Evaluating Natural Elements Potential in Urban Landscape · PDF fileAssessing Natural Elements Potential in Urban Landscape –site analysis should seek to identify: Positive and negative

Natural Elements Potential in Urban Landscape

By: Khairul Kamarudin, Oct 2017

MRSS1123

Being outside in natural surroundings is good for us, for our health benefit...

Stress relief, improvement in mood states accompanied by physiological changes.

There is evidence of the efficacy of physical activity in the prevention of obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, hypertension, depression and osteoporosis (Warburton et al., 2006)

(Contd.)

Physical inactivity has been found to be directly responsible for 3% of illness and mortality in the UK, and is estimated to cost the NHS in the UK over £1.06 billion annually (Allender et al., 2007)

Q: But is physical activity linked to

the existence of natural elements in urban landscape?

Living in areas with walkable green natural spaces (aka "greenery filled public areas") positively influenced the longevity of senior citizens in Japan (Takano et al., 2002).

9/12 studies dealing with the relationship between neighbourhood characteristics and physical activity found an unambiguously positive relationship.

7/12 suggest element of naturalelements in green space.

Other factors linked with physical activity were (Takano et al., 2002):

1. higher residential density, 2. access to shops, 3. presence of pavements and

cycle lanes, 4. mixed land use, 5. street connectivity, 6. better access to public

transport, 7. social capital and 8. neighbourhood socio-

economic statusUrban Design

Natural Elements Potential in Urban Landscape– why is it matter?

South Park, Oxford, UK

Maintain of Biodiversity sustainable city four factors used as biodiversity measures (Fuller et al., 2007):

Natural Elements Potential in Urban Landscape – why is it matter?

1. ‘Reflection’2. ‘Distinct identity’ & ‘Continuity

with past’ were linked with natural area and habitat diversity;

3. ‘Reflection’ & ‘Distinct identity’ with plant richness;

4. ‘Continuity with past’ & and ‘Attachment’ with bird richness

Biodiversity, identity, continuity with past

Natural element Water

Noordwal, The Hague, Netherlands

Source: http://www.techinsider.io/urbi-before-after-gallery-2015-

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k.com&utm_campaign=buffer-ti

An overpass in Seoul provides

a whole new view

Read more: http://www.techinsider.io/urbi-before-after-gallery-2015-8#ixzz3koaFwmTw

Anam-ro / Seognbukcheon, Seoul,

South Korea

Ecological services

https://wiki.brookes.ac.uk/download/attachments/83722770/ELEMENTS+OF+LANDSCAPE.pdf

Carbon sink – 1 ha. Of woodland can absorb emissions equivalent to 100 family cars.

Pollution control – street trees can remove sulphur dioxide and reduce particulates by up to 75%. Noise attenuation can be as much as 30 dB per 100 m. wetland ecosystems are also effective in filtering polluted run-off and sewage.

Contd.

https://wiki.brookes.ac.uk/download/attachments/83722770/ELEMENTS+OF+LANDSCAPE.pdf

Air conditioning – in urban areas that heat island effect can increase temperature by up to 5°C. A single tree can be equivalent to five room air conditioners and will supply enough oxygen to 10 people.

Microclimate control – vegetation can provide shades. It can reduce wind effects created by streets and wind loads on buildings.

Flood prevention – Vegetation can reduce excessive run-off and increase rainfall capture. This reduce the risk of flooding in low lying areas and can also recharge soil moisture and groundwater.

Contd.

Social cohesion/unity – Natural green spaces can encourage greater social interaction. More active use of green spaces, including streets and communal spaces, can contribute to a more lively public realm – a key urban design objective.

Discussion: River of life projectEconomic value or quality of life?

Contd.

Ecologically self-sustaining landscapes can significantly reduce management costs.

Green environment can help to promote physical activity having an impact on health costs.

http://www.descroll.com/architecture/slow-down-liupanshui-minghu-wetland-park-by-turenscape

Assessing Natural Elements Potential in Urban Landscape – site analysis should seek to identify:

Positive and negative spaces (boundary definition, intensity of used, types of use, etc.)

Map of primary functions of spaces around and on the site; existing facilities; circulation patterns

Hierarchy of spaces and connection with wider area

Positive space the areas in a

work/plan that are the subjects, or areas

of interest. Negative space is area

around the subjects, or areas of interest

Assessing Natural Elements Potential in Urban Landscape – site analysis should seek to identify:

Elements that can add a distinctive character

Landform / Topography

Existing blue and green networks

Landscape assets to preserve

Potential for solar gain

http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/bryant-park-citycharge

To minimize maintenance and energy costs, the park was designed and built with sustainable and

security features that will ensure longevity, including large capacity solar-powered waste bins,

drought tolerant plants, automatic fence locks, motion-activated cameras, smart irrigation, and LEDlighting.

Even though the park’s footprint is small, its effect on the community has been anything but. Since

the park opened last year, property values in the surrounding neighbourhood have gone up,

children no longer play in streets and driveways, and residents have formed a community groupthat organizes exercise and arts programming in the park.

July’s Frontline Park, USA

http://cityparksblog.org/tag/50-parks-initiative/

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