Project planning & design
Commencing in 2015, Marden Connect is a residential development of 165 dwellings on 2.2 hectares, showcasing how water sensitive urban design (WSUD) principles can be achieved in urban densification. The development is located 5 km from Adelaide’s CBD and immediately adjacent to the Torrens Linear Park, and includes 66 affordable housing products and 8 accessible/disability living dwellings
The residential area provides 1200 m2 (6%) of open space (with an exemption from the 12.5% standard due to its close proximity to Torrens Linear Park), 40% of which comprises WSUD features. The design process promoted the conservation of pre-existing flora by strategically locating the development’s three reserves, which included the retention of significant pink gums.
Benefits of urban greening to development
Marden Connect properties adjacent to Torrens Linear Park were valued $170,000 higher than similar sized properties facing River Street, only 200 m further east, demonstrating that the community values green infrastructure.
WSUD and green infrastructure features
Streetscape level/public open space
- Marden Connect is designed to be a walkable suburb with three open space reserves designed around the pre-existing, significant flora. Tree pits were constructed where possible to divert gutter flow to roadside trees and gardens. The development features two swales-type detention basins that offer pre-treatment of stormwater prior to discharge to underground drainage system and ultimately the River Torrens.
- Tree pits feature engineered soils to divert gutter flow to roadside trees consisting of predominantly tuckeroo (Cupaniopsis anacardioides).
Household scale solutions
Each townhouse features a minimum 2 kL rainwater tank for limited domestic usage, and each apartment complex has a communal rainwater tank, with the size determined by a water balance model for the roof area and location of each site.
Read our article about how the housing industry is responding to the market’s demand for more green space, including more information about Marden Connect.
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