PLAN30004 Transit Oriented Design: Moonee Ponds Activity Centre

MOONEE PONDS ACTIVITY CENTRE TRANSPORT STUDY PEDESTRIAN NETWORK & SERVICE AREA

ASSIGNMENT 2 FIELD TRIP ANALYSIS APRIL 2019

PLAN30004 TRANSIT ORIENTED DESIGN

PLAN30004 | ASSIGNMENT 2: FIELD TRIP ANALYSIS

PLAN30004 | ASSIGNMENT 2: FIELD TRIP ANALYSIS

Study Area........................................................

4 Planning Control.......................................... 5

Pedestrain Network Analysis............... 7

Primary and Secondary Routes.........

8 Pedestrian Marginalisation.................. 8

Potential Route Intensity

and Quality......................................................

9

Performace Analysis.................................. 10 Density................................................................

10 11 Access.................................................................. 11 Mix.........................................................................

Conclusion......................................................

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References......................................................

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MOONEE PONDS ACTIVITY CENTRE TRANSPORT STUDY

SITE OVERVIEW

Site Overview.................................................. 3

PLAN30003 | INTRODUCTION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The study area is defined within the activity centre of Moonee Ponds, which is comprised of sites best suited for a Transit Oriented Development (TOD). Pedestrian networks will be assessed in this site analysis. Pedestrian networks generally account for shorter trips than other transportation modes such as bicycles, cars and public transport.

Image 1: Puckle Street

Map 1: Strategic Context Aerial/ Place of Interest Map

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QUEENS PARK

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MOONEE VALLEY CIVIC CENTRE 1

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MOONEE PONDS TRAIN STATION

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1

5

5 2

MOONEE VALLEY RACECOURSE

4 3

2

MOONEE PONDS CENTRAL

AUTHOR: Derrick Lim

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3

860296

Tutor: Katerina Pavkova all images credit to the author

MOONEE PONDS JUNCTION

AUSTRALIAN TAX OFFICE

0 1: 20000 at A4

0.5 1: 40000 at A3

1km

Highway

Minor Road

Train Line

Major Road

Local Road

Train Station

PLAN30004 TRANSIT ORIENTED DESIGN MOONEE PONDS ACTIVITY CENTRE

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PLAN30004 | ASSIGNMENT 2: FIELD TRIP ANALYSIS

STUDY AREA

PLANNING CONTROLS

The boundary of the study area is based on a 1 km buffer derived from a primary destination, in this case, Moonee Ponds Central. A walkable catchment area of 1 km has been generated to achieve a more accurate measurement.

Sub-primary destinations such as the train station and the bus interchange at the junction between Mt Alexander Road and Pascoe Road as well as additional subsidiary destinations identified are taken into account (see Map 1 and 2). Thereby these destinations are defined as “trip destinations” in the activity centre where people will mostly be travelling to.

The activity core of Moonee Ponds is currently zoned Activity Centre Zone (ACZ) which accommodates and captures the bustling retail, commercial, professional and residential uses.

However, more than half of the land is zoned General Residential Zone (GRZ) which consists of various forms of low low-rise apartment ‘flats’, contemporary semi-detached townhouses, and most lots remaining are occupied by original or renovated detached houses and terraces (see Map 3).

Image 2: Moonee Ponds Junction

Image 3: Puckle Street/ Margaret Street

Map 2: 1km buffer boundary and catchment area

0 1: 20000 at A4

4

0.5 1: 40000 at A3

MOONEE PONDS ACTIVITY CENTRE

PLAN30003 | INTRODUCTION

PLAN30003 | INTRODUCTION

PLAN30004 | ASSIGNMENT 2: FIELD TRIP ANALYSIS

Map 3: Zoning map

1km

1 km buffer

Building Footprint

1 km walkable buffer

Open Space

0

Waterbody

1: 20000 at A4

0.5 1: 40000 at A3

1km

Activity Centre Zone

Mixed Use Zone

General Residential Zone

Commercial 1 Zone

Special Use Zone

MOONEE PONDS ACTIVITY CENTRE

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PLAN30004 PLAN30004 ||ASSIGNMENT ASSIGNMENT2: 2:FIELD FIELDTRIP TRIPANALYSIS ANALYSIS

PLAN30004 | ASSIGNMENT 2: FIELD TRIP ANALYSIS

There is currently an integrated pedestrian network within the site in place as well as the broader area of Moonee Ponds (see Map 4). This network successfully fosters a sense of wayfinding and connectivity through the provisions of useful directional signage and infrastructure such as footpaths, shading, and basic street amenities. However, there are a broad range of issues such as poor pedestrian accessibility, insufficient street amenities, and public realm connectivity that deteriorates the performance of pedestrian quality.

The mapping technique used in this assessment depends mainly on desktop data and spatial analysis, the collation of mapping data from census and other government databases as well as data collected on site.

er nd xa Ale Rd

Holmes R

Wilson S t

Coats St

Hall St

Puckle St

Dean St Ascot Val eR

d

d

Pascoe V al

Mt

Park St

e Rd

Map 4: Pedestrian Network

“Cities happen to be problems in organized complexity,

Maribyrnon

like the life sciences. They present “situations in which a

g Rd

half-dozen or even several dozen quantities are all varying simultaneously and in subtly interconnected ways.”

- Jane Jacobs (p.433 , 1961) The Death and Life of Great American Cities

1km buffer 1km walkable buffer 0 1: 20000 at A4

6

MOONEE PONDS ACTIVITY ACTIVTIY CENTRE

0.5 1: 40000 at A3

1km

Highway

Minor Road

Train Line

Major Road

Local Road

Train Station

MOONEE PONDS ACTIVITY CENTRE

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PLAN30003 | SITE ANALYSIS

PEDESTRIAN NETWORK ANALYSIS

PLAN30004 | ASSIGNMENT 2: FIELD TRIP ANALYSIS

PLAN30004 | ASSIGNMENT 2: FIELD TRIP ANALYSIS

PLAN30003 | SITE ANALYSIS

PLAN30003 | SITE ANALYSIS

Map 6: Primary and Secondary pedestrian route map

Map 5: Shortest route intensity map

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY ROUTES The shortest route to travel from a mesh block centre point derived from each mesh block polygon (ABS, 2016) to a primary and secondary destination is mapped to show principal pedestrian routes within the activity centre (see Map 5 and 6). The activity centre at the west of the junction delineated greater pedestrian connectivity whilst the east appears to be otherwise. This is important considering that towards the eastern boundary, there are generally larger lot sizes with low permeability levels, and residents find themselves exceedingly disconnected from services

Primary Destination

by Mt Alexander Road/the junction. This is a serious

Secondary Destination

TOD issue as there is no direct and clear pedestrian access between many origins and destinations across the activity centre.

Primary Destination

Furthermore, key destinations such as the Civic

Secondary Destination

Triangle, Queens Park and the median park along Mt Alexander Road are decidedly disconnected by busy roads (see Image 4 and 5). This detracts from the appeal of walking due to safety concerns and unpleasant environment. In addition, there is a significant amount of off-street parking space across the activity centre. Hence, there is no central location for pedestrians to rest, gather or encounter, resulting in a more isolated individual experience.

200 - 400m 400 - 600m

1: 20000 at A4

Secondary Route

Distance away from Destination

Building Footprints

0

Primary Route

Building Footprints

Mesh Block Points

PEDESTRIAN MARGINALISATION

Route Hierarchy

Mesh Block Points

0.5 1: 40000 at A3

1km

600 - 800m

0 1: 20000 at A4

0.5

1km

1: 40000 at A3

800 - 1000m

Map 7: Potential pedestrian intensity route map

POTENTIAL ROUTE INTENSITY & QUALITY The shortest route map is also utilized to determine the potential trip/intensity along each section of the street by extracting the number of persons recorded in each mesh block centre points (ABS, 2016) (see Map 7). This helped guide the process in determining a draft Principal Pedestrian Network (PPN) at two levels - primary pedestrian routes and secondary pedestrian routes (see Map 6). In doing so, this was used as a decision tool to assess the quality of pedestrian routes.

Pedestrian access is varied across in the study area with Puckle, Hall, Coats Street and the junction scoring the highest likelihood of pedestrian intensity. However,

Image 4: Median park along Mt Alexander Road

only Puckle Street is identified as a Pedestrian Priority Street by Council (City of Moonee Valley, 2010) and provides a common shortcut among the

Image 5: Heavy traffic congestion and on-street car parking along Puckle St

Primary Destination

and a single pedestrian crossing still encourages

Secondary Destination

high traffic volumes as well as frequent jaywalkers.

Mesh Block Points

Furthermore, although the remnant network of

Building Footprints

MOONEE PONDS ACTIVITY CENTRE

Very High High Moderate Low Very Low

primary pedestrian routes may provide convenient access across the suburb, it remains serviced by poor amenities, lack of lighting and shading that does not encourage pedestrian use.

8

Level of Intensity

neighbourhood. Yet, the provision of on-street parking

0 1: 20000 at A4

0.5

1km

1: 40000 at A3

MOONEE PONDS ACTIVITY CENTRE

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PLAN30004 | ASSIGNMENT 2: FIELD TRIP ANALYSIS

PLAN30003 | PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS

PLAN30003 | PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS

PLAN30004 | ASSIGNMENT 2: FIELD TRIP ANALYSIS

PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS Map 8: Population density map

Map 10: Space syntax street integration map

Kim Dovey (2016), in his book Urban Design Thinking

MIX - FUNCTIONS

introduces three “morphological principles” which

Although the activity centre is zoned ACZ (see Map

are “Density, Mix and Access (DMA)” as conditions

3), there is not enough of a mixture of uses which

for urban intensity which can also be used to rate a

promote a vibrant and active centre. It currently

place as an example of a strong TOD. This can also be

consists primarily of visitation purposes such as

heavily supported by Jane Jacobs’ (1961) urban theory

shopping and eating where most shops tends to close

on concentration, functions and short blocks.

after 6pm. Dovey (2016) explains that such functions produces “a single street life rhythm” which is busy

DENSITY - CONCENTRATION

during peak hours but transforms into a void when

Unlike many activity centres, Moonee Ponds is not

the primary uses are exhausted. This monotonous

planned for greatest height in its core. Instead, Puckle

street life rhythm experienced by the activity centre

Street, the booming central retail strip, is provisioned

presently becomes unappealing for pedestrian use

to continue seeing its height maintained and

during off peak hours (see Image 8 and 9) .

character protected from its existing heritage overlay Population density

(City of Moonee Valley, 2010). Hence, the current tallest

1 - 50

buildings are surrounding the core and not located centrally.

0 1: 20000 at A4

On the other hand, the current population density

0.5

1km

1: 40000 at A3

50 - 100

To assess the level of street integration, spatial syntax

100 - 150

analysis as developed by Bill Hillier (1996) and his

150 - 200

Map 9” Dwelling density map

colleagues is used. This method is arguably the most sophisticated approach to measure and understand

within the study area is mostly low for an activity

urban morphology structures within cities at multiple

centre

full

scales (Dovey, 2016). The higher the level of integration,

advantage of the ACZ by fostering dense population

the higher the likelihood of pedestrian flows through

concentration. Studies show that a dwelling density

these accessible streets. The local roads within the

more than 25 person/ha is a minimum threshold for a

study area are calculated to be within the mid range of

neighbourhood to be walkable (Giles-Corti et al, 2014).

integration. Hence, the neighbourhood has a relatively

However, most areas within the study area are under

decent street integration (see Map 10). Conversely,

this threshold while only some areas closer to the core

the length of building blocks is measured along road

that meet the condition (see Map 9).

segments which results mostly at the range between

standard

(see

Map

8),

not

taking

Level of Integration

ACCESS - SHORT BLOCKS

Highest 0 1: 20000 at A4

0.5

1km

Lowest

1: 40000 at A3

Map 11: Block length

1 - 400m per block (see Map 11). This illustrates that there is a decent level of permeability within the neighbourhood which can bring trip destination and trip origins closer and reduce travel time.

Block Length 1 - 200m

Person/hectare 0 1: 20000 at A4

Image 6: General built form in activity centre

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MOONEE PONDS ACTIVITY CENTRE

0.5 1: 40000 at A3

Image 7: Street condition along Hall St.

1km

< 25

0

> 25

1: 20000 at A4

Image 8: Street life during daylight

0.5 1: 40000 at A3

1km

200 - 400m 400 - 600m 600 - 800m

Image 9: Street life during night time

MOONEE PONDS ACTIVITY CENTRE

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PLAN30004 ASSIGNMENT2: 2:FIELD FIELDTRIP TRIPANALYSIS ANALYSIS PLAN30004 ||ASSIGNMENT

CONCLUSION In short, pedestrian network within the study boundary of Moonee Ponds activity centre is assessed. The current performance of this chosen specialisation is described in support with some high level spatial and on-site analysis.

Three contrasting criterias derived from a number of literatures is used to analyse the current performance of pedestrian network.

PLAN30004 | ASSIGNMENT 2: FIELD TRIP ANALYSIS

REFERENCES Australian Bureau Statistics. (2016). Census of Population and Housing: Mesh Block Counts, Australia, 2016. Retrieved from http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/2074.0Main+Features12016?OpenDocument City of Moonee Valley. (2010). Moonee Ponds Activity Centre Structure Plan 2030. Retrieved from https://www.mvcc.vic.gov. au/Planning-And-Building/Long-Term-Planning-In-Moonee-Valley/Activity-Centre-Planning/Moonee-Ponds-Activity-Centre. aspx Dovey, K. (2016). Urban design thinking: A conceptual toolkit. Bloomsbury Publishing.

Giles-Corti, B., Hooper, P., Foster, S., Koohsari, M., & Francis, J. (2014). Low density development: Impacts on physical activity and associated health outcomes. Retrieved from https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/images/uploads/publications/FINAL_ Heart_Foundation_Low_density_Report_September_2014.pdf Hillier, B. (1996). Space in the Machine. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Jacobs, J. (1961). The death and life of great American cities. New York: Vintage Books.

The Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions. (2015). Guidelines for developing Principal Pedestrian Networks. Retrieved from https://www.streets-alive-yarra.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Guidelines-for-developing-principal-pedestrian-networks.pdf

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MOONEE PONDS ACTIVITY ACTIVTIY CENTRE

MOONEE PONDS ACTIVITY CENTRE

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PLAN30004 TRANSIT ORIENTED DESIGN