Goodliffe olivia bell creek psp by Olivia C Goodliffe

WAKE UP BELL

BELL CREEK PRECINCT STRUCTURE PLAN OLIVIA GOODLIFFE 722120

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Guiding Tutor Thank you to Leila Farahani for her guidance and expertise within the planning and design fields provided throughout the project. Guiding Coordinator, Guest Lecturers Thank you to Hyungmin Kim, coordinator of Urban Precinct Studio for his expertise and lectures during the semester, and for assembing a range of professionals from the field who have provided their approaches to urban design and planning. Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners This PSP acknodleges the Wurundjeri people as the traditional owners of the land within the City of Darebin and City of Banyule, and pays respect to its elders, past and present.

External Partners of this PSP City of Darebin City of Banyule .id Data Experts Public Transport Victoria VicRoads Victorian Planning Authority

Members of the Wake Up Bell Group A special thank you to Sia Bairaktaris, Kai Guan and Bangguo Lu for their collaboration during this project.

CONTENTS INTRODUCTION

SITE ANALYSIS

ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES

THE PLAN • ACCESS & MOVEMENT • DEVELOPMENT • PUBLIC SPACE

24 26 34 40

IMPLEMENTATION

SUMMARY

PURPOSE OF THE PSP

1 INTRODUCTION

Bell Creek Precinct Structure Plan is a long-term city planning tool for the growth and revitalization of the Preston and Heidelberg West precinct by setting out a future vision and high-level strategy. Its primary purpose is to coordinate land use, building design, public space, transport and infrastructure to create a built environment and urban landscape that supports a vibrant, healthier, more prosperous, inclusive and livable community. The focus of this Structure Plan is social planning and issues such as accessibility, poverty, income and health. Strategies for improvement will be based around this with a focus on delivering improved and more accessible facilities for people in the area to promote a fairer city. The catalyst for change across the precinct will be a new bus rapid transit route that will connect Box Hill to Melbourne airport. Suburbs along the route were analyzed and the chosen precinct was identified as the most in need of social planning implementation. The BRT line will run along Bell Street, increasing connectivity and bringing life to the precinct. The strategic plan is based on extensive research of the precinct community and facilities. The aim is to meet the immediate needs of the local community whilst setting goals to introduce vital infrastructure that will draw new residents, boost economy, generate new businesses, employment and enterprise and create synergies between the two councils. These factors will bring considerable change to Preston and Heidelberg West in decades to come with a new mix of housing options, commercial spaces and clusters of public facilities in close proximity. The precinct is essentially a 20-minute city with improved walkability and cyclability further enhancing its connectivity. Upon completion, this precinct will be home to a growing and diverse population and thriving employment hub.

Fig1. Bell Street Mall sculpture. Inspiration for logo. 5

CONTEXT

Bell Creek precinct sits approximately 10 kilometers north east of the Melbourne CBD. It bridges both the councils City of Darebin and City of Banyule and the suburbs Preston and Heidelberg West. Proximity to the CBD is an advantage of the location. Currently, the City of Darebin portion of the precinct is dominated by industry, and the City of Banyule portion is home to a high population of socio-economic disadvantaged people. Both the areas need investment, growth and revitalization.

DAREBIN CREEK

PRECINCT AREA = APPROX. 200 HECTARES

DEMOGRAPHICS Social issues are to be carefully considered throughout this precinct structure plan. There is a steadily increasing population within the precinct which adds pressure on housing and services. Knowledge of the changing age structure of the population is essential for planning facilities and services such as child care, recreation and aged care.

2 SITE ANALYSIS

The precinct community experiences significant socio-economic disadvantage compared to the wider population. Residents in the precinct experience higher levels of isolation, disability, cultural diversity, social disadvantage and violence. There are more newly arrived migrants, refugees and people of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background. The population has a significantly higher risk of social exclusion and poor health outcomes. As there currently isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a residential population in the Preston portion of the precinct, data was gathered from Heidelberg West census data. All data is gathered from id.community.

Fig2. Somali migrant family

Fig3. Disadvantaged community

GROWTH

AGE STRUCTURE

CULTURE

INCREASE IN POPULATION FROM 2011 TO 2026:

INCREASING POPULATION Population is forecasted to increase by 1105 people by 2026 and the development of the Preston side as a place to live will boost that growth.

MORE DWELLINGS NEEDED The number of dwellings is forecast to grow by 5,155 by 2026 so many of new dwellings will be need to be provided in the plan.

23.4% UNDER WORKING AGE There is a need to provide facilities to support this growing population such as child care, schools and formal sports. This also reinforces the need for the precinct structure plan to focus on the future of the community.

BORN OVERSEAS The precinct is culturally diverse with 42% of the population being born overseas. The highest percentage is from Somalia (5.1%) followed by China and India.

14.6% RETIREMENT AGE The precinct population is ageing. The ageing population is driving up demand for aged care services, which includes residential aged care facilities and community-based (i.e. in-home) care.

SOMALI MIGRANTS West Heidelberg is home to Melbourne’s largest Somali community. An estimated 2-3 thousand migrants live in the former Olympic Village after fleeing their country’s civil war since 1982. The community calls Bell St Mall “Little Somali Land”.

14.5% WORKING AGE More jobs and training need to be provided to support this growing population in order to accommodate for the working residents.

ABORIGINAL AND TOREES STRAIGHT ISLANDER The precinct has more than double the Victorian average. 1.8% in the precinct compared to 0.8% in Victoria.

SOCIOECONOMIC CONDITIONS

2x RATE OF UNEMPLOYMENT Suggests a need to develop tertiary and training facilities throughout the precinct as well as increased range of job opportunities.

LOW EDUCATION The population is relatively uneducated, with only a small percentage of people completing university compared to Greater Melbourne. Population is 8.9% less likely to have a bachelor degree or higher.

LESS HOME OWNERSHIP The number of people renting is double those who own and is almost double the rate of greater Melbourne. Lack of secure social housing for low socio-economic status community.

$ LOW INCOME Median weekly household income IS $626 lower than greater Melbourne

LOW INCOME JOBS A higher proportion of people working in low-skilled occupations. The most common types of employment are food service, hospitals and school education.

MORE LIKELY TO LIVE IN SOCIAL HOUSING Residents in the precinct have much greater chance of living in social housing. 25.9% are renting social housing, compared to 2.6% in greater Melbourne.

LESS LIKELY TO OWN A MOTOR VEHICLE 17.9% donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t own a motor vehicle compared to 7.9% in Victoria. This suggests a need to focus on active modes of transport and public transport accessibility.

HIGH CAR DEPENDANCY 66.4% of residents drive to work, compared to only 17.7% who took public transport. A high level of car dependancy is unhealthy for both residents and the planet.

MORE LIKELY TO LIVE ALONE Most common household is a lone person. This is increasing and is much higher than the second most common of couples with children. The PSP should encourage more small dwelling development to meet anticipated local demand.

Heidelberg West is listed in the top 10 most dangerous suburbs in Melbourne and the crime rate is double the Victorian average however there is no police station and minimal police presence within the precinct.

HIGH CRIME RATES

LAND USE There is a distinct difference in land use between the west and east sides of the precinct. The precinct has a fragmented urban layout. There is a vastly different building form and scale between the cluster of commercial developments, industrial buildings and the traditional neighborhoods surrounding them on the east.

INDUSTRIAL 1 • manufacturing industry • storage and distribution of goods INDUSTRIAL 3 • industries and associated uses • limited retail opportunities COMMERCIAL 1 • vibrant mixed use commercial centres • retail, office, business, entertainment and community uses • residential uses at densities complementary to the role and scale of the commercial centre

COMMERCIAL 2 • offices • appropriate manufacturing industries • bulky goods retailing

and

PUBLIC PARK & RECREATION • public recreation and open space • commercial uses where appropriate PUBLIC CONSERVATION & RESOURCE • To protect and conserve the natural environment • provide facilities which assist in public education and interpretation of the natural environment

GENERAL RESIDENTIAL • respects the neighbourhood character • diversity of housing types and housing growth particularly in locations offering good access to services and transport • educational, recreational, religious, community and a limited range of other nonresidential uses to serve local community needs PUBILC USE • public utility and community services and facilities

CHARACTER RESIDENTIAL AREAS The east side is predominantly residential with the properties mainly single detached housing, meaning that there is a lack of housing diversity and not a very interesting urban character. The only exception is some social housing located near the Bell Street Mall which is in quite poor condition.

INDUSTRIAL AREA The west side of the precinct is predominantly industrial land with some offices and bulky goods retail. The large grain size and land use is not suited to the location so close to the CBD. The high exposure frontage to Bell Street is advantageous for business, however the current buildings are tired and underutilized. The buildings are in poor condition and there is a lack of active streets and facades. Traditional manufacturing industries are declining. The manufacturing sector has seen the greatest decrease in employment with a loss in nearly 150 jobs between 2006 and 2011.

COMMERCIAL AREAS Commercial buildings fail to form and define streets and other public spaces. Surrounding street networks are designed primarily for motor vehicle access and are not pedestrian friendly. Shop fronts are surrounded by car parking creating a disconnect between the buildings and the public realm. Commercial areas such as the Northland Homemaker centre and Bell Street mall present as a separate entity all together from other areas .

Fig 6. Electric fences around industrial properties reach pedestrian path

Fig 7 & 8. Northland Homemaker Centre and Bell Street Mall are dominated by carparks.

Fig4. Single detached housing

Fig5. Social housing near Bell St

SURROUNDING FACILITIES After analysing the pullic facilities available within a 10 minute walk, the precinct appears deficient in social and community facilities to serve local community needs. With a population that is ageing, culturally diverse and economically disadvantaged, there are needs for essential services such as health, child care and education. There appears to be gaps in the provision of aged and child care, as well as informal social facilities such as community centres, neighbourhood houses and public libraries.

BARRBUNIN BEEK Meaning â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Happy Placeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, Barrbunin Beek offers a gathering place for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents. It is a place to care for country and enables the bringing together of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders to strengthen community ties and have land to look after.

NORTHLAND SHOPPING CENTRE The centre is an economic growth and employment generator for the precinct. It is a major retail and entertainment destination attracting visitors from surrounding suburbs. The trade catchment extends at least 12km. The area lacks land use diversity and has low quality of public space. It is highly car dependent

OLYMPIC VILLAGE Olympic Village was built to house the athletes of the 1956 Olympic Games which was hosted by Melbourne. After the Melbourne Olympics, the village was converted to Housing Commission accommodation. The village offers recreation, retail and education facilities however common to this neighbourhood there is a

HEIDELBERG REPATRIATION HOSPITAL Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital was built in 1941 and was initially operated by the Army, it cared for Veterans and War Widows and was known as the 115th Heidelberg Military Hospital. In 1995 the hospital was transferred to the Victorian health system and

PRECINCT FACILITIES

DAREBIN CREEK Darebin Creek acts as a barrier between the two halves of the precinct. There is poor connectivity across the creek and a lack of activation.The parkland is an important natural and recreational asset and valuable open space area for the community. It is currently underutilized as it is difficult to access and people feel it is unsafe. Adjoining buildings have their backs facing to the creek. The lack of active interfaces to the Darebin Creek parklands deters the community from using the area and encourages a cycle of neglect and vandalism. Anti-social behavior, littering and vandalism are clearly evident around the Darebin Creek parklands.

Fig9. Poor quality paths

Fig10. Vandalism under bridge

BELL STREET MALL This was Melbourne’s first Mall. Built around time of Olympic Games, it still retains an authentic 1950’s feel. It includes public areas and stores that cater to the lower socioeconomic demographic and Somali community. Currently the mall is fairly isolated, inactive and not particularly welcoming to visitors. “Apart from the historical place in Melbourne this mall holds its not really worth a visit. if you enjoy ‘gritty’ locations this place is for you.” (Tripadvisor, John G, 2017) The mall is dominated by roads and carparking. It is on the intersection of two arterial roads making access difficult for pedestrians or cyclists. There Bell Street Mall is poorly serviced by public transport.

Fig 11. 1950s signage

MALAHANG RESERVE One of the precinct’s more successful public facilities. The reserve provides a range of amenity’s for community use such as basketball court, fenced off dog park, public toilet block, sheltered areas, BBQ facilities, skating park and playground. The space is highly active and well used by a cross section of the community.

TW BLAKE RESERVE TW Blake Reserve is a large sporting recreation space. Most of the time is devoid of human activity, only occasionally used on weekends or for community events. It is in need of upgrading as the reserve and its infrastructure (e.g. pavilion, seating areas, and fencing) are in a poor state of repair.

Fig 12. Lack of activation

Fig 13. Dominated by cars

Fig 14. Community using park

Fig 15. No activity at park

ACCESS & MOVEMENT

PUBLIC TRANSPORT Train statoions arent within a walkable catchment from the precinct, meaning that the precinct is only serviced by busses. However, the quality of bus services is unsatisfactory. The frequency of services and span of hours of operation is relatively poor and the infrastructure is low quality, many of the stops not having shelter.

TRAIN TRAM BUS

Fig 16. Bus stop without shelter on Southern road.

Arterial roads Collector Roads Creek

ROADS Arterial roads along the perimeter of the precinct have a high amount of traffic and are not pedestrian friendly, having little protection between the pedestrians and traffic. These high traffic roads affect connectivity as they act as a barrier between areas in the precinct as they are noisy and difficult to cross and not a human scale.

Fig 17. Murray Road outside Northland Homemaker Centre. Car dominated roads and intersections.

Bell St has few pedestian crossings and is dominated by cars

No barrier between pedestrian and car

CYCLABILITY High traffic roads and lack of designated bike paths reduce the cyclability in the area. The formal marked bike lanes are discontinuous, forcing cyclists to ride on the side of the road which is unsafe and could also impact pedestrians. The trail running along Darebin Creek has potential to be a positive cycling amenity but is currently compromised by poor access, connectivity and safety.

Fig 18. Darebin Creek Trail.

INTERFACES A key issue within the precinct is a lack of safety and surveillance. This has resulted in many isolated areas being vandalized and the creation of hazardous conditions. Poor interfaces between private and public realms discourage people from occupying streets and open spaces meaning there is a lack of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;eyes on the streetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Many buildings lack active frontages and surveillance making them visually unattractive and are perceived as unsafe. GOOD INTERFACE POOR INTERFACE

Fig19. Housing with backs turned to Daebin Creek

Fig 20&21. Poor street presence in residential streets

Fig22. Interface between TW Blake and Northland Homemaker Centre

Fig23. Rear of homemaker centre facing Gower street

Fig24&25. Vandalism is present throughout the precinct

ISSUES

3 ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES

• • • • • •

CREEK IS A BARRIER INACTIVE FACILITIES WEST SIDE DOMINATED BY INDUSTRY HIGH TRAFFIC ROADS AS BARRIERS MISSING LINKS BETWEE BIKE LANES PUBLIC SPACE DOMINATED BY MOTOR VEHICLES

SOCIAL ISSUES • One of the most dangerous areas in Melbourne • High unemployment rates, low income and lack of job opportunities • Lack of secure social housing • Poor percieved safety throughout precinct decreases walkability • Limited support for minor cultures such as Somalian migrants and Indigenous population 22

OPPORTUNITIES

• CONTINUOUS CYCLING PATHS • SAFER ARTERIAL ROADS • CHANGE INDUSTRIAL TO MIXED USE TO DIVERSITY AREA • NEW ACTIVITY HUB AT CREEK • NEW LINKAGES AND ACCESS TO DAREBIN CREEK • NEW PATH ALONG CREEK • NEW SOCIAL HOUSING SOCIAL OPPORTUNITIES • Enahnce equity • Improve the safety level of the precicnt • Pevent crime and vandalism • Intergrate diverse cultures and communitites into a more integrated crossed cultured precinct

VISION

4 THE PLAN

ACCESS & MOVEMENT The plan is to improve access and movement to facilitate a well connected community and design to create a city for pedestrians and cyclists. The strategy developed will ensure there is good walking, cycling and public transport options. Promoting active transport will improve the health and wellbeing of the community and reduce car dominance. The aim is to create an environment where healthy lifestyle choices are made easy.

Fig 26. BRT line in Karachi, Pakistan.

TRANSPORT PROPOSAL The proposal is based on targeting wider transport issues that Melbourne faces. The network addresses the lack of public transport accessibility to Melbourne Airport. Currently the predominant mode of travel to the airport is by car, with the SkyBus being the only public transport that connects to the airport. This is an issue that is unsustainable both for the road congestion and for the health of the planet. The transport network will also improve accessibility to the dramatically growing Box Hill precinct. The Victorian Government has reclassified Box Hill as a Central Activities District and the area is expected to provide significant CBD-type jobs, commercial services, retail sector, housing redevelopment, community centers and public facilities. The route connects to multiple existing train lines, integrating with the train network. BRT offers the ability to extend and expand the line to imporve connectivity with other areas at a minal cost. There is the ability as seen above to connect the exisiting proposed lines to reach additional activity nodes.

BOX HILL

AIRPORT

BOX HILL TO BECOME MELBOURNE’S SECOND CBD

POOR ACCESSIBILITY TO MELBOURNE AIRPORT

• Urban redevelopment is underway • Fastest growing city centre • Alternative to CBD for investment, employment, entertainment and residential

• Melbourne Airport serves 34 million passengers each year • Expected to jump to 60 million by 2033 • Currently no direct access by rail

SKY BUS ROUTES DONT SERVE SUBURBS

Healthy Eco-Friendly

Alleivate traffic

Improve safety on roads

BRT

BENEFITS

Save travel time

Lifestyle

Better for all

Low operation cost

Requires little infrastructure

access

MELBOURNE AIRPORT

ESSENDON AIRPORT

COBURG STATION PASCOE VALE STATION

NORTHLAND SHOPPING CENTRE

BELL STATION

HEIDI MUSEUM OF MODERN ART

HEIDELBERG STATION

DONCASTER SHOPPING CENTRE

MELBOURNE CBD

BOX HILL

TRAIN LINE BRT / TRAIN LINE INTERCHANGE POINT OF INTEREST

2.5

5km

NEW BRT = 35 KM LONG Typical speeds of BRT systems range from 27 to 48Â km/h Cost to implement: $10 million per km 29

A1. PRVOVIDE A CONNECTED PUBLIC TRANSPORT NETWORK AND SUPPORTING INFRASTRUCTURE OUTLINE The new bus rapid transit line will facilitate a well connected community by impoving connections to nearby facilities such as Northland Shopping Centre and Austin Hospital, and to wider Melbourne through connections with existing train lines and bus routes. This will also benefit the precinct by bringing in people from surrounding suburbs to liven the activity hubs and improve the economic prosperity. Well designed bus stops will make travel enjoyable, increase social interactions and thus promote a new mindset about busses as a public transport option. The need for effective public transport connectivity in the precinct is heightened by the local communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s relatively low proportion of car ownership.

MALL

AFTER

RESIDENTIAL

BEFORE

RESIDENTIAL

MALL

STRATEGIES 1. Introduce Bus Rapid Transit along Bell Street 2. Build well designed BRT bus stops that are close to activity centres

BELL ST

A2. NEW ROADS AND PATHS IN PRESTON TO INCREASE CONNECTIVITY AND PERMEABILITY OUTLINE An issue with the west side of the precinct is the large lot sizes and lack of permeability. Introducing new streets will work to create a finer grain in the area with smaller lot sizes at more of a neighborhood scale. The new roads will also work to increase the connectivity through the precinct, providing links between Northland Shopping centre, Darebin Creek and the new BRT line along Bell St. The new street running alongside TW Blake park through to Bell St will be a major activity spine. STRATEGIES 1. Introduce two new roads running from Murray Rd to Bell Street 2. Add to Eton St and Bruthen St to connect Albert St to Darebin Creek 3. Develop fine grain activity along central spine with key destinations located at close intervals 4. Introduce one way streets and pedestrian streets for finer grain connection 5. Develop a new path along the west side the creek 6. Bridges crossing the creek to connect the two suburbs

NEW ROAD ACTIVITY SPINE FINE GRAIN CONNECTION NEW CREEK TRAIL EXISTING CREEK TRAIL NEW BRIDGE

A3. PROVIDE AN INTEGRATED CYCLING NETWORK AND SUPPORTING FACILITIES OUTLINE An integrated cycling network with supporting facilities will promote cyclability throughout the precinct. Linked cycling routes will enhance accessibility and connectivity between key destinations. Livabiliy and community health and wellbeing will also be enhanced by the use of active transportation. STRATEGIES 1. Create new bike lanes on main roads and creek access roads to link missing connections between existing cycling routes 2. Provide facilities for cyclists at activity hubs such as parking racks, lockers and showers 3. Provide undercover bicycle parking for cyclists at BRT stops 4. Protected cycle lanes on arterial roads 5. Provide bike sharing to encourage active travel through the precinct to local destinations

EXISTING BIKE LANES NEW BIKE LANES PROTECTED LANES ON ARTERIAL ROADS BICYCLE PARKING AT BRT STOPS

Fig27. Bike share in London

Fig28. End of trip facilities at activity hubs

IMPROVE PEDESTRIAN EXPERIENCE ON ARTERIAL ROADS OUTLINE Currently cars dominate arterial roads along the permimeter of the precinct and there are numerous potential conflict points for vehicles and pedestrians at intersections. Some changes need to be made to reduce car dominance and create a safe and walkable environment. Streets become people places once traffic is constrained and the streets reconfigued to prioritise pedestrians and cyclists. STRATEGIES 1. Separate pedestrians from cars by concentrating vehicular traffic to the centre of the road and providing wide footpaths 2. Increase and widen pedestrian crossings across arterial roads 3. Provide centre median islands with broad pedestrian refuge across Bell St and Murray Rd 4. Reduce traffic speeds in arterial roads and local streets

MURRA

Y RD

BELL ST

KEY CROSSING - PEDESTRIAN PRIORITY AND IMPROVED AMENITY

Fig29. Pedestrian refuge island

Fig30. Reduce traffic speeds

DEVELOPMENT Strategies for development in the precinct aim to meet future community needs and provide for the current community. The precinct will develop into a diverse mix land uses, and provide multifunctional activity hubs for communities. The aim is to provide an environment for people to live, work and play in. Development of an employment precinct will encourage people to work in their neighborhood. Increasing the density of development will free up land for green space, play, recreation and footpaths to aid physical connectivity.

D1. TRANSFORM WEST SIDE INTO AN EMPLOYMENT HUB AND COMMERCIAL DESTINATION OUTLINE Establishinng diverse employment opportunities will support and facilitate a strong local economy. A new economic centre will be developed for continued ecnomic growth in the precinct, correllating witht the strong retail economy at Northland Shopping Centre. New job opportunities will not only support the unemployed population but will also bring in a new range of residents to work and live in the area. More tertiary education and training facilities will increase the employability of the disadvantaged community, bring more student life into the precinct and support the migrant population. Currently 65% of the population travels outside the area to their place of work. New local jobs will encourage more people to live and work in their neighborhood. Utilising the high profile location fronting Bell St, the precinct can promote its place as a core business location. This can be achieved with commercial development guided by the image and presentation of buildings with frontage to Bell St. STRATEGIES 1. New tertiary education and training facilities 2. New offices 3. Some wholesale and warehouse activities in larger sites 4. Retain some of the non toxic, smaller sized industrial uses that support the surrounding facilities 5. Encourage high quality architecture that promotes the image and presentation of buildings with frontage to Bell Stree as a high profile corporate address, Intensify commercial frontage and the image of the precinct to Murray Road and Bell Street 36

Promote image along bell St New tertiatry facility Offices and warehouses

Fig 31. A key goal underpinning the planning of University Hill was theÂ generation of employment, particularly new economy jobs.

D2. CLUSTERS OF COMMUNITY FACILITIES THOUGHOUT PRECINCT OUTLINE Create multiple compact neighborhoods by developing clusters of activities such as redidences, retail, services and transport in close proximity. Multiple urban neighborhoods each with an active node providing a mix of places for people to gather, meet and relax. Compact neighborhoods are more walkable, promoting the health of residents as they are encouraged to walk to local designations. This will create places for change interactions and therefore build social and community connectivity. A precinct where people can socialise and network can enrich community life. STRATEGIES 1. Develop medium and high density housing around activity centres 2. Build community facilities and social services in close proximity, such as education, health, libraries and support services, child care 3. Ensure there is a community hub that can be reached in a 10 minute walk from everywhere in the precinct 4. Good pedestrian amenity between facilities and clusters

CLUSTER 5 MINUTE WALK 10 MINUTE WALK

Fig 32. Rouse Hill Town Centre Provides numberous flexible, multipurpose spaces such as a food court that can also be used as a community hall

Fig 33. Library at the Dock Clare Design, Docklands

D3. DEVELOP A DIVERSITY OF HOUSING TYPES In order to meet the anticipated population growth, an increase in housing needs to be developed that caters for a diverse community and enables people of varying stages in life and socioconomic backgrounds to live in the same area. A diversity of housing types will also add to a more interesting urabn character with a range of buildings heights and forms. Affordable housing is a priority given the higher incidence of social and economic disadvantage in the precinct. With ever increasing house prices, those with a low income find it hard to enter the property market. A sense of security creates a more engaged community memeber. This engagement will not only help the individual but the greater community, as they will be boosting local economy, interacting socially and becoming a proud member of the community. STRATEGIES 1. Develop apartments in employment hub 2. Medium rise huosing along Darebin Creek and other open spaces 3. An equitable distribution of residential aged care facilities 4. Provide student accommodation around melbourne polytechnic and new tertiary campus 5. Deliver more concentrations ofsocial housing around bell st mall activity centre

EXISTING TERTIARY SCHOOL NEW STUDENT ACCOMMODATION

STUDENT ACCOMMODATION Provide student accommodation around Melbourne polytechnic and new tertiary campus

EXISTING SOCIAL HOUSING NEW SOCIAL HOUSING

SOCIAL HOUSING Tackle socioeconomic disadvantaged in areas by delivering more concentrations ofsocial housing around bell st mall activity centre

NEW APARTMENTS

APARTMENTS & TOWNHOUSES Given that the current and forecasted population is single housholds and couples without children, apartments and townhouses are suited to this trend and will be in demand. Apartments in employment hub closer to Northland as people will be looking to live near their jobs

AGED CARE RESIDENTIAL

AGED CARE Providing residential aged care will enable local residents to remain in their neighbourhood, close to their existing social networks.

PUBLIC SPACE Public space should be designed for people and facilitate a vibrant public realm. Activity centres with a focus on the local community will help create a sense of place. Particularly for this community its important to develop public spaces that people can safely socialise and connect and are equitable for all. This will help promote social inclusion and create a welcoming environment. Its important that public spaces cater for all ages and abilities and provide support to the whole community.

Fig 34. Londsdale Street design

P01. TRANSFORM BELL ST MALL INTO A PUBLIC SQUARE. OUTLINE Sited on the corner of two arterial roads, there is an opportunity for Bell Street mall to represent the community identity. Bell Street mall will become the heart of the neighborhood after transforming into a mixed use community activity hub. It will house a wide range of uses such as retail, commercial, residential, education, entertainment and community facilities. The mall will facilitiate a stronger economic environment for the precinct and become a place that encourages more people to connect face to face. The whole community will feel welcome and safe in a place that has been designed to enrich the community. STRATEGIES 1. Turn carpark into plaza that can be used for markets, events, performances, festivals, concerts 2. More green space 3. Relocate carparking to multistory parks and regain space for pedestians 4. Build apartments and offices close to Melbourne Polytechnic that will overlook the public space, helping to make it safe throughout the day and night

COMMERCIAL PUBLIC FACILITIES - LIBRARY, GYM, SUPPORT CENTRE OPEN GREEN SPACE AND PLAZAS REPLACE CARPARKING

P2. MORE PARKS AND OPEN SPACE ON WEST SIDE OF THE CREEK. OUTLINE More open space and green corridoors will help activate the west side of the precinct and enhance links throughout. Introducing community focused public facilities will make TW Blake more useful for the community.This will enhance livability by promoting exercise and social interaction. There is a need for improved recreation facilities, particularly for young people, in local open spaces. A more positive use will be made out of this asset as a destination for leisure and additional open space that people feel comfortable and safe being in. STRATEGIES 1. New formal sports facilities such as womens football field 2. Green corridoors/landscaped gateways though the precinct to increase connection to nature 3. Make tw blake a community park with a variety of spaces for a greaater range of physical activity, activate the edges of with paths and introduce playgrounds and other leisure activity

TW BLAKE

NEW SPORTS FIELD

OPEN SPACE PAVED OPEN SPACE (AMPITHEATRE ETC.) MINI CREEK WALKING TRACK

TW BLAKE PARK 43

P3. DESIGN FOR PASSIVE SURVEILLANCE TO ACHIEVE SAFER PUBLIC PLACES OUTLINE The perception of safety is increased in areas where there are more â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;eyes on the streetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. This can be improved with development guided to ensuring passive surveillance at all public open space areas such as parks, squares, pedestrian routes. STRATEGIES 1. Develop medium rise housing that overlooks Darebin Creek and TW Blake park for passive surveillance, the high prices of the residential properties will subsidise new public spaces such as football fields 2. Activate street frontages in commercial areas with the development of fine grain and active businesses and facilities 3. Encourage uses that can operate in the evenings (such as restaurants) that will create night-time activity and give people more confidence to walk around during these hours

MEDIUM RISE HOUSING

Fig35. Heller Street Park, Six Degrees Architects. Windows on to the park provide passive surveillance.

P4. WELL DESIGNED STREETS FOR PEDESTRIANS TO PROMOTE ACTIVITY OUTLINE Urban street design improvements across the centre will encourage people to walk more, promoting healthy communities and activating pathways. Improved pedestrian links between public transport and activity centres is particuarly important to promote connectivity. Improved streetscapes will open up opportunities for investment and further development in the precinct due to the creation of a rich and enduring public realm experience. In order to promote pedestrian experience around commercial areas such as Bell St Mall and Northland Homemaker Centre carparking can be relocated to give back the ground plane to pedestrians. STRATEGIES 1. Provide seating along pedestrian paths 2. Liven streets with art, wayfinding 3. Widen pedestrian footpaths 4. Develop a new grand boulevard in Preston with a pedestrian focus 5. Plant canopy trees for shading and an attractive landscape 6. Build multilevel carparking near Bell St Mall and Northland Homemaker Centre

Fig36 & 37. Londsdale Street, Central Dandenong

MASTERPLAN

P01. TRANSFORM BELL ST MALL INTO A PUBLIC SQUARE. ZONE CHANGES

All zoneing changes are taking place in Preston. Industrial zones will be changed to mixed use zones to provide for a range of residentail, commercial, industrial and other uses and to allow for the development of housing at higher densities. Bell street will become a commercial zone, with developments that promote activity along the street and the image of the precinct as a high quality commercial zone with a thriving economy. There will also be additions of public use and public park and recreation zones along Darebin Creek to promote the activation o the west side and make the most out of the natural amenity. COMMERCIAL 1 • vibrant mixed use commercial centres • retail, office, business, entertainment and community uses • residential uses at densities complementary to the role and scale of the commercial centre PUBLIC PARK & RECREATION • public recreation and open space • commercial uses where appropriate PUBILC USE • public utility and community services and facilities MIXED USE • Range of residential, commercial, industrial and other uses • Housing at higher densities

HOW

IMPLEMENTATION

The implementation of this project is a large, ongoing task that will require leadership, cooperation and strong coordination. The project will be implemented with a collaborative approach between stakeholders who collectively recognise the benefits of each strategy for the future of the precinct and the wellbeing of the community. Cooperation between Darebin and Banyule councils is required for this precinct structure plan to be successful. The development will occur gradually in stages, by planting seeds that evolve over time.

S = Short term (1-5 years) M = Medium term (5-10 years) L = Long term (10-20 years) O = Ongoing

ACCESS & MOVEMENT SCHEDULE A1.1

Introduce Bus Rapid Transit along Bell Street

A1.2

Build well designed BRT bus stops that are close to activity centres

A2.1

Introduce two new roads running from Murray Rd to Bell Street

A2.2

Add to Eton St and Bruthen St to connect Albert St to Darebin Creek

A2.3

Develop fine grain activity along central spine with key destinations located at close intervals

A2.4

Introduce one way streets and pedestrian streets for finer grain connection

A2.5

Develop a new path along the west side the creek

A2.6

Bridges crossing the creek to connect the two suburbs

A1.1 A3.2

Create new bike lanes on main roads and creek access roads to link missing connections between S existing cycling routes Provide facilities for cyclists at activity hubs such as parking racks, lockers and showers S

A3.3

Provide undercover bicycle parking for cyclists at BRT stops

A3.4

Protected cycle lanes on arterial roads

A3.5

Provide bike sharing to encourage active travel through the precinct to local destinations

A4.1 A4.2

Separate pedestrians from cars by concentrating vehicular traffic to the centre of the road and providing S wide footpaths Increase and widen pedestrian crossings across arterial roads S

A4.3

Provide centre median islands with broad pedestrian refuge across Bell St and Murray Rd

A4.4

Reduce traffic speeds in arterial roads and local streets

DEVELOPMENT SCHEDULE D1.1

New tertiary education and training facilities

D1.2

New offices

D1.3

Some wholesale and warehouse activities in larger sites

D1.4

Retain some of the non toxic, smaller sized industrial uses that support the surrounding facilities

D1.5

Encourage high quality architecture that promotes the image and presentation of buildings with frontage O to Bell Street Develop medium and high density housing around activity centre M

D2.1 D2.2

D2.4

Build community facilities and social services in close proximity, such as education, health, libraries and O support services, child care Ensure there is a community hub that can be reached in a 10 minute walk from everywhere in the S precinct Good pedestrian amenity between facilities and clusters M

D3.1

Develop apartments in employment hub

D3.2

Medium rise housing along Darebin Creek and other open spaces

D3.3

An equitable distribution of residential aged care facilities

D3.4

Provide student accommodation around melbourne polytechnic and new tertiary campus

D3.5

Deliver more concentrations ofsocial housing around bell st mall activity centre

D2.3

PUBLIC SPACE SCHEDULE P1.1

Turn carpark into plaza that can be used for markets, events, performances, festivals, concerts

P1.2

More green space

P1.3

Relocate carparking to multistory parks and regain space for pedestians

P1.4 P2.1

Build apartments and offices close to Melbourne Polytechnic that will overlook the public space, helping M to make it safe throughout the day and night New formal sports facilities such as womens football field M

P2.2

Green corridoors/landscaped gateways though the precinct to increase connection to nature

P2.3

Make tw blake a community park with a variety of spaces for a greaater range of physical activity

P3.1

Develop medium rise housing that overlooks Darebin Creek and TW Blake park for passive surveillance

P3.2 P3.3

Activate street frontages in commercial areas with the development of fine grain and active businesses O and facilities Encourage uses that can operate in the evenings O

P4.1

Provide seating along pedestrian paths

P4.2

Liven streets with art and wayfinding

P4.3

Widen pedestrian footpaths

P4.4

Develop a new grand boulevard in Preston with a pedestrian focus

P4.5

Plant canopy trees for shading and an attractive landscape

P4.6

Build multilevel carparking near Bell St Mall and Northland Homemaker Centre

CONCLUSION The precinct structure plan offers a variety of different social planning theory and strategies in order to improve the livability of the precinct and facilitate future growth. After thorough analysis of the precinct and identifying the issues and opportunities of the precinct, strategies to achieve the vision were able to be developed.

6 SUMMARY

Bridging the City of Darebin and the city of Banyule, Bell Creek Precinct will grow into a vibrant, inclusive, culturally diverse community. New public transport will increase the connectivity for residents to new and existing activity hubs and employment opportunities. This will hence improve accessibility to facilities which will allow for a growing population to live and work in the precinct. Developing new and improving existing public spaces, retail and affordable housing will increase economic and social stability enhancing livability in the area and encouraging a sense of community among residents. Moving forward, the developments to improve the precinct will happen with a coordinated effort by both councils and involving multiple stakeholders. It is important that the community is involved in the whole process from ideas to implementation, so that they can take ownership of thei neighborhood and an equtable community will thrive.

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