Landscaping
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is maximized by optimizing growing surfaces on buildings and within areas. Native vegetation regimes typical of the local landscapes are advised alongside more formal ornamental planting to maximize visual amenity. Surface water drainage can be used to provide a landscape backbone to a larger development attenuating run off within the site boundary.
Strategic Landscape Connections
The design of a site should reinforce the green connections between the existing landscape features of the immediate area, providing wildlife movement opportunities and a robust landscape structure to the wider townscape.
Pedestrian and cycle access routes are rationalized to maximize pedestrian footfall in newly created public spaces, whilst private spaces should be provided with a level of visual screening and increase security.
Protecting a development
Courtyard and perimeter tree planting can assist further in reducing wind turbulence and increase precipitation of dust and particulates from vehicular traffic where required.
Edible Landscapes
Edible landscaping allows productive use of communal spaces from the planting of hardy herbs such as rosemary along borders to creating orchards in community squares. This type of planting should require minimum attention for maximum gain.
ZEDfactory are working with two farms in the South East, to create zero packaging organic food that is produced and delivered to the urban community using entirely renewable energy sources. The developer will encourage local retail and restaurant businesses opening within PortZED to trade with this low carbon food source, and be one of the first UK communities to offer a near zero carbon lifestyle and workstyle without resorting to dubious offsetting practices.
It is hoped that PortZED will demonstrate that a step change reduction in carbon footprint can be achieved by providing a higher quality of life and maximizing value to all sectors of the community through the development process.