Site design

Best practice site design from a stormwater perspective can reduce the impact of development on the hydrology and water quality of downstream receiving environments. Where site design is specifically aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of stormwater, site design may be referred to as low impact or water sensitive design.

Key aspects of site design include:

• Defining design objectives (e.g. water sensitive design, secondary flow paths, hydrologic neutrality, safety in design, low maintenance etc)
• Designing within constraints (e.g. physical, economic, cultural, environmental etc)

There is no Canterbury region specific document on site design, although there is information spread throughout the references given in Principles of Stormwater Management.

Site design links

Water Sensitive Design (GD04)

The best national example of site design guidance is Auckland Council’s Water Sensitive Design (PDF file, 37 MB) March 2015 guideline (GD04). This provides the most comprehensive guide to site design to minimise adverse effects.

Auckland Design Manual

The Auckland Design Manual has a wide range of information and examples.