The post What a Masterplan is Supposed to Do appeared first on Landizer.

The qualities that actually make something a “master plan” are consistently ill-defined.
For some, a master plan is simply a deceptively-pretty image of some buildings, sites and spaces. For others, a 400-page manifesto, containing everything from god’s-eye strategies, down to granular minutia.

-By Riley Flanigan, Senior Urban Designer, Hassell

At best, a master plan is a precinct manager’s most valuable tool. At worst, they can potentially be a wasteful investment. The looseness of jargon allows the quality and scope of the work to vary widely, creating a murky environment for those tasked with procuring master plans, lacking a clear understanding or standard of what outputs, functions and qualities they should be looking for.

There are useful qualities of complex, highly-specialised mixed use precincts, such as health precincts, university campuses, innovation precincts, and airport precincts – essentially any complex precinct where a one-size-fits-all approach to strategy does not suffice. These precincts are the most significant drivers of economic, social and knowledge capital of our cities and deserve to be planned and designed to a level of depth and thoughtfulness that reflects this importance.

MANAGING MODERN MIXED-USE PRECINCTS IS HARD

Have you ever walked around a campus and wondered “why on earth would they do it like this?” From the outside looking in, it’s easy to judge, but managing the evolution of complex precincts is incredibly challenging. Precinct managers have the difficult job of being the connective tissue between an institution’s strategic aspirations and the cold reality of real-world implementation.

Complex mixed use precincts are never “finished”

The job of a precinct manager is never done. There will never be a day when we can walk away from an airport, a university campus or a health precinct saying “mission accomplished”. Precincts must constantly respond and evolve to growth pressures, contextual issues, new trends and shifting forces in the market. It is the job of the precinct manager and the master plan to proactively navigate this environment in the way that best aligns with the aspirations of the institution.

Keeping a complex vision at front of mind at all times is impossible

The demands we ask of our mixed-use clusters have evolved to a level of complexity where it is unreasonable to expect precinct managers to keep these myriad issues and opportunities at front of mind at all times when making decisions. This is the job of a master plan – to stop, take stock and determine the optimal direction of travel, informed by the totality of an institution’s contextual issues, drivers, aspirations and opportunities.

SO WHAT MAKES A GOOD MASTER PLAN GOOD?

A master plan vision should embody the sum of the inputs that fed into the master plan, distilling them into a strategic framework and responds to them at every opportunity – comprehensively implementing the vision across the institution, at every scale of operation. Whether we’re talking about a minor landscape upgrade, or a $300m facility – every decision of significance should be shaped by the process that created the master plan. It is this holistic, all-encompassing approach that allows an institution to make difficult decisions quickly and with confidence in the direction of travel, despite the complexity at play.

Values matter, so put the user experience first

Values play a powerful role in shaping projects, especially when planning and designing a long term vision for an entire institution. To paint with a very broad brush, engineering-led firms tend to prioritise the “stuff” of a master plan – aka the infrastructure, the facilities and the modelling. Every type of consultant believes that their expertise is the most important lens to view the world through. To put my cards on the table, I believe that the highest value driving precinct planning and design should be the experience, the needs and the values of the end user. The end user is ultimately the customer that drives the success of the precinct. So a master plan that does not reflect the needs and values of the end user will struggle to compete, attract visitors and retain key workers. While cold reality will inevitably get in the way of our highest aspirations – it’s always better to work backwards from an ideal end state that prioritises the user experience, than an infrastructure-led scheme that is only concerned with the quantitative.

A flexible, adaptable framework

Beware the master plan that promises certainty or relies heavily on a complex sequence of stages. Only one thing is certain – exactly 0% of master plans are followed to the letter of the law. Recessions, elections, pandemics and all of the wonderful things life has to offer will challenge assumptions and cause priorities to change. Master plans that do not allow for the maximum range of motion to pivot when necessary are inherently destructive in how they can limit the ability to respond to crises.

More detail on near-term projects

The highest priorities of a complex, mixed use precinct are generally the first five years of projects. These are often long-overdue interventions that address the most pressing capacity shortfalls. With this in mind, a useful master plan should provide additional content and detail to better brief these projects and build momentum.

A bespoke staging strategy

There is no single way to approach staging. When considering how to implement a complex mixed use precinct master plan, the staging strategy should be bespoke to reflect the contextual issues of the precinct, such as maintaining continuity of key operations, working within the constraints of the funding environment, meeting pressing capacity issues etc. Throughout the course of a project, these priorities will identify themselves and a process of layering them on top of one another will reveal the optimal path forward.

A clear, communicative & persuasive tool for advocacy

A useful master plan is designed with a full appreciation of its role as a communicative tool in bidding for funding, attracting investment, advocating for political and community support and achieving internal stakeholder consensus. Precinct managers themselves need to be able to effectively communicate the vision and important ideas in a succinct and engaging way, whether in a board meeting, or an elevator pitch. The power of engaging visual communication, narrative storytelling, clear messaging, and persuasion to make the critical difference in advocacy cannot be understated.

BRIEFS MATTER

The qualities explored above are not found in every master plan, nor are they needed for every master plan. Each master plan is bespoke. The quality and scope of master plans vary widely, so being able to articulate the right outcomes in a brief is critical. If time is invested into this stage of the process, the impact will be seen across all future elements of the project.

Author: Riley Flanigan, Senior Urban Designer, Hassell

Image credits: © Hassell

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The post Left Village Quarry Park | Guangzhou, China | GVL Gossamer appeared first on Landizer.

Located 60km from Guangzhou CBD the Left Village Quarry Park is a unique post industrial project of regional significance. The site contains both a remnant granite mine and a centuries old farm village. Taking this into consideration the project rejuvenates the abandoned quarry and existing farming villages for future agro-tourism, recreation and environmental rehabilitation.

New planned programs include; eco camping, nature trails, wetland park, sports and recreation park, multifunctional events lawn and visitors centres. Selected abandoned buildings in the town centre will be re-purposed for accommodation and visitor faculties, whilst the existing village community will enjoy access to a rejuvenated town center with new infrastructure upgrades, jobs and business opportunities.

The design uses the granite mining process as a conceptual driver, using on-site granite as the primary material and retaining large site boulders left behind from mining. The use of this strategy takes on 4 main design principles crush/pile, cut/slice, stack/step and adapt/ reuse.

The project is made up of three stages, each with a unique experience;

Stage 01: Explore…The Quarry

The first project stage will transform the disused granite quarry into a post-industrial parkland, recreation and events destination.

Visitors are greeted by a ‘rockfall’ landscape with an information centre, cafe restaurant, adventure play space, rock garden and wetland. A concealed journey along a dramatic land-cut leads into the main quarry pit, opening up to a an events / camping lawn and amphitheatre space. A corkscrew stair and lift inspired by mining infrastructure ascends the cliffs to a lookout café perched over the quarry void. Here, visitors are guided along a selection of nature trails and cliff-edge walks.

Stage 02: Play…In the fields

Located between the quarry and the village, is a vast farmland allowing for agrotourism activities such as sustainable farming tours, cycling trails, horse-riding and camping.

Stage 03: Stay…In tranquillity

The final stage of the project involves the long-term adaptation of existing village buildings and public spaces to preserve authentic cultural experiences and existing communities. Here visitors can walk though the terraced orchards, relax at a spa, eat local produce overlooking the farms. Agriculture in this zone will remain productive, while existing residences are retained to ensure the ongoing presence and involvement of the local villagers. Architecture across all three stages prioritises adaptive re-use and will recycle on-site materials.

Overall, the masterplan creates a unique post industrial and authentic farmstay experience, whilst enhancing the lives of the local community and environment.

Project Title | Left Village Quarry Park

Location | Guangzhou, Guangdong, China

Services | Landscape Architecture, Architecture, Master Planning, Wetland design, Art & Sculpture, Sponge City

Client | Guangdong Dongsheng Industrial Group

Lead Consultant | GVL Gossamer

Design Team | Nicola Balch, Jack Qian, Alex Breedon, Yaxin Zhao, Qilu Zhang

Design Year | 2020

Images and text | © GVL Gossamer

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The post Waterline Square Park | New York, NY | MNLA appeared first on Landizer.

Waterline Square is a collection of three residential buildings on one of the last remaining development sites along the Hudson River on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Offering a variety of residential lifestyle opportunities, it is home to condominiums, rental residences, and a comprehensive amenities package designed in collaboration with Rockwell Group.

The complex features a new public park for visitors of all ages designed by acclaimed New York City landscape architecture firm MNLA. This coveted green space acts as a backyard for the residents and pets of the development, and also as a much-needed outdoor space for the surrounding community to relax, exercise and enjoy nature.

MNLA’s beautifully-landscaped park spans 2.6 acres at the heart of the development. It includes more than 200 trees of 20 different species, 65 percent of which are native to New York. The west end of the development is anchored by conifers and evergreens that mitigate wind and pollution from Riverside Boulevard and aesthetically frame the Hudson River in the distance, while a perennial garden provides native habitats and creates texture that complements the park’s expansive lawn.

The park unifies the buildings of Waterline Square while connecting the nearby waterfront space to the surrounding community. Complete with water features, lush plantings, walking paths and an expansive playground, it serves as a backyard and an oasis, creating a verdant view and serene retreat for residents in the area. Since the space opened over the summer, the park has attracted throngs of visitors clamoring for cherished outdoor space. With a fully-equipped children’s playground and plenty of open space to run around, the park is especially resonating with families at a time when green space is on everyone’s minds.

Developer GID Development Group has programmed the park with a full calendar of socially distanced events for residents and those nearby, including yoga, musical performances by Grammy-nominated artists and more. The developer is exploring programming for the park this winter to continue engaging the community.

A dynamic hospitality program open to the neighborhood will surround the park, including Harry’s Table by Cipriani, Empellón and Somm Cellars Wine & Spirits.

Project Title |  Waterline Square Park

Landscape Architect | MNLA

Client | GID

Location | New York, NY, USA

Year Built | 2020

Image credits | © Elizabeth Felicella

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What is a balanced diet?

But what exactly is a balanced diet? Simply put, it is a meal that provides nutrients to keep the body functioning normally. Nutrition is all about getting the right amount of calories. Eating a variety of high-calorie foods, including fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and protein, will give your body proper nourishment.

The Importance of a Balanced Diet

A healthy diet means you feel better, have more energy, improve your health, and feel better. Good nutrition, physical activity, and a healthy weight are essential factors for an individual’s overall health and well-being.

The importance of a healthy diet in life is undeniable. Not eating properly to maintain a healthy body can expose you to illness, infections, and even fatigue. Of particular note is the importance of a nutritious diet for children. Otherwise, they may be prone to various problems in their growth and development. Heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes are among the most common health problems resulting from a lack of a balanced diet.

Physical activity manages many health problems and improves mental health by reducing stress, depression, and pain. Regular exercise helps prevent metabolic syndrome, stroke, high blood pressure, arthritis, and anxiety.

Wondering how to get started? Well, here is a list of 5 common supplements that can help you to keep up with your diet as well as overall health. Remember supplements are just an alternative and not a replacement for a healthy, balanced diet. So do consult your doctor before you plan to take any supplements.

1. Lactic acid bacillus for a healthy gut: Lactic acid bacillus, also known as the good bacteria, is one of the key factors that not only improve digestion but also keep your gut healthy.
2. Melatonin to fix your sleep woes!: Adding melatonin to your diet can help you to cut down on these woes and help you sleep like a baby. This is because melatonin is a hormone that is responsible for the sleep-wake cycle.
3. Vitamin D3 to fix your bones: Vitamin D3 is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps the gut to absorb calcium from food and the body maintain adequate levels of calcium and phosphorus — two minerals essential for bone health. It also helps in cell growth, immune function, inflammation, and neuromuscular functions.
4. Vitamin B12 (Methylcobalamin) powers the mind and body: Vitamin B12 boosts metabolism and increases your energy level by converting foods into energy. So supplementing your diet with this nutrient can help correct the nutritional deficiency of Vitamin B12 and improve the symptoms of anemia.
5. Vitamin B7 (Biotin) ‘care for your skin and hair: Also known as Vitamin H, it is one of the few B-complex vitamins that are needed for hair growth, strong nails, and glowing skin.

Factors affecting our health and fitness

Good health and fitness is not something that one can achieve entirely on our own. It depends on their physical environment and the quality of their food intake. We live in villages, towns, and cities.

In such places, even our physical environment affects our health. Therefore, our social responsibility for a pollution-free environment directly affects our health. Our day-to-day habits also determine our fitness level. The quality of food, air, and water all helps in building our fitness level.

Role of a nutritious diet in our health and Fitness

The first thing about where fitness starts is food. We should eat nutritious food. Food rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates is very essential. Protein is necessary for body growth. Carbohydrates provide the required energy in performing various tasks. Vitamins and minerals help in building bones and boosting our immune system.

However, taking food in uneven quantities is not good for the body. Taking essential nutrients in adequate amounts is called a balanced diet. Taking a balanced diet keeps the body and mind strong and healthy. Good food helps in better sleep, proper brain functioning, and healthy body weight.

Include vegetables, fruits, and pulses in your daily diet. One must have a three-course meal. Having roughage helps in cleaning inner body organs. Healthy food habits prevent various diseases. Reducing the amount of fat in the diet prevents cholesterol and heart diseases.

1. Shining Confidence:
True beauty comes from confidence and confidence. Self-care activities such as meditation, mindfulness, and positive affirmations can help boost your self-esteem and inner radiance. By taking the time to nurture your mental and emotional health, you can tap into your unique qualities and feel more comfortable being yourself.

2. Stress Relief:
Stress can affect your appearance, leading to premature aging, breakouts and dull skin. Incorporating self-care habits such as relaxation techniques, bathing, and spending time in nature can reduce stress and promote a healthy glow. By making stress reduction a priority, you can keep yourself looking youthful and vibrant.

3. Healthy Lifestyle Habits:
Aesthetic beauty is more than just physical appearance. That includes overall health and vitality. Self-care includes adopting healthy lifestyle habits such as regular exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep. These habits promote physical health, which manifests itself in glowing skin, strong hair and nails, and a healthy body.

4. Emotional Balance:
Emotions play an important role in our daily lives and can directly affect our appearance. Neglecting your emotional health can leave you looking tired and exhausted. Engage in self-care activities that promote emotional balance. B. Journaling, seeking therapy, and participating in hobbies and creative opportunities can help you maintain emotional balance, resulting in a more vibrant and youthful appearance. I can.

5. Introspection and Self-Discovery Time:
Self-Care provides an opportunity for introspection and self-discovery, allowing you to explore your interests, values, and passions. This process of self-exploration leads to a deeper understanding of yourself and your unique aesthetic preferences. By taking the time to get in touch with yourself, you can make informed decisions about your appearance and adopt beauty routines that truly work for you.