Designing Urban Landscapes utilising the Green Space Factor Framework
Carissa Rizki Andiani
s3481786
Studio 2
PROJECT BRIEF
This studio will explore and design urban landscape systems to enhance their ecological qualities and increase their biodiversityby utilising the Green Space Factor framework.
We are choosing our own site to explore as part of the design process.
Through an open-minded, intuition-based walking process we will explore a larger area of our chosen neighbourhood through a landscape perspective, which means to look at it as a complex interconnected system. This is a process that is used in understanding the neighbourhood’s current “green” situation and qualities, as well as to understand what is missing and what can and needs to be created.
In this studio, we will work at two scales– a larger-scale site that will be defined by either an administrative (suburb, municipality etc.), topographical/geographical (a valley, a river, mountains etc.) or socially determined (demographics, ethnics etc.) boundary. Within this larger area we will then design a range of smaller sites that reflect the urban landscape character of the larger site. The site-specific design proposals will be inspired and guided by the Green Space Factor framework.
GREEN SPACE FACTOR TOOL
First implemented in Berlin, Germany, in 1994. This policy is one of the most widely adopted tools for urban greening which is now implemented throughout the world. At the heart of it, the Green Factor tool offers a numeric value for the ratio between the built area and green areas within a selected neighbourhood (Juhola 2018). Taken from London’s Urban Greening Factor, “GSF schemes work by assigning a factor of between 0 and 1 for various surface cover types, with sealed surfaces given 0 and the most natural cover, 1”.
It is applied to analyse and improve the ecological sustainability of the built environment by increasing the total area of green space.
In this studio, we will utilise the green space framework for Melbourne, in addition to other Green Space Frameworks from other cities around the world, to explore the concept’s potential for us (as a designer) to improve ecological conditions in our chosen neighbourhood. While the Green Space Factor Tool was mainly developed for the application to building development proposals, we are going to explore how to use it as a design guide for an existing urban neighbourhood, public and private spaces.
Considering this, the studio will explore how a site’s biodiversity and ecological system can be enhanced by utilising the Green Space Factor tool. In doing so, we will incorporate local differences and special site conditions while understanding and designing site with such a tool
GREEN SPACE FACTOR TOOL
"A tool that helps quantify and benchmark the quality of greening on your building”
"the Green Factor tool offers a numeric value for the ratio between the built area and green areas within a selected neighbourhood ."
"...applied to analyse and improve the ecological sustainability of the built environment by increasing the total area of green space."
“GSF schemes work by assigning a factor of between 0 and 1 for various surface cover types, with sealed surfaces given 0 and the most natural cover, 1”
SITE
The Large-scale site that I chose for this studio project is a gated community in South Jakarta, Indonesia. It is the location of my residence since early childhood.
Defined by walls for its boundary, the site sits next to a cluster area of houses and small comercial buildings on the east side. The gated community has access to train station that is located across the neighbourhood on the west side.
The neighbourhood consist of private houses that are fenced and have their own backyard/garden. Some lands are empty and are subjected to new house development. Newly developed apartment/shopping mall can be seen on the west side, as well as existing shophouses (marked Crewing Agency).
The neighbourhood has a persisting issue of fooding during heavy raining season, possibly due to storm water run-off. This issue has been going on for many years which also extend to the whole Jakarta in general.
The numbers represents small sites which are some of the existing green spaces that exist outside of private houses.
Large Scale Site and Small Scale Sites South Jakarta, Indonesia
THE NEIGHBOURHOOD LANDSCAPE STORY
I get out of my house today at 11.30 for the first time in a while after staying indoor all the time due to the pandemic. I immediately feel the brightness of the sun right away and the sound of mosque can be heard as it nears prayer time.
I went to the park across my home. The park has a tennis court and a jogging track that goes around big open space.
I walked uphill to the road where I used to rode a scooter up and down the hill. The higher ground that used to be empty is now filled with houses. The hill is not as high and the area feel smaller than I remembered - it was less exciting.
As I walked downhill, I hear a car coming from behind me. I see the car turned left and noticed a small river across the road with lines of palm tries on both sides. I can hear birds chirping along the way, even though there is no sign of people.
As the day goes by, the sound of water is buried under the sound of cars and motorcycle and the sun is getting hotter.
I finally reached the end of the neighbourhood where the river cut to the right, flowing to another neighbourhood.
It is a sign to go home.
On the way home, I see a cat eating grass in an empty small community garden.
I linger for a few minutes to fulfill the purpose of that forgotten garden.
GREEN SPACE FACTOR TOOL
Swede dreams: can Malmö’s green points system help rewild London?
“You walk around that part of Malmö and there are no parks with fences around them Whereas the British model has been about physically protecting [green space], you get to Malmö and it’s got these green spaces and parks which are part of the public realm.”
Massini sees the most potential for the UGF not in the mega-developments, such as the Olympic Park, but in creating incremental gains around the edge of parks, or between green spaces
This reading gives me a design idea to redefine the boundary of green spaces in my neighbourhood to potentially increases the Green Space Factor value
CONTOUR MAP
The computer generated contour map indicates that SITE 1: THE PARK sits at higher ground level than the rest of the site. Lowest elevation seems to be present around the school ground, between SITE 2: THE CANAL and SITE 3: THE POND. This area along site 3 could potentially needs intensive intervenion along water absorption.
The contour map also give indication of where the stormwater flows - from highest elevatino (the park) to lowest elevation (the pond)
PROPOSED
From SITE 4 (normal ground level), stormwater will flow its way to water body which is SITE 2: THE CANAL
Stormwater from the canal will end up in SITE 3: THE POND where it is supposedly design to hold stormwater, to slow down water rising
Stormwater falls first into SITE 1 where it sits at higher elevation
LARGE SCALE STRATEGY
BASED ON STORMWATER RUNOFF OBSERVATION
From SITE 4 (normal ground its way to water body which is SITE 2: THE CANAL
Stormwater from the canal will end up in SITE 3: THE POND where it is supposedly design to hold stormwater, to slow down water rising
SITE 1 where it sits at higher elevation
INITIAL DESIGN IDEAS
After reviewing the site’s proportions and value that is gathered from the walking exercises, the initial idea for the whole site is to improve storm water runoff - to potentially slow down stormwater runoff by implementing more ‘green’ design elements while also increasing the GSF score.
This stage is where we research/review on Green Space Factor tool and look at precedents of large-scale to small-scale design scenarios.
RAIN GARDEN
Rain gardens reduce peak storm flows and lowering the risk for local flooding. Rain gardens fill with stormwater and allow the water to slowly filter into the ground rather than running off into storm drains, and eventually into streams and lakes.
Some are designed to allow water to infiltrate underlying soils while others are designed to collect the treated water and convey the clean water downstream.
what are the main points you’ve taken away from the Green Space Factor framework so far.
“A tool that helps quantify and benchmark the quality of greening on your building”
To increase the amount and quality of greening (green spaces) on new buildings that perform well within the context of the neighbourhood / allign with prioritised function or objectives
What are your ideas for how to utilise the Green Space Factor framework for designing the existing urban landscape of your neighbourhood?
To increase the quality of existing green spaces based on these functions:
1. Run off mitigation
2. Habitat for biodiversity
3. Aesthetics benefit
Increase permeable surfaces e.g. more plants, green roofs, etc.
It is an approach to planning and designing urban areas to make use of stormwater and reduce the harm it causes to our rivers and creeks. Water sensitive urban design (WSUD) uses better urban planning and design to reuse stormwater, stopping it from reaching our waterways by mimicking the natural water cycle as closely as possible.
Urban development dramatically changes these processes, clearing land of vegetation and covering it with ‘hard’ or impervious surfaces that cannot let water through. As a result, rainwater runs off these surfaces, through stormwater drains and straight into our waterways as polluted stormwater in a very short time. This changes the timing, speed and volume of water flows, which can affect our waterways and bays.
PERMEABLE PAVING
Permeable paving allows rainfall to move through the pavement to the soil beneath and provide water to landscape areas nearby. Alternate surfaces with permeable pavement to reduce stormwater runoff and recharge the water table. These may be in the form of block pavers with infiltration gaps between pavers, or porous material with infiltration gaps within the material.
where Green Space Factor could inspire the design intervention / approaches?
- rain garden
- (wildlife) pond
- wetland
- water runnel
- permeable pavement
- retention basin / detention basin
- swale
- native landscaping
- vegetated walls
- green roofs
- food garden
- mixtures of trees, shrubs and perennials
WETLANDS
Wetlands are usually used close to a catchment outlet or within a reserve where there is plenty of space. They are best built in land subject to flooding, but outside the main waterway channel.
Overgrown plant observed near SITE 3: THE POND. Indicating that this site could have potential wetland design
SEDIMENT BASIN
Sediment basins are ponds with open water that capture coarse sediment and litter carried by stormwater. They intercept stormwater before it reaches the waterway, and slow it down to allow the coarse sediment to fall to the bottom.
Sediment basins are almost always used upstream of a constructed wetland or large raingarden. This enables them protect wetlands and waterways from large sediment deposits, while the wetland or raingarden downstream further treats stormwater nutrients and toxins.
Guilfoyle’s Volcanoe, Royal Botanical Garden, Melbourne
An example of applying design (elements) onto small scale sites that is based on Large Scale design strategy. 3 principles in this project refers to the principles of design function for each sites (i.e. stormwater runoff mitigation).
SITE 1: THE PARK
3 design elements will be added to THE PARK which increase the GSF score; wetlands, woodlands, and rain garden. Wetlands are sandwiched between woodland and rain garden, to allow potential irrigation for flooding
TYPES OF WETLAND - SURFACE FLOW
Surface flow wetlands are suitable to treat stormwater drainage.
Surface flow constructed wetlands always have horizontal flow of wastewater across the roots of the plants, rather than vertical flow.
urface flow wetlands can be supported by a wide variety of soil types including bay mud and other silty clay
Plants such as Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and Pontederia spp. are used worldwide (although Typha and Phragmites are highly invasive).
submerged plant irrigation
Natural soil
(Clay with low permeability)
emergent plant (e.g.Bulrush / Scirpus c ypernius)
Wetland near Raingarden to mitigate accumulating stormwater that falls into wetland to rain garden. Where it is hold temporarily
Shallow Wetland near woodland. In heavy raining season where wetland water rise, the overflow storm water would hopefully flow into the nearby woodland. Providing free irrigation for next few days.
Vegetations connecting the cavities, could meant to potential irrigation during flood season
Different types cavities sit at different depth
Raingarden placed near the edge of the site where it slope down to road level. The rain garden placement redefine the boundary between the site and road.
Redefining boundary through green elements also occur in SITE 2 and SITE 4
SCENARIO 1
SCENARIO 2
SCENARIO 3
WOODLAND
A low-density forest forming open habitats with plenty of sunlight and limited shade with sparse (10–30%) cover of trees. Suitable for increasing tree canopy and provide GSF score
Teak Tree (Tectona grandis)
Rainbow Gum Eucalyptus Tree (Eucalyptus deglupta)
One of many native trees of Indonesia. The teak trees are very tall having a height near about 30m and are evergreen. The larger leaves are of same the size of tobacco trees. The flowers are of white to bluish coloured and the fruit is of papery and light brown in colour. They normally have uneven texture by growing straight and have slight lustre.
RAINGARDEN
Rain gardens are designed to be drained within four hours after a 3 cm rain. Rain gardens with no underdrain typically hold moisture longer, particularly in the lower areas of the garden. Soils are amended with a very porous planting media, minimally to a depth of 20 cm and ideally to a depth of 60-90 cm. Sunlight, plant height, color, and bloom time are also important factors for building the rain garden
It is native to several places including New Guinea, Seram, Mindanao and Sulawesi. This tree can grow up to 60m tall and 2m wide. In tropical regions such as Indonesia, it thrives in the rainforests. During various seasons, the tree’s bark peels to reveal fresh green bark which then becomes orange, purple and blue with vertical streaks of red and orange which makes it aesthetically pleasant.
Bee balm (Monarda bradburiana)
This Bee balm species is an annual herbaceous plant. They grow erect to heights of 20–90 cm. They thrive in sun and moist but well-drained soil. Plants growing in partial shade spread horizontally and produce fewer flowers. These flowers attract hummingbirds, pollinating insects, and insects that control garden pests.
Water iris (Iris ensata)
This herbaceous flowering perennial plant grows to 100–150 cm. They prefer sun to part shade and live in shallower water, have interesting spiky foliage. While it is primarily an aquatic plant, the rhizomes can survive prolonged dry conditions. Live well in basin which is the center of a rain garden, and it’s where the water pools after a rainfall.
(Solidago speciosa)
Goldenrod enjoys being in full sun to part shade. They have beautiful, bright yellow flowers through the summer, and are native prairie plants. It will get between 60-120 cm tall. It is placed at the basin where they are able to tolerate short periods of standing water and soggy soil.
Top layer mix of compost soil for plant nutrient
Hidden ginger (Zingiber neglectum)
This Bee balm species is an annual herbaceous plant. They grow erect to heights of 20–90 cm. They thrive in sun and moist but well-drained soil. Plants growing in partial shade spread horizontally and produce fewer flowers. These flowers attract hummingbirds, pollinating insects, and insects
These plants need consistently moist soil and full shade, and are approximately 120 cm tall. he flowers have a distinctly sweet, fetid smell that attracts flies, gnats, and beetles.
Black snakeroot (Actaea racemosa)
Goldenrod
Gravel
Sponge City Strategy - where stormwater gets absorbed and flows to nearby woodland, wetland and rain garden
ow
Top layer mix of compost soil for plant nutrient
Sand for ltering dirt and increased in ltration
Gravel
submerged plant
Out ow to woodland irrigation
Natural soil (Clay with low permeability)
emergent plant (e.g.Bulrush / Scirpus cypernius)
Free water surface
wetland
Sunlit Raingarden Woodland
Bee balm (Monarda bradburiana) Water iris (Iris ensata)
Goldenrod (Solidago speciosa)
Rainbow Gum Eucalyptus Tree (Eucalyptus deglupta)
Teak Tree (Tectona grandis)
water retention level (0,6m)
Sedge plants for occasoinal submersion during rainy season
Sedge
Sedge
Top layer mix of compost soil for plant nutrient
Sand for ltering dirt and increased in ltration
Permanent
Elevated Concrete Deck
Part Shade Raingarden
Hidden ginger (Zingiber neglectum)
Black snakeroot (Actaea racemosa)
Papyrus
(Cyperus papyrus)
Golden
(Carex elata ‘Aurea’)
Gravel
Looking at how storm water runoff from from the park and residential houses goes to THE CANAL, the design involve Redefining site boundary; more design elements such as grassland, and permeable pavement are added to the edges and roads. While Green Wall, and rain garden are added on the house boundaries.
Change in landform into terracing would help mitigate stormwater
Proposed Idea
Woodland
Raingardens / trees
Wetlands
Vegetation over structure (green wall)
Permeable pavement
As flowering plants and trees, grasses grow in great concentrations in climates where annual rainfall ranges between 500 and 900 mm. This can be a small zone for “semi-natural” habitat.
Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana)
This is a perennial grass which can reach one half to nearly 3m in height. It can grow in many types of habitat. It is also cultivated in some areas as a palatable graze for animals.
Cogon grass (Imperata cylindrica)
It grows from 0.6 to 3 m. It is planted extensively for ground cover and soil stabilization near beach areas and other areas subject to erosion.
EXTERIOR GREEN WALL
Cloudbourst Strategy - Redifine site boundary - runoff mitigation from the park to residential houses
- Grassland
- Permeable pavement
- Green wall
Deepening the canal. Adding permanent water retention level up to 0,6m.
Creeping Jenny Plant as surface cover to canal’s stone surface
Tropical Grassland consist of tall grass prairie
grass
Permeable pavement (Grass)
Exterior green wall
Rhodes
(Chloris gayana)
Cogon grass (Imperata cylindrica)
Bamboos are a diverse group of evergreen perennial flowering plants. Most bamboo species are native to warm and moist tropical and to warm temperate climates.
Native to Indonesia and cultivated for millennia elsewhere in Asia. a medium- to large-sized deciduous tree, growing up to 20–25 m. Have strong roots and can grow near river.
Native to tropical Southeast Asia. The fruit has distinctive ridges running down its sides (usually 5–6). When cut in cross-section, it resembles a star, giving it the name of star fruit. The entire fruit is edible. The carambola tree has a short trunk with many branches, reaching up to 9m in height. It prefers full sun exposure, but requires enough humidity and annual rainfall of at least 1,800 mm.
It is a perennial grass with bamboo-like stems that can grow to heights of more than 4 m. Miscanthus fields leads to significantly improved water quality because of significantly less nitrate leaching.
Top layer mix of compost soil for plant nutrient
Clay and silt soil, suitable for holding surf ace water
Bamboos
Weeping Willow (Salix babylonica)
Star fruit (Carambola)
Gravel
Giant Miscanthus ( giganteus) Sedge
Cloudburst Strategy - Where water runoff flow into, adding water catchment to slow down rising water Turning pond into wetland
Constructed wetland over pond
Deepening the wetland. Permanent water retention level 0,6m.
Tree species that thrive near wetlands or pond. Some are native species.
Weeping Willow (Salix babylonica)
Clay and silt soil, suitable for holding surface water
Top layer mix of compost soil for plant nutrient Gravel
Giant Miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus) Sedge
Bamboos
Starfruit (Carambola)
SITE 4: THE GARDEN
Rain gardens were added to THE GARDEN and permeable paving along the perimeters THE GARDEN is designed to hold native plants that provide food for animals. Such as banana tree for bats and birds and wheat grass for cats. This design would hopefully increase habitat for biodiversity.
FLOWERS / SHRUBS
GRASSES
Wheatgrass prefers temperatures between 15 - 28 degree celcius and bright location for greenest sprouts. The plant needs a very shallow growing medium because it is a short term crop. It will be exposed to nearby animals, including cats and birds.
Elephant grass) is a major tropical grass. It is one of the highest yielding tropical grasses. A very versatile species that can be grown under a wide range of conditions and systems: dry or wet conditions, smallholder or larger scale agriculture.
Native to Southeast Asia. Musa acuminata favors wet tropical climates. A large variety of wildlife feeds on the fruits. These include frugivorous bats, birds, squirrels, tree shrews, civets, rats, mice, monkeys, and apes. It is a pioneer species; It rapidly exploits newly disturbed areas, like areas recently subjected to forest fires.
TREES
Banana tree (Musa acuminata)
Elephant Grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach)
Hidden ginger (Zingiber neglectum)
Bee balm (Monarda bradburiana)
Star fruit (Carambola)
Teak Tree (Tectona grandis)
Raingardens / trees
Woodland
Permeable pavement
Sponge City Strategy - Redifine site boundary - blending garden with street
- Rain garden
- Woodlands
- Native plants to increase biodiversity and provide habitat for animals
Starfruit (Carambola)
Banana tree (Musa acuminata)
Teak Tree (Tectona grandis)
Part Shade Raingarden
Woodland Tree species that can be found in woodland and support biodiversity. Some are native species.
Hidden ginger (Zingiber neglectum)
Bee balm (Monarda bradburiana)
Grass species that can live in both dry and wet soil. Can be eaten by animals.
