lost in transition? examining Gl evaluation in neighbourhood masterplanning

摘要

The potential benefits of green infrastructure (Gl) to new neighbourhood developments are the focus of a growing body of research.1 Such benefits include supporting wellbeing, raising property values, reducing flood risk, and improving biodiversity. There has been less research, however, examining how Gl is evaluated by practitioners during large-scale masterplan processes, and whether formal Gl evaluative practices affect what is ultimately designed and delivered. The Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method for Communities (BREAM Communities) sustainable neighbourhood standard assumes that if certain formal evaluative activities, including those relating to Gl, occur at the pre-planning design stage, developers will take greater account of these issues in the transition to masterplan delivery. This article presents recent research findings on whether adopting BREEAM Communities (BC) affected how Gl was evaluated and what was constructed onsite.