Showcase
- NZILA Category Winner Enduring — 2017
Waiheke Western Entrance Headland is the culmination of Dennis Scott’s vision for an applied landscape planning approach that leads to sustainable landscape transformation.
Waiheke Western Entrance Headland is the culmination of Dennis Scott’s vision for an applied landscape planning approach that leads to sustainable landscape transformation.
The landscape response covers 430 ha and has spanned a number of projects and years throughout its development. It sits, as its name implies, at the entry to the island, straddling the horseshoe harbour and provides a new social and economic landscape for the island’s residents and the many visitors to Waiheke.
Formerly largely bare grass and in a single land use, the landscape has been truly transformed into a settled landscape with 3.5 million plants integrating buildings and providing a green mantle with improved in-stream values, enhanced wildlife diversity and reduced soil erosion. In addition, it has opened up the land for people through the introduction of a diversity of recreational pursuits and walkways, including improved access to the coast.
This reimagined landscape was 30 years in the making and combined an innovative approach with a burgeoning political and environmental interest driven by a new community arriving via the fast ferry.
Fundamental to the landscape change was the landscape architect’s input into a new District Plan, the first under the umbrella of the Resource Management Act 1991 (still unique in its approach to catchment management and landscape management) where additional development rights were offered in exchange for landscape protection and enhancement.
Careful review of performance and design criteria has provided an inspiring and enduring landscape we can all enjoy, and learn from.
Name of Entry: Waiheke Island Western Entrance Headland Landscape
Name of Entrant: Dennis Scott plus collaborators over three decades
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