sustainable futures: natural space presentation

8/8/2019 Sustainable Futures: Natural Space Presentation

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Natural Space and City Growth

Paul Heydenrych

MCA Planners

January 2009



Purpose of PaperExplore the meaning, role and value of natural & greenopen space within the City, so as to understand the issues

and factors that affect the use, accessibility andmanagement of open space.

What would Cape Town be without Table Mountain? It

means and represents different things to different people.

Natural open space is a resource, some of it needsprotection, but all of it needs good sustainablemanagement, to ensure a sustainable city.



Definitions and Concepts Public Open Space (POS)

Publically owned land open to all citizens

Includes parks, playgrounds, river corridors, forestry areas,etc.;

Exists to enable the functioning of natural systems and toaccommodate community needs (recreational, psychologicaland heath);

There is a perception that POS is space left over after

planning, this is untrue, though this is based on the fact thatmany spaces are derelict and neglected;

Is required in any new settlement based on standards andcriteria;

At 160m2 per person and well distributed – its not about theamount or its location – but about how its managed, secured

and used.



Natural Space

All places within a city that are managed and run inorder to maintain and preserve their natural stateor the functioning of ecological systems.

Plays a critical absorptive function in naturalprocessing and recycling wastes;

Mitigates natural and extreme environmentalhazards;

Natural Space extends beyond standard POS;

Examples: Table Mountain National Park & False

Bay Ecology Park.

Definitions and Concepts



Natural Space Should be created and managed to ensure

sustainability in terms of:▪ Location (Incorporating various areas);▪ Size (Maintain natural populations and expected waste);

▪ Dimension (Shaped to sufficiently protect “core” areas);

▪ Connections (To other natural spaces).

Natural Green Open Space▪ Combination of POS and Natural Space;▪ City and District level the focus is on natural systems;▪ Neighbourhood and site level focus is POS.




Accessibility

The ease with which a place or activity is physicallyreached.

• Physical accessibility is a function of:

– Distance

– Location (near major road vs top of mountain)

– Travel mode (foot, car, cycle public transport, etc.) – Quality of infrastructure (quality of road, transport frequency)

• Mobility is also a function of income (high vs low income)

– Walking distance and public transport stops are a criticalfactor in determining accessibility.




Accessibility

Management challenges to urban accessibility:• Cost of access

• Opportunity Cost

• Awareness, knowledge and perception

• Security and safety• Quality / Maintenance and management




Metropolitan Open Space System

Pulls together the Natural Space and the Green OpenSpace across the metropolitan area, as defined in theCity of Cape Town’s MSDF (2000).

It is an attempt to identify and draw together both thephysical delineation of the system and address themanagement challenges of the system.

Focuses on large scale natural systems such as riverine / wetland environments and mountain chains, butincorporates formal / informal recreation areas, protectednatural areas and sensitive environments.



Functions of Open SpaceProvides a range of functions within the City, all of which are necessary forthe healthy and sustainable operation of the City.

Social Relax, play and escape the close confines of small spaces.

Economic Provides hundreds of millions of Rands worth of services,

both social and ecological every year. Cape Town’s unique natural environment is its greatest

asset and competitive advantage in the tourism industry.

Ecological High biodiversity - one of only three cities in the world

ranked as a “hotspot”



Quality and Accessibility:How much is Enough?

Approximately 160 m2 of green space per citizen

in Cape Town – more than most cities in theworld.

Quantity is therefore not a problem, its

accessibility in terms of safety, security andproper management.



Strategic Direction Metropolitan and City-Wide

Contextual Informants▪ Cape Town will have an estimated pop. of 5mil. people by 2025▪ Too much fragmentation in the management of natural space,

allowing areas to fall between the cracks.

Goals1.Ensure institutional mechanisms are in place to enable

implementation of good existing strategies and plans;

2. Identify areas of high biodiversity and protect them;3. Incorporate areas exposed to natural and man-made hazards intoMOSS;

4.Review and strengthen the City’s Biodiversity Strategy;

5.Encourage well managed and productive commercial andsubsistence urban agriculture.



Strategic Direction District Level

Contextual Informants

▪ The City is preparing District level SDFs and EMFs;▪ It has identified opportunities for new urban green spaces

(urban agricultural complexes, multipurpose city parks, etc.).

Goals1.Create a green web to protect biodiversity;

2.Identify areas for public planting to reinforce the web;3.Utility servitudes present opportunities to connect and

conserve lowland fynbos areas;4.Identify areas needing higher order sporting and recreational

facilities and ensure proper maintenance thereof;

5.Discourage development of open space for housing. Instead

develop around it to fulfill the housing need.



Strategic Direction Neighbourhood Level

Contextual Informants

▪ At this level open space for recreational, play, sporting andpsychological needs come to the fore.

Goals1.Increase both community awareness of biodiversity issues,

and improve safety and security of local neighbourhoods;

2.Open space in new neighbourhoods to be designed to:1. Ensure good surveillance2. Safety from major traffic hazards3. All weather playing surfaces

3.Identify existing drainage patterns;

4.Open spaces should form a network to accommodate naturalwater flows.



Strategic Direction Site Development Level

Contextual Informants▪ Introduce initiatives to positively impact on open spaces;▪ New and re-developments should be low impact.

Goals1.Promote and encourage Low Impact Development techniques,2.Encourage the use of low-flow water technology;3.Encourage renewable energy usage and reduce energy demand;

4.Encourage water-wise and indigenous landscaping;5.Permeable paving;6.Site buildings to preserve sensitive areas;7.Encourage “Green Building Codes”;

8.Land Use Management guidelines should incorporate the above.



Conclusion

The issue is not that there is insufficient green

open space in Cape Town or and awarenessamongst its Departments.

The issue is bringing the role-players together to

ensure projects are implemented and maintainedproperly.

Thus effective management is the key to creatingsustainable open spaces.



ConclusionIdeally, every Capetonian should have equitableaccess to a range of good open space facilities,resources and opportunities.

sustainable futures: natural space presentation

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