Evaluating the role of landscape design in mitigating climate change Mayur Naik M.Arch (in Urban Design) Senior Architect | Strategy, Newarch Landscapes LLP (NAL), Mumbai (www.newarchllp.com) mayur@newarchllp.com, Personal blog (www.architectmayur.blogspot.in)
INTRODUCTION: Understandably in various researches, Climate Change is a major threat to life’s existence on earth. Plus, tool like wellness index can help evaluate harmonious physical existence. Although, various broad studies have been published that assess climate change, the respondents like United Nations 1 2 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and David Suzuki Foundation which have looked into the Biogeochemical, Ocean Ecosystem, Intensive Agriculture, Carbon Emission, Urban Sprawl, Deforestation, Fossil Fuel burning aspect, but none of the respondents have evaluated the role and impact of landscape design in mitigating climate change at regional, urban and local scale simultaneously. For example, at regional level, it can cause heat wave. At urban level, it can cause heat island effect at local level, it can dip ground water table. Apart from these, many other implications due to climate change can be listed. OBJECTIVES: The primary objective is to evaluate mitigating climate change, through some projects of varying scale and typology, completed by Newarch Landscapes LLP (NAL) between 1999 and 2016. METHODS: At NAL, the design approach adopted on all of its projects has always been focussed upon mitigating the climate change. Firstly, at the regional scale projects, NAL focuses upon mass short and tall plantation (aesthetic s and consumable) that amounts to an overall 35% land-use as greening. This helps improve air quality and nutrition. Secondly, at some of the urban scale projects like KDMC citypark & botanical garden project, NAL proposes green rated hard surfaces with lesser heat reflective index, and low heat radiation quality. In turn, it reduces the heat island effect. This example is an urban scale climate change mitigation initiative of NAL. Thirdly, at the local neighbourhood level, streetscape composition along with its context, scale & materials, is a design solution for NAL in order to mitigate climate change. Street core and street edge greening and sustainable initiatives, in terms of integrated services, promotion of alternative energies, and green ratings of surface materials are the key factors that NAL considers, during per km length run of streetscape design. These qualitative and quantitative initiatives help enhance climate change 4 mitigation, and reduce green house gas emmisions . RESULTS: At the Regional Scale, the mass plantation initiatives help reduce unwanted heat waves, control erratic growth pattern of plant species. Selection of native species by NAL helps in self sustaining of ecology. At the Urban Scale, the selection of green rated surface treatments chosen by NAL helps not in the reduced reflected heat into the atmosphere, but also reduces heat radiation. Thus controlling heat islands, that can affect communities by increasing summertime peak energy demand, air conditioning costs, air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, heat-related illness and mortality, and water quality5. At the Local (Neighbourhood) Scale, while NAL devises the street network, features such as median greening, street edge service infrastructure integration with sustainable measures, such as excess storm water catchment and ground water recharge pits, are spread adequately across along the per km length run of street. Green materials are proposed for street edge compound walls. Quantum of green cover or green cloud proposed over per km length run initiates climate change mitigation at neighbourhood scale. CONCLUSION: Firstly, this three-pronged design approach can enhance the User Efficiency, UX, Wellness, and Longevity of NAL projects. Secondly, in order to satisfy wellness index3 parameters viz., improved quality of air, water, light, nutrition, fitness, comfort, & mind. It is suggested that all the above mentioned initiatives have to be aligned with the international agenda on climate change and its initiatives. Thus, it can be concluded that landscape design plays quite a substantial role in mitigating climate change. 1
http://www.ipcc.ch/publications_and_data/ar4/wg1/en/ch7s7-1-1.html http://www.davidsuzuki.org/issues/climate-change/ 3 https://www.wellcertified.com/well 4 http://www.cmcc.it/events/best-practices-to-address-climate-change-local-initiatives-2 5 https://www.epa.gov/heat-islands 2