Assessment 2: Urban Design -‐ 15222 David Hull -‐ 02043622
UAP Elements
• What are the distinct elements of land use allocation and transport provision evident in the UAP?
• How are higher density built form typologies and open space areas integrated within the UAP?
• What would be the benefits of these strategies for the UAP and its surroundings?
The vision of Wentworth Point is to contribute to the growing population of the region, through high-‐density sustainable living that embraces it’s environmental location and acts as an extension of the existing surrounding activated precincts (Wentworth Point Precinct DCP 2014, page 4.)
The method of land use allocation revolves around three key components; stakeholders, limitations of the precinct and viable options (FAO Corporate Document Repository, 1995). The elements of land use allocation are clearly defined in the UAP and can be broken up into the precinct landscape and buildings, public spaces, streets and transport provisions. The objective of this report is to use the above three components to justify whether the strategies in place align with the vision for the future of Wentworth Point, or whether these elements of land allocation can be improved upon.
the two residential precincts based on stakeholders, limitations and viable options; I believe the western residential neighbourhood is disadvantaged being isolated from the heavily activated peninsula and waterfront plaza on the eastern foreshore. Although the Parramatta River foreshore path serves it’s purpose of accessing the Sydney Olympic Park Ferry Wharf, it could benefit from further activation such as outdoor dining and retail which makes the Homebush Bay foreshore path so well designed.
Pocket parks are distributed through the two defined residential precincts as well as open spaced corridors providing accessibility to the waterfront. The pockets of park areas strategically break up the density of the residential region, reducing congestion of housing and aesthetically improving the precinct. The relationship between the buildings and corridors successfully encompasses the DCP vision to embrace its position along the Parramatta River, as well as providing access to the Parramatta River and Homebush Bay foreshore and ferry wharf. There is limited open space within the higher density built form typology of the eastern neighbourhood, however this can justified being surrounded by the Peninsula Park and recreation areas, public school and playing fields. Further emphasis on trees lining the streets and greenery within the eastern neighbourhood could help improve the natural environmental aesthetics that the pocket parks bring to its western neighbour.
the connectivity and accessibility for stakeholders and reduce their reliance on private vehicles. Assuring the activation and lighting of open space corridors and foreshore paths will also improve connectivity for stakeholders other than cars.
The successful integration of high density built forms, open spaces and street and transport provisions contribute to the vision of the Wentworth DCP. An increase of high-‐density living will always impact on the natural environment of the surrounding area and the quality of living for the residence. “We must provide facilities for recreation, reset and relaxation that are available to all citizens in every walk of life. We must consider the urban citizen who wants his recreation within the city. We must, in particular, consider the pressing need of the low-‐income families living amid the congestion, noise, drabness, and unbroken monotony of asphalt and brick characteristic of the deprived areas of our cities. Here, obviously, we have the greatest deficit of green space and recreational facilities.” Seymour Jr. W. page 3.
Public Realm
• What are the specific strategies applied to creating a meaningful public realm?
• What are the successful and less successful urban design elements of the public realm?
The primary focus of public realms should be on how people interact with their surrounding environment; ARC, page 1. The public realms of the Wentworth DCP include the streets and pathways, open spaces, parks and pocket parks, as well as the public buildings and facilities.
Safety it prioritized with site access for emergency vehicles, wide and flat pathways and both street and pedestrian lighting.
Within the high-‐density residential precincts, parking will always be limited and the DCP public realm streetscape has not done enough to manage demand. Streets are not equipped to handle traffic congestion with limited road access points, further emphasized on weekends and during public events at Olympic Park. Besides widening streets, the best means to reduce the pressure of the existing road network is better public transport connectivity, extended hours of operation and regularity.
The open spaces, parks and pocket parks and natural corridors are a well thought out asset of the Wentworth DCP public realm. “It is the redevelopment of the smaller parks, reserves and street closures that makes a difference to the local community.”, Jasprizza, R, page 292-‐294. They are strategically designed in a manner that is visually appealing, practical, connected and sustainable, while responding to the recreational needs of the community. The quality landscape design and positioning of the pocket parks influence the character and image of the public realm, whilst creating a positive impact on the health, wellbeing and social interaction of the residence. The parks are multi-‐functional and adaptable to the needs of the residence, particularly around the eastern peninsula, which promotes interaction for a wider demographic. The peninsula park and wetlands in particular promote environmental sustainability, biodiversity and connection with the natural landscape, which was an objective of the DCP.
The less successful elements of public realm in relation to the parks and open spaces could focus on the wetlands area, whist being aesthetically appealing, it may not meet the needs of the recreational demands for the local residence. The financial sustainability of the open parks and recreational areas is critical and may need to be addressed, to ensure sustainable ongoing maintenance costs and achieve projected life cycles (Public Realm – Urban Design Guidelines, Page 23)
residential precincts. The Homebush Bay foreshore and maritime plaza strategically activates the space to create social interaction, exemplified by the rowing and yacht club facilities. The connectivity of the ferry wharf is a less successful element of the public realm, with no bicycle storage facilities, limited parking and poorly synchronized connections with the bus transport. The DCP also does not address public buildings such as a library or community halls.
Investing in quality public places is essential for a well-‐balanced, socially inclusive community and boosts confidence for an area. A high standard of public realms stimulate growth in the visitor economy, increase the price of property as well as the income and profit for local businesses.
Health and Public Safety
• What types of design solutions have been suggested to improve public health and safety?
Design solutions of the DCP revolve around outdoor living and a connection with the natural environment. Green infrastructure and the connection between residential built forms and green open spaces emphasize health and safety and community living and engagement.
The Wentworth DCP uses principles recommended in Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) to mitigate antisocial behavior (Wentworth Point Precinct DCP 2014, page 30). Such design solutions include;
• Casual surveillance in all public realms, • Adequate lighting on streets and walkway
• Maximizing visibility into building entrances and ground floor dwelling fronts.
• Where possible, buildings are designed with glass panels and openings so lifts, lobbies and openings are clearly visible from public domains.
Safety has been heightened with improvements made to the connectivity of public transport, such as synchronizing timetables of trains, buses and ferries. In the design of streets and built forms, safety is prioritized with site access for emergency vehicles and allocated speed zones in relevant areas (schools, high density housing areas, etc)
As mentioned previously and in relation to public health, wide pathways and cycle paths are evident to optimize foot traffic and activity, reducing the reliance of private vehicles for connectivity. The foreshore is activated and designed to promote health and walkability. Parks and open-‐spaces are multi-‐functional with recreational spaces to promote outdoor living, as well as the rowing and yacht club to emphasize sport and physical activity.
Green Infrastructure
• What are the green infrastructure (landscaping, trees, vertical gardens/green roof and urban food production) and
recommendations for creating a better quality of urban living?
The vision of the DCP is to embrace the locality and natural environment has been achieved by limiting the impact on the waterfront, wetlands and already existing natural settings. Typologies of green infrastructure are evident throughout the DCP, with the landscaping of tree-‐lined streets, the abundance of open spaces and activation of the waterfront.
Where practical the streets are lined with trees and green gardens, which strategically break up the built forms in high-‐density areas. Green infrastructure is evident in the pocket parks and open linear spaces (corridors), creating a natural connectivity between the residential built forms and the activated waterfront.
The landscaping of the foreshore includes trees and natural gardens to promote an emotional connection between the residence and the natural environment. The recreation park along the peninsula adapts to the wetlands, the objective of design being to limit the impact of the green environment whilst creating a network of walkways for the residence to connect and benefit from the natural setting.
Place Making
• Have other techniques (if any, except above questions) been incorporated in urban design strategies for the UAP to enhance place making for communities?
and wellbeing (Project for Public Places, p1). Public art and interactive open spaces are examples of place making strategies that create community involvement and wellbeing.
Public art is located in key focal points throughout the residential precincts and open spaces, helping to generate community identity and maximizes visibility in key areas. The use of public art helps define areas and creates a sense of pride for the community. The outdoor landscape creates community interaction through the use of public furniture along streets and walkways, outdoors dining along the waterfront and recreational areas. Built forms along the waterfront such as the outdoor dining, plaza and rowing and yacht club provide space for community engagement and utilizes the foreshore and river as a community asset.
Key Recommendations and conclusions:
Overall the objective of providing sustainable living that embraces the natural surroundings and acts as an extension of the existing surrounding activated precincts, is well detailed in the Wentworth DCP. There are areas that can be improved to provide a higher quality of living for its residence, which has been outlined below;
• The DCP does not detail adequate facilities for community use, such as a library or community hall. A library/community hall would benefit place making and community engagement. If height restrictions permit, a library above the plaza or a community hall within the maritime precinct would be well positioned nearby the school and around the activated waterfront by Homebush Bay.
• The DCP fails in its objective of being an extension of the surrounding activated communities, due to the poor public transport connectivity. Connections between precincts can be improved with synchronised timetables between each mode of public transport (train, bus, ferry), as well as improved parking and cycle storage nearby transport nodes.
as outdoor dining and retail that makes the Homebush Bay foreshore path so affective.
• Currently the only sporting ground that exist in the UAP belong to the school. The precinct would benefit from a shared school/community use of the school playing field outside of school hours.
• There are no landmarks within the UAP. Excluding public art, an easily identifiable physical object in the urban landscape would help community pride as well as act as a point of reference for key areas of the precinct.
References:
1. FAO Corporate Document Repository, (1995). Planning for sustainable use of land resources; Towards a new approach. Available at http://www.fao.org/docrep/v8047e/v8047e05.htm. (accessed 30.05.16)
2. NSW Department of Planning & Infrastructure (2014). Wentworth Point Urban Activation Precinct Finalisation Report, page 6.
Available at
http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/~/media/Files/DPE/Reports/we ntworth-‐point-‐urban-‐activation-‐precinct-‐finalisation-‐report-‐ 2014.ashx (accessed 23.05.16)
3. ARC. What is a Public Realm, page 1. Available at http://www.arc-‐ online.co.uk/public-‐realm/what-‐is-‐public-‐realm, (accessed
20.05.16)
4. Local Government Association of South Australia, Public Realm – Urban Design Guidelines, Page 23, Available at
https://www.lga.sa.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/Public%20Re alm%20Urban%20Design%20Guidelines.pdf (Accessed 23.05.16) 5. Projects for Public Spaces, What is Place Making, p1. Available at
http://www.pps.org/reference/what_is_placemaking/ (accessed 28.05.16)
6. Jasprizza, Roger. “Small Spaces Make a Difference” Landscape Australia 1999 Nov.-‐2000 Jan., v.21, n.4 (84), p.292-‐294
7. Robert C. Weaver, Seymour Jr. W. “Recreational Needs in Urban Areas” (From Whitney North Seymour Jr. An Introduction to Small Urban Spaces, p3.
