Part I: Urban Design Guidelines for All Subdivision and Development in the District

5    Designing with the Environment

5.1    Incorporating Landscape Features in the Design

Features such as vegetation, landforms and waterways can add character and interest to the subdivision, as well as helping maintain established natural ecosystems. An example of design that incorporates existing landscape features for recreation and stormwater benefits is shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3: Incorporation of stream networks for recreational and stormwater benefits

Developers should consider the following design elements:

• Incorporate existing streams and vegetation into the subdivision design by providing open spaces where they can contribute to recreation networks and/or maintain ecological values
• Connect all public open spaces, ensuring these spaces are visible to and overlooked by adjacent sites and dwellings. This adds value to adjacent sites and subdivision by providing extra open space
• Retain and restore stream networks by planting stream banks with suitable indigenous species. An ecologist or Council staff can help identify the most appropriate method and plant species to retain along a stream