SEEDs In Harbour

G L E B E E

SEEDs In harbour

The transformation of Glebe island to an innovation harbour Cover page Image by KRONAVETTER ZSÓFIA

Zihan YU (Hanneli) z5142302

PROGRAM INTRODUCTION

The Bays Precinct has a long history of industrial and economic and cultural development for Sydney from the early 19th century. The land reclamation has changed the glebe island from a natural island with saltmarsh and mangroves to a concrete sealed industrial site, however, left contaminants and other potential crises under the ground. Remediating and activating the bays precinct will be the key solutions to reshape this harbourside precinct.

RESEARCH QUESTION

How to encourage the public to involve in the remediation process thus transforming the bays precinct to an active and innovative harbour?

The design will first focus on the land remediation process with a series of excavation and phytoremediation process. Then it will renovate the remnant heritage assets to a seed bank to collect, store and distribute the phytoremediation plant seeds. Apart from traditional field planting, this project will also explore high-tech planting methods to provide resources to the seed bank. The design will also compromise a new campus, open public spaces, community facilities, commercial and residential area.

#01

SITE ANALYSIS

#02

CONTEXT

Harbour CBD

Greater Sydney

The Bays Precinct

Harbour CBD

Design Area

The Bays Precinct

Central River City Western Parkland City

Eastern Harbour City

A Metropolis of Three Cities (40-year vision and 20-year implementation plan)

The bays will be renovated to a ‘Growth Area and Urban Renewal Corridor’ on the western edge of the Sydney Harbour CBD, and part of an INNOVATION CORRIDOR.

Image Source: Great Sydney Commission 2018, GREATER SYDNEY REGION PLAN - A Metropolis of Three Cities, accessed 20 Nov 2021, < https://www.greater.sydney/metropolis-of-three-cities/introduction>.

SITE ANALYSIS

#03

SITE OPPORTUNITIES – Public opinion

"Leave our history alone"

Concerned local residents formed the group behind the Don't Waste Glebe Island (DWGI) campaign, the Jackson Landing Coalition. They are calling for actions to protect Glebe Island.1

Key message from previous assignment 1. Local love to the site 2. Opportunity to encourage people in remediating and transforming their place

Image Source: Chris Lau, 2021 1. DONTWASTEGLEBEISLAND 2021, accessed 20 Nov 2021, <https://www.dontwasteglebeisland.com.au/>..

SITE ANALYSIS

#04

SITE OPPORTUNITIES – Industrial Remnant

-

Events Materials Public opinion

30 38.4mH cylindrical concrete silos Each having a capacity of 2,400 tonnes

"The reinvention of Silo will bring new life to a significant building from the city's colorful past and will anchor this area as a destination on the Bays Precinct/waterfront“

The Public Key message from previous assignment 1. It has an important historical connection with the development of the grain industry.

2. The silos complex has aesthetic qualities, which is one of the most visible and well-known landmarks, which can be redesigned for future use.

1. EEC 2004, Glebe Island Silos, accessed 10 Nov 2021, <https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=4560016>.

SITE ANALYSIS

#05

SITE OPPORTUNITIES – Future development

40%

5M 4M

The population of Greater Sydney is projected to grow by 40% in the next 40 years.1 New infrastructure and important resources including food resource will be essential to manage such growth.

3M 2M 1M 0 2021

2041

2061

Sustainable Development Goals

Improve gene biodiversity and ensure food safety

Integrate landscape design with a learning experience to increase educational opportunities

Enhance energy efficiency through renewable energy and high-tech landscaping methods

Update facilities and infrastructures to improve sustainability and site quality

1. NSW Government 2021, Bays West Place Strategy, accessed 24 Nov 2021, <https://shared-drupal-s3fs.s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/master-test/fapub_pdf/00++Planning+Portal+Exhibitions/Bays+west/Draft+Bays+West+Place+Strategy_low+resolution+version.pdf>.

Improve economic, social and environmental links between the site and the communities

Remediate the contaminated land and local ecological damage.

SITE ANALYSIS

#06

WHY SEED BANK IN THE BAYS PRECINCT?

Seed Bank Global Network

Australian Seed Bank

Sydney Seed Bank

Proposed Seed Bank SA Seed Bank Society is facing unprecedented challenges in the 21st century, including climate changes, ecosystem destruction, pandemics, urban migration and economic change driven by new technologies.

Seeds hold the power to regenerate species, promote biodiversity and enable ecosystems to adapt to an ever-changing world.

Australian Plant Bank Australian PlantBank (formerly NSW Seedbank) focuses on horticultural research and conservation of native Australian plant species.

LOCATION Sits in the waterfront, have good transportation network

HISTORY The silos had functions as grain silos, which stored wheat, having the history to ensure food safety.

CONTEXT The bays and extensive open space provide water supply and seed resources.

FUTURE TREND Urban renewal and need for sustainability and livability

Proposed seed bank could store different experimental and endangered species, which also creates diverse productive scenarios such as labs for pedagogy, interdisciplinary research, and gardens for the public realm.

SITE ANALYSIS

#07

Climate Sun path

Solar radiation

The north direct sunlight is suitable for a series of planting and cultivating programs Opportunities to develop solar energy

Rainfall data1

Annual precipitation: 1000mm Annual stormwater runoff in 1 acre area(assume runoff coefficient is 0.81): 33750m3 1 acre to a 1m depth field over 1 growing season demand2: 5184m3 1 acre to a 1m depth field annual demand: 20736m3 1 Silo water storage capacity: 1908m3

Water storage in 6 silos could meet the total irrigation demand of the site

60% of the rainwater runoff could support the growing fields 1. Weather Atlas 2021, Average rainfall Sydney, accessed 24 Nov 2021, < https://www.weather-atlas.com/en/australia/sydney-climate#daylight_sunshine>.

2. WSJ 2015, The Numbers Behind Agricultural Water Use, accessed 24 Nov 2021, <https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-numbers-behind-agricultural-water-use-1434726353>.

SITE ANALYSIS Topography and hydrology

Overflow direction

#08 1:1000@A3

White Bay

Water logging

Opportunity: Soften the hard surface to reserve water

Opportunity: Construct raingarden to increase water collection efficiency

THOUGHT PROCESS Process log

Tend

Mend Grow it 2-10 YEAR PLAN Phytoremediation Day-to-day farm

Activate it

Is It Possible to Recycle Concrete?

Yes, but in a more sustainable way Remediation process

#09

THOUGHT PROCESS

#10

Vision of the Bays Precinct

THE BAYS 2021

THE BAYS 2061

THOUGHT PROCESS

#11

Principles

Social

Encourage community engagement in different stages of the site regeneration

Enhance biodiversity and increase the resilience to face a series of crises such as food insecurity, land degradation, global warming, etc

Educational

3

Integrate landscape design with a learning experience to increase educational opportunities

INTELLIGENCE

z

Cooperate with scholars and educational institutes to apply high-tech methods, integrate the landscape design with a learning experience

4

RECOGNITION

z

Design for the site, respect the history, culture and unique site qualities, sort the site challenges and assets in the design process, realize the community needs

Sustainable Development Goals

Improve gene biodiversity and ensure food safety

SUSTAINABILITY

2

Ecological

Design

ENGAGEMENT

1

Enhance energy efficiency through renewable energy and high-tech landscaping methods

Update facilities and infrastructures to improve sustainability and site quality

Improve economic, social and environmental links between the site and the communities

Remediate the contaminated land and local ecological damage.

THOUGHT PROCESS

#12

Strategy

IDEA ISSUE SOLUTION

Harbour waterfront remediation as new scenario of life 1. Contaminated land 2. Restricted and bounded 3. Abandoned facilities and structure 4. Habitat and species loss 5. City ruins and wasteland

1. Phytoremediation plant-based solution 2. Dig and create new, sustainable produce 3. Reuse and renovate site infrastructures 4. Seed bank installed 5. SEED for new facilities +CEPTED Strategy

THOUGHT PROCESS

#13

Timeline

Excavation & Phytoremediation experiment

Educational and Innovation corridor

Stage 1

Stage 2

Land transformation

2021 1st block of concrete removed

Closeness of Cement & Sugar Australia

Seed bank installed

2028 Metro station open

Glebe island bridge operated

Campus operated

2030 Phytoremediation seed collected 2031 level of toxic reduced 90%

Design Stage 1 -EXCAVATION & PHYTOREMEDIATION EXPERIMENT

#14

Section – Existing site conditions 1:500@A3

Concrete slab + Timber wharf

N

Reclaimed land with ballast filling

Gypsum Resources Australia

Silo

Sugar Australia

S

Design Stage 1 -EXCAVATION & PHYTOREMEDIATION EXPERIMENT Detail Section – Edge and Geological condition

#15

1:100@A3

0.12 m concrete slab

2m depth Contamination

4.1 - 12.7m gravel and sandstone filling

17.6 - 26.0m natural clayey and sandy soil

600mmD Timber Post

9.65 - 31.8m sandstone bedrock

Design Stage 1 -EXCAVATION & PHYTOREMEDIATION EXPERIMENT

#16

Contamination Investigation Map based on UrbanGrowth NSW’s survey

+ Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) + Total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) + BTEX chemicals

Design Stage 1 -EXCAVATION & PHYTOREMEDIATION EXPERIMENT

#17

Design Solutions 2 Manual sorting 1 Excavation Paid work for local residents

6 Concrete structure

3 Crushing and sieving

Use for metro station and other infrastructure construction

Manufacturing plant in SILO Cement raw material

5 Ready mixed concrete in GRA

4 Recycled aggregate

Remove and recycle the concrete slab

500mm Provide additional soil (500mm) and Apply phytoremediation method to treat the contaminated soil

Design Stage 1 -EXCAVATION & PHYTOREMEDIATION EXPERIMENT Action Plan

#18

1:1000@A3

A Concrete Slab to be removed and recycled in Silo & GRA

Excavation and Phytoremediation Area

A Repair the damage that has been caused throughout its long industrial history and integrate this as a learning experience. The concrete surface demolishing and contaminants treating will have significant values in the improvement of the place, which could also support future programs.

Design Stage 1 -EXCAVATION & PHYTOREMEDIATION EXPERIMENT

#19

Phytoremediation Planting list

Plant selection

Removed contaminants

Copper, Lead, Zinc

Arsenic, Lead

Cadmium, Copper, Lead, Zinc

Aluminium, Arsenic, Lead, Manganese

Arsenic, PAH, Cadmium, Zinc, Nickel

Benzene, Toluene, Xylene, Ar, PAH, Nitrates

Parameters

N

Phytoremediation Field

Sommerville Rd

Section AA – Design Phase 1 1:500@A3

Silo

Sommerville Rd

S

Design Stage 1 -EXCAVATION & PHYTOREMEDIATION EXPERIMENT

#20

Programs during phytoremediation time

Phytoremediation Field Open to the public for educational and experimental trip Contaminants reduced 90% after 10 years

Section AA – Design Phase 2 1:500@A3

Herbarium exhibition showing the status of plants before and after phytoremediation process

CPTED Strategy: Territorial Re-enforcement - Connected to the place Surveillance - Proper lighting conditions

Design Stage 1 -EXCAVATION & PHYTOREMEDIATION EXPERIMENT Concrete slab reuse on site

Retaining Wall

Seating

Existing industrial infrastructures and equipment help to recycle the concrete slab and build gabions

GRA (Gypsum Resources Australia)

Silos (Cement Australia)

Stairs

#21

Design Stage 1 -EXCAVATION & PHYTOREMEDIATION EXPERIMENT

This stage is to repair the damage that has been caused throughout its long industrial history and integrate this as a learning experience. The concrete surface demolishing and recycling, the contaminants treating will have significant values in the improvement of the place, which could also support future programs.

#22

Design Stage 2 – Innovation corridor

#23

Seed Bank working process in the Bays Precinct

Regrow

Rooftop Solar Panel

15% RH and 15°C

Collect

Clean and dry

Exhibit

-18℃

Package + Freeze

Distribute Store

Design Stage 2 – Innovation corridor Proposed PlaN

1：1000@A3

#24

Design Stage 2 – Innovation corridor Circulation PlaN

Walking Path Cycleway Driveway Ferry Route

1：1000@A3 - Proposed metro and bike station will help release the heavy traffic from driveway, making the precinct walkable and bicycle-able.

- The cycleway will connect to the Glebe Island Bridge - Set the cat-free zone and carparks for safety in the highlighted innovation zone - Integrate the dock for ferry services

#25

Design Stage 2 – Innovation corridor Social

#26

Design Stage 2 – Innovation corridor

#27

Activate the space

Timber Wharf

Phytoremediation Field

Nursey/Community Garden Foreshore Boardwalk

GRA (Gypsum Resources Australia)

Silos (Cement Australia)

Community Centre + Café / Rooftop Garden + Open Lawn

Seed Bank + Water Silos

Cement Australia

Campus

Design Stage 2 – Innovation corridor Social Activities in the Glebe Island

#28

1:200@A3

Meetings, festivals, markets, etc

Car-free Zone

Café and dining

Gabion Wall Open lawn

Passive recreation

Meet, plant and harvest Community garden

Seed Exhibition

Lab and class

Design Stage 2 – Innovation corridor

#29

Perspective from the lawn area

Seed Bank Silo

Community Centre

Café and rooftop garden

Gabion Retaining Wall

Lawn Area

Design Stage 2 – Innovation corridor Ecological

#30

Design Stage 2 – Innovation corridor Hydrology PlaN

Water collection zone Overflow direction Collected water flow Recycled water flow

1：1000@A3 - Preserve and integrate overland flows into WSUD system and infrastructures and transfer to the Water Silos for treatment and storage - Treated water will be reused for irrigation and other non-potable purposes -Water discharged to the white bay will be treated and cleaned by this blue-green infrastructure System, which protects waterway health

#31

#32 Perspective from the foreshore boardwalk

Seed Bank

Nursery

Community garden

Timber posts regenerated to seaweed habitats

Boardwalk

#33 Residents – Seed Eater

Seagull

Noise Miner

Indian Parrot

Stink

Design Stage 2 – Innovation corridor Seed Bank in natural systems

It promotes the biological resilience and sustainability of the existing living creatures and the entire ecosystems.

Predator (insects, birds, etc)

Water Wind

Successful germinate and grow Natural seed death

Decay detrivores

#34

Secondary predators

….

Design Stage 2 – Educational and Innovation corridor Educational

Phytoremediation knowledge + Seed bank learning tour

New development of farming New subjects about Genetic engineering, Environmental study, Agriculture study, etc

Traditional cultivation knowledge + how to use the tools Water reuse system

#35

Design Stage 2 – Educational and Innovation corridor

#36

Perspectives – Outdoor classroom

Solar Panel – renewable energy Greenhouse – more reliable and efficient way of farming

Purple pipe – water reuse

Existing rail line – memorize the site history

Gabion Seating – concrete slab reuse

Design Stage 2 – Educational and Innovation corridor Exploring future urban farming – Green House

Natural light and Solar Panel provide energy resource

Hydroponic + Agrivoltaics

CO2

O2 Pump

Water + Nutrient Similar form -Reflect to the site quality

Apart from the traditional farming, the hydroponic way is soilless farming, which is more efficient in water usage (90%) and cultivation time(2 times faster)1.

1. GREENOURPLANET 2021, Benefits of Hydroponics, accessed 29 Nov 2021, <https://greenourplanet.org/hydroponics/benefits-of-hydroponics/>.

#37

Design Stage 2 – Innovation corridor Summary

#38

Combing the SEED design with remediating and activating process could transfer the site into an innovation harbour. As the seed bank creates diverse productive scenarios such as labs for education, interdisciplinary research, and gardens for the public realm. While the key to installing the seed bank is not only storing the seed for potential food crises or genetic loss, but to experiment, to create new methods, improved species, to be more innovative, and still keep the SEED in mind.

THANK YOU!