Peri-Fusion: A Design Strategy for Integrating Densified Housing and Agriculture Within Peri-Urban Zones

Low-density, suburban dwelling models are characterising extended areas on the fringes of New Zealand (NZ) towns and cities. The resulting (sub) urban sprawl has been proven unsustainable due to high resource consumption and increasing housing cost. Surveys of housing preferences indicate the continued desire for the standalone home. Increased land usage for settlement conflicts with other land use, including agriculture and green spaces. A cornerstone of NZ economy and agriculture influences housing aspirations, e.g. lifestyle farms. This conflict can also be observed in other countries, where housing infrastructure (for water, waste, food) is insufficient or unsustainable. For peri-urban zones, strategies for low-rise, high-density housing are well established, but lack implementation. Strategies for reducing greenfield developments have been explored, mostly in terms of policy-making. And, concepts for circular housing infrastructure are currently being tested. The lack of uptake can be addressed with a perspective centred on housing design. This research establishes design strategies for integrating densified housing, associated food/waste cycles and preservation of green spaces by way of using agricultural features and motifs, in response to NZ housing preferences. Typological research is combined with research through design, using spatial features derived from agriculture to enhance sustainable housing. The design strategies were tested on a case study site in Blenheim, NZ. The novel design resulted in 38.9% more dwelling units, 34.8% more green space, and a circular water and nutrient model, when compared to an identical adjacent site. This demonstrates the potential of cross-programming/interweaving housing and agricultural landscaping in response to environmental resilience as well as societal housing aspirations.