CANBERRA SUSTAINABLE NEIGHBOURHOOD DEVELOPMENT ASSESSMENT SEPTEMBER 2016
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROJECT BRIEF
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01. DEFINING SUSTAINABLE NEIGHBOURHOOD DEVELOPMENT + WHY IT MATTERS
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02. METHOD FOR TESTING SUSTAINABILITY
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03. TESTING THE SUSTAINABILITY INDICATORS
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04. APPLICATIONS FOR FUTURE CANBERRA NEIGHBOURHOODS
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THE PHILOSOPHY BEHIND SUSTAINABLE NEIGHBOURHOOD DEVELOPMENT IS A QUESTION OF LIVEABILITY + QUALITY OF LIFE In May 1912, Walter Burley Griffin won the competition to design Australia’s capital city. The aim for Australia’s new great city was one founded on creating the ideal human habitat that drew reference from its natural setting. By the time the plan was adopted and neighbourhoods came to fruition, their built form espoused this ideal, and reflected the city beautiful and garden city origins in the layout of the central area and surviving garden city suburbs. Canberra is the only Australian city, and one of few in the world, that is derived from a design competition and delivered for nearly a century through a tightly controlled planning system. However, more recently there has been an increase in concern from the general public that the new neighbourhoods are lacking in character and dynamics. A mix of influences has caused this, none more evident than the impact of the automobile in the second half of the 20th Century at the expense of walkability and the neighbourhood unit. This report addresses the growing need for the Canberra Land Development Agency (LDA) to ensure new residential neighbourhoods in the ACT reflect original garden city principles for Canberra, particularly quality of life outcomes, that will result in more liveable neighbourhoods. Under current practice, the delivery of neighbourhoods are assessed against the Estate Development Code (EDC), which focuses on delivering positive outcomes related to
street hierarchies, solar amenity, environmental impact and economic feasibility. What is missing is a series of quality of life metrics to sit in tandem with the EDC to ensure neighbourhoods provide best practice outcomes for liveability.
THE GOAL OF THIS REPORT
This report assesses the built form patterns of existing neighbourhoods’ in relation to acknowledged best practice goals of liveability. Together, this establishes a ‘model of sustainable neighbourhood development’ as a basis for the design of future Canberra neighbourhoods that reflect the original principles of the Griffin’s plan. The goal is to improve quality of life outcomes of future Canberra residential neighbourhoods.
WHAT IS + ISN’T IN THIS STUDY
A conversation about sustainability, liveability and quality of life by nature, is general. There are varying types of sustainability, degrees of liveability and different means of measuring them. The focus of this study is the built form of sustainable neighbourhood development and how it affects quality of life. This study does not address environmental or economic sustainability as it is beyond the agreed scope. Whilst it is agreed that a diverse series of indicators ultimately affects quality of life. This report focuses on arguably one of the more important ones: the built form.
Precedent Image: Lonsdale Street, Braddon, Canberra
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DEFINING SUSTAINABLE NEIGHBOURHOOD DEVELOPMENT AND WHY IT MATTERS
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A WORKING DEFINITION daily needs - for housing, transit, workplaces, shopping, civic functions, and more - within a compact, complete and connected urban framework.
WHAT IS A SUSTAINABLE NEIGHBOURHOOD?
A sustainable neighbourhood delivers socially, economically and environmentally ‘responsible outcomes’ and fosters a higher quality of life for its residents. According to the charter of the Congress of the New Urbanism, sustainable neighbourhood is to be “compact, pedestrian friendly and mixed-use.”
In 1929 Clarence Perry, a New York planner, sketched his vision of the “neighbourhood unit.” His diagram has influenced generations of plans. His initial sketch has since been reimagined by Duany Plater-Zyberk and then again by Farr Associates in the book, Sustainable Urbanism. The diagram, below, depicts a sustainable neighbourhood and the elements that ensures it is more than a sum of its parts.
It has long been recognised that the neighbourhood unit is the basic increment of planning and urban design. It is a building block for the human habitat that meets all our
THE FARR ASSOCIATES’ IDEAL SUSTAINABLE NEIGHBOURHOOD AREA: 200 HA (10 MIN WALK) POPULATION: TO SUPPORT CRITICAL MASS OF WALK-TO DESTINATIONS
DUAL USE STORMWATER RETENTION + PLAYING FIELDS
NORTH
75% OF BLDGS ORIENTED E-W
ENERGY EFFICIENT ROUNDABOUT
COMMUNITY GARDENS, GREENHOUSES + MARKETS
PRIMARY SCHOOL
OR
ID
R OR
10
R TU
R NF
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EN
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TR AS
1 + 2 FAMILY HOMES
IC
CIV
RIVER 2-LANE STREETS CROSS MIN. EVERY 1/6 MILE
3 MINUTE MAX. WALK TO PARK
ITAT
HAB
STREET LIGHTS DIM AT NIGHT
STORMWATER BOULEVARDS ONE SHARE CAR BLOCK
DIVERSE BLDGS + DWELLINGS
DISTRICT ENERGY PLANT (CHP)
OR RID
R CO CLEAR CRITTER UNDERPASS
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ORCHARD UPTAKES WASTEWATER NUTRIENTS
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CAR FREE MULTI-FAMILY TRANSIT STOP
MIXED USE MAIN STREET W/ 3RD PLACE
TRANSIT CORRIDOR
STORMWATER + PARKING PLAZA
The physical delivery of a sustainable neighbourhood is critical to fostering the formation and flow to build social capital. Social capital describes the networks, norms and social trust that facilitate coordination and cooperation and underpins a healthy robust community. For years, leading planning, design and social scientists have linked best practice built form to improved quality of life outcomes. Jane Jacob’s prominent Death and Life of Great American Cities describes the many ways physical forms affect social activities. In City: Rediscovering the Center, William Whyte demonstrates that the built form and quality of urban spaces affect how people use them and thus interact with each other. In People Places, Clare Cooper Marcus and Carolyn Francis review the design qualities of well used urban spaces. Jan Gehl’s Life Between Buildings discusses social qualities of the public realm. More recently Charles Montgomery examines the relationship between urban design and social interaction in Happy City, Transforming Our Lives through Urban Design. Together, this body of literature argues that better urban
design improves human happiness and quality of life reflecting the human need for positive public and social interactions and a sense of belonging.
MEASURING CANBERRA’S BUILT FORM INDICATES QUALITY OF LIFE PERFORMANCE Defining the link between the built form of a sustainable neighbourhood and resident quality of life is found through measuring built form outcomes. This assessment provides an indication of the impact on the health and happiness of residents. It is noted that a combination of environmental, economic and other factors will ultimately determine the quality of life of individuals. This study examines one of them - the built form - on the basis that a more sustainable built form, as defined by Farr Associates, will provide a higher quality of life.
DESIGN PLAYS AN IMPORTANT “ NEIGHBOURHOOD ROLE IN SUPPORTING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES BY
ENCOURAGING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY + COMMUNITY INTERACTION.
“
BUILT FORM DESIGN AFFECTS LIVEABILITY + QUALITY OF LIFE
-The Heart Foundation of Australia. The more sustainable a neighbourhood is as defined in this report, the more likely a high quality of life outcome can be achieved for residents. According to the Heart Foundation, such outcomes include reduced cases of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and mental health disorders.
Creating Healthy Neighbourhoods Consumer preferences for healthy development
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GUIDING PRINCIPLES A FOCUS ON SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainable neighbourhood development is based on social, environmental, physical and economic criteria. This report and associated guiding principles focuses on built form criteria that affect social sustainability.
SOCIAL
AGREED BEST PRACTICE
Farr Associate’s Sustainable Urbanism defines a sustainable neighbourhood unit as having an identifiable centre and edge, a walkable size, a mix of uses, an integrated network of streets and special sites reserved for civic purposes that are a source of local pride. Andres Duany and Jeff Speck’s The Smart Growth Manual identifies 4 key factors critical to sustainable neighbourhoods. The Manual states that a sustainable neighbourhood must be compact - as dense as the market will allow; walkable - that its size and streets are pedestrian friendly; that it is diverse - provides a full range of daily needs; and that it is connected - it is seamlessly integrated into surrounding networks.
ECONOMIC
ENVIRONMENT
This report distills these lessons into the following 3 guiding principles that represent agreed best practice. These principles inform the quality of life indicators outlined in the testing phase of this report.
The 3 Pillars of Sustainability
3 PRINCIPLES OF SUSTAINABLE NEIGHBOURHOOD DEVELOPMENT 01
02
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COMMUNITY + IDENTITY
ACCESSIBLE + WALKABLE
DIVERSE + RESILIENT
A ‘place,’ defined both physically and emotionally, through sense of place characteristics, that creates a unique neighbourhood, one with a strong sense of community.
An open network of streets, multi-modal trails and pedestrian paths that provide a safe passage through a neighbourhood for all users and connects the neighbourhood into a larger sustainable corridor or city.
The right mix of uses to provide for a range of lifestyle and housing options and with the ability to successfully grow and change to meet differing demands.
Precedent Image: Tocumwal Lane, CBD, Canberra
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SUSTAINABLE NEIGHBOURHOODS IN CANBERRA Canberra’s urban form reflects both its role as the nation’s capital, exemplified through majestic memorials, avenues and an attractive place to live, work and play. It’s suburbs have evolved to meet changed ideologies, new technologies and fluid lifestyles. Outlined below is a history
THE GARDEN SUBURB
THE GRIFFIN’S PLAN
The international design competition for Canberra was won by Walter and Marion Griffin. The plan focused on creating a vibrant, social city that was cradled by, and entwined in, the natural landscape. The built form was largely medium density and supported a range of cultural facilities dispersed through the landscape.
of that evolution, starting from the original Griffin Plan of a city with a garden identity and ending with the more traditional grid as seen in many modern neighbourhoods of today.
GRIFFIN’S PLAN AMENDED
Australia established its identity in the World War. Civic uses were replaced with memorials, and the “continental-style,” inter-generational family life style was replaced by single family lots on suburban blocks which rapidly became the ‘Australian suburban dream.’
In the 1890s Ebenezer Howard proposed an alternative to crowded English cities and promoted a new way of living to create residential areas separated from undesirable industrial uses. The triangular neighbourhoods bounding Northbourne Avenue reflect the Garden Suburb movement. Example Neighbourhood: Ainslie
LOOP SUBURB
Over time the civic structure of the Garden Suburb evolved into a more naturalistic urban form, characterised by a series of looped streets that reflect the topography. Inter-street connectivity diminished to allow for easier movement of vehicles which at this time had become an increasingly popular mode of private transportation. Example Neighbourhood: Campbell
1912 1918 1926 1958 12
WHY THIS MATTERS: DIFFERENT URBAN FORMS PROVIDE THE BASIS TO TEST NEIGHBOURHOOD SUSTAINABILITY + INFORM FUTURE NEIGHBOURHOOD DESIGN
1967 1972 1984 2009 Y-PLAN
The Y-Plan was a response to population growth pressures on Canberra. The planners of the time chose to create greenfield communities, accessed via vehicles and separated by swaths of nature, so as to maintain the “naturalistic” character of the city.
CUL-DE-SACS
Cul-de-sacs, like loop roads, responded to the topography, and limited vehicle traffic to residential areas, in theory creating minicommunities. Example Neighbourhood: Melba
METROPOLITAN PLAN POLICY
The update of the Y-Plan identified urban boundaries, growth areas and particular uses.
TRADITIONAL GRID
More recently, the grid has been adopted as the preferred neighbourhood design approach delivering a more efficient outcome in terms of block layout and configuration. Example Neighbourhood: Casey
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METHOD FOR TESTING SUSTAINABILITY
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THE METHOD STEP 1
DEFINE GUIDING PRINCIPLE
STEP 2
ASSIGN EACH PRINCIPLE A SCORING SYSTEM FOR MEANS OF ASSESSMENT.
STEP 3
ASSIGN EACH PRINCIPLE BUILT FORM ‘SUSTAINABILITY INDICATORS’ - 10 IN TOTAL
STEP 4
ASSIGN EACH INDICATOR AN ‘IDEAL OUTCOME’ VALUE STATEMENT
STEP 5
USING THE DEFINED SCORING SYSTEM, IDENTIFY CANBERRA + OTHER WELL PERFORMING NEIGHBOURHOODS’ BASED ON EACH INDICATOR
STEP 6
OUTCOME
GAUGE WHAT IT IS ABOUT EACH NEIGHBOURHOOD THAT MAKES IT DELIVER ON EACH INDICATOR AND ASSOCIATED PRINCIPLE
DRAW UPON BEST PRACTICES OF EACH NEIGHBOURHOOD TO UNDERSTAND HOW FUTURE NEIGHBOURHOODS IN CANBERRA CAN IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE
Precedent Image: Commonwealth Park, CBD, Canberra
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DEFINITION
PRINCIPLE
Neighbourhood Organisation
COMMUNITY + IDENTITY
01
How legible a neighbourhood structure is and how uses and places work together
Civic Places
Includes all “third places” - locations outside work and home that are open for the public to gather
COMMUNITY + IDENTITY
Mix of Open Spaces
Both natural and built open spaces utilised for passive and active purposes
COMMUNITY + IDENTITY
Access to Transport
Defined as transport proximity, not necessarily the quality/ frequency
ACCESSIBLE + WALKABLE
Level of Connection
How frequently streets or paths interconnect internally and externally
ACCESSIBLE + WALKABLE
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04
03
INDICATOR
02
THE 10 INDICATORS
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WHAT THESE DO: WHEN MEASURED THESE INDICATORS PROVIDE A BASIS FOR UNDERSTANDING HOW EACH NEIGHBOURHOOD IS PERFORMING IN TERMS OF SUSTAINABLE NEIGHBOURHOOD DEVELOPMENT
DEFINITION
PRINCIPLE
Neighbourhood Size
A 20-minute edge-to-edge walkable place
ACCESSIBLE + WALKABLE
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INDICATOR
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Street Types
The legibility and hierarchy of streets in a neighbourhood unit
DIVERSE + RESILIENT
The diversity of dwelling types
DIVERSE + RESILIENT
Commercial Uses
The accessibility of retail and job supporting services
DIVERSE + RESILIENT
Schools + Support Services
The accessibility of educational facilities
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Density + Housing Mix
10
DIVERSE + RESILIENT
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TESTING THE SUSTAINABILITY INDICATORS
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DRIVING PRINCIPLE: COMMUNITY + IDENTITY
01 NEIGHBOURHOOD ORGANISATION THEORY
Legible neighbourhood structure is important for achieving a coherent local character and a sense of place and belonging. Supported by Sustainable Urbanism, the Smart Growth Manual and other empirical evidence referenced earlier in this report, the preferred neighbourhood organisation is one that includes clear yet permeable edges, defined paths, and a recognised centre.
AINSLIE, ACT WELL DEFINED CENTRE Each sub-precinct assists to frame a central open space that is highly accessible CLEAR EDGES The sub-precinct edges are clearly defined by avenues and boulevards SYNERGY OF NEIGHBOURHOOD ELEMENTS A clear hierarchy of sub-precincts are served by a centre and divided by main roads which all lead to a central open space
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SCORING SYSTEM
VALUE RATING - POOR / GOOD / EXCELLENT
IDEAL OUTCOME VALUE STATEMENT
As depicted in the reference diagram to the right, the Farr Associates’ Ideal Sustainable Neighbourhood includes the following elements: • DEFINED CENTRE • CLEAR EDGES • SYNERGY OF ELEMENTS
FINDINGS HIGHLIGHTS
*** AINSLIE ***
EXCELLENT NEIGHBOURHOOD ORGANISATION
REFERENCE: The Neighbourhood Organisation of the Farr Associates’ Ideal Sustainable Neighbourhood
This suggests that Ainslie residents have a strong sense of community and identity associated with the neighbourhood. Ainslie benefits from its mature age. With time,newer suburbs in the ACT can transition into an organisational structure that better supports community and identity.
Central Ainslie
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DRIVING PRINCIPLE: COMMUNITY + IDENTITY
02 CIVIC PLACES THEORY
Places where the public feels welcome and encouraged to congregate, and are recognisable as places for civic discourse, gatherings, spontaneous events contribute to a sense of well being and community. A sustainable neighbourhood should include at least one outdoor civic place as well as indoor places, typically special sites, for civic utility. Civic places should be centrally located with civic buildings as landmarks.
SCORING SYSTEM
THE MORE THE MERRIER
IDEAL OUTCOME VALUE STATEMENT
As depicted in the reference diagram to the right, the Farr Associates’ Ideal Sustainable Neighbourhood promotes: • CIVIC OPEN SPACES FOR GATHERING PURPOSES, TYPICALLY A PLAZA/SQUARE, CLOSE TO THE NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE; and • CIVIC BUILDINGS AS LANDMARKS
AINSLIE, ACT CIVIC OPEN SPACES - 3 TOTAL. Wakefield Gardens is adjacent to the neighbourhood centre and acts as the ‘civic green’ that is associated with the identity of Ainslie. The Ainslie Football Park and Majura Oval on the neighbourhood’s edge can hold larger events. CIVIC BUILDINGS AS LANDMARKS - 8 TOTAL. There are civic buildings adjacent to a number of open spaces, typically in the form of a YMCA or community hall. The Football + Social Club and Fire Station are in prominent locations at the neighbourhood’s entrance.
YWCA
WAKEFIELD GARDENS
FOOTBALL PARK
civic building civic open space
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COMMUNITY HOUSE ALL SAINTS
COMMUNITY HOUSE
FINDINGS HIGHLIGHTS
*** AINSLIE *** 11 CIVIC PLACES
REFERENCE: The Civic Places of the Farr Associates’ Ideal Sustainable Neighbourhood
All Saints church
Ainslie residents have a strong sense of community and identity associated with the public realm. They have the opportunity to organise and hold events and festivals through both internal and external spaces. Ainslie benefits from its maturity whereas there are fewe civic uses in newer areas of the ACT. It is important to ensure that as neighbourhoods evolve civic uses are first coupled with the neighbourhood centre.
Majura Oval
Ainslie Football and Social Club
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DRIVING PRINCIPLE: COMMUNITY + IDENTITY
03 MIX OF OPEN SPACES THEORY
Walk-to neighbourhood parks and plazas greatly enhance the quality of neighbourhood life, especially when they include amenities for every day use, both active and passive recreation and vary in the ways one can use them. Access to natural systems and utilising these spaces to filter stormwater is critical for sustainable neighbourhoods. Successful parks can serve as third places, allowing for recurring social encounters and building social capital.
SCORING SYSTEM
VALUE RATING: LOW (0-1 TYPES); MEDIUM (2-4 TYPES); and HIGH MIX (5-6 TYPES)
IDEAL OUTCOME VALUE STATEMENT
As depicted in the reference diagram to the right, the Farr Associates’ Ideal Sustainable Neighbourhood includes a mix of the following: • RECREATION FIELD; GREEN (medium sized, unstructured); SQUARE (a block in size); PLAZA (surrounded by frontages); COMMUNITY GARDEN; ACCESS TO NATURAL SYSTEMS
CAMPERDOWN, SYDNEY FEATURES ALL OPEN SPACE TYPES IDENTIFIED
This NSW neighbourhood performs well in terms of open space distribution with all residents within walking distance of at least 1 open space. Almost half of the neighbourhood is occupied by a university, which offers a multitude of outdoor sporting spaces to its students and staff. Camperdown Park and Victoria Park are greens of a generous scale, with wildlife and mixed landscaping. At a smaller scale, this suburb is unusual in that it offers a community garden which has become part of the identity of the place. Community gardens are valuable for both their recreational and communal role. The university campus is publicly accessible, with a well-maintained square and plaza at its centre. These are brilliant meeting places which encourage outdoor dining and activities, forming a streetscape of paved walks, lawns and tress that maintain access to the natural systems within Victoria Park.
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recreation field green square plaza community garden access to nature
FINDINGS HIGHLIGHTS
*** CAMPERDOWN*** 6 OPEN SPACE TYPES
REFERENCE: The Mix of Open Spaces of the Farr Associates’ Ideal Sustainable Neighbourhood
Camperdown in Sydney’s western suburbs features each type of open space amenity and are well spaced to serve all residents. The community is served by both urban and passive open spaces. There are community gardensin Camperdown which allow residents to grow their own food near their home. These sort of open spaces, which mix promote communal activity, also improve walkability and connects people closer to food operations.
Camperdown Commons - an urban farm
Neighbours meet and relax in Camperdown Park The large square plays host to markets and events
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DRIVING PRINCIPLE: ACCESSIBLE + WALKABLE
04 ACCESS TO TRANSPORT THEORY
SCORING SYSTEM
Access to active and public transport is essential for creating long term sustainable neighbourhoods, connecting them into wider city systems, employment hubs and sustainable corridors. Transport services support higher density living lifestyles and can improve commercial and retail performance. As service intensity and quality of public transport increases, research suggests that driving rates decline exponentially and walkability improves.
NUMBER OF DWELLINGS WITHIN 5 MINUTE WALKING DISTANCE OF A BUS STOP. THE MORE THE MERRIER.
IDEAL OUTCOME VALUE STATEMENT
LK
As depicted in the reference diagram to the right, the access to transport of the Farr Associates’ Ideal Sustainable Neighbourhood would include: • 100% OF NEIGHBOURHOOD IS WITHIN A 5 MINUTE A WALK TO TRANSPORT SERVICE W
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N.
CAMPBELL, ACT 99% OF DWELLINGS SERVED BY TRANSIT
The neighbourhood includes 3 primary bus routes that connect to the Canberra CBD to the west and the Canberra Airport and UNSW Canberra to the east. One route services the Campbell neighbourhood centre whilst the others travel along Fairbairn Avenue to the north and Constitution Avenue to the south.
16 weekday
6.42am - 10.54pm 15
saturday
9
sunday number of routes
7.28am - 10.21pm 8.23am - 7.22pm
buses to the CBD (hrs)
LK
In total, 99% of dwellings are within a 5 minute walk of the 14 bus stops, ensuring Campbell residents have very high access to bus transit. What is unknown is the frequency and quality of the service.
BUSES IN CAMPBELL
5M
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I
A W . N
FINDINGS HIGHLIGHTS
*** CAMPBELL ***
99% OF RESIDENTS WITHIN 5 MINUTE WALK OF TRANSIT
REFERENCE: The Access to Transport of the Farr Associates’ Ideal Sustainable Neighbourhood
Campbell achieves a near perfect score with 99% of residents being able to walk to transit in 5 minutes or less. The neighbourhood’s pedestrian connection infrastructure ensures access is maintained where streets don’t connect. The transit also serves the neighbourhood centre, positioning it well for increased commercial and residential density if the centre is to evolve into a more urban civic centre.
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DRIVING PRINCIPLE: ACCESSIBLE + WALKABLE
05 LEVEL OF CONNECTIVITY THEORY
Empirical research has investigated how changes in the built environment and street network impacts walking and bicycling rates. Jane Jacobs famously observed that the most walkable parts of towns are found where blocks are smallest. Intersection and pedestrian density is one most important variables to measuring neighbourhood walkability and accessibility. Small blocks result in higher rates of walking than neighbourhoods with super-blocks or cul-de-sacs.
SCORING SYSTEM
NUMBER OF PEDESTRIAN INTERSECTIONS INTO AND OUT OF THE NEIGHBOURHOOD. THE MORE THE MERRIER.
IDEAL OUTCOME VALUE STATEMENT
As depicted in the reference diagram to the right, the level of connectivity in the Farr Associates’ Ideal Sustainable Neighbourhood would include: • HIGH INTENSITY OF INTERSECTION/PEDESTRIAN CONNECTIONS - AS INTERSECTION DENSITY IS DOUBLED WALKING INCREASES BY 40%* • MOST BLOCK LENGTHS OF 100 - 300M
BERNAL HEIGHTS, SAN FRANCISCO 84 INTERSECTIONS
This Californian neighbourhood proves that good connectivity can tackle topographic challenges. Bernal Heights features pedestrian walkways, internal links and strong links to the surrounding suburbs. The high number of intersections reflects the site-responsive structure of main streets combined with compact blocks sizes. Block lengths range 150m - 300m, at times broken up by pedestrian walkways and small green spaces. Streets respond to the bending and undulating nature of the topography, and where street access is not possible pedestrian connections ensure accessibility up to the hilltops where open space amenities are typically found. Streets respond to the bending and undulating nature of the topography to maintain connectivity. A more interesting streetscape is thus created.
intersection/pedestrian intersection
40%
more walking
30
when intersection
FINDINGS HIGHLIGHTS
*** BERNAL HEIGHTS***
84 CONNECTIONS / 1.5 CONNECTIONS PER HECTARE Designed with the topography in mind, the areas to the east and west feature an organic street pattern that work with the gradient, whilst the more regular arrangement of the central section sits on low-lying flat land.
REFERENCE:
The Level of Connection of the Farr Associates’ Ideal Sustainable Neighbourhood
Clever streetresponse also makes especially steep intersections more manageable for pedestrians, whilst providing enjoyable green spaces and pleasant vantage points.
High density intersections combined with high density development create an interesting and appealing streetscape intertwined with the natural elements
Considerable street gradient does not prohibit access
Difficult intersections on steep slopes are creatively designed to allow for imrpoved greenery
* Travel and the Built Environment: A Meta- Analysis, 2010
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DRIVING PRINCIPLE: ACCESSIBLE + WALKABLE
06 NEIGHBOURHOOD SIZE THEORY
SCORING SYSTEM
The overall size of the neighbourhood should be suitable for walking to the amenities that the neighbourhood provides. Empirical research has long indicated that an 800m walk, which equates to approximately a 10-minute walk, is the distance most people will commit to before turning back or opting to drive. Therefore, the 800m pedestrian shed is a benchmark for creating a neighbourhood unit that is manageable in size and feel and inherently walkable.
THE CLOSER TO 150HA THE BETTER
IDEAL OUTCOME VALUE STATEMENT
As depicted in the reference diagram to the right, the Farr Associates’ Ideal Sustainable Neighbourhood comprises: • A WALKABLE SIZE (10 MINUTE WALK FROM CENTRE)
MELBA, ACT NEIGHBOURHOOD SIZE: 178HA
At 178ha Melba is a walkable neighbourhood in terms of size. This size helps to define Melba around an identifiable catchment and encourages place attributes to evolve around civic sites and commercial centres.
10 M IN .
WA L
K
Due to the centre’s neighbourhood edge location, commercial and civic uses clustered around the central neighbourhood oval will allow for higher residential densities to support future retail.
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FINDINGS HIGHLIGHTS
*** MELBA***
178HA NEIGHBOURHOOD SIZE
REFERENCE: The Neighbourhood Size of the Farr Associates’ Ideal Sustainable Neighbourhood
Melba’s neighbourhood size reflects a walkable catchment and thus encourages pedestrian oriented neighbourhood centres, parks and other destinations. To ensure long-term success, higher residential densities may need to be incorporated into the neighbourhood. A more centralized neighbourhood centre around the existing oval would also improve access to walkable destinations.
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DRIVING PRINCIPLE: DIVERSE + RESILIENT
07 MIX OF STREET TYPES THEORY
Thoroughfares should be organised into an interconnected and hierarchical web that connects where possible, with either vehicle or pedestrian access. With access to the neighbourhood centre, multiple routes should be provided dispersing traffic throughout the neighbourhood. In addition, different street types provide for different development ensuring diversity of uses, experience and condition. Pedestrian friendly streets attract social uses, from street barbeques in a laneway, or cricket in a cul-desac, through to fairs on main streets.
SCORING SYSTEM
THE MORE THE MERRIER; 8 MAXIMUM +1 FOR CONTEXTUALLY APPROPRIATE STREET TYPE -1 FOR CONTEXTUALLY INAPPROPRIATE STREET TYPE
IDEAL OUTCOME VALUE STATEMENT
As depicted in the reference diagram to the right, street types of the Farr Associates’ Ideal Sustainable Neighbourhood would include: • CONTEXTUAL BOULEVARDS, AVENUES, COMMERCIAL/CIVIC STREETS, NATURAL DRIVES, LOCAL STREETS, REAR LANES + PEDESTRIAN PATHS • NO HIGHWAYS OR INTRUSIVE BOULEVARDS*
SUBIACO, PERTH FEATURES ALL STREET TYPES IDENTIFIED
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Boulevards are relegated to neighbourhood edges and avenues successfully disperse movement internally. The neighbourhood is defined by a traditional grid with rear lanes serving a large majority of the residential streets. These laneways allow for density to increase as the market dictates while promoting street activity and walkability.
Natural Drive
The main commercial/civic street is responsive to its context and is centrally located within the neighbourhood and is adjacent to a train station.
Rear Lane
Boulevard Avenue Avenue (Local) Civic/Commercial Residential (Local) Pedestrian
* Street definitions found in SmartCode Version 9.2
FINDINGS HIGHLIGHTS
*** SUBIACO*** 8/8 STREET TYPES
REFERENCE: The Street Types Mix of the Farr Associates’ Ideal Sustainable Neighbourhood
Subiaco features a range of street types that not only promotes street hierarchy and land use diversity, but also provides a foundation for different types of street activity and future housing diversity. This is in contrast to neighbourhoods which can perform poorly due to contextually insensitive boulevards cutting through their urban fabric and commercial/civic streets not being walkable. It is noted that portions of Subiaco’s edge boulevards are often overly wide and limit walkability between its borders and other neighbourhoods.
Subiaco Square
Rokeby Road
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DRIVING PRINCIPLE: DIVERSE + RESILIENT
08 DENSITY + HOUSING MIX THEORY
Providing diverse housing types within one neighbourhood unit not only ensures diversity in housing prices but also provides for a range of lifestyles and family types. A neighbourhood with a range of housing types provides the opportunity to ‘age in place’. Housing must reflect local context, site conditions, climate, culture and tradition. making it difficult to define the optimal housing mix.
CASEY, ACT MEDIUM HOUSING DIVERSITY
Whilst Casey is dominated by detached dwellings, it also includes more attached housing than any other neighbourhood. The attached dwellings tends to be located adjacent to the neighbourhood’s 2 centres or along its central open space spine. The rear laneways increase resiliency and provide flexibility as market demands shift. There is only 1 apartment building in the south east of the neighbourhood adjacent to the Casey Town Market. As the neighbourhood evolves, apartment sites could take the place of attached housing sites.
apartments attached housing detached housing other uses
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SCORING SYSTEM
VALUE RATING: LOW, MEDIUM +HIGH DIVERSE MIX
IDEAL OUTCOME VALUE STATEMENT
As depicted in the reference diagram to the right, the density + housing mix of the Farr Associates’ Ideal Sustainable Neighbourhood would include: • APARTMENTS • ATTACHED HOUSING • DETACHED HOUSING
FINDINGS HIGHLIGHTS
*** CASEY***
MEDIUM HOUSING DIVERSITY
REFERENCE: The Density + Housing Mix of the Farr Associates’ Ideal Sustainable Neighbourhood
One of the common threads of Canberra neighbourhoods is their lack of housing diversity partcularly apartment living. Casey is no exception and is dominated by detached housing with limited opportunities for attached housing or apartments. Casey does provide more attached housing than the typical Canberra suburb, however, but still does not provide apartment sites. In Casey higher density housing is clustered around their respective centres; increasing the viability retail offer whilst providing housing choice for a more diverse market.
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DRIVING PRINCIPLE: DIVERSE + RESILIENT
09 COMMERCIAL USES THEORY
Great neighbourhoods have a diversity of land uses, including commercial. A defining element of sustainable neighbourhoods is the opportunity to walk to jobs, shopping and entertainment venues. There is great social value derived from a vibrant local centre that provides a variety of goods, enhancing community development and creating third places. They provide residents with the opportunity to meet their daily needs and services within walking distance and can act as a source of community pride.
SCORING SYSTEM
MORE DWELLINGS SERVED BY WALKING TO COMMERCIAL USES THE BETTER
IDEAL OUTCOME VALUE STATEMENT
As depicted in the reference diagram to the right, commercial uses of the Farr Associates’ Ideal Sustainable Neighbourhood would include: • 100% OF NEIGHBOURHOOD IS WITHIN A 10 MINUTE WALK OF A NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE AND/OR CONVENIENCE CENTRE AND/OR 5 MINUTE WALK OF A CORNER STORE*
BALMAIN, SYDNEY 97% OF DWELLINGS SERVED BY COMMERCIAL CENTRE
Balmain has two commercial centres, a convenience centre to thewest and local neighbourhood centre to the east. Located in the geographic centre of the neighbourhood along a ridgeline, the commercial centres are within walking distance of 97% of the neighbourhood. Thanks to Balmain’s historic assets, each centre has evolved into a civic destination not just for Balmain but greater Sydney. Residents still get to enjoy many corner stores in Balmain to themselves.
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0
K WAL . IN M
NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE
LK
CONVENIENCE CENTRE
5 M I N . WA * Centre definitions found in Sustainable Urbanism
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FINDINGS HIGHLIGHTS
*** BALMAIN***
97% OF DWELLINGS SERVED BY CENTRE Thanks to two distinct commercial centres, 97% of Balmain dwellings are within walking distance of a centre. Balmain features a neighbourhood centre which provides added amenity and the ability to evolve into a more mixed-use destination as the neighbourhood evolves. The neighbourhood’s convenience centre can then serve day-to-day needs for residents.
REFERENCE: The Commercial Uses of the Farr Associates’ Ideal Sustainable Neighbourhood
The neighbourhood also benefits from an abundance of corner stores, which likely means 100% of residents are within walking distance of at least some form of commercial amenity.
Heritage buildings add visual interest to the high street
Generous footpaths make Balmain’s Darling Street a pleasant and walkable convenience centre where people linger
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DRIVING PRINCIPLE: DIVERSE + RESILIENT
10 SCHOOLS + SUPPORT SERVICES THEORY
Great neighbourhoods have a diversity of land uses, including schools + support services. A defining element of sustainable neighbourhoods is for children to have the opportunity to walk to school, whether it be day care, primary schools or high school. Ensuring schools are within walking distance of the majority of dwellings increases physical activity for children at a young age, diminishing the occurences of diabetes and obesity as they age. Typically, large magnet schools are located at a neighbourhood’s edge to be shared among other neighbourhoods.
SCORING SYSTEM
MORE DWELLINGS SERVED BY WALKING TO SCHOOLS + SUPPORT SERVICES THE BETTER
IDEAL OUTCOME VALUE STATEMENT
As depicted in the reference diagram to the right, schools + support services of the Farr Associates’ Ideal Sustainable Neighbourhood would include: • 100% OF NEIGHBOURHOOD IS WITHIN A 10 MINUTE WALK OF A PRIMARY SCHOOL OR HIGH SCHOOL AND/OR 5 MINUTE WALK OF CHILD CARE OR DAY CARE.
AINSLIE, ACT 93% OF DWELLINGS SERVED BY SCHOOLS
The North Ainslie Primary School is located on its northern boundary and serves the majority of the northern half of the neighbourhood. There are also four child care services scattered throughout the neighbourhood.
AL K
Residents are within walking distance of 3 schools external to its boundary, reinforcing the importance of external pedestrian connectivity. Service gaps occur on the neighbourhood’s central and east where the neighbourhood centre exists, providing the opportunity for a school facility to co-locate and share existing open space facilities.
IN 10 M
PRIMARY PRIMARY SCHOOL SCHOOL DAY DAY CARE CARE
CHILD CHILD CARE CARE
K AL W
5 MI N.
AINSLIE AINSLIE SCHOOL SCHOOL CHILD CHILD CARE CARE
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.W
FINDINGS HIGHLIGHTS
*** AINSLIE ***
93% DWELLINGS SERVED BY SCHOOLS
REFERENCE: The Schools + Support Services of the Farr Associates’ Ideal Sustainable Neighbourhood
Ainslie benefits from a range of school and support services. The neighbourhood has walkable access to a primary school, day care facilities and high schools in adjacent neighbourhoods. With a diversity of services, Ainslie rates well. The location of the schools closer to the edge of the neighbourhood also promotes sharing of services with adjoining neighbourhoods. This is particularly relevant for magnet schools and high schools.
Ainslie Primary School
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APPLICATIONS GETTING THE RIGHT BALANCE FOR A MORE IDEAL SUSTAINABLE NEIGHBOURHOOD
Whilst the study does not identify a single ‘best performing neighbourhood’ in terms of sustainable built form outcomes, it provides an indication of the best performing neighbourhood for the 10 indicators providing a suite of best practices from each development era that can be utilised to create a more ideal sustainable neighbourhood.
REVISIT PAST PRINCIPLES WITH IMPROVED HOUSING DIVERSITY FOR A MORE SOCIALLY SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
Griffin’s original plan for Canberra included socially sustainable goals, cradled by, and entwined in, the natural landscape. The built form was envisaged to be largely medium density and supported by cultural facilities. Ainslie most closely espouses the plan’s original principles and confirms that these ideals have merit when creating a sustainable neighbourhood organisation framework. Continually reinforcing these civic fundamentals will help to improve social sustainability, particularly when coupled with improved housing and land use diversity and pedestrian connectivity, both internal and external to the neighbourhood. There isn’t a need to completely reinvent the future; as demonstrated in this report the historic Canberra neighbourhoods have much to inform future sustainable neighbourhoods.
Precedent Image: Griffin’s original plan for Canberra
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CONCLUSION ADDITIONAL INDICATORS TO MEASURE SUSTAINABLE NEIGHBOURHOODS
This report provides a high level analysis of built form indicators to inform socially sustainable outcomes. It is acknowledged there are other indicators which also impact on sustainable outcomes, including streetscape and aesthetic measures, tree quality, sidewalk and walkway quality, building facade articulation and building placement. A more qualitative study could be undertaken to assess the quality of transport services and neighbourhood safety, traffic speeds and park usage statistics using feedback from residents to gauge opinions on the quality of life of different neighbourhoods. The Farr Associates’ Sustainable Urbanism is a great resource that provides additional criteria to measure neighbourhood sustainability through built form outcomes.
WHERE TO FROM HERE
This report provides clear indicators of more socially sustainable development outcomes that can be applied to future neighbourhoods in Canberra. Lessons from this report can be used in conjunction with economic and environmental sustainability indicators to assess future neighbourhood designs in Canberra. Including a social sustainability framework such as this report for assessing the success of future neighbourhood design can help to deliver the socially inclusive principles behind Griffin’s original plan for Canberra and towards a more sustainable human habitat.
Precedent Image: Civic Plaza, CBD, Canberra (1975)
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