There are few international and local precedents of sustainable urbanism as the concept is still new and is not yet rooted in urban development. Therefore, the international precedents identified are largely in developed countries. However, a local precedent is also identified that potentially portrays key attributes of sustainable urbanism.
3.8.1 United States of America (Built infill): Glenwood Park Atlanta, Georgia
Glenwood Park is a residential development in Atlanta, Georgia that is perceived as the solution to sprawl and traffic congestion (CNU, 2011). The project seeks to promote walkability in an automobile addicted metropolis as well as soothe traffic congestion. The location of the project is largely beneficial as it is near a former rail line that was converted to a trail and transit could be constructed in the future (CNU, 2011). Furthermore, the project portrays a sense of community, walkable streets, and highly mixed use development comprising of offices, open space, and retail. Figure 3 shows the layout of Glenwood Park in its entirety (CNU, 2011).
Page | 33 Figure 3: Glenwood Park Layout, Atlanta Georgia
http://northatlantacommunities.com/glenwood-park-atlanta-ga-site-plan/ (Online). Date: 9 September 2014.
Page | 34 Some of the key attributes of the project are power saving and energy reduction, reduced mileage driven by residents, construction waste diverted from landfills, energy efficient office design, walkability between office and retail, and efficient storm water systems (Farr, 2007). In relation to sustainable urbanism, it is argued that the project has economic benefits in the form of locally owned stores, open spaces, storm water systems, density illustration, transportation, land use and technological integration, and walkable streets and networks. Figure 4 shows high density and mixed-use developments that promote social integration in the community.
http://tobyandbrandon.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/glenwood_park.jpg (Online). Date: 7 September 2014.
3.8.2 England (Built Greenfield): Poundbury, Dorchester
Poundbury is a sustainable urban project at the west end of Dorchester built according to the principles of Prince Charles, highly influenced by New Urbanism (Prince of Wales, 2014). The objectives are an integrated community of businesses, shops, and diverse housing typologies including social and private housing (Prince of Wales, 2014). The development strives for a high quality environment, and socio- economic benefits. Key sustainable urbanistic thresholds include the economic benefits of locally owned stores, storm water systems, density illustration, walkable streets and networks, car sharing, car free housing, management of travel demand, and High Performance Infrastructure (Prince of Wales, 2014).
In relation to car sharing and car free housing, the high density urban quarter of Dorchester prioritizes people, and the close proximity of shops and leisure facilities as well as mixed use buildings facilitates walkability. Densification and mixed use have the potential to promote a sense of community,
Figure 4: High density and mixed use in Glenwood Park
Page | 35 walkability, car sharing and car free housing. Figure 5 shows some of the key activity centres in Poundbury.
Figure 5: Poundbury Dorchester Arial view
http://www.adamarchitecture.com/images/project/Poundbury_aerial-AC019-01G.jpg(Online). Date: 7 September 2014.
3.8.3 Local precedent: Century City, Cape Town, South Africa
Century City is a 250 ha suburb located in Cape Town, South Africa. It is a mixed use development consisting of residential, retail, office, and entertainment (CCPOA, 2013). Century City is one of the commercial nodes of Cape Town located along the primary distributor (N1). Public transport systems are in place which allow for direct access to the node. Century City was built on a wetland which naturally cleans the water in the canals, providing a green lung in this high density development (CCPOA, 2013).
The residential component of Century City is a gated estate with high security and within walking distance of the shopping mall. The target market is largely middle and high-income earners (CCPOA, 2013). The typologies vary and most developments are more than two stories, increasing densification.
Page | 36 In relation to tenure, there is a wide variety of tenure options, including rental and ownership. There is also a common open space that makes provision for storm water filtration. The shopping mall within Century City comprises of a variety of commercial and business activities. In relation to sustainable urbanism attributes, Century City has mixed use, an open space system, efficient storm water systems, densification illustrated, walkable streets and networks, public transport systems, and a biodiversity corridor. Figure 6 shows some of the Century City components that reflect sustainable urbanism including a storm water system linked to a natural wetland, mixed use development (canal walk) and high rise residential developments (CCPOA, 2013).
Figure 6: Century City residential development and mixed-use building
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/20423465.jpg(Online). Date: 7 September 2014.
3.8.4 Summary
In relation to the above precedents, it is clear that there are developments that consider key sustainable urbanism principles and seek to promote “walkable and transit-served urbanism integrated with high- performance buildings and high performance infrastructure” (Farr, 2008; p.42). Although developed at a time when sustainable urbanism, urban design with nature, was not clearly articulated, these developments show potential in becoming sustainable urbanistic developments. The international and local precedents therefore show the existence of projects with sustainable urbanism principles at heart.
3.9 Sustainable urbanism in South Africa: eThekwini Municipality’s policy framework