Let us examine an "area of environmental concern" which serves an important ecological function in the overall context of the immediate area.
If we examine this critical transition area, we discover that the area to the left of the silt fence (the solid black fabric fence) contains a creek, riverine area and some freshwater forested/shrub wetlands. While the silt fence is a temporary, preventative measure designed to protect the adjacent areas from the impacts of construction, we need to examine the edge between to the two areas. In order to fully understand the importance of this edge, we turn to one of the most important works concerning transitional areas between competing landscape archetypes; Landscape Ecology Principles in Landscape Architecture and Land-Use Planning (Harvard, 1996.)
Boundaries may also be “political” or “administrative”, that is artificial divisions between inside and out, which may or may not correspond to natural “ecological” boundaries or edges. Relating these artificial edges with natural ones is important. As human development continues its expansion into natural environments, the edges created will increasingly form the critical point for interaction between human-made and natural habitats. (1996:27)
While this edge between the two areas is largely based upon on "administrative" division established through the required "setback" from the center of the stream bed, there are ecological implications which may not be addressed by this "safe zone".
Let us examine the "grading" solution which the designer has chosen for this area of the site. When Landscape Architects "sit" for the Registration Exam, we are instructed that retaining walls are not an acceptabel solution to grading problems. While the presence of this bland and lifeless retaining structure is not the main issue, one of the design details should cause some serious concern for this area.
A closer look reveals that drainage structures have been installed within the are that the wall is retaining. This is a typical construction detail that helps to enSure the wall will not fail under the weight of what will presumably be diesel-fueled semi trucks or dumpsters. What is of vital importance is that all of the contaminents that the stormwater system will be collecting will be discharging in this are and travelling across the disturbed and nearly non-existent edge into the stream, wetlands and freshwater pond just off of the Lowe's property.
And we find that the stream, wetland and pond ecosystem that will be the recipient of the Nonpoint Source Pollutants which are collected throughout the site. Even when the "nice landscaping" (as described by one of the developer's agents in a city council meeting) is installed on the bottom slope of this retaining structure, there will be little impact that the plant material (which is more than likely designed to satisfy the minimal code requirements) will exert on the pollutants that are leaching into the adjacent ecosystem.
The point? As designers we need to assess a site from every standpoint and make informed recommendations to our clients. Considering the fact that the developer had to convince the city to change its Future Land Use Plan, indicating that the developers know what is best for the community as opposed to the professional planners who determined the future growth patterns for the community through a process which included input from the general public! How did they accomplish this change? Through a hyper-capitalist inspired development model masked with a bit of greenwashed site plans (see "nice landscaping" above).
Look around your community for examples of this type of development model and you will be shocked as to the large numbers of examples you will be able to find.
"Form follows function - that has been misunderstood. Form and function should be one, joined in a spiritual union." -Frank Lloyd Wright
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