Mauritius

Design Sheet

Industry In The Countryside

November 2004

Ministry of Housing and Lands

 DESIGN SHEET

Industry In The Countryside

Your proposals may also Changes in the sugar industry and rural economy and the
require the submission of a need for local employment are likely to see increasing
Preliminary Environmental
demand for small scale industrial development in the
Report, Environmental
countryside. If it is to be acceptable to local communities,
Impact Assessment and/or
such development must make a positive contribution,
a Transport Assessment. You
not only to the economy, but also to the character and
should discuss the need for
these with the Ministry of appearance of rural areas.
Environment and the Ministry The design approach for the majority of industrial
of Public Infrastructure development in rural areas should be one that seeks to
contain buildings and sites within the existing topography and
landscape, where the landscape character is predominant
P and enhanced where necessary.
It is important to consider the appearance and impact of
new industrial building from a number of view points and
distances. Because of the likely size of industrial buildings, long
distance views are important. From afar, size and outline may
be more important than detail.
In seeking to reduce the visual impact of new development
in the countryside, breaking the skyline with buildings should
be avoided. Avoid locating buildings on the crest of hills.
O Where this is unavoidable, tree planting belts or groups
can create a screen and break the building silhouette on
On sloping sites align buildings
parallel with the contours the skyline. This is especially important for larger buildings in
exposed rolling countryside.
Consider siting smaller industrial units in front of larger ones to
reduce apparent scale.
O Extensive floorplates are better broken into smaller sections
and stepped down a slope. On sloping sites align buildings
parallel with the contours.
P In locations where a new industrial building is exposed to
Avoid developing industry on wider views, natural, dark and non-reflective finishes will
the crest of hills generally be more appropriate than light colours. Light
colours are more prominent over longer distances and are
less likely to be characteristic in the landscape setting of rural
areas. Light colours or reflective material can also make a
building appear larger than if darker, more recessive colours
are used, and can have an adverse impact from many miles
away. Views across
valley to sea
Views from
main raods
Front large industrial units with
smaller units to reduce apparent
bulk Views from
adjoining
P settlement
and historic
spaces Views from
nature trail,
mountain
O Consider all views to
Where possible create smaller a proposal Views inland from
floorplates and step down slopes beach and sea

DESIGN GUIDANCE Industrial Development

Ministry of Housing and Lands, November 2004