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BRIDGE CITY NEWS
Affiliated Professional Associations
LANDSCAPING PHILOSOPHY
One of the major landscaping qualities in Durban is the plethora of trees, shrubs and other vegetation which softens the urban landscape, provides definition to open and public spaces, and enhances the architecture of the buildings.
Landscaping enhances the human, pedestrian and natural qualities and comforts afforded by the environment. In this light, the building's architect shall submit, for the approval of the DRP, plans indicating the landscaping intentions for the site in terms of planted area and form as well as associated structural, waterproofing and other details. The DRP shall have the right to insist on the appointment of a landscape architect to take the Architect's design intentions to completion or may permit the completion of a “design and install” brief by a recognised and experienced landscaping contractor approved by the DRP.
As far as possible, planting is to be indigenous. Landscaping plans are to list and motivate plant types proposed for use and are subject to approval by the DRP. Planting shall also be properly irrigated and designed with conscious attention to routine maintenance.
Save with the DRP's consent or in cases where the contrary is detailed on the precinct plans, a minimum of 20% of the site's area is to be landscaped in terms of a properly prepared landscaping plan detailing all earthworks, paving, water features, planters and planting together with the associated irrigation arrangements, structural details to accommodate the landscaping and maintenance specification. The 20% is to be regarded as both hard and soft landscaping areas. Both the plan and the actual completed installation shall be subject to the approval of the DRP.
Where, in the opinion of the Association, a site is inadequately landscaped or poorly maintained, the owner of such site is obliged to rectify the situation, failing which the Association will have the right to undertake such remedial action to the account of the owner. In the case of undeveloped sites no longer in the ownership of the Primary Developer, such sites are to be planted and maintained without any other interim use of the site being permitted other than for purposes permitted in terms of the site's zoning or for properly constructed and landscaped parking purposes.
The Role of Landscaping in Creating the Inner-Core of Each Urban Block
The inner-core of each block is important and the landscaping of that developable portion of a site fronting onto the inner-core must reflect this. The edge-condition defining the transition of the developable portions of the site to the inner core should be expressed as the conscious making of a collective urban square. The inner-core of a block is to be regarded as a semi-private urban court or park and security edges, if applied, are to be kept to the boundary of the site adjoining the inner core.
With the inner-core of the block thus defined, developers are encouraged to approach the landscaping interface with the inner-core as a collective expression of a single, common space. Well-landscaped, combined surface parking lots are encouraged as are combined basement parking facilities within this zone. As with other public and semi-public landscaped areas, care is to be taken in achieving well-designed, secure and pedestrian-friendly environments. In most instances, the inner core of the block has been pre-designed, and developers are required to comply with detailed requirements arising from this design in respect of their developments' relationship to the core.
Prominent & Corner Sites Landscaping
Certain prominent sites, such as corner sites warrant particular landscaping attention.
In cases where such sites are designated as having build-to lines or build-within zones and require a particular architectural response.
The DRP may approve the conscious design of a landscaping response in lieu of an architectural response in cases of individual merit.
Safety & Surveillance Landscaping
Attention in landscaping is to be paid to the extent to which such landscaping both achieves and enhances the security arrangements of a site as well as the general safety, surveillance and defensibility of the public environment and that of neighbouring sites. In this regard attention should be paid to ensure that planting does not lead to dark areas that facilitate loitering or which unduly restrict natural surveillance of the areas surrounding a building (particularly the street) either by occupants of the building or by those passing by the building or lot.
Boundary-Related Landscaping
Landscaping within or on the boundary of a development facing onto a street or public space is to be undertaken so as to make a conscious contribution to both the architecture of the development (how it is composed, meets the ground or is set within the site) and the public environment onto which it faces.
As a minimum sidewalk treatment, the Primary Developer undertakes to provide a paved sidewalk and planters and trees approximately as set out in the Precinct Plan. It is the responsibility of individual developers to address the interface of their sites with the adjacent sidewalk and surfacing treatment and to include this aspect as an integral part of the landscaping plan prepared for the site.
Landscaping and maintenance of the sidewalk areas adjacent to a development is encouraged and is to be as provided for in the terms of the sidewalk servitude agreement. Where sidewalk areas have not been paved to the full width of the road reserve, an adjacent owner may extend such paving over all or some of the remaining area provided that paving materials and patterns are subject to approval by the DRP. Any planting or planters placed within the sidewalk area are to enhance the prevailing streetscape, permit ease of pedestrian circulation and promote the safety and surveillance intentions of the urban centre.
Landscaping and maintenance of any common side boundary between developments is to be undertaken with due regard to the mutual benefits to be derived from such planting and so as to promote the safety and surveillance requirements of both parties.
