Integrated Urbanism: Towards a polycentric Sydney-Strategic Plan of Parramatta

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Greater Sydney, situated between Harbour and Blue Mountains, is an economic capital providing immense potential and opportunities for its 6.4 million people, making it Australia’s Global city. The region is projected to become home for 8 million people by 2056, with half of them concentrated in the western region. However, the spatial distribution of the jobs and public amenities being concentrated in the Harbour city is inconsistent with the growing population distribution. To ensure equitable benefits from this growth, the brief of this report leverages the geographical centrality of the Parramatta and Westmead suburb, to transform the suburb into a metropolitan ce centre by 2051. This proposed strategic plan for the second metropolitan centre of the Greater Sydney would contribute to the transformation of Sydney into a Metropolis of Three Cities: “The Eastern Harbour City, the Western Parkland City, the Central River City” by transforming land use and transport patterns to attain economic and social balance (GSC, 2017).

The proposed comprehensive strategic plan for the metropolitan centre considers the five themes: Economy, Mobility, Community & Culture, Housing and Environment & Heritage, to not only rebalance the demands of the growing population but also to create world-class economic centre that is both liveable and habitable, attracting talents across the region.

The report initiates by analysing the site at the local and metropolitan level following individual themes to deduce the overall opportunities and constraints that would further help in the development of the strategic framework.

The priority areas deduced from the analysis is liaised between the themes to propose two strategic options. The growth in the strategic option ‘Along the Built’ is achieved through an ‘Innovation-centric model’, whereas the strategic option ‘Along the Natural’ focusses on ‘Innovation cum Culture model’. The final strategic plan ‘The Synthesis’ that compliments the existing assets of the central city is assayed from the evaluation of the strategic op option.

The Synthesis option is further elaborated through action plans of all thematic directions.

The report concludes by focussing on critical areas along the region to detail out the strategic framework at the urban design and policy level. This report focuses on four such areas that demonstrates the integration of all the themes to achieve the strategic plan for the metropolitan centre. The strategic plan is envisioned for the next 30 years, hereby transforms the region into a world-class Metropolis by 2051 that is recognised for its diverse economy, affordable and healthy living that celebrates its multi-cultural diversity and connects to wider regions.

The structure of the report is described under methodology. All graphics (Including maps, infographics, graphs, design proposal, tables, etc) in the report unless otherwise identified, are produced by the authors.

SECTION

SUB-SECTION

SOURCES CONSULTED

Site Context

Site Context, Policy Context, Site Introduction, Demographics

Primary Sources: Site Visit Secondary Sources: Google Maps, Australian Bureau of Statistics, ProfileID, Metropolis of Three Cities, Greater Parramatta and Olympic Peninsula, Central City District Plan, Local Strategic Planning Statement

Metropolitan Context

Metropolitan Context, Metropolitan SWOT

Secondary Sources: Metropolis of Three Cities, Future Transport 2056, Greater Parramatta and Olympic Peninsula

SWOT Analysis

Economy SWOT, Mobility SWOT, Community and Culture SWOT, Housing SWOT, Environment and Heritage SWOT, Combined Opportunities and Constraints, Prioirty Area

Primary Sources: Site Visit Secondary Sources: Parramatta CBD Planning Strategy, Economic Development Plan Se 2017-2021 (City of Parramatta ,2017), Night-Time Economy Discussion Paper (City of Parramatta ,2017), Forecasting the Distribution of Stand-Alone Office Employment across Sydney to 2035 (BIS Sharpnel, 2015), Sydney Retail Demand and Supply Consultancy (Deepend Services, 2016), Future Transport 2056, Transport NSW, Local Housing Strategy, City of Parramatta Environemntal Sustainability Strategy 2017, Australia ICOMOS Burra Charter, Parramatta Ways Walking Strategy, Parramatta Bike Plan, Affordable Rental Housing Network, Atlas ID, Australian Bureau of Statistics, SEED A NSW, Parramatta North Urban Renewal, Parramatta Biodiversity Strategy 2015-2025

Vision

Vision, Objectives

Thematic Objectives

Economy Thematic Objectives and Actions, Mobility Thematic Objectives and Actions, Community and Culture Thematic Objectives and Actions, Housing Thematic Objectives and Actions, Environement and Heritage Thematic Objectives and Actions

Strategic Option One

Targets, Timeline, Phases

Strategic Option Two

Targets, Timeline, Phases

Business As Usual

Targets, Timeline

Evaluation

Strategic Options, Business as Usual, Pros and Cons

Final Strategic Plan

Phases, Timeline, Targets

Focus Areas

Urban Design and Planning Proposal, Policy Intervention, Benchmarking, Yield Calculation

Appendix

Multi Criteria Evaluation, Calculations, Case Studies, Explanatory Infographics

Secondary Sources: Agglomeration, Centres, and District Plans for the Greater Sydney Commission (Clark & Moonen, 2016), The Rise of Innovation Districts: A New Geography of Innovation in America, Brookings (Katz & Wagner, 2014), Biopolis Singapore (2013), The Boston Waterfront Innovation District (ECPA Urban Planning, 2017), Coworking Space From Industrial Complexes to the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Phan, 2016), Future Transport 2056, Transport NSW, Local Housing Strategy, City of Parramatta Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2017, Australia ICOMOS Burra Charter, Parramatta Ways Walking Strategy, Parramatta Bike Plan, Affordable Rental Housing Network, Atlas ID, Australian Bureau of Statistics, SEED NSW, Af Parramatta North Urban Renewal, Parramatta Biodiversity Strategy 2015-2025

Secondary Sources: Parramatta CBD Planning Proposal, Westmead Draft Place Strategy, Parramatta Light Rail, Parramatta North Urban Renewal, City of Parramatta Planning Proposal

The Rise of Innovation Districts: A New Geography of Innovation in America, Brookings, South Boston Waterfront Innovation District, Biopolis: One North Singapore, Start up Labs in Oslo, Affordable Rental Housing Network, Vienna Social Housing, Gold Coast Light Rail, Copenhagen, Barcelona Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity Plan 2020, New Castle Interchange, Affordable Rental Housing Policy, Ware Waterfront Development: Bratisavia, A Guide to Riverfront Development: Pittsburg, PwC;s Affordable Housing Initiative, Australian Government: Parrramatta Female Factory Precinct, Irish Walled Towns Network: Bored of Boards

Benchmarking: Economy: Polycentricty study of City of London, South Boston Waterfront Innovation District, Biopolis: One North Singapore, Start up Labs in Oslo, The Rise of Innovation Districts: A New Geography of Innovation in America, Brookings Mobility: Seoul Public Transportation, Public Transport London, Grand Paris Express, Public Transportation Moscow, Transport NSW Community and Culture: Draft Community Infrastructure Strategy, Destination NSW Annual report, Cultural Infrastructure Strategy NSW, Culture and Our City Housing: Enhancing Accomodation Options for Intenational Students, Social Housing: A Key Part of Past and Future Housing Policy, Seniors Living Inside, PwC’s Affordable Housing Initiative, Vienna Social Housing Environement and Heritage: Ware Waterfron Development: Bratislavia, A Guide to Riverfront Development: Pittsburg. Australian Government: Parramatta Female Factory Precicnt, Irish Walled Towns Network: Bored of Boards, Australian ICOMIS Burra Charter, Copenhagen, Barcelona Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity Plan 2020

‘To create resilience through diversification of economy and drive equitable growth through collaborative innovation in the emerging global health precinct’

Focus Area A: The Innovation Catalyst

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‘An inclusive City with its significant Park and River, attra drive innovation to transform it into global health and ed making it a liveable

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acting and connecting people to the wider metropolis that ducation precicnt, but also a place that celebrates diversity e destination by 2051’

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ALONG THE BUILT RESEARCH

EDUCATION HEALTH AMENITIES

AMENITIES

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COMERCIAL CORE

INNOVATION

CULTURAL CORE

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“Along the Built” is an innovation centric model that focuses on building an innovation ecosystem between the proposed research campus, Westmead Hospital, existing WSU and proposed USYD, supported by a residential campus and rerouted light rail. The extended benefits of the innovation ecosystem are reflected by the expansion of Parramatta CBD, along the Church Street Spine utilising the existing industrial land.

RATIONALE FOR PHASES NOMENCLATURE & TIMELINE

The 2051 vision for the Central city has been implemented through a strategic plan for 30 years. The implementation has been carried out (2041-2051). The rationale for the timeline and nomenclature of phasing is grounded on the drivers utilised to achieve growth. An innovat the average time for start-ups to yield (Case Study E.2), and phasing is aligned to it, to prepare the site for transformational growth. The oth visualises the evolution of the site over 30 years and demonstrates the alignment of various themes - Economy, Mobility, Community & Cul

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ALONG THE NATURAL RESEARCH

EDUCATION HEALTH AMENITIES

AMENITIES

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INNOVATION

+ CULTURE

CULTURAL CORE

COMERCIAL CORE T

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“Along the Natural” is cultural cum innovation centric model that derives benefits of city branding. The riverfront development including the MAAS museum and proposed multicultural precinct rebrands the city attracting visitors and increasing the popularity of Westmead as destination for medical and education. The resulting commercial and cultural growth is concentrated along the Parramatta River. An interchange hub at West mead and expanded Neighbourhood centres support the surging growth, visitors and residents.

t over three phases, namely the Preparatory Phase of 7 years (2021-2028); Growth Phase of 13 years (2028-2041); Mature Phase of 10 years tion-centric growth is based on the success of start-ups, which changes the growth rate of the region drastically. The preparatory phase is her phases are aligned to the subsequent Australian Census Year for ease of alignment with other strategic documents. The strategic plan lture Infrastructure, Housing, Environment & Heritage to deliver an integrated strategic plan 2051.

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The preparatory phases emphasises the setting of site for the forecasted innovation-centric growth. A world-class research centre is established in the existing light industrial land and the University of Sydney is anchored in Parramatta North, through adaptive re-use of the heritage significant female factory. With increased activity in the region, the light rail is re-routed through the research centre to capitalise on infrastructure-led growth and respect the heritage significance of the Female Factory precinct. The anchored institutions are supported through a residential campus with student accommodation and medium dwelling housing for skilled researchers. While the drivers of innovation are still nascent, the office space market in Parramatta CBD is sustained through centralisation of public job policy. Meanwhile, the urban heat and flooding issues of this commercial centre are addressed through tree cover and integrated flood management solution, which includes the creation of a wetland in Parramatta Park. The regional connectivity is enhanced by increasing the capacity of Metro and Ferry, along with enhancing the T-ways on Darcy Road and Brickhill region. The increased connectivity and passenger capacity are served by the introduction of a multifaith hub along with the MAAS museum and the use of Westbank stadium for recreational activities. The local population is secured through the upgradation of existing social housing and expansion of the neighbourhood centre at Westmead to support local jobs.

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ALONG THE BUILT

GROWTH PHASE

MATURE PHASE

In the growth phase, the CBD is expanded along Church Street supported by the light rail and availability of the employment lands to accommodate the new anchor tenants from the life science and tech industry. The increased connectivity in the brickfield region is responded through a mixed-use development (retail and residential) along Victoria road. The regional connectivity of the site is improved along east-west and north-south directions through metro links to the key employment centres. The transformational growth in CBD is within the transitional FSR, responding to the natural assets and heritage structures. Considering the diversity of people in the region, a multifaith hub is introduced, supported by the re-routing of the free shuttle connecting the tourist destination. The connectivity within the site is improved through the connection of the cycle link to the Sydney green grid. Non-private dwellings along the riverfront development are enhanced to capitalise on the increasing number of visitors. The Westmead innovation precinct is further strengthened, through the introduction of the Central Library in Parramatta North, and supporting residences. The flooding issues outside the growth precincts are addressed through restoring the riparian corridor and revitalisation of creeks. Equitable growth is ensured through the provision of social and affordable housing in Wentworthville to retain workers and the introduction of neighbourhood centre in Brickfield.

In the mature phase, the growth stabilises with continuous benefits from the innovation precinct, attracting allied technical industries. The CBD is expanded further along Church Street towards the research centre to accommodate the growing industries. The co-location of the diverse business drives agglomeration benefits and transfer growth beyond the boundaries of the site, transforming Parramatta into a metropolitan centre. This extended growth is supported by the regional connectivity to the industrial centres to establish MedTech manufacturing. The regional connectivity is further enhanced through the extended light rail to Northmead.

The matured medical and education institutions transform Parramatta into a destination for medicine and education, which is supported through the provision of affordable staff quarters in Wentworthville. Equitable development is ensured through the provision of local jobs around the riverfront development and affordable housing in Brickfield. Medium-density housing in the brickfield supported by increased connectivity in Victoria Road is vital in achieving a transitional FSR from the growth precincts to the periphery. The housing supply in this region is supported by the utilisation of Belmore Park as a sports field and the adaptive reuse of the cemeteries for recreation. The up-gradation of the environment is considered through the growth areas, by increasing the urban tree canopy along with the revitalised areas.

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The preparatory phases of this innovation cum cultural-centric strategy prepares the site for intense growth due to innovation and cultural infrastructure interventions. Along with the introduced research centre and the University of Sydney in the Westmead, the services in the Westmead Hospital are diversified to include holistic wellness. The city branding is enhanced by transforming Parramatta Park into a destination for major festivals of Greater Sydney. Meanwhile, the Parramatta River is addressed for flooding issues through integrated solutions including restoration of the riparian corridor and enhancement of tree canopy. The restoration of the river is coupled with the provision of cycle lanes and pedestrian pathways to enhance the experience. Along with the MAAS museum, a multicultural and multifaith hub is introduced at this phase to attract diverse regional visitors. The connectivity within the site is enhanced through the re-routing of light rail connecting the research centre with the commercial core.

The regional connectivity is enhanced by strengthening the T-ways, metro, and ferry points. The growth in the Westmead innovation precinct is supported by the provision of affordable houses for the key workers along with senior living in Wentworthville. The infrastructure development is leveraged through transit-oriented development around the transport interchange at Westmead with mixed-use development (retail+ commercial+ residential). The local population is benefited through the expansion of the Neighbourhood centre at Westmead providing indoor sports facilities.

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GROWTH PHASE 2 PHASE

MATURE PHASE 3 PHASE

The growth driven through innovation is further intensified by the liveability of the place, attracting skilled workforce from across the region. With the availability of talent and new anchor tenants from the life science and tech industry, the CBD expands along the river towards GPOP. The riverfront development at this phase is intensified by integrating the multicultural hub with Stewart St reserve and Parramatta Quay into a multicultural mega precinct and a gateway into the culturally diverse Parramatta. Equitable benefits from riverfront development are ensured through reserving both day jobs and night jobs along the riverfront for locals. The development across the river, is further supported by the integration of cycle links with regional cycle links. The regional connectivity is enhanced with a focus on north-south, connecting the existing MedTech centres in Greater Sydney to the Westmead Innovation Precinct. The up-gradation of Westmead station into a transport interchange acts as a gateway to the innovation precinct. The enhanced connectivity is leveraged through mixed-use development along Victoria Road and the introduction of neighbourhood centre at Brickfield. The increase in the number of visitors to the region is supported by the provision of non-private dwellings.

Despite, the rapid growth the values of the place are preserved through heritage assessment and reconnecting the people to land by the provision of indigenous housing near the river. The environmental issue of the heat island effect in the Parramatta CBD is addressed through the provision of green pockets in some of the existing parking spaces.

In the Mature phase, the institutions at Westmead Innovation precinct mature to transform it into the destination for medicine, education. The Parramatta CBD expands along Church street until Belmore Park. The business enterprise corridor is used for mixed-use development to support the research centre for commercial and residential purposes. The MedTech industry evolved through agglomeration of diverse industries and connectivity to existing MedTech centres, spreads its benefits to the suburbs through the well-established regional connectivity. The regional connectivity is further enhanced through the extension of metro lines to employment centres and light rail to North mead. The housing supply in the region responds to growth through transitional FSR from growth centre to periphery. Equitable development is ensured through the provision of affordable housing in Brickfield along with the conservation of single dwellings to maintain the diversity of the housing stock. In addition, both the neighbourhood centres in Brickfield and Westmead are integrated with the adjacent green spaces namely the Doyal Park and riverfront of the revitalised Toongabiee creek, to ingrain healthy living and green principles to residents. The environmental impacts due to growth are addresses in areas outside growth precincts namely North Paramatta and Brickfield area through the enhanced tree canopy.

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RESEARCH

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INNOVATION + CULTURE SYNERGIC GROWTH

Rationale: The final strategic plan is a synthesis of ‘Along the Built’

(Option 1) and ‘Along the Natural’ (Option 2), after considering the merits from both the option. The spatial expansion of the CBD is taken from the Option1 considering minimal disruption to the existing residential areas and deriving agglomeration benefits of commercial activities near the innovation precinct. However, the functioning is derived from both the options, for instance, the enhanced growth of the innovation cum cultural approach supported by interchange hub in Westmead from Option 2. While taking cues of addressing urban heat issues and heritage assessment of lands in earlier phases from Option 1. Overall, both the options, are observed to generate substantial growth compared to the BAU model. However, combining the merits of both the options for the final “Synthesis” option is expected to bring greater growth and transform Parramatta into a metropolitan centre of Greater Sydney.

the values...

the opportunities...

the assets...

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community...

growth...

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THE SYNTHESIS

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to all...

green transport...

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to uncertainities...

to all people...

diversity...

to growth...

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Figure 1:Polycentricity and Economic Output Source:(Clark & Moonen, 2016)

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City of London (Polycentricity)

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Case Study E.1: South Boston Waterfront Case Study E.2: Biopolis, Singapore (Innovation District) (Saskia,2021) (Research Campus) (AStar, 2021)

Case Study E.3: Startup Lab, Oslo (Co-working Spaces) (Phan,2016)

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ECONOMY “Parramatta 2051” envisions to enhance the economic output of the Greater Sydney, through building a second commercial capital of the metropolitan Sydney on the principles of “diversity, equity, and resilience”.

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An essential character urban character for greater economic output is polycentricity which is acheived through diversification of economy. A fine example of this phenomena is that of ‘The City of London’ and ‘The City of New York', generating an economic output nearly thrice of Sydney, and characterised with a second commercial capital having diverse economic function from its primary centre as shown in Figure 1(Clark & Moonen, 2016).

The economy of Central City is diversified through innovation centric growth by utilising the regionally significant health and education assets at Westmead and introducing a world class life science research centre. South Boston Waterfront (Case Study E.1) and Bio polis, Singapore (Case Study E.2) are an exemplar case studies for building a thriving economy through innovation districts.

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A innovation centre supports the creation of nearly 2.57 more jobs, through nurturing start-ups and attracting global players from life science industry (HCAR, 2018). Hence, the A-grade commercial office space is expanded along the Light Rail corridor to support the new tenants from the life science industry and supporting tech, finance, legal and public sectors. The FSR along the commercial core is regulated with respect to the River, Park, and Heritage structure. The innovation driven economy of the Central City will drive growth beyond its border to become the gateway for Greater Sydney to venture into the MedTech manufacturing.

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The benefits from the increased infrastructure investments is capitalised through 24-hour business around the tourist destinations. The safety of the long and short-term visitors is intensified through active frontage around the key transport and tourist destinations. The enhanced liveability of the region is projected, to further strength the destinationess of Westmead for research-based education and medical tourism.

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An inclusive rapid growth of Central city is attained through equitable distribution of the economic growth. The interests of small players is protected by providing affordable and flexible co-working spaces for the start-Up business. The ‘Start-up Labs’ in the Oslo, Norway is a great example of co-working spaces transforming the future of start-up industries (Case Study E.3) and also creating neighbourhood centres (Appendix E.5).

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THE SYNTHESIS The preparatory phase as the name suggests, sets the site for the expected growth driven through innovation and cultural infrastructure investments. The catalyst for the innovation-driven economy is introduced in Westmead, by the expansion of Westmead Hospital, the introduction of the University of Sydney campus in the Parramatta North along with the introduction of a Research centre. The Westmead precinct generates an additional 7000 jobs in Health+ Education Sector, with 1800 research-intensive jobs. The expansion of A-grade commercial office space in the Parramatta CBD is supported by the policy to centralize the public administrative jobs that add up to additional 22,000 jobs. Furthermore, the intensification of CBD with commercial office space accommodates the 40,000 commercial jobs from allied start-up supporting sectors. A segment of commercial office floorspace is retained for co-working space. Additionally, the growth aroound the cultural infrastructure development and the retail development along the transport lines is expected to add nearly 10,000 jobs in Retail+ Hospitality+ Recreation sector, with a section reserved for local community. Overall, the additional new jobs along with the existing would achieve 166,000 jobs by 2028 (Appendix E.5, E.6).

The regional connectivity of the site is established with the global economic centre through increasing the metro rail capacity by 15% . In addition to the enhancement of the T-ways along the Darcy RD, O'Connell St, Pennant Hill Road, Victoria road, and George St and increasing the frequency of the ferry from Parramatta Quay. The mobility within the site is enhanced through the re-routing of light rail to support the research campus while respecting the heritage significance of the Parramatta Female Factory. The re-routed light rail integrates the Westmead, Parramatta North, and Parramatta CBD growth precincts.

The resilience of the Brickfield and Westmead Innovation precinct is strengthened, by enhancing bus connectivity as an alternate mode of transport to support the increasing population and job growth. The walkability within the site is improved through pedestrian pathways along with the tree canopy and the provision of dedicated cycle links along the park and river connecting Westmead with Parramatta CBD. The connectivity across the river is enhanced by increasing the bridges for pedestrians.

The investments in Cultural infrastructure aim to enhance the city branding and increase the visitor’s footfall. The Parramatta Park is

TARGETS

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Parramatta Park is transformed into a destination for major festivals in Greater Sydney, along with advocating healthy living by integrating the activities of the Multifaith hub. Along with the Museum of Applied Arts Powerhouse Parramatta, a state of art multicultural hub is introduced at proximity to the river. The investments in cultural infrastructure and intensive city branding is expected to bring 2 million annual visitors to the region (Refer Appendix). A neighbourhood centre consisting of an indoor sports facility, Childcare, Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) and function hall is introduced at Westmead to drive amenities led growth.

The parking lot of Bankwest stadium is used for weekend local market along with Fennel Street as a destination for food truck .

The housing supply responds to the growth by maximising the use of existing housing stock The vacant social housing is upgarded. A residential campus is introduced in the West mead precinct catering to the student accommodation and housing demand of the research centre. In addition, senior living units are accommodated at Wentworthville. Also, a mixed-use development is proposed around the transit interchange at Westmead, responding to transit-oriented development. The FSR along the transit corridor is transformed to support retail activities and increase active frontages. The increase in visitors’ number, is supported through the provision of the non-private dwelling including hotels, serviced apartments, and backpackers. The Ghoul is adaptively reused as a luxury hotel for the same. A 6050 dwelling is supplied to support the expansion of commercial office spaces in the CBD. Separate dwellings in Brickhill are conserved to maintain the diversity of housing stock. Overall, 12178 dwellings are added in addition to the existing dwellings by 2028 (Refer Appendix H1).

The natural and heritage assets, namely the Parramatta Park, River, and Female Factory precinct to be impacted by growth are addressed .

The biodiversity of Park is enhanced following the subsections listed (Refer Appendix). The heritage significance of the park is highlighted through means of interpretation inclusive public arts (Refer to action C1, C2 in Appendix). With massive investments concentrated around the river in the growth phases, the flooding issue is addressed through integrated natural and human-made solutions. The restoration approach for the river considers the significant views. The Female factory set to introduce University of Sydney into the Westmead Innovation precinct undergoes value assessment for relavant adaptive reuse. Over all the tree canopy of 8% is achieved through increasing the green cover over the main street and lanes.

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THE SYNTHESIS During the growth phase, the benefits from innovation are evident at the commercial core, with the expansion of CBD along the Church street spine utilizing the employment lands (City of Parramatta, 2018).

The expansion accommodates 90,000 professional jobs from the new anchor tenants from the Life science and Tech industry. The growth of the Tech sector is supported by the availability of affordable co-working space. The expansion avails the availability of Auto Alley land for urban renewal, creating an opportunity for expansion of CBD on either direction of Church Street. However, the additional number of jobs in the public sector dwindles to stabilises at 8000 jobs. The intense expansion of cultural infrastructure and retail development along the transit corridor, along coupled with policies for both night and daytime activities add contributes to 29,000 jobs in the Retail+ Hospitality+ Recreation sector. Meanwhile, in Westmead, the growth rate of the Health + Education sector is stable with an additional 7000 jobs. But, the growth rate of research-oriented and start-up jobs is positively impacted with the enhanced liveability, adding 4800 jobs. Overall, the additional would achieve 310,000 jobs by 2041 (Appendix E.5, E.6).

The north-south and east-west regional connectivity of the site is enhanced with a 25% increase in rail capacity and extension of the metro connectivity to key employment areas and MedTech centres (Campbelltown, Penrith, Macquarie Park, Rouse Hill). The T-way is extended to Isabella Street and cycle links are developed connecting to the regional cycle network. The transformation of Westmead into an innovation precinct is supported by a transport interchange at the Westmead station. The resilience of the transport system is enhanced through an integrated transport system providing alternative modes of transports. To support the visitors, the developments of the cultural precinct and riverfront development are integrated with other civic amenities through the re-routing of the free shuttle.

Apart from the growth driven by innovation, the cultural infrastructure developments transform the social and economic geography of the region. After preparing the site against flood, the riverfront undergoes intense transformation, with the expansion of the multicultural hub into a mega multicultural precinct, extending growth on either side of the river.

The precinct is integrated with the MAAS riverfront development, Robby Thomas Reserve and James Ruse Reserve, and Parramatta . With increased water quality levels, the river is accessed for recreation by

the upgradation of riverfront cinema to floating dining and entertainment experience. This precinct also will be equipped with a Light Rail Train on the south side of the building. The target of the visitors in this Phase is approximately up to 2.7 million per annum. The riverfront development is connected to Parramatta Square through a pedestrian-only civic lane catered by retail activities. Apart from CBD riverfront development, Toongabbie creek also undergoes riverfront development at strategic locations around the connecting bridges with minimal disruption to the riparian corridor. The development aims to aid the expansion of Westmead hospital and its integration with the research centre. The community center the brickfield is integrated with Doyle park, to advocate the principles of green living.

The increased connectivity in Victoria Road is capitalised through the provision of mixed-use development promoting TOD and expanding growth outside of growth precincts. The increase in land value, through the development of cultural precinct and TOD, is capitalised through higher FSR, which supplies an additional 5900 affordable and 6855 social housings in areas near the CBD and provides non-private dwelling catering to the increased visitors. The retention of key workers in the Westmead innovation precinct is ensured by providing social housing and affordable houses in Wentworthville along with the provision of 255 independent living units for seniors. Apart from student accommodation in residential campus, a proportion is distributed in the mixed-use buildings along the church street. The strategic location of the Indigenous community housings in residential campus reconnects them to the historically significant river. The housing supply responds to the transformative growth in CBD through the provision of 11,500 dwellings.

By 2041, the total dwellings achieved would be 57730. (Appendix H1) After the restoration of Park and River, the green cover of the site in enhanced along the growth corridors in the Victoried Road and Auto Alley region. The expansion of activities along the civic lane is assessed for heritage impact (Willow Grove, Roxy Theatre, Dr Pringles House, The Civic Arcade and Civic Drain). Heritage impact of Parramatta Gaol is assessed for adaptive reused for luxury hotel to accommodate the hotel requirement of the theme Housing (Refer to Action C1, C2 along with Heritage Proposal Chart in Appendix). A community-based policies and integration of neighbourhood centre and school with green lands is done to advocate the concept of green living.

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THE SYNTHESIS In the mature phase as the name suggests, the innovation drivers have matured and the growth rate stabilises in the Westmead Innovation precinct, with the Health+ Education sector achieving its delivery of 20,000 jobs. The CBD expands further along Church Street accommodating 52,000 professional jobs from Life science, Tech, and other allied industries that support the innovation and commercial growth precincts. The expansion of CBD towards the research campus, derives agglomeration benefits through spatial co-location of diverse industries, unlocking the potential of MedTech manufacturing with far-reaching growth in other manufacturing suburbs beyond its geographical boundaries making it truly a Metropolitan centre. The expanded growth is supported by well-established regional connectivity. The yielding from city branding through investments in cultural infrastructure and relevant policies for 24 hours economy, makes Parramatta a bustling center, with visitors from across the metropolitan region. Overall, the additional new jobs along with the existing ones would achieve 420,000 jobs by 2051 (Appendix E.5, E.6).

The regional connectivity of the site is further enhanced via extension metro to Kogarah and light rail to Northmead. The overall rail capacity has been increased by 60%. Major of the connectivity established in earlier phases support the extended growth and support the vision of Parramatta as a metropolitan centre in 2051.

After the success of riverfront development and established outlook of central city as diverse, inclusive and healthy city.

The promotion of local arts and creative industry in tourist destinations is achieved by policies for stimulus and incentives.

The neighbourhood centre at Westmead and Brickfield is integrated with its adjacent green spaces, namely the Toongabiee riverfront and Doyal park to advocate the principles of green living. The expansion of the centre at Westmead is completed through the introduction of the local library. The other areas outside the growth precincts, like the Belmore park, are enhanced with multi-purpose sports fields, including an outdoor tennis court, Outdoor gym equipment, skate, and BMX park facility, and the Cemetery area adaptively reused for recreational purpose.

The provision of dwellings responds to the stable growth rates, with completing the targeted student accommodation in the region. The expansion of CBD and the commercial activities is supported with additional 8740 dwellings along church street. Equitable development is ensured with the further provision of affordable housing in the Brickhill area, supported by an expanded neighbourhood centre. This area is developed with medium-density dwellings and is crucial in bringing transitional FSR from the high-density growth precincts to the low-density periphery. By the end of 2051, a total of 72205 dwellings are on-site including the non-private dwellings. (Appendix H1) With impacts of growth extending outside the growth precincts, the green cover enhancement is targeted in the street and lanes of the North Parramatta and Brickfield region (Refer to Action A2 and its sub-actions in Appendix). The adaptive reuse of cemeteries (including St. Patrick’s Cemetery, St. John’s Cemetery, and All Saints Cemetery) is supported with heritage assessment to assess the significant values (Action C1) and identify the means to accommodate more sustainable means of funeral architecture.

TARGETS

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This focus area concentrates on the segment of Westmead innovation precinct that is envisioned as the catalyst in Central City transformation. The area encompasses the research centre, residential campus, University of Sydney Parramatta Campus along with a section of the commercial Church Street.

The thriving Innovation ecosystem at Westmead transfers benefits beyond its physical borders driven by a strong synergy of “economic, cultural, and demographic” interplay (Katz & Wagner, 2014).

The establishment of the Research centre through government subsidy in the existing light industrial land initially accommodates the relocated public laboratories and attracts private laboratories and life science start-ups from across Greater Sydney. The implementation follows the methodology of Bio polis, Singapore (Case Study E.2), that invests in small players to attract global players. The Start-ups are supported through government grants along with provision of affordable, flexible co-working spaces within the research campus and in the Church Street’s commercial centre (Case Study E.3).

Talent retention along with cultural diversity is a key strategy for a successful innovation centre (Katz & Wagner, 2014). The judicious placement of the residential campus anchors the housing diversity, catering to the in-house researchers, students along with community housing for indigenous. The rental levels are regulated using clear polices that differentiates student housing from other dif residences. The social housing is delivered through subsiding affordable housing development as in Vienna model. The development of the aboriginal housing in the residential campus reconnects them to the historical river.

The University of Sydney Parramatta Campus, which is pivotal engine of the innovation ecosystem, is in the historic and culturally significant Female Factory site. A policy that centralizes the ownership from various government agencies is applied for adaptive reuse of the site. A Conservation Management Plan following the guidelines of The Australia ICOMOS Charter for Places of Cultural Significance 2013 (The Char Burra Charter) and NSW Assessing Heritage ‘METROPOLIS’ in 2051

Significance overarches the adaptive re-use of the buildings with varied heritage significance. Tax incentives are provided to support adaptive reuse and promote local art jobs. One of the building is adaptively reused for the regional library, while the Ghoul has been used as hotel.

Transit oriented development is an inevitable characteristic of thriving innovation ecosystem (Katz & Wagner, 2014). The re-routing of the transport line from the culturally significant female factory via the residential and research campus enhances accessibility to jobs and residents. The private property acquired around Burlington Street for light rail expansion is rightly compensated through regional policies.

Green and public spaces is necessary catalyst to drive networking in the innovation ecosystem (Katz & Wagner, 2014). Urban tree canopy is strategically planned to increase green spaces in addition to natural filtering of water for the Parramatta and Toongabbie river. A centralized coordinator co-funded through government and community gr group, monitors the restoration of water quality. The river is focal to recreation and networking through active frontage and access to river (The Greens, 2019) In order, to bridge the polychotomy between the various institutions in the focus area, the stakeholders, including local government, managers of research centre and anchor institutions (USYD & West mead Hospital), developers, landowners, investors, start-up incubators, Aboriginal Land Council and the residents are part of the triple helix governance model of the Westmead innovation go precinct, as practiced in South Boston Innovation District (Case Study E.1) (Katz & Wagner, 2014).

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THE INNOVATION CATALYST

Key Plan

USYD Campus

Existing Plan

Residential Campus Foreshore Enhancement

Proposed Plan Research Centre

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THE INNOVATION CATALYST

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