Kelvin Grove Urban Village Kelvin Grove Urban Village has many advantages and disadvantages. The main features of the Village include housing, cultural facilities, educational facilities, transport, parks and open spaces. The main roads throughout the Village are all inspired from significant figures throughout the area. By providing affordable medium‐density housing and a wide range of facilities in a relatively compact geographical area, the village relieves some of the strain on infrastructure in south‐east Queensland. Key Research Questions: 1. What kinds of land use activities can be identified in the urban village? Kelvin Grove Urban Village has a wide range of land activities that can be identified throughout the village, for example, apartment buildings, parks, roads and shops. There are many cultural facilities throughout the village including the Roundhouse Theatre, educational facilities and exhibition spaces. All of these land use activities provide a large range of actions that can be completed throughout the village. 2. How are the various groups catered for at the village? Kelvin Grove Urban Village provides a wide range of facilities for an even wider range of groups. Many different socio‐economic groups live in the village with the main groups being university students, young professionals and DINKs (Double Income, No Kids). The village offers sporting facilities such as a gym that includes a pool and also has footpaths that can be used as running tracks. The Village provides many cultural opportunities for students, for example, The Roundhouse Theatre home of La Boite Theatre Company. Many students work at the cafes and shops throughout the Village. There are many educational facilities centring on areas of visual arts, fashion design, film and television, multimedia and journalism. There are also exhibition spaces located throughout the village. Many cultural facilities throughout Brisbane are located nearby and are easily accessible by bus. These include Suncorp Stadium, the State Library, Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), Queensland Art Gallery and the Queensland Conservatorium. 3. What are the benefits of the urban village in terms of quality of life? The Urban Village provides an interesting quality of life. The gyms and nature tracks ensure that fitness can be maintained although there are not many places where leisure activities can be pursued, for example, going shopping, going to the movies or eating out at high end restaurants. Overall, the Urban Village is well designed and pleasing to the eye. It is in reasonably good condition with some buildings being a little dirty, although this is to be expected as they are over four years old. There is evidence of maintenance and improvement as it is easy to see the gardens and parks are being kept clear of litter and free from weeds etc. The pathways and roads through the village are also free from pollution and vandalism. 4. How does the urban village’s master plan ensure that the environmental sustainability of the village is maintained? The village has been designed to ensure environmental sustainability as there is gas or solar hot water systems throughout apartments as well as water efficient taps, toilets and showers. There is also a water recycling program for households and businesses. The buildings have been designed so
that natural daylight and ventilation are provided, as well as insulation to reduce cooling and heating costs. The village also promotes walking, riding and public transport again reducing the reliance on cars and similarly reducing air pollution. http://www.communities.qld.gov.au/housing/partnership‐initiatives/kelvin‐grove‐urban‐ village/sustainability 5. How is the economic sustainability of the urban village maintained? (Average price for rent, community activities, social costs) The village is able to promote economic sustainability as it is a high quality urban environment that has had special planning of the location and infrastructure works. There is a large mix of residential and university communities providing extra working opportunities and people who need to work, the new and existing neighbourhoods have been integrated in order to create a more familiar environment. The robust and adaptable neighbourhood structure provides a way of not becoming attached to certain positions and places. There are building relationships between the university and industry, the Creative Industries Precinct Enterprise Centre, providing support to developing businesses in creative industries and the Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation for the development and commercialisation of research. The cost of living within the Urban Village is relative to the location of the area and also the apartment style. The average cost of buying a two bedroom apartment in the village is about $350 000.
Open Spaces: The open spaces throughout the Village are located on the outskirts of the village as well as in amongst the residential areas. There are small parks throughout the main road (Musk Ave) as well as other parks on the corners and ends of several streets throughout the Village. The open spaces are located in these particular spots as they are places where people are most likely to pass through and are easily accessible. The parts on the outskirts of the village are removed from residential areas, traffic and workplaces in the centre of the village, allowing for quiet spaces as well as large areas of land. Housing: The Urban Village has many diverse types of housing. There are apartments provided by the Brisbane Housing Commission as well as middle to high income housing. Once the village is completely finished, the equivalent of 1000 two‐bedroom residential apartments will have been constructed. The provision of affordable housing means the Kelvin Grove Urban Village attracts a diverse range of people, however this impacts greatly on the Village with fears that the Village may turn into a ghetto. Transport: As the Village is only 2km from the City there are many bus lines and modes of transport. There is a bus line used mainly by the QUT University students that connects to the Gardens Point campus, providing students with a quick way to transfer between campuses. There are also bus routes that go directly to King George Square in under ten minutes.
Cultural Opportunities: The Village provides many cultural opportunities for students, for example, The Roundhouse Theatre home of La Boite Theatre Company. Many students work at the cafes and shops throughout the Village. There are many educational facilities centring on areas of visual arts, fashion design, film and television, multimedia and journalism. There are also exhibition spaces located throughout the village. Many cultural facilities throughout Brisbane are located nearby and are easily accessible by bus. These include Suncorp Stadium, the State Library, Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), Queensland Art Gallery and the Queensland Conservatorium. Sustainability: The sustainability measures put into place include gas or solar hot water systems, water efficient taps, showers and toilets, efficient building design to provide natural daylight and ventilation as well as insulation to help reduce heating and cooling costs. The Village has not has any negative publicity per se but it’s important to remember that the food is not produced locally and the Village relies on municipal waste collection. Economy: The construction of the Urban Village and supporting infrastructure has provided work for thousands of people. The commercial and educational facilities throughout the Village also offer ongoing work opportunities. The commercial spaces within the Village attract business to the area, making a large improvement to the local economy.