The Layered Landscape – Sustainable Masterplanning for Active Communities
In the field of sports & recreation design, the role of designers is certainly to provide for function. But when talking about sustainability, functional outcomes are only part of the picture.
This requires a far more layered approach, built on an ability to listen, comprehend, observe and interpret the objectives. This aim is to create a robust and enduring vision that responds more intimately to both the natural landscape and the community, creating layers of active, flexible and attractive community opportunities.
Jennifer Stone, Millar Merrigan Landscape Manager, was invited to speak at the 2021 National Sports Convention during The Layered Landscape – Sustainable Masterplanning for Active Communities workshop. This workshop is now streaming online; members can access it on the National Sports Convention website.
In collaboration with Dion Gosling from 106 Architects and chaired by Martin Sheppard, Jennifer provided some insight into the development of masterplans for sporting precincts into the future.
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Reflecting on the Reggio Emillia philosophy which identifies ‘Environment as the Third Teacher’ … these places offer the community cues of care, improve environmental outcomes and play a vital role in facilitating community wellbeing, connection and belonging
Jennifer Stone
Landscape Manager, Millar Merrigan
The workshop discussion highlighted 3 key points:
- The need for a far more layered approach to achieve sustainable outcomes, one that better addresses the increasing impact of urbanisation and strives for better, more enduring, liveable outcomes, whilst ensuring a good use of land.
- The misconception that masterplanning of sporting precincts is to provide only for sport. On the contrary, by acknowledging, empowering and extending the role these precincts play, we would see them better defined as 'active community hubs', enabling them to become highly valued community places that reflect their communities' evolving needs whilst embracing their natural landscapes.
- Social sustainability and the need for sporting precincts to contribute to providing a ‘third place’ (the place we live between home and work/school) in line with the need to achieve balance in all 3 key elements of sustainability – the function, community and environment. 'Reflecting on the Reggio Emillia philosophy which identifies ‘Environment as the Third Teacher’ as an underpinning for sustainability, one that, when embraced, informs the development of active, sustainable and engaging places that not only provide for more structured sporting functions but foster a deeper rapport, a kinship with nature. These places offer the community cues of care, improve environmental outcomes and play a vital role in facilitating community wellbeing, connection and belonging,' Jennifer says.
Do you have any questions, comments or are interested in continuing the conversation? Get in touch with Jennifer via LinkedIn or via our website or watch the full workshop go to The National Sports Convention website.