Strategic Planning in Action

Assessment 2: Strategic Planning In Action

Student ID: 500629091

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this report is to demonstrate and understand Land use Survey methods and also identify strategic planning issues within a chosen area. Brown and Sherrard define planning as : ‘Town and country planning is the direction and use of land to serve the economic and social welfare of a community in respect of convenience, health and amenity ’ (1951, p. 3) their definition relates to the human users of the environment.

James Colman ( 1971 ) describes the subject as ‘concerned, in part, with harmony, delight and efficiency … is the study of the ways of arranging buildings, spaces and activities so that we all can more easily enjoy work and play to the fullest extent’

To understand a strategic plan it is necessary to first study a place and its context in relation to its surroundings and the users or community in that area. Surveying the land through maps, site visits, land use surveys helps to gather information to understand the dynamics of the place. The data collected can then be used to determine the strategic planning issue on site and what changes are taking place on site to deal with these issues and hence assessing if the proposal reacts to its surroundings and how it fits within the site context. A land survey was carried out in Redfern, in order to assess and recognize concepts and issues with strategic planning and changes that the site was currently undergoing on the basis of strategic planning. Gathering evidence is of key importance. Redfern being one of the most important stations within the city of Sydney the report has looked at transit nodes and train stations as a strategic issue that needs to be addressed for the area. Information about kinds and number of users in Redfern was looked at. It has also studied the upcoming developments for the station and the affect it will have on the surroundings and the users. the report studies through the discussion how transit spaces like stations can become social spaces as well and change the behaviour of the way people move through them. The provisions needed at train stations was looked at and how the new development would address the needs of the people and how in some ways the design was falling short to connect with its surroundings.

Summary of Key Learnings

Insights gathered from this exercise provide an understanding of the methods used to survey a land and gather evidence of the same that results in a strategic plan. Observing a site in detail along with in depth research of the place, a higher level study of the demographics and history of the area gives an understanding of the community. This helps point out the implications that a strategic plan would have on the place and the affects it will have on the land use of the surrounding area as well as the users of that area.

METHOD

The components of this report were approached in different ways according to the various kinds of information that was needed to be gathered. The tasks were done one after another in a sequential manner but re-vsited from time to time due to overlaps and interdependencies between the tasks and information. The table below shows the kind of tasks that were needed to be done and the steps taken at each stage to complete this response. The activities are divided in two major categories, 1- site investigation and 2Background research.

Ways of Gathering Information on Site:

For the site visits it was necessary to take a print of a map along with me at all times as it helped in noting down observations on site and understanding it on the map side by side along with the real time space. Taking specific kind of photos as well helpful and came in need later on while making the report and analysing the site better as shown in examples in the appendix. For example to understand land use and the number of residents photos of the number of post boxes/ number of floors in a building was necessary. (Appendix)

Site Selection:

Redfern as a site came of interest because of the close proximity to central station and how it can react to its surroundings as it has a number of important health and education precincts around it. After the first site visit I became aware of the changes and the strategic planning issues taking place on site. Accordingly the site boundary as changed and research was done accordingly for the specific issue and changes to be addressed.

Fig 1: Methodology Source: Sejpal, 2022

ANALYSIS Location

Redfern is located three kilometres south of city of Sydney CBD. The area is well served by a number of train networks going through Redfern station like the suburban as well as intercity trains that stop at Redfern Station. Redfern has some major road junctions, educational facilities nearby, parks and community facilities as well (NSW Government, 2020).

Img 1: Location Within Greater Sydney

Img 2: Train Network Source: AECOM 2020

Img 3:Connectivity of Redfern within City of Sydney Source: Sejpal, 2022

ANALYSIS

Site Chosen

16,104

Redfern boasts of a ethnically, economically and culturally diverse community. It also includes and associates itself with a large number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander communities. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Census population of the City of Sydney in 2016 was 2,412, living in 1,375 dwellings (profile.id, 2016). Being a part of the Sydney metropolitan network it is the sixth busiest station and is catering to the growing demand of accessible public transport to and from Redfern.(NSW Government, 2020). The 2020 Estimated Resident Population for Redfern is 16,104, with a population density of 13,811 persons per square km (profile.id, 2016). 30% of people in Redfern make up the workforce between the age group of 25- 34 years and thus it is necessary to provide appropriate infrastructure to meet their needs.

The two main station entrances are located at the northern end of the station at Lawson street and the corner of Lawsons and Gibbons street. There is one more entrance on the south which can be accessed via platform 10 through the concourse at Marian Street. There is now a new entrance on the north west side of the station on the corner of Lawson street and Little Eveleigh Street (NSW Government, 2020).

Img 4:Selected Site in Redfern Source: Sejpal, 2022

Population in Redfern

Workforce age group in Redfern

ANALYSIS Strategic Issue Addressed

On Site

Transport for NSW is planning to construct a new pedestrian concourse for the upgradation of Redfern station as a part of TAP ( Transport Access Program). The project exists of a pedestrian concourse which is positioned on the south of Lawson Street with lifts and stair access to platforms from 1 to 10. It will be a new connection across the station corridor from Little Eveleigh Street and Marian street for the suburb of Redfern (NSW Government, 2020).

Features of the site proposal:

-A concourse that will be 6 meters wide going across from little Eveleigh street to Marian Street.

-Upgradation of station entrance at Marian street and new entrance at Little Eveleigh Street along with customer amenities and services.

-Shared zone on Little Eveleigh street will be formalisedand the Marian and cornwall street areas will be upgraded as well specifically for cycle and pedestrian movement, along with landscaping, lighting and safety and provision of 20 parking spaces.

-Relocation of bus zones, Addition of kiss and ride zones, widening of footpaths on ivy street (NSW Government, 2020).

Img 7: Urban Strategy

Source: Transport of NSW 2020

Img 5:View of new concourse

Source: Transport of NSW 2022

Img 6: Station Entrance Source: Transport of NSW 2022

ANALYSIS Strategic Issue

The functionality of train stations is to mainly allow passengers to board and get off trains, and have to include facilities like platforms, ticket machines, toilets seating and waiting areas as well as display information. Railway stations are a necessary part of the public transit network in urban communities especially to support the growing population and provide for mass transit capacity, safety, speed and comfort during the journey. (Akabal et al. 2017)

A lot of stations in Australia most of the time prioritise transport functionality, and become facilities to control flow of passengers on and off trains but are disconnected from their surroundings and become stand alone buildings. They lack in terms of modal transfer and don’t encourage social encounter and exchange with the locale. They are usually treated more as a engineering and safety problem and hardly ever considered in terms of urban design and place making (Woodcock, Wollan 2013). A lot of countries in America, Europe and Asia have invested in rail transportation to reduce congestion problems. Rail transit stations play an important role for many people and help them to engage in work and social commitments, it can also be considered as a key public place for community interactions to take place (Akabal et al. 2017).

Through the Transport access Program (TAP) the NSW government is improving the Redfern Railway Station in terms of accessibility. The project will provide access to the station for all including the disabled, parents/ carers with prams and people with luggage. It will also improve connections between the station and the neighbourhood in the surrounding. The project has some key benefits including:

-Lifts and stairs will provide easy access to platforms from 1- 10

- Improvement in flow of movement of customers that will reduce congestion within the station

- Better connectivity with a few important destinations in the neighbourhood like South Eveleigh, Carriageworks and health and education centres.

- Shared zones will be developed in Little Eveleigh and Marian streets for improved connectivity to key destinations (NSW Government, 2019).

Railway stations aren’t considered to the full extent by communities in relation to the role they play as gateways to use of public transport as well as gateways of welcoming points into the local areas. Issues in an area like safety of an area are affected by the quality of the physical environment. This environment is more likely to be abused when there is no one to take care of it and there is no sense of custodianship. The relationship of the publics perception of safety and the use of the station by youth and the security of the station are striking an awkward balance at the moment (Village well, 2006)

Currently the strategic plan proposal of Redfern station is addressing accessibility to all and the connection of the concourse to the surrounding neighbourhood but fails to address the community and providing the station as a place for the community to have daily interactions with each other. This in turn would help making the station and its surroundings as a safer place. In todays highly technical world social interactions are becoming more and more important to make one feel included. By providing community spaces in the station and promoting interaction the people will gain a sense of ownership of the station and make them feel included and a part of their surroundings, respect their surroundings and make them feel safer in the end.

ANALYSIS Strategic Issue

Role of Railways as an Interaction Hub:

Community is a social construct that consists of four elements: people, meanings, practice and spatial configuration. The community for stations refers to communities along the geographical locality of the train stations and commuters visiting the train station. It is impertinent to understand how train stations can contribute to the well being of communities. They make important places in every neighbourhood across the world. They are places for people to meet, gather, wait and start and end journeys. Stations make a part of the peoples public realm, and thus the experience through that place and quality of the place can have an impact of peoples lives. Since train stations are a central feature in many neighbourhoods, they have a potential to affect the lives and well-being by providing equitable access to the transport services, along with the provide a space for social interaction, activity, expression, and community information exchange. Anew community asset can be created by making the stations community hubs (Akabal et al. 2017). If stations are well integrated with their surroundings they can turn into thriving places in an urban context. Stations will turn into a place that is well built, well connected, well run and well served and will be a safe and environmentally sensitive place. A station that is designed keeping the surrounding context in mind can help in animating its surrounding public spaces, creating spaces that are animated and active, with its features integrated with the community. The station design and planning must integrate with the surrounding including residential places, office spaces or shopping complexes and push for cross sectional and thorough movement across these varied zones. A strong relationship of stations and their public realm can make a richer, fulfilling environment enhance local character of a place and give the community a sense of place. An interconnected network of buses, footpaths, roads, pathways can enhance accessibility and connect people to each other and their destinations (Akabal et al. 2017).

There are many ways through which community interaction can be achieved at train stations like creating hubs for arts,education, enterprise like cafés and markets,thus promoting healthy living, and social interaction. This generates pride and interest in the railway connections from the community and will enhance an d provide a comfortable welcome for everyday passengers. (Francis, Salveson 2016)

There is a positive contribution the upgrading of stations can make to communities, specially for social inclusion and engagement, economic regeneration and well-being. Initiatives for community interaction and engagement feed back into the rail industry and passengers’ experiences by making stations more sustainable, informative, attractive and hospitable. its necessary to understand and get a balanced outcome between a ‘commercial’ interests and one that recognises social responsibility isn’t always easy but in many cases the two can work together and achieve results that make commercial and social sense. Thus being within a wider networks – not just within the railway world – can add value, and is often key to community engagement and sustainability (Francis, Salveson 2016).

Stations are present an opportunity to make the concept of the station as a hub and incorporate community facilities, so it is important to work with developers who will willingly and show interest in potential community uses as well. Reciprocal relationships, sharing of good practice and networking between varied groups along with working towards community stations activity should be encouraged and supported (Francis, Salveson 2016).

ANALYSIS Land Use

Img 8: Land Use Map Source: Sejpal 2022

Img 9: Residential Zone Source: Sejpal 2022

Img 10: Pride of Redfern Cafe Source: Sejpal 2022

Img 11: The Water Tower Source: Sejpal 2022

Img 13: Rosehill Street Park Source: Sejpal 2022

Img 14: Redfern Station Source: Sejpal 2022

Img 15: Redfern Station Source: Sejpal 2022

Source: Sejpal 2022

Img 16: Redfern Station

Img 14: Residential block

Source: Sejpal 2022

ANALYSIS

Land Use

Residential Zone

Cafe (Mixed Use)

The blocks between Lawson Street and Little Eveleigh Street are entirely residential

The cafe on Lawson street that is a part of the lane of residential buildings is called pride of Redfern cafe.

The residential blocks consist of individual terrace houses with single occupancy within it. The have a ground floor with one floor on top.

The cafe is on the ground floor with 2 floors of residential units above it. There are 10 occupancy units in this building. The Cafe is Placed right outside the current entrance of Redfern station on Lawson Street.

The Water Tower.

The Water Tower is Mainly a residential building but also consists of a gym, pool and library within it and boosts community interaction within

32 Cornwallis St This is mainly a residential building. One of the units on the ground floor is called Farm box and is a fresh food delivery company.

Park There are three small parks on site. The parks on site are Rosehill street park and Gibbons Reserve Park

Building Heights

Residential Zone The Residential blocks on Lawson street are all approximately 9 meters in height.

Cafe The Cafe on the ground floor is 3 meters in height and the residential apartments above that go up to 12 meters.

The Water Tower. The water tower is a heritage building and previously a showed factory The structure remains unchanged and the height is 22 meters

32 Cornwallis St This is a residential block and has a height of 18 meters

Redfern Station Redfern station is a heritage structure and the height is 9 meters

The water tower is a heritage site and a residential building and has 50 units within it .

The residential block has 52 units and each of the units have balconies facing Eveleigh. The structure also has a basement parking for its residents.

The surroundings of the park are used to access the train station and there are a few bicycle parking spaces provided for the people to use.

Redfern being a heritage area and all the buildings on site being a part of heritage areas most of the buildings on site are not very tall. The structure of all the buildings have been maintained as their original state and the new buildings do not over power on the existing buildings. The maximum height of the buildings on site are 22 meters while the others are an average of 12 meters.

ANALYSIS Connectivity

Station Entry

Access to Redfern is currently through 3 entry locations: Lawson Street, Corner of Gibbons Street and Lawsons street and Corner of Little Eveleigh and Lawson street. Currently there are stairs to access the platforms. And lifts to platform 6 and 7. The footpaths around the station link the different entrances. The pedestrian links are an access point to directly enter the station. The station is at a walking distance to the University of Sydney and is the next station after Central Station. (NSW Government, 2020).

Site Boundary Redfern Station

Img 17: Connectivity

Source: Sejpal 2022

Fig 2: Number of People visiting Redfern station on an average Source: Sejpal, 2022

Fig 3: Kind of transportation used daily to access Redfern Source: Sejpal, 2022

ANALYSIS Heritage

The water tower consists of a 40,000 gallon, open-topped, riveted wrought iron tank on a metal stand. It was first constructed in 1926 to supply water for the blacksmith and furnace operator in the Locomotive Workshops and now functions as an emergency Assembly Area (Jim, 2013).

The building that is now called the Water Tower was previously McMurtrie’s shoe factory. The building is mainly constructed of iron bark timber uprights and bearers with a brick facade. In 1970s architect Peter Mulroney, began the project of transforming the old factory from its dilapidated state to one of the first warehouse apartment conversions in Sydney. he development was opened in 1984 (The Water Tower, 2014)

There was demand from the public for a platform, for the rapidly growing populations of Darlington, Alexandria, Waterloo and Redfern, to better access the railway line. In 1885 the fourth Redfern station was constructed north east of the Eveleigh Platform. It was re-named Redfern in 1906 after the big opening of Central Station and the closure of the old Redfern Station. This is the Redfern Station that is still operational today (Eveleigh stories, n.d)

Img 13:Eveleigh Water Tower Source: Grahame, 2018

Img 14:The Water Tower 1984 Source: Fairfax Media

Img 14:Railway station in Redfern 1906 Source: National Library of Australia

Img 18: Heritage Source: Sejpal 2022

The proposal plan above shows the new concourse and its connections to the platform. The new concourse addresses the issue of accessibility and is a step to make the station accessible for all. the concourse connects to south Eveleigh, North Eveleigh and Waterloo. It has provided escalators and lifts to reach platform from 1 through 10 but has failed to address platforms 11 and 12 which are underground. The new concourse directly opens up to residential zones and there s now in between space provided between the station and the housing zones. The Proposal focuses on safety and accessibility for the people but does not look at communities and how they can be integrated in with the station. The materiality of the concourse is steel and does not match or relate to the existing surrounding fabric and heritage f the lace. The concourse will stand out with a stark difference to its surroundings. The rectangle in the map above shows the site being used for parking the site is currently a park but is being converted to a parking lot fr cars and bikes. It is disheartening to see the green places being taken over and space that can be used by the people n a daily basis. Thus it can clearly be seen that the community has not be consulted and their needs have been ignored. Community interaction has the possibility to generate pride and interest in the railway connections and enhance and provide a comfortable warm welcome for everyday passengers. Railways connections can act as social junctions for people to meet, interact, play and participate in their community. If the community is to address the station will be a place for chance encounters and an increase in social interaction on a daily basis which is needed in todays fast paced lifestyle. Creating a healthy and solid relationship between stations and their public realm will make a richer, more fulfilling and a flourishing environment. This community integration into transport hubs will also enhance the local character of the place giving them a sense of place and their belonging in the place making them understand the heritage and importance of the place.

Img 19: Problems of the Proposal Source: Sejpal 2022

CONCLUSION

It can be concluded that Stations have presented an opportunity to make the concept of the station as a hub and incorporate community facilities, and so it is necessary to be able to convince developers to use this potential and make spaces for the community. An exchange of relationships and networking is a way to work towards community stations. (Francis, Salveson 2016). But there is a draw back to trying to provide for social development. the is always a tiff between addressing the economic or social need and is necessary to have an balance between the two. It is important to note that the proposal at Redfern station had a great potential to make the station as a community hub for the varied group of users but has failed to do this and has only focused on providing accessibility to all. It has only addressed the safety and accessibility issue but not spacial or specifically planned out to provide for community interaction and integration in the public realm. The strategic planning falls short on these points.

REFERENCES

Bubuya Zelembu Dube (2021) “INFLUENCE OF PASSENGER CHARACTERISTICS AND BEHAVIOUR ON RAILWAY STATION DESIGN: REVIEW PAPER”, International Journal of Innovations in Engineering Research and Technology, 8(10), pp. 168–179. doi: 10.17605/OSF.IO/5M7QU.

City of Sydney, Community Profile, Redfern, 2016, viewed on 12 March 2022 < https://profile. id.com.au/sydney/service-age-groups?WebID=250>

Akabal, Farah & Masirin, Mohd & Akasah, Zainal & Rohani, Munzilah. (2017). Review on Selection and Suitability of Rail Transit Station Design Pertaining to Public Safety. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering. 226. 012033. 10.1088/1757-899X/226/1/012033. < https:// www.researchgate.net/publication/319115744_Review_on_Selection_and_Suitability_of_Rail_ Transit_Station_Design_Pertaining_to_Public_Safety>

Thompson, S., Maginn, P. J., Thompson, S. and Maginn, P. (2012) “What is planning?,” in Planning Australia: An Overview of Urban and Regional Planning. 2nd edn. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 17–33. doi: 10.1017/CBO9781139197205.004.

NSW Government 2019, Redfern Station Upgrade –New Southern Concourse Consultation Report, viewed on 15 March 2022 <https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/system/files/media/documents/2019/Redfern-Consult-Rep-Nov-2019.pdf>

NSW Government 2020, Redfern Station Upgrade –New Southern Concourse Consultation Report, Viewed on 12 March 2022 <https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/system/files/media/documents/2019/Redfern-Consult-Rep-Nov-2019.pdf>

Eveleigh Stories, n.d., TERMINUS In the short time between 1855 and 1906, there were, in Redfern, a total of four railway stations, and two separate railway workshops, viewed on 17 March 2022 < https://eveleighstories.com.au/stories/paddocks/terminus>

Jim, Eveleigh, 2013, water tower, viewed on 17 March 2022 < https://sydney-city.blogspot. com/2013/09/eveleigh-australian-technology-park.html>

The Water Tower, 2014, Our History, viewed on 18 March, 2022 < https://www.thewatertower. com.au/about>

Raildelivery Group, 2016, Community Stations, viewed on 12 March, 2022 < https://communityrail.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/ACoRP-Community-Stations-Document-web.pdf>

The Village Well , 2006, Places for Community Wellbeing, viewed on 10 March < https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/~/media/programsandprojects/publications/attachments/train_stations_community_wellbeing2.ashx>

IMAGE REFERENCES

Img 5:View of new concourse, 2022, Redfern Station Upgrade - New Southern Concourse, Transport for NSW, viewed on 20 March 2022 < transport.nsw.gov.au/projects/current-projects/ redfern-station-upgrade-new-southern-concourse>

Img 6:Station Entrance, 2022, Redfern Station Upgrade - New Southern Concourse, Transport for NSW, viewed on 20 March 2022 < transport.nsw.gov.au/projects/current-projects/redfern-station-upgrade-new-southern-concourse>

Img 13:Eveleigh Water Tower, Grahame, 2018, viewed on 14 March 2022 < https://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMXV88_Eveleigh_Water_Tower_Redfern_NSW_Australia>

Img 14:The Water Tower, Fairfax Media archive, 1984, viewed on 14 March 2022 < https://www. gettyimages.ae/detail/news-photo/the-watertower-building-near-redfern-station-redfern-whichnews-photo/1080741882>

Img 14:Railway station in Redfern 1906 , National Library of Australia, viewed on 14 march 2022 < https://dictionaryofsydney.org/building/redfern_railway_station>

APPENDIX 1

Images of Site

APPENDIX 2

Map made on site