How can landscape function as a medium for integrating stadium events and surrounding suburbs? Eden Park, Kingsland

Abstract

Eden Park Stadium is one of the major hosting stadia of 2011 Rugby World Cup. This research project explores how this and other events associated with Eden Park can integrate with the surrounding community and neighbourhood. This has been achieved by utilising landscape function as a medium i.e. landscape as an instrument that helps to order events, activities and changing urban life. Some key concerns of landscape urbanism, such as water, ecology, economics, social concerns and infrastructure have been explored in order to identify and resolve the existing problems at the site and propose strategies for realising potential. This research project utilises a multi-scale site investigation, which identified design elements, these are analysed and reconfigured into hybrids to explore and begin to address site problems. Also, a wider environment study contributes to an understanding of the potential function of Eden Park in terms of its ecological processes. In addition a series of case studies comprised existing local and international stadia and their landscape designs, were included in the investigation as both a resource and for the purpose of contextualisation and comparison. This research explores the use of both fixed as well as adaptive and flexible design strategies in order to achieve the co-existence of large scale sporting events and suburban life. The strategic approach allows for flexibility of use and is designed to create the capacity for more events and activities of all types to occur at Eden Park.