Future-proofing the urban landscape: Green Infrastructure as a primer for resilient urban development
Date
2015
Authors
Martin, Leigh
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Abstract
Many forgotten and resurfacing emerging theories in
the field of urbanism are starting to recognise highperformance
landscapes and green infrastructure as
an essential urban element toward more resilient urban
development. This report, entitled ‘Future-proofing the
Urban Landscape: Green Infrastructure as a Primer for
Resilient Urban Development’ addresses the question
of whether Green Infrastructure can become the primary
structuring element towards achieving more resilient
development, and how this structure influences public
place-making.
The strategy is tested on a the Frankenwald site, one of
the last remaining greenfield sites in Johannesburg. The
proposed development comprises of guidelines and an indepth
phasing strategy for development and intermediate
natures that add long-term value towards future-proofing
the city.
The document establishes that green infrastructure is
a highly relevant subject to consider for the planning of
future cities. As a discourse it adds value to the profession
of urban design and questions the urban designer’s
capacity to offer more productive landscapes and assist in
protecting and enhancing the ecosystem services of cities.
The multi-layered nature of priming for green infrastructure
services make available a variety of natural elements to
be exposed and designed by means of meaningful place
making.
Description
A research report submitted to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Urban Design
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Citation
Martin, Leigh (2016) Future-proofing the urban landscape: Green Infrastructure as a primer for resilient urban development, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, < http://wiredspace.wits.ac.za/handle/10539/22085>