can lead to significant enhancements in water quality. Therefore, the management of water onsite should be a key action considered early in the design process. Including vegetated stream edges and the passive irrigation of planting areas are just a couple of examples of design solutions which maximise the environmental benefits of a park.

 

Manage water systems on site by:

  • understanding how water moves through and around the site and if there are any existing drainage issues.  Use this information to inform the site layout and water management solutions
  • understanding how climate change and storm surge events could affect the operation of low lying parklands
  • investigating the upstream piped stormwater networks. Understand if there is an opportunity to naturalise a stream into and through park. Work with Auckland Council's stormwater team to achieve this
  • following the LID (Low Impact Design) principles outlined in Auckland Council's Stormwater Manual (GD04).
  • considering stormwater management early in the site planning process, to ensure techniques are suitable
  • managing stormwater as close to its point of origin as possible
  • maintaining natural hydrology to reduce the impact of flow and contaminants
  • using natural processes within the soil and plant community to reduce pollution and contaminant levels in our water
  • harnessing water and revealing its presence, movement and life cycle as part of educational play​
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