CUMULATIVE RESEARCH PROJECT

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 1. BRISBANE REGION : MANAGEMENT GOALS

The proposed management goal was to develop an energy efficient and water resilient precinct that minimises degradation of the ecosystem. The approach to this management

goal in a regional/neighbourhood area was based on the idea that the concepts and plans could be scalable and able to adapt and grow in a bigger context. A lot of emphasis and

focus was given to the use of green and blue strategies thinking these would have the bigger impact overall.
CUMULATIVE RESEARCH PROJECT - WATER AND ENERGY URBAN SYSTEMS INTEGRATION DESIGN CHALLENGE

FIG. 1. STREET SCAPE HARVESTING FIG. 2. SLOW RELEASE OF WATER BACK TO THE CREEK FIG. 3. PASSIVE DESIGN. BUILDING FORM TO ALLOW FOR CROSS VENTILATION

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 2. BRISBANE CITY: INTEGRATED PLAN AND MANAGEMENT GOALS

Being realistic in our approach to a bigger region or zone the management goals were divided into short and long term based on adaptability, resilience and liveability. The short

term goals were to educate the population and policy making. These goals are easy to execute and will have an immediate impact in the area.

• Limit residential/commercial peak demand

• Battery usage during 5:00pm-8:00pm

• Promoting usage of appliances in off-peak hour – Increasing peak hour prices drastically

• Subsidise energy- and water-efficient appliances

• Provide incentives for use of high reflectivity and energy efficient building materials and pavements

• Promote and subsidize residential rainwater tanks

• Educate campaigns in schools and communities on water and energy issues

CUMULATIVE RESEARCH PROJECT - WATER AND ENERGY URBAN SYSTEMS INTEGRATION DESIGN CHALLENGE

The long term approach were mostly focused on infrastructure development (street upgrades, catchments, water storage,) and in master planning the use of resources. This to the

fact that would could take a lot of planning, investment and construction time before they are ready to be used.

• Upgrade the grid in order to accept and balance large shares of electricity from Variable Renewable Energy systems

• Use of batteries to store renewable energy for the city’s water supply and treatment systems. Energy coming from Solar PV.

• Cooling district – Distribute cool water from a centralized unit

FIG.4. GRID UPGRADE TO BALANCE LARGE SHARES OF ELECTRICITY FIG.5. COOLING DISTRICT – DISTRIBUTE COOL WATER FROM A CENTRALIZED UNIT

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 3. PRECINCT : INTEGRATED DESIGN (WATER AND ENERGY MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES)

As part of the management goal , the proposed living precinct aims to establish an effective approach to energy production, water sensitivity and conservation. As mentioned in the

Brisbane region section above, a scalable and almost modular approach was proposed for the precinct strategy. A cluster model was chosen as a way to densify the area and manage

the forecast increase in population.

Fundamental to this integrated strategy is the use of land typologies; a series of green spines were established to harvest overland flow, while allocating flexible communal spaces. This

expansion of green space increases the amount of permeable ground space, minimizing water runoff while channeling the remaining water to towards a water collection and storage

zone.

A zero net energy consumption development was achieved by combining passive design approach that will diminish the energy consumption by 35%. Furthermore, by densifying the

development area, solar panels were allocated around the freed up space and roof tops.
CUMULATIVE RESEARCH PROJECT - WATER AND ENERGY URBAN SYSTEMS INTEGRATION DESIGN CHALLENGE

1.

3.
2.

FIG. 6. ENHANCED TOPOGRAPHY & MICRO CLIMATE FIG. 7. GREEN-SCAPE & SOFT-SCAPE STRATEGY

1. TOPOGRAPHICAL WATER CALMING DEVICES (TO SLOW 1. WETLANDS / RESERVE

2. UNDULATING LANDSCAPE TO COMPLEMENT HYDROLOGICAL
MOVEMENT OF WATER) PATTERNS
2. WETLAND BAIN AS AN OPEN-AIR WATER RETENTION DEVICE 3. INCORPORATED MICRO BASINS
NORTH-EAST SUMMER BREEZES
VEGETATION

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XISTING PRECINCT
JECT NAME
3. PRECINCT : INTEGRATED DESIGN (WATER AND ENERGY MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES)

EXISTING / SITE ANALYSIS

CUMULATIVE RESEARCH PROJECT - WATER AND ENERGY URBAN SYSTEMS INTEGRATION DESIGN CHALLENGE

FIG. 8. EXISTING /SITE ANALYSIS

REDEVELOPMENT SITES WATERWAY STORM WATER PIPES TRANSPORT CONNECTIONS

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0 2 6
ROPOSED PRECINCT
JECT NAME
3. PRECINCT : INTEGRATED DESIGN (WATER AND ENERGY MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES)

PROPOSED

SUSTAINABILITY CENTRE / WATER

WATER SQUARE STORAGE & TREATMENT PLANT
CUMULATIVE RESEARCH PROJECT - WATER AND ENERGY URBAN SYSTEMS INTEGRATION DESIGN CHALLENGE

FIG. 9. PROPOSED PRECINCT

COMMERCIAL / RETAIL HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL MEDIUM DENSITY RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PANELS TRANSPORT CONNECTIONS

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 4. REFLECTION

Introduction

The brief design workshop undertaken in the University of Queensland, Brisbane with Steven Kenway from the University of Queensland and Steve Conrad from UBC Canada, as

main organisers, focused on the integration of water and energy system to solve real-life problems related to urban growth, water and energy supply, security and efficiency. The

workshop was split into 5 days, the first three days were mostly spent on presentations from leading industry managers from various sectors while the last two days were spent on

resolving an Urban design challenge through a competition exercise.

Day 1 - Presentation
CUMULATIVE RESEARCH PROJECT - WATER AND ENERGY URBAN SYSTEMS INTEGRATION DESIGN CHALLENGE

On the first day, the main presentation was given by Chris Tanner from Bligh Tanner. The presentation was mostly focused on the integration of sustainable water solutions in previ-

ous developments done by Bligh Tanner

Reflection:

The main constraints and limitations from developing sustainable and integrated developments according to Chris Tanner are the regulatory impediments (i.e. council controlling

the plumbing system), the ownership, most of the integrated and sustainable solutions are based on a modular system. This modularity seems to clash with the potential owners

wanting something “different”. The last

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 4. REFLECTION

Day 2 - Presentation

On the second day, the main presentation was given my Dr. Sebastien Darchen, Senior Lecturer in Planning School of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of

Queensland. The presentation focused on the local planning innovations and governance for water sensitive cities. Dr. Darchen explained that in order to develop a water sensitive

city the city itself requires a transformation of urban water system at various scales. From focusing on water supply and disposal to flexible systems that integrate various sources of

water, operate through a combination of centralised and decentralised systems and are integrated into urban design.

Reflection:

It was interesting to see that there’s a lack of innovation specially when it comes to government and policy making in the water sector. The planning innovations are to be bespoke

and solutions based on contextual factors rather than imported policies. This innovation can be incentivised through regulatory frameworks or financial stimulus and that there is a
CUMULATIVE RESEARCH PROJECT - WATER AND ENERGY URBAN SYSTEMS INTEGRATION DESIGN CHALLENGE

clear vision of the goals and planning innovation to achieve a successful outcome.

FIG. 10. STAKEHOLDERS / “ACTORS” SPECTRUM OF PARTICIPATION ACROSS LOCAL, CITY AND REGIONAL SCALE.

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 4. REFLECTION

Day 3 – Site Visit / Analysis

On the third day a site visit was organised to Greenville area and Norman Creek catchment. The site is near a major traffic artery that connects the site efficiently to Brisbane CBD

and surrounding neighbourhood.

The topology presents itself as challenge when it comes to managing overland water runoff. The site slopes down towards the Norman Creek catchment through an extensive area

of impervious surface increasing the possibility of floods at the lowest point of the site.

A site visit was also organised to South Bank and its water management facilities. The development is an exemplar of successful blue and green infrastructure. The Southbank storm
CUMULATIVE RESEARCH PROJECT - WATER AND ENERGY URBAN SYSTEMS INTEGRATION DESIGN CHALLENGE

water harvesting and reuse centre future proof the park from long-term drought conditions by capturing, storing and treating enough water to service up to 85% of the Parklands

water demands (South bank corporation, 2017)

FIG. 11. SOUTH BANK RAIN BANK PLANT ROOM

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 4. REFLECTION

Day 4 & 5 – Competition

The last two days of the workshop were spent working on team from various disciplines (energy engineers, water engineer, town planners & architects) to resolve a series of scenar-

ios. Most of the responses to these scenarios were previously described in the Brisbane Region: Management Goals, Brisbane City: Integrated plan and management goals and Pre-

cinct integrated design sections.

Reflection:

The workshop provided the basic tools to start understanding the different areas of a sustainable development. It was interesting and enriching to converse with people from other

disciplines and see how as architects we can incorporate their knowledge into a cohesive and sustainable response. The biggest challenge when dealing with other disciplines was to
CUMULATIVE RESEARCH PROJECT - WATER AND ENERGY URBAN SYSTEMS INTEGRATION DESIGN CHALLENGE

understand the specificities of every field, therefore struggling to prioritize the sustainability approach. Overall the workshop was very insightful and challenging at times. And even

though a few topics were complicated to understand at first, it was extremely convenient to have a person, with more knowledge on that topic, in the table to clarify any doubts.

FIG. 12. PROPOSED INTEGRATED SUSTAINABLE PRECINCT MODEL WITH LEGO

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 CUMULATIVE RESEARCH PROJECT - WATER AND ENERGY URBAN SYSTEMS INTEGRATION DESIGN CHALLENGE

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