Open space can take different forms, from local parks to community wide or regional facilities that attract and serve a greater catchment. Local planning authorities often require local or neighbourhood parks where larger subdivisions are proposed. For smaller subdivisions, these requirements may be in the form of cash contributions to enable Councils to build up funds to purchase and develop open space facilities in pre-determined areas or to improve existing areas of public open space.
The public open space system can also include natural areas consisting of coastal foreshores, waterways, wetlands, areas of escarpment and bushland. These areas are typically less suitable for recreation, but serve other public or environmental purposes, such as stormwater management, asset protection and other buffer zones, road reserves, habitat protection and lands used for community facilities and other infrastructure purposes.
Together, the different types of public open space should provide a range of recreational opportunities. The Recreational Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) (Clark & Stankey 1979) provides a model for categorising recreation and open space based on different characteristics of the space and user needs.
Private open space is another important element of open space system, the design of which is particularly important for residents of higher density areas where outdoor spaces may be scarce. Private open space is often within a private allotment or as part of common property and its quality is dependant on the house or unit design and orientation. Private open spaces should aim to extend internal living areas and should have good solar orientation.
In an overall residential estate, open space is an important aspect that often co-ordinates the subdivision layout with the physical attributes of the site. Open space is also an important marketing tool that addresses and appeals to the needs of future residents.
Design for Open Space
Labels: Design, Exterior, Open Space