Beachlands Development Proposal Urban Design and LID Stormwater Scheme

Designing subdivisions is increasingly challenging for civil engineers. Available sites are becoming scarcer through increased demand for urban development conflicting with efforts to reduce urban sprawl. At the same time we are challenged with an increase in environmental awareness and a desire to develop in sympathy with nature.

LID (low impact design) principles can be applied to new subdivisions in lieu of traditional piped systems but with the added benefits of more natural hydraulic relationships and increased contaminant control whilst still providing for the semi intensive development necessary to limit urban sprawl. LID also integrates with urban planning to provide developments with a high degree of amenity. Auckland University Civil and Environmental Engineering students enrolled in Urban Stormwater Management, submitted entries in a design competition involving the hypothetical development of a 32 hectare greenfields property in Beachlands.

This winning entry provided for 347 residential lots and a commercial zone whilst still providing a high degree of connectivity and open recreational space for residents.

This paper covers stormwater control methods, LID treatment devices, hydraulic modelling and urban design principles utilised to produce a subdivision that not only meets legislative requirement but also creates a place we would like to live in.