ABPL90132 LUUD Moonee Ponds Poster

C R E AT I V E Greater Melbourne Context

AFTER

Inner North Melbourne Context

3PM

Land use/walkability

Population Density LEGEND

Street width network

10 x 10 km

LEGEND

LEGEND

1km x 1km site

1km x 1km site

Residential Growth Zone

Main road (7m)

Activity Centre Zone

Main road 2 (2m)

1 x 1 km

Commercial 1 Zone Train line + station

Residential street (1.5m)

Tram line

Laneway (0.8m)

Bus junction

Private access

N

Plan Melbourne (2017) has recognised 121 Major Activity Centres across all of Melbourne to be developed and this is where Moonee Ponds sits, as a Major Activity Centre in the Western region approximate 7km from Melbourne CBD (DELWP, 2019). Moonee Ponds also a unique connection to the rest of Melbourne, through it’s junction of the 3 major public transport modes and direct Mt Alexander Rd connection to Melbourne Airport.

Current low population density is set to increase over the years. However, large portion of the area is dedicated to transport infrastructure along with a commercial presence. Moonee Ponds public transport junctions indicate relatively great centrality compared to surrounding inner city counterparts according to the SNAMUTS analysis.

A closer look at Moonee Ponds within the 10km x 10km Inner North Melbourne context, details the proximity to Melbourne CBD and surrounding inner north areas as well as Melbourne Airport. Proximity to the CBD and Melbourne Airport, indiciates optimal positioning of this site within the Metropolitan Melbourne context

200 x 200 m

Key connection between tram/bus junction to Moonee Ponds train station

29 floor apartment building further down Hall Street - dense living

Potential to improve street lighting due to darkness from 29 floor apartment interface on the street

Street furniture integrated well for rest, lingering and spaces of interaction

0

Moonee Ponds Activity Centre makes up large portion of the site with high commercial activity. Site has strong public transport foundation, within walkable distance of the Residential Growth Zone. The main intersection holds heavy car and PTV shared traffic. This strengthens the idea that this space should provide efficient adaptable public spaces for people to relax and enjoy.

500

1000m

Street width analysis of the site solidifies the previous assumption that the area is dominated by the 3 main road intersections. Understand that this street width, although intimidating for the human body, is necessary for the everyday funciton of the area. Majority of population rely on this street network to get to work and school. However, it is possible to look beyond the main intersections and create connections between the public transport nodes. Specific examples of this are included in the 200 x 200m analysis.

DEMOGRAPHICS

Footpath with walking buffer - opportunity to extend footpath on the car lane

Potential for combined pedestrian and car space through footpath materials on the road

Low density retail and food activity

Ample space for emergency and delivery vehicles as well as cars for people with accessiblity needs

Existing parklets can be expanded

Capture returning residents within this space with examples of activities and spaces to unwind from the day, accidentally run into friends at the 100m social field of vision (Gehl, 2013)

Google Street View, 2019

The Clocktower Centre - modern arts and cultural centre

Potential to liven up interface - Community mural activity - History of centre reflected outwards

Only used as a thoroughfare between junction and residential areas

Potential to become an active green space with increased pedestrian connection to Clocktower Centre

Median age

37

Full time

Fencing limits the level of access Can host markets, night activities or gatherings

Google Street View, 2019 Adjacent to bus and tram junction indicates heavy foot traffic although the space is never used for sitting or gathering

Taller commercial use buildings than rest of the intersection

Accurate depiction of how small a person is/feels compared to the road Bollard triangle area reduces footpath and crossing space creating intimidating streetscape

Serves a key function by hosting 3 modes of transport - bus, tram and car - cannot be pedestrianed - importance of working WITH existing infrastructure - acquiring bollarded triangle section to expand footpath - reduce intimidation of 4-6 lane road on the footpath

VISION Moonee Ponds Junction will be a space for its residents to relax, unwind and creatively express themselves through adaptable public spaces connected to the existing public transport network

Land Use and Urban Design | Urban Coding ABPL90132 - Semester 2, 2021 | Shruti Dalvi

Family composition

25%

61%

Sittable public spaces are attractive Low steps invite people to rest and be public surveillance Creating space for chatting, interacting and observing within existing public open space

Travel to work

Working population

Couple family with children

30%

Part time

by public transport

54% by car

A key deduction from a demograpihc analysis of Moonee Ponds is that the majority of population that resides in this area are actually not present in the area for majority of the day. This is due to the primary family composition being couple families with school going children, therefore, children are at schools during the day. 61% percentage of the working population is at work full time and 30% full time, taking this into account with the fact that the age distribution shows majority of the total population is of working, this area does not physically have its residents in the area for much of the day. This creates an opportunity to optimise a space for creative expression in the area after work/school hours in order to effectively serve the majority population.

STRATEGIC GOALS

Attract work/ school returning residents into main junction for thriving public activities

Enrich existing public space use through adaptable urban design features

Promote active transport network including walking between public transport nodes

Enhance built form to reflect a vibrant creative thinking theme

Incentivise new innovative and creative development

MOONEE PONDS

C R E AT I V E

CODE 1 Critique

CODE 2

AFTER

CODE 3 Critique

Critique

Reflect a growing mixed use precinct

Informal code

Dull exterior paint controls to respect the multiple heritage facades

Design does not lend to active use of space

Enough evidence to support 2-3 storey height on Puckle St

Mainly used as walkthrough path

10-16 storey needed for growing density

Muted colours create a monotonous streetscape

Uninviting design with limited access points

Need to adequately reference the overshadowing and visual bulk of the built form

3PM

Clocktower Centre fails to stand out as a landmark

Potential as key gathering and connection space Lyons Architecture. (2012). RMIT Swanston Academic Building. https://www. lyonsarch.com.au/project/rmit-swanston-academic-building/

SCENARIOS SCENARIO 1: TOURISM CITY

State Government of Victoria has identified Moonee Ponds as a key tourism precinct.

Building height code would be applied to their maximum possibility due to private developer profit maximisation within a CBD. Vertical connection to the street would be a prominent feature of the facade. New buildings would overpower the existing low rise character and lead to heavy overshadhowing.

Building height and facade Key landmarks and photo stops would be a key focus, reflected in the building facades. Main development on main roads would be hotels for tourists to attract visitors including busy lobby areas lending to an active frontage.

Land Use and Urban Design | Urban Coding

Codes would be seen to be applied overall along the area, remaining generally as currently is.

New developments would take the form as seen on Puckle St with shorter and plain facades to highlight the heritage character of CBD.

Building height and facade

Street level activation of buildings may be seen to be slightly privatised but regulated through planning scheme requirements. Financial or permit incentives for innovative facades may lead to further creativity.

Green space Garden code would be seen as a stop and observe space. Tourists tend to stand in a spot and observe and look for main entrances, again reflected in the urban design.

ABPL90132 - Semester 2, 2021 | Shruti Dalvi

Bird’s eye view

Bird’s eye view

All 3 codes would be seen applied in the central activity centre of Moonee Ponds precinct. Main focus would be on connection the public transport nodes to Melbourne CBD and Mt Alexander Rd from the airport.

Green space

Moonee Valley City Council has decided to strengthen the hertiage guidelines to protect the heritage character of Moonee Ponds, therefore implementing a rule that Moonee Ponds will only grow as a low rise city

State Government of Victoria has identified Moonee Ponds as a second CBD to complement Melbourne CBD

Bird’s eye view

Building height and facade

SCENARIO 3: LOW RISE CITY

SCENARIO 2: SECOND CBD

Building height code would likely fail in this area if development is restricted to low rise, however the street activation code would be active.

Green space 10am

1pm

4pm

Green space code would behave differently over various times of day. Morning time leaning to a quieter space with a bustle of lunch time. However, after work and school, the design developed through this code may be seen to be the most active and enhancing the theme of creative expression by allowing a space for residents to relax after work and school.

An ideal scenario for Moonee Ponds where each code is well applied

Lower rise may lead to lower level of activity, however the garden code would still be successfully applied.

The flexible nature of the green space may connect well with the activation of frontages with the street within a low rise city.

MOONEE PONDS