Brief
We were tasked with providing designs for a large community space forming the hub of a new residential development. This included a major stormwater upgrade, along with additional overall improvements to the reserve and its amenities.
Creating a better community in Mt Roskill
Freeland Reserve is a relatively large and undeveloped drainage reserve situated in the suburb of Mt Roskill, linking Balfron Avenue in the east to Freeland Avenue in the south and west.
Our client, Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities, has been building new houses in the neighbourhood creating the need to upgrade the stormwater treatment within Freeland Reserve to service the new community.
Context was briefed to provide designs for the upgrade, along with additional overall improvements to the reserve and its amenities, including landscaping, paved walkways, and the construction of footbridges and viewing platforms.
We adopted a Blue-Green integration approach to urban flood resilience. This approach is recognised globally and in international literature and capitalises on the benefits of working with urban green spaces and naturalised water-flows. It is regarded as a more nature-friendly means of managing urban flood risk. Blue-Green integration also offers multiple further benefits, such as improvements in air and water quality, aesthetics, biodiversity, and amenity.
While the upgrades are being undertaken to enhance the reserve for the benefit of the local community, they will significantly decrease flooding and improve water quality in the area. The upgrades will also enable additional overall improvements to the reserve and its amenities, improving access and general enjoyment for people in the neighbourhood.
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