Low Impact Urban Design & Development
The environmental, social and economic sustainability of our cities could be drastically improved through low impact urban design and development (LIUDD) practices.
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LIUDD practices include reducing the area under impervious surfaces and minimising the use of piped stormwater systems. Instead, natural areas such as planted verges, parks, raingardens, wetlands and natural streams are enhanced. These measures not only reduce the amount of surface flooding following rainstorms but, equally importantly, reduce the amount of pollutants being washed into waterways and coastal areas.
Most coastal areas and streams around Auckland are already degraded from contaminants and sediments. With huge redevelopment projects such as the Tamaki Edge getting underway, there is huge potential for further environmental degradation or, if LIUDD practices are adopted, for major environmental improvements. LIUDD is consistent with Auckland Regional Council strategies for enhancing the environment and the quality of life in cities.
Despite the enormous potential benefits of LIUDD, developers have been slow to adopt these practices. Part of our research is identifying why this is so and how obstacles can be removed. With the features being used here on site and in other research sites in the Tamaki / Glen Innes area, we will be demonstrating the effectiveness and acceptability of LIUDD.
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Low Impact Urban Design research »