UNSW Planning Catalogue

PLANNING VISIONS

2012 Planning Final Year Thesis Never Stand Still

Faculty of Built Environment

1 This year has been busy at UNSW BE. haveAdcock continued the review and 16 We Caitlin development of our curriculum including 18 Krishti Akhter the two new interdisciplinary 20 introduction ChristopherofAshworth streams for first and third year bachelor 22 Clare Burke degree programs and are introducing a 24 Alexander Carter new post professional degree program 26urban Charise Chumroonridhi in policy and strategy. We have 28 Frances Dargaville also added Design Research to our four 30 Thomas Fehon funded research clusters (Emergent 32 Rachel Hodge People and Places, Digital Technologies, Sustainable Design and Development 34 Daniel Howard and Finally, the CRC 36 Urban Sonia Typologies).

Jacenko Low Carbon Living international research 38 Katerina Lianos project led by Liew our faculty commenced 40 Brendan its work this year in collaboration with 42 Yannan Ma partners in industry and other universities.

44 Ambrose Marquart I wish every graduate a successful 46 satisfying Stefanie Matosevic and career. In many respects, 48 relationship Samantha is Mitchell our just beginning.

50 you Lucinda As travel Molloy the world through your work you Mu will meet many alumni and 52 Eric make special bonds of lasting value.

54 Aaron Nangle We forward to your ongoing 56 look Michelle Niles participation the life of our university 58 Michael inOliveiro and the mutual benefits this brings.

Michael Oliver Sophie Olsen Matthew Riley Emily Salvisberg Laura Schmahmann Sohini Sen Andrew Stacey Alexandra Stathakis Bryce Thornhill-Weedon Teille Whiteman Jordan Widenstrom Kaitlin Zieme

Professor Alec Tzannes Dean UNSW Built Environment

LUMINOCITY 19th November 2012 Pier 2/3 Walsh Bay, Hickson Road, Sydney

60 62 64 66 68 70 72 74 76 78 80 82

Message Planning Visions from the Dean

I congratulate all the students who have completed their degree program and now become our alumni.

This catalogue conveys through selected study themes and projects from our final year studios something about the unique student experience offered at UNSW Built Environment along with the outstanding skills of our students and academic staff.

Built Environment has a developing reputation as a knowledge leader in the design, delivery and management of the C21st city and its elements.

Our research is directly relevant to the development of knowledge within built environment professions and underpins a process of continuous improvement to curriculum material. Embedded in the curriculum are core values centered on the thinking and practices required to deliver sustainable urban environments of deep cultural value. Design education in all of its many forms, including understanding evidence-based design processes is at the centre of UNSW BE degree programs. This is complemented by the development of discipline knowledge with interdisciplinary design and research orientated projects aligned with advanced contemporary practices in industry.

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Contents

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84

Message from the Dean

Message from Lend Lease

Introduction from the Program Head

Course Statement

Planning Final Year Thesis 2012

86

Alumni Profile

Supporters

Healthy Built Environments Program

Acknowledgements

Planning Graduates 2012

Staff of the Planning and Urban Development Program

3 This year has been busy at UNSW BE. We have continued the review and development of our curriculum including the introduction of two new interdisciplinary streams for first and third year bachelor degree programs and are introducing a new post professional degree program in urban policy and strategy. We have also added Design Research to our four funded research clusters (Emergent Digital Technologies, People and Places, Sustainable Design and Development and Urban Typologies). Finally, the CRC Low Carbon Living international research project led by our faculty commenced its work this year in collaboration with partners in industry and other universities.

I wish every graduate a successful and satisfying career. In many respects, our relationship is just beginning.

As you travel the world through your work you will meet many alumni and make special bonds of lasting value.

We look forward to your ongoing participation in the life of our university and the mutual benefits this brings.

Professor Alec Tzannes Dean UNSW Built Environment

Message from the Dean

I congratulate all the students who have completed their degree program and now become our alumni.

This catalogue conveys through selected study themes and projects from our final year studios something about the unique student experience offered at UNSW Built Environment along with the outstanding skills of our students and academic staff.

UNSW Built Environment has a developing reputation as a knowledge leader in the design, delivery and management of the C21st city and its elements.

Our research is directly relevant to the development of knowledge within built environment professions and underpins a process of continuous improvement to curriculum material. Embedded in the curriculum are core values centered on the thinking and practices required to deliver sustainable urban environments of deep cultural value. Design education in all of its many forms, including understanding evidence-based design processes is at the centre of all UNSW BE degree programs. This is complemented by the development of discipline knowledge with interdisciplinary design and research orientated projects aligned with advanced contemporary practices in industry.

4

Supporters

BUILT ENVIRONMENT AND ITS 2012 GRADUATING STUDENTS THANK LUMINOCITY’S SUPPORTERS FOR THEIR GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS. Lead Supporter

Major Supporters

Supporters

Built Environment Alumni

Event Partners

Planning Supporter

5 Throughout this event and graduating student exhibition, I encourage the thought leadership and vigorous debate that is required to deliver on the vision that LuminoCITY seeks to achieve.

Knowledge knows no boundaries and it is our universities and their students that provide a mechanism to allow communities to grow and prosper through improved solutions, products and services. Continued knowledge investment in our universities is vital to equip society to creatively respond to challenges that are impacting all our lives at an ever increasing rate.

Anticipating the thought provoking research and exhibitions of all the contributors, but in particular that of the graduating class, I would like to congratulate all participants who will undoubtedly assist in shaping the cities of tomorrow.

Lend Lease looks forward to the continued relationship with UNSW Built Environment and LuminoCITY to create new ideas that deliver our vision in delivering the best places.

Murray Coleman OAM Managing Director, Australia Project Management and Construction Lend Lease

Message from Lend Lease

Lend Lease is proud to continue its longtime relationship with UNSW Faculty of Built Environment through the sponsorship of LuminoCITY. In creating an event like this, the Faculty delivers a forum to challenge the boundaries of the modern landscape and allows our leaders of the future to showcase how 21st century communities can live sustainably and meet the demands of the modern world.

Lend Lease’s aspiration to be a sustainable organisation and an industry leader means we constantly search for ideas that will help us to deliver the improved social, environmental and economic performance of our businesses and of our industry more broadly.

In sponsoring LuminoCITY, we are supporting the Faculty of the Built Environment to achieve their vision to create a forum to imagine, test and debate ideas about the 21st century city.

The Healthy Built Environments Program is Proud to Sponsor the 2012 Bachelor of Planning Exhibition

What is the Healthy Built Environments Program?

As Australia faces increasing health costs from rising rates of obesity, diabetes and other lifestyle diseases, health workers are seeking to influence the design of cities to make them more supportive of healthy ways of living.

Research continues to demonstrate the links between modern epidemics and the way of life in cities. Car-dominated transport, reduced opportunities for physical activity, increased fast-food availability and lack of social connection are all implicated. Increasingly the health sector is focusing on prevention, and to be effective, health professionals need to work in collaboration with other professional groups, especially those from the built environment.

This is a key focus for the Healthy Built Environments Program where we work collaboratively with health professionals so that together we can create built environments that support people being healthy in their everyday lives. The Program is situated in the City Futures Research Centre, Faculty of the Built Environment, at The University of NSW. We receive our core funding from the NSW Department of Health. Our vision is that built environments will be planned, designed, developed and managed to promote and protect health for all people.

7 What do we do?

Education and Workforce Development

The Healthy Built Environments Program has three core strategies.

The Healthy Built Environments Program delivers innovative, cross disciplinary education and capacity building. We deliver inter-disciplinary courses on healthy built environments for undergraduate and postgraduate students at UNSW. We hold regular public forums on healthy built environment issues. We also host seminars for professionals working in health and urban planning and are developing e-learning resources on a variety of topics. You can view videos, listen to lectures and download many important healthy planning related resources from the education section of our website: http://www.be.unsw.edu.au/healthybuilt-environments-program/education

Research The Healthy Built Environments Program fosters interdisciplinary research which is policy relevant. We have completed a major scholarly literature review examining the role of the built environment in supporting human health as part of everyday living. The principal aim of the review was to establish an evidence base to support the development, prioritisation and implementation of healthy built environment policies and practices. It includes an annotated bibliography of key research articles and a glossary of terms to assist practitioners, policy makers and researchers working in this interdisciplinary realm.

You can download the full literature review for free from our website: http://www. be.unsw.edu.au/programs/healthy-builtenvironments-program/literature-review Leadership and Advocacy The Healthy Built Environments Program advocates for closer links between health and the built environment. This advocacy involves government and non-government agencies, the private sector and the community. There has been an emphasis on education through scholarly publications disseminating the latest research and writing regular columns on healthy built environments in professional journals, as well as contributing to the popular media, giving talks and holding promotional events. You can access many of our publications and submissions from our website: http://www.be.unsw.edu.au/healthybuilt-environments-program/publications

Healthy Built Environments Program Further Information Visit the Healthy Built Environments Program’s website to find out lots more about our work: http://www.be.unsw.edu.au/programmes/ healthy-built-environments-program/about Why not subscribe to our regular quarterly newsletter?

This will keep you up-to-date with what we are doing. Email us to subscribe: hbep@unsw.edu.au

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Introduction from the Program Head

Welcome to Planning Visions, a celebration of the work our new graduating class of planners, and part of the Faculty’s wider LuminoCITY exhibition. Planning Visions was chosen as the title for this year’s graduand catalogue and exhibition, as “planning is about people” – it focuses on the design, development, utilisation, management and conservation of places for communities and in the public interest.

It will be as part of the next generation of planners that the graduands will contribute to the shaping of our cities, towns and countryside. This catalogue and accompanying exhibition represents the culmination of the achievements of these young planners over the past five years of study and professional work.

The Bachelor of Planning degree at UNSW aims to produce well-rounded professionals with a sound general training in planning, but with the scope to specialise in their particular fields of interest. One particular area of the degree where this individual interest can be expressed is, of course, the planning thesis. The diversity of topics chosen by this year’s students is indicative of the diversity of planning itself.

I am delighted to present to you the ideas of the graduating class of 2013. All planning students complete a thesis in their final semester. This represents the culmination of their undergraduate education and a goal they have worked towards over the past year. Students select a topic to investigate, formulate their research proposal during the first half of the year and then undertake their study, writing up the thesis in the second semester. Theses are original and substantive research reports in the order of 20,000 words.

Not only do they contribute to individual student learning, they often incorporate recommendations for professional practice and policy development.

Findings are sometimes presented at conferences and seminars, as well as written up in professional publications.

In Planning Visions the abstracts of the students’ theses are presented, together with an iconic image which symbolizes the focus of each piece of research. Students select their own graphic – either an illustration they themselves have created or a photograph which represents the central idea of their thesis. The range of research projects is outstanding and showcases the variety of current issues of interest and concern not just to planners but to the broader community as well.

I am sure you will agree that the students’ work makes a positive contribution to a range of contemporary planning challenges and puts these young planners at the forefront of their profession. Please join with me in congratulating the final year students of 2012 as we enjoy and contemplate the ideas and challenges presented by them in Planning Visions.

Peter Williams Program Head

9 Program Team Peter Williams, Head of Program Professor Robert Freestone Associate Professor Susan Thompson Associate Professor Simon Pinnegar Hoon Han Bruno Parolin Christine Steinmetz

Industry Professionals and Academics ------------------------------

Kevin Alker Bob Bow Murray Cleaver Lisa Coleman Tracy Davey Gethin Davison Barbara Doran Hazel Easthope David Edwards Sameh Girgis Laura Goh Mathew Hurst Rodney Jensen Ahsanul Kabir Crystal Legacy Stephen McMahon John O’Callaghan David Rollinson Mike Ryan Garth Seneque Arlene Segal Ian Sinclair Rosemary Smart Christina Totsis Sharon Veale Ilan Vitzel Danny Wiggins Jinhua Zhao Alison Ziller

Exhibition Designer --

Colin Rowan

Thesis Project Coordinator and Abstracts Editor --

Peter Williams

Acknowledgements

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“RESEARCH-BASED ANALYSIS AND REPORTING

IS CENTRAL TO THE BACHELOR

OF PLANNING DEGREE”

11 the students to realise their goals to the best of their ability is indispensible.

Another acknowledgment is necessary – to the many stakeholders who assist the students during their data gathering. While the thesis remains very much an individual challenge, it is not done in a vacuum.

Without exception, every student has benefited from a wide range of contacts with many different professionals and members of the community. The time and resources which individuals make available year in year out is absolutely critical for their work and is never taken for granted by either the students or the Planning Program.

At the end of the day the thesis exhibition and catalogue remains a showcase of the students’ own work.

Collectively, these theses convey well the intrinsic breadth of urban and environmental planning in practice along with some of the major urban and regional challenges which the latest cohort of graduates are ready, able and keen to take up.

Peter Williams Thesis Course Coordinator, 2012

Course Statement

Research-based analysis and reporting is central to the Bachelor of Planning degree. The ‘capstone’ experience for students is a major independent research project in their final year.

Officially, this project entails enrolment in just one 12 week session. But preparation actually commences several months earlier through a preparatory course which revisits the formalities and practicalities of research design and methodology. This preparatory course – Research Design – was again led by Professor Robert Freestone, and I acknowledge his crucial input into the development of the students’ theses.

A remarkable diversity of thesis topics was pursued in 2012 ranging across important issues of contemporary policy relevance in areas such as planning legislation and reform, land use, regional development, transport, urban design, housing, natural hazards, greening cities, health and community planning. While metropolitan Sydney is always the major ‘laboratory’, both international and regional NSW content are again featured this year.

Each student is assigned an adviser from either the full-time Planning staff or from our part-time lecturers, other BE staff, and in some cases colleagues from other faculties and universities. This wider pool of expertise is also tapped for the examination process. The input of our many colleagues in generously assisting

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Supporters

BUILT ENVIRONMENT AND ITS 2012 GRADUATING STUDENTS THANK LUMINOCITY’S SUPPORTERS FOR THEIR GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS. Lead Supporter

Major Supporters

Supporters

Built Environment Alumni

Event Partners

Architectural Computing Supporters

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Second Row (L-R) Caitlin Adcock Samantha Mitchell Laura Schmahmann Alexandra Stathakis Emily Salvisberg Michelle Niles Third Row (L-R) Michael Oliver Bryce Thornhill-Weedon Daniel Howard Rachel Hodge Frances Dargaville Sonia Jacenko Teille Whiteman Charise Chumroonridhi Katerina Lianos Thomas Fehon Fourth Row (L-R) Matthew Riley Eric Mu Aaron Nangle Clare Burke Brendan Liew Christopher Ashworth Alexander Carter Jordan Widenstrom Michael Oliveiro Ambrose Marquart Absent: Andrew Stacey

Planning Graduates 2012

Front Row (L-R) Stefanie Matosevic Sohini Sen Lucinda Molloy Sophie Olsen Krishti Akhter Kaitlin Zieme Yannan Ma

15 This year has been busy at UNSW BE. We have continued the review and development of our curriculum including the introduction of two new interdisciplinary streams for first and third year bachelor degree programs and are introducing a new post professional degree program in urban policy and strategy. We have also added Design Research to our four funded research clusters (Emergent Digital Technologies, People and Places, Sustainable Design and Development and Urban Typologies). Finally, the CRC Low Carbon Living international research project led by our faculty commenced its work this year in collaboration with partners in industry and other universities.

I wish every graduate a successful and satisfying career. In many respects, our relationship is just beginning.

As you travel the world through your work you will meet many alumni and make special bonds of lasting value.

We look forward to your ongoing participation in the life of our university and the mutual benefits this brings.

Professor Alec Tzannes Dean UNSW Built Environment

Planning Message from the Dean Final Year Thesis 2012

I congratulate all the students who have completed their degree program and now become our alumni.

This catalogue conveys through selected study themes and projects from our final year studios something about the unique student experience offered at UNSW Built Environment along with the outstanding skills of our students and academic staff.

Built Environment has a developing reputation as a knowledge leader in the design, delivery and management of the C21st city and its elements.

Our research is directly relevant to the development of knowledge within built environment professions and underpins a process of continuous improvement to curriculum material. Embedded in the curriculum are core values centered on the thinking and practices required to deliver sustainable urban environments of deep cultural value. Design education in all of its many forms, including understanding evidence-based design processes is at the centre of UNSW BE degree programs. This is complemented by the development of discipline knowledge with interdisciplinary design and research orientated projects aligned with advanced contemporary practices in industry.

16

Tourism Planning for Australia’s World Heritage Sites

Caitlin Adcock

Australian World Heritage Sites are recognised as places of universal significance and are consequently some of the most highly visited destinations in the world. In order to maintain a competitive economic edge against other tourist destinations, it is imperative that contemporary planning enables the sustainable delivery of tourism infrastructure.

Unfortunately, a conflict exists between the aspirations of tourism developers and natural environment conservationists. This investigation seeks to establish the need for greater tourism planning within Australian World Heritage Sites, specifically for the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, in order to reconcile these differing objectives. The Greater Blue Mountains Area receives some of the highest visitation rates in Australia, meaning that the creation of authentic tourist experiences with minimal impact on natural assets needs to be a priority in planning policy and practice.

This investigation, through policy analysis and consultation with stakeholders from both the private and public sector, has discovered that while the value of tourism planning is widely recognised, its principles are rarely translated into reality. Greater collaboration between stakeholders, along with improved government leadership in strategic planning initiatives will ensure that Australia’s World Heritage Sites maintain their Outstanding Universal Values and are enjoyed by visitors both present and future.

“ THE CREATION OF AUTHENTIC TOURIST EXPERIENCES WITH MINIMAL IMPACT ON NATURAL ASSETS NEEDS TO BE A PRIORITY IN PLANNING POLICY AND PRACTICE.

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Krishti Akhter

Urban Growth and the Provision of Infrastructure: Open Space Provision and Management in Sydney’s Urban Fringe Open space has historically been an important element in growing suburban areas. Known for the numerous benefits it provides, the provision and management of open space in the Sydney Metropolitan Area was afforded significant impetus in the City’s first strategic land use plan, the County of Cumberland Planning Scheme of 1951. Aware that managing Sydney’s growth required attention, each of Sydney’s strategic plans since the County of Cumberland Plan have placed emphasis on the provision and protection of open space, with varying degrees of success.

Nevertheless, open space has historically remained a key element of the State’s planning system. Faced with the task of housing Sydney’s continuing population growth, which is forecast to hit 6 million residents by 2036, the State Government identified two largely undeveloped regions in Sydney’s North West and South West, known as Sydney’s Growth Centres.

Up to 30 percent of Sydney’s additional population will be housed in the Growth Centres over the next 25 to 30 years.

This has, amongst other considerations, significant implications for open space provision. This thesis investigates the key challenges and constraints in the provision and maintenance of open space in Sydney’s North West Growth Centre, ranging from natural land constraints including large areas of flood-prone land to administrative constraints, including the impact of the $30,000 cap on local development contributions. Resident satisfaction of open space in the comparable new release estates of Ropes Crossing and The Ponds in Sydney’s North West is also explored.

The thesis links the planning and provision of open space in North West Growth Centre with the level of resident satisfaction in the comparable release areas. Finally, the thesis provides recommendations on how the system and its mechanisms can be improved and better managed.

“ UP TO 30 PERCENT OF SYDNEY’S ADDITIONAL POPULATION WILL BE HOUSED IN THE GROWTH CENTRES OVER THE NEXT 25 TO 30 YEARS. THIS HAS, AMONGST OTHER CONSIDERATIONS, SIGNIFICANT IMPLICATIONS FOR OPEN SPACE PROVISION.”

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Driving into the Unknown: Planning for oil depletion and rising fuel prices

Christopher Ashworth

Australian cities are extremely car dependent. In Sydney, most households enjoy the freedom and independence car ownership provides them, and they depend on their cars for most of their transportation needs. Facilitating this high level of car dependency is the availability of affordable fuel, which potentially faces an uncertain future. Vulnerability to rising fuel costs is spatially polarised, and some communities are far more vulnerable than others. This thesis uses qualitative research methods to investigate how people living in vulnerable communities might react to unprecedented fuel prices. It provides important insights into the role cars play in the lives of people who are car dependent, and how this impacts on their lives. Finally, it demonstrates that the onerous impacts of rising fuel costs could force substantial behavioural changes that Sydney may not be prepared for. These include transport mode shift, looking for work closer to home, looking for homes closer to work, and in some instances leaving the workforce altogether. The issue of declining energy resources is confronting, mostly because the actions needed to improve resilience are drastic and would be very transformative. Yet, as planners, we must acknowledge this risk and work to improve Sydney’s resilience before it is too late.

“ THE ONEROUS IMPACTS OF RISING FUEL COSTS COULD FORCE SUBSTANTIAL BEHAVIOURAL CHANGES THAT SYDNEY MAY NOT BE PREPARED FOR..”

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Clare Burke

Beyond the Cordon: A case study of public participation in Christchurch CBD’s strategic planning process, following the 2010 earthquake and subsequent major aftershocks.

As natural disasters become more prevalent, increasingly so is a planning response sought. This planning response must utilise public participation to ensure the development of policies, which produce resilient and sustainable urban environments.

Christchurch, New Zealand has been shaken by a number of large aftershocks since the initial 7.1 magnitude earthquake on 4 September 2010. These aftershocks have left their mark on the natural and built environment throughout Canterbury; none more so than the 22 February 2011 aftershock, which shook the Christchurch CBD bringing down buildings and causing the deaths of 185 people. As a result of the changing physical and geographical conditions, Christchurch has been subject to extensive legislated planning reforms.

The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Act 2011 legislates the preparation of a recovery plan for the Central City, “in consultation with the community”. Through analysis of the public consultation and participation undertaken in developing the Christchurch Central Recovery Plan, interviews with stakeholders and experts, review of legislation and detailed secondary research, this thesis aims to provide a scholarly critique of the public participation utilised in the strategic recovery land use process in Christchurch, whilst also developing a best practice framework for future use in post natural disaster recovery contexts.

“ FOLLOWING THE DEVASTATING 22 FEBRUARY 2011 AFTERSHOCK THE CANTERBURY EARTHQUAKE RECOVERY ACT CAME INTO FORCE, LEGISLATING THE PREPARATION OF A RECOVERY PLAN FOR CHRISTCHURCH CENTRAL CITY, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE COMMUNITY”.

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Finding the Right Mix: Affordable Housing in Master Plan Estates

Alexander Carter

Housing affordability is of great concern to policy makers in Australia due to its social and economic impacts on the Australian community. While reliance on planning policy to increase the level of affordable housing stock plays an important role in regard to housing affordability, this mechanism has arguably been underutilised to date. This has resulted from a number of factors, including the roles and responsibilities for affordable housing being split across the three tiers of government, and affordable housing programs being small in relation to population size. One particular planning policy effective in a limited number of cases in Australia is the securing of affordable housing in Master Plan Estates (MPEs), which are an increasingly popular means of residential provision. This thesis assesses current research on the use of planning policy in Australia and overseas to achieve affordable housing objectives and overcome housing affordability problems, and examines the role of MPEs in addressing levels of affordable housing.

A combination of qualitative research, specifically in-depth interviews with industry professionals, and quantitative statistical and survey data is utilised. It is suggested that affordable housing policy is ineffective and that developers of MPEs pursue profit maximisation through delivery of havens for a class-filtered suburbia, attractive to those seeking homogeneity and social distinction.

“AFFORDABLE HOUSING POLICY IS INEFFECTIVE AND DEVELOPERS OF MASTER PLAN ESTATES PURSUE PROFIT MAXIMISATION THROUGH DELIVERY OF HAVENS FOR A CLASS-FILTERED SUBURBIA, ATTRACTING THOSE SEEKING HOMOGENEITY AND SOCIAL DISTINCTION.”

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Charise Chumroonridhi

Living with bushfire risk: A critical review of bushfire planning and building controls in NSW Australian World Heritage Sites Bushfire is a growing threat to lives, infrastructure, and the environment in Australia due to factors such as urban sprawl into rural areas, arson and the consequences of climate change. Strategies for mitigating and preventing bushfires have been a pivotal concern in public policy debate.

Empirical research has found land-use planning and building controls can greatly reduce the risk of a dwelling igniting from a direct flame or radiant heat and can effectively minimise the overall bushfire risk in a community. The Rural Fire Service publication, Planning for Bushfire Protection 2006 and the Australia Standard, AS3959 - Construction of Buildings in Bush Fire Prone Area provide the basis of bushfire planning controls in New South Wales. It is possible that some local councils are not adequately enforcing or adopting effective measures to manage bushfires.

This thesis assesses the planning controls and policies of local councils in NSW with significant bushfire prone land. Qualitative research and discussions with planners and building surveyors of local councils and the Rural Fire Service are utilised to address the issues of the development assessment process and building controls of areas at bushfire risk. The success of land use planning is ultimately dependant on the coercion by government, the community and local agencies.

“ LAND-USE PLANNING AND BUILDING CONTROL IS ONE OF THE BEST APPROACHES FOR REDUCING BUSHFIRE RISK, HOWEVER A LACK OF COERCION AND ENFORCEMENT BY GOVERNMENT, THE COMMUNITY AND LOCAL AGENCIES HAS RESULTED IN AN INEFFECTIVE RESPONSE TO MANAGING BUSHFIRES IN NSW.�

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Frances Dargaville

Planning for Disaster: Establishing solutions to the global challenge of natural hazards Natural disasters cause catastrophes in vulnerable communities worldwide, and the frequency and intensity of such events is forecast to intensify. This thesis examines the role of vulnerability and resilience, land use planning, education and training, management, and policy development in disaster preparation, response, relief, and rebuilding. The research aims to identify best practice for each of these themes, and recommends implementation strategies.

With particular reference to cyclones and hurricanes, the research utilises case studies from developed and developing nations. Nonetheless, the implementation strategies primarily apply to developing countries, as they tend to contain the most vulnerable communities. The research refers to a wide range of disaster planning literature, both Australian and international.

In-depth interviews from a broad range of experts complete the gaps in knowledge, and contribute to a more advanced understanding of each of the research themes. The thesis argues that significant improvement of practices in each of the themes of vulnerability and resilience, land use planning, education and training, management, and policy development, will contribute to the enhanced sustainability of communities that are currently vulnerable to the impact of natural disasters.

“ THIS THESIS AIMS TO IDENTIFY BEST PRACTICE FOR DISASTER PREPARATION, RESPONSE, RELIEF, AND REBUILDING.”

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Planning for Polycentric Sydney

Thomas Fehon

The ideal spatial structure to achieve environmental sustainability, economic competitiveness and high quality of life within metropolitan regions is the subject of much academic debate. One approach to city spatial distribution that has received significant academic and policy focus in recent times is the Polycentric City.

Recent metropolitan strategic planning in Sydney has promoted the role of the ‘Regional Cities’ of Penrith, Parramatta and Liverpool as suitable for employment and residential growth, prompting the idea that Sydney is emerging as a polycentric city.

This thesis explores the development of Sydney as a polycentric city and identifies the challenges experienced, offering recommendations to promote the realisation of a polycentric Sydney. A thorough review of literature informs a critical evaluation of past metropolitan strategies within the context of polycentric urban planning. The experience of Penrith following identification as a Regional City is used as a case study to examine the effectiveness of planning initiatives in delivering polycentric city form. In depth interviews with local and state government planners as well as industry professionals were undertaken to inform discussion of the challenges to achieve polycentrism for Sydney. While the research findings contribute specifically to planning for polycentricity they also offer recommendations for metropolitan strategic planning in a more general sense.

“ RECENT METROPOLITAN STRATEGIC PLANNING IN SYDNEY HAS PROMOTED THE ROLE OF THE ‘REGIONAL CITIES’ OF PENRITH, PARRAMATTA AND LIVERPOOL ... PROMPTING THE IDEA THAT SYDNEY IS EMERGING AS A POLYCENTRIC CITY.”

32

Rachel Hodge “ WIND FARMS HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO PROVIDE AN ALTERNATIVE, RENEWABLE ENERGY SOLUTION TO HELP COMBAT THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT. RATHER THAN ACTING AS AN OBSTACLE, A MORE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE PLANNING SYSTEM CAN FACILITATE SUCH INITIATIVES. ”

Blowing in wind: Wind farms and the NSW planning system Wind farms have the potential to provide an alternative, renewable energy solution, which is not dependent on the burning of fossil fuels, to help combat the growing pressures relating to the greenhouse effect. Australia produces 85% of its electricity from the burning of coal, the most greenhouse intensive of all fuels, making Australia the highest per capita emitter of greenhouse gases in the world. Nationally, wind energy accounts for only 2.5% of Australia’s total energy consumption. In NSW the potential for expansion is apparent; however evidence suggests the planning system acts as an obstacle to the future growth of the wind farm industry. Through evidence gained from a series of indepth interviews with industry leaders, literature and policy reviews and a case study on an operating wind farm in NSW, it has become apparent that the planning system is operating in a manner that is not meeting the needs of the developer or the community in terms of timeframes, consistency, transparency and budget. This thesis makes recommendations based on both the current and future planning system, as proposed by the NSW Government, to improve the way the system deals with future wind farm developments.

34

Daniel Howard

On The Right Track: Investigating the Feasibility of Railway-based Airspace Developments in Sydney As Australian cities grow, attention is being turned towards the increase in density in our established centres which feature high quality public transport. There is strong interest and scope for governments to investigate developments in the underutilised airspace above rail lines. In New South Wales this move would extract the rail corridor’s potential worth, at a time in which maximising the transport assets of the State is essential. Rail airspace development maximises value capture, and can facilitate high quality Transit Oriented Development (TOD) and more mature and connected town centres, which reduce the dependence on car based built form. Better utilisation of key strategic public assets provides the opportunity for an income stream for rail operators, whilst removing a distinctive physical barrier from town centres and providing an increase in residential units and commercial floorspace around key hubs.

However there are distinct market drivers, physical limitations and policy barriers which may influence the development of railway airspace projects. This thesis explores the research on airspace TODs and devises recommendations to guide the future planning and implementation of these developments. Significantly, robust strategic planning and policy is required to realise the inherent value of underutilised railway airspace in future.

“ THERE IS STRONG INTEREST AND SCOPE FOR GOVERNMENTS TO INVESTIGATE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE UNDERUTILISED AIRSPACE ABOVE RAIL LINES. RAIL AIRSPACE DEVELOPMENT MAXIMISES VALUE CAPTURE, AND CAN FACILITATE HIGH QUALITY TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT (TOD).”

36

Sonia Jacenko “ PARRAMATTA WAS NOMINATED AS A MAJOR REGIONAL CENTRE DURING THE LATE 1960S… BUT WHAT HAS HAPPENED SINCE?”

Government involvement in planning and facilitating Parramatta’s emergence as Sydney’s second CBD Parramatta is the demographic and geographic centre of Sydney. However it only accounts for 2.2% of the city’s employment opportunities, forcing residents within Western Sydney to undertake a lengthy commute to the Sydney CBD. Sydney’s road and rail systems are reaching capacity, with the problems associated with a monocentric spatial form becoming more apparent as Sydney’s population continues to grow and the focus of employment remains on the Sydney CBD. This is not a sustainable growth model, and to secure a prosperous future alternative employment centres need to be firmly established. Parramatta was nominated as a major regional centre during the late 1960s due to its historical significance, centrality, and existing urban service footprint. But what has happened since?

Through document analysis and in-depth interviews, this thesis chronologically investigates and evaluates the strategic initiatives devised by the Federal, State and Local government to plan for Parramatta’s development as Sydney’s second CBD. The present state of Parramatta’s CBD is examined, and recommendations are made on the key strategic developments which must occur in the future for Parramatta to truly ascend into its nominated role.

This research is significant and timely because it will unveil the influence strategic planning frameworks and policies have in shaping a city’s spatial form.

38

Katerina Lianos

The role of Planning in the revitalisation process of underutilised spaces within the Sydney CBD Throughout the Sydney CBD there are pockets of underutilised space that are typically considered to be eye sores and hence deemed of little value. However, the neglected nature of these unconventional spaces presents an opportunity for renewal and revitalisation. This thesis examines the role of planning in the revitalisation process of underutilised spaces. It identifies what underutilised spaces are, why they are a problem, what initiatives the City of Sydney Council has employed to address these areas and whether these responses have been successful. These issues are explored through the framework of review of academic literature and Council’s initiatives, policies and planning responses. In addition, observations of existing underutilised spaces within the Sydney CBD and interviews with key stakeholders provide useful insights into the current context of the transformation process of forgotten spaces. A finding of this thesis is it identifies the importance of effective coordination and communication between various stakeholders. Additionally, it provides a series of recommendations which highlight ways in which the City of Sydney Council can improve its current revitalisation opportunities for underutilised spaces.

“ THIS THESIS EXAMINES THE ROLE OF PLANNING IN THE REVITALISATION PROCESS OF UNDERUTILISED SPACES. IT IDENTIFIES WHY THEY ARE A PROBLEM, AND INITIATIVES OF THE CITY OF SYDNEY COUNCIL TO ADDRESS THESE AREAS.”

40

Brendan Liew “ THE PLANNING ASSESSMENT COMMISSION HAS BECOME A SIGNIFICANT AUTHORITY FOR DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING MATTERS IN NSW. EFFICIENCY, INDEPENDENCE AND EXPERTISE ARE VITAL CHARACTERISTICS THAT THIS PANEL MUST EXHIBIT IN ORDER TO ENSURE IT IS AN EFFECTIVE PLANNING BODY.”

The Panelisation of Planning and the Planning Assessment Commission In the past few years, a significant number of planning reforms have reshaped planning systems across Australia. In New South Wales (NSW), a significant component of this change has revolved around the introduction and operation of various planning panels, an initiative shared by a number of other states in Australia.

This area of reform in NSW led to the establishment of the Planning Assessment Commission (PAC) in 2008, an independent statutory body. Since then, the PAC has grown to become a significant authority for development and planning matters in NSW. This thesis uses a case study of the Cronulla Sharks development to highlight the processes involved and the significance of the PAC’s function. The thesis also provides a critical analysis of the current role and function of the PAC gained from in-depth interviews with industry experts, and secondary sources including submissions to the NSW Planning System Review. Particularly, the research tests the PAC’s utilisation of a panel’s core benefits of efficiency, independence and expertise.

The thesis argues that there are a number of ways to further improve various aspects of the structure and operation of the PAC to ensure that it is both effective and appropriate to the planning system in NSW.

42

Yannan Ma

Study of traditional neighbourhood renewal and regeneration the case of Beijing siheyuan and hutong Nowadays, urbanisation in China is occurring at an unprecedented pace and is anticipated to continue over the next few decades. The renewal or regeneration of traditional neighbourhoods is happening at an unprecedented scale as well.

The strategies, visions, approach and implementation of this program often reflects the particular political, economic, social and cultural contexts of each development period. Moreover, urban renewal and redevelopment projects have also affected the life of a large number of urban residents. This thesis analyses the different approaches currently facing Chinese urban planning in the preservation and regeneration of traditional neighbourhoods in Beijing in an era of economic reform and the newly emerging land market. It aims to evaluate the achievements and problems of neighbourhood regeneration processes in old city Beijing. In addition, it also examines the conflict between modernisation and preservation in traditional neighbourhoods in Beijing – contradictions exacerbated by the traditional elements - the siheyuan and hutong. The research is based on both quantitative and qualitative data and information collected through literature and data review, fieldwork, household survey and individual interviews in the case study of neighbourhood Shichahai, in the inner city area of Beijing. The thesis concludes that in order to succeed in conservation, the function and process of planning in China must be reconsidered.

“ THIS THESIS ANALYSES THE DIFFERENT APPROACHES CURRENTLY FACING CHINESE URBAN PLANNING IN THE PRESERVATION AND REGENERATION OF TRADITIONAL NEIGHBOURHOODS IN BEIJING IN AN ERA OF ECONOMIC REFORM AND THE NEWLY EMERGING LAND MARKET.”

44

Ambrose Marquart

The implications of sustained urban consolidation policies: A brief history of the townhouse/villa and the changing face of suburban housing morphology Suburban Sydney has experienced rapid changes over the past few decades with traditional detached cottages being replaced by townhouse/villa complexes. This is a direct result of the NSW Government’s efforts to curtail urban expansion through the use of ‘infill’ housing policies and greenfield land supply restrictions. Typically the infill development process in Sydney’s outer suburbs involves the demolition of one or more existing detached dwellings (each on a large single lot) and replacement with townhouse or villa complexes of varying styles depending on demographics, existing local character and land value.

The homogenous nature of the resultant townhouse/villa developments can lead to massive environmental, social and economic shifts in ‘infill’ areas. To date minimal investigations have been conducted into the associated impacts. The thesis presents a history of townhouse/villa development, their current and future roles in meeting Greater Sydney’s housing needs and a critical examination of the environmental, social and economic impacts associated with this development type. This analysis is facilitated through a series of local resident surveys, interviews with relevant planning professionals and a comprehensive observational analysis of the Gosford City Council case study area. Evaluation of the research findings yields a useful tool for future policy development, while also revealing previously unexplored insights into an increasingly popular housing form.

“ THE HOMOGENOUS NATURE OF TOWNHOUSE/ VILLA DEVELOPMENTS CAN LEAD TO MASSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC SHIFTS IN ‘INFILL’ AREAS, WITH MINIMAL INVESTIGATIONS CONDUCTED TO DATE INTO THE ASSOCIATED IMPACTS.”

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Lungs of the suburb: Reinventing the pocket park

Stefanie Matosevic

Green spaces are undoubtedly an integral part of the built environment and are often described as the ‘lungs’ of a city. Through creative and flexible design, pocket parks are emerging in wasted urban spaces. This concept is explored further by examining the micro-scale feature of the internal reserve, a pocket park that is underutilised and forgotten. Internal reserves often have no specific function and have become a space that planners and designers are unable to manage productively. By investigating their past, examining their present state, and exploring ways to reinvent their future, this thesis explores ways to breathe new life into the internal pocket parks, with wider benefits proliferating throughout the community. On a broader level, the thesis explores global challenges facing planners, prompting a rethink of how we treat wasted space. Extensive theoretical and historical literature underpins this research, while interviews, participant observation and case studies explore the current state of these spaces. The study reveals that while local neighbourhoods recognise the value of these unique green spaces, a lack of understanding of their function and potential inhibits their effective utilisation. Through simple design measures, we can take advantage of the quiescent opportunities internal reserves present while addressing the future of wasted green space.

“ THIS THESIS EXPLORES WAYS TO BREATHE NEW LIFE INTO INTERNAL POCKET PARKS, WITH WIDER BENEFITS PROLIFERATING THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY.”

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Samantha Mitchell

Heritage Conservation: Recommendations for legislation and practice through a review of developer attitudes and experiences in Sydney The relationship between heritage conservation and development in Sydney has continued to evolve since the Australian green bans movement in the 1970’s. This resulted in an increase in government and community heritage consciousness, the enactment of the NSW Heritage Act 1977 and establishment of the NSW Heritage Council. Although vital to the conservation of Sydney’s historic environment, these actions caused divergence between heritage and development interests as the preservationist approach to development was perceived to be restrictive and financially onerous.

Developers’ attitudes and experiences concerning heritage conservation in Sydney have not been closely examined since the early 1990’s. Based on interviews and surveys with professionals from the heritage and development industries, this thesis examines the current attitudes and experiences of developers in relation to heritage conservation, while building on existing data from a comparable study in 1992. The thesis analyses developers’ opinions of heritage and the value of conservation, local and state government legislation, experiences in the approval process and financial issues. Furthermore, a comparative analysis with prior research identifies topical trends that have occurred over the past two decades. The research highlights the value of adaptive reuse development, reveals the need to encourage interdisciplinary collaboration and argues for a review of legislation and practice, to achieve better outcomes for both developer and heritage groups.

“ BASED ON INTERVIEWS AND SURVEYS WITH PROFESSIONALS FROM THE HERITAGE AND DEVELOPMENT INDUSTRIES, THIS THESIS EXAMINES THE CURRENT ATTITUDES AND EXPERIENCES OF DEVELOPERS IN RELATION TO HERITAGE CONSERVATION, WHILE BUILDING ON EXISTING DATA FROM A COMPARABLE STUDY IN 1992.”

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Lucinda Molloy

Evaluating the role of Health Impact Assessment in the decision-making process for urban renewal Urban renewal programs aimed at improving the physical and social conditions in disadvantaged communities represent one approach to tackling inequalities in population health. Housing policy in Australia has seen a shift to large-scale social housing renewal, often focused on issues of social exclusion and social mix. Generally there are often long-term population health and wellbeing benefits associated with urban renewal projects. However, during the construction and relocation phases there are issues associated with the significant disruption of daily lives, with adverse impacts on mental health, social networks and access to services. This thesis argues that health impact assessments (HIAs) add value to the planning and decision-making process associated with masterplanning for social housing renewal, acting as a practical mechanism for promoting improved health outcomes and assessing health inequalities in disadvantaged communities.

This thesis draws on a wide range of literature, and a case study, to evaluate the role of HIA in the urban renewal decisionmaking process. It analyses the range and extent of impacts achieved by HIA, including capacity building, inter-sectoral learning, and contribution to healthy planning policy. It assesses the strategic link between HIA and the broader planning and urban policy agenda in NSW, and reflects on the overall value and worth of HIA to the planning decision-making process associated with urban renewal.

“ HEALTH IMPACT ASSESSMENT ADDS VALUE TO THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS ASSOCIATED WITH MASTERPLANNING FOR URBAN RENEWAL, ACTING AS A PRACTICAL MECHANISM FOR PROMOTING IMPROVED HEALTH OUTCOMES AND ASSESSING HEALTH INEQUALITIES IN DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES.”

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Planning and Tourism in the Snowy Mountains Region

Eric Mu

The Snowy Mountains region in NSW showcases one end of Australia’s varied climate and terrain. At the heart of this alpine region lies the national heritage listed, Kosciuszko National Park. Tourism is an important industry in Australia and is the main industry within the Snowy Mountains region, with the ski resorts being the major drawcard. In 2005, Australian ski fields contributed $1.3 Billion to the GNP and over 12,739 annual equivalent jobs during winter. However, the ski industry faces many threats such as fierce competition from overseas and climate change. This thesis looks at the role of planning in tourism for the Snowy Mountains Region and how planning facilitates it. The ski industry plays a vital part in the local economy, such as the survivability of nearby towns such as Jindabyne and Cooma. This thesis highlights how key stakeholders in the region must work together to plan, innovate and diversify, to help prevent the demise of the ski fields and local towns. Planning plays a leading role in facilitating these changes, with delicate tourism management balancing the needs of the environment against the economic and social wants of the region.

“ KEY STAKEHOLDERS IN THE SNOWY MOUNTAINS REGION MUST WORK TOGETHER TO PLAN, INNOVATE AND DIVERSIFY, TO HELP PREVENT THE DEMISE OF THE SKI FIELDS AND LOCAL TOWNS.”

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Aaron Nangle “ THERE IS A NEED TO PROVIDE CIVIC SPACES WHICH RECOGNISE THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE AND PROVIDE FOR MANIFEST AND LATENT FUNCTIONS WHILE CONTRIBUTING TO THE SOCIAL LIFE OF THE CITY.”

Human habitats: Understanding function and opportunity in Sydney’s urban public realm Planning for public space should recognise its human element and the importance of social life in the city. This significance of public space is underpinned by current global conditions as well as demographic changes such the rise of the single person household, which contribute to social isolation and depression. There is a need to provide civic spaces which recognise the needs of people and provide for manifest and latent functions while contributing to the social life of the city. This thesis explores a better understanding of the function of public space and how it can assist in providing better human habitats – settings that provide opportunities for a multitude of functional, recreational and social activities which ultimately lead to more vibrant cities. It draws on a wide literature base, establishing a set of common principles which are explored throughout the research.

The thesis employs participant observation to study activity and function, as well as questionnaires and in-depth interviews to reveal user and practitioner attitudes.

It reinforces the idea that a functional understanding of human behaviour and the opportunities provided for people to engage in urban environments can allow planners and designers to better plan and manage public space. Finally, the thesis establishes recommendations for the future planning and management of urban public space.

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Private sector involvement in Sydney’s rail network – The new way forward?

Michelle Niles

The 1980s and 1990s saw an increase in the number of public private partnerships, in its various forms, entered into by governments worldwide. Australia was not immune to this policy tool; amongst the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) member countries between 1990 and 1997 Australia had the second largest privatisation program coming second to the United Kingdom.

More recently, the spotlight has been placed back on public private partnerships in New South Wales with the privatisation of the previously state government-run Sydney Ferries and the planned private operation of the proposed North West Rail Link. As a number of case studies demonstrate, if entered into with false expectations and promises, public private partnerships can lead to budgetary blow outs which are not offset by either increased efficiency or passenger numbers. Through the study of local, interstate and international case studies and a wide range of scholarly and government literature combined with stakeholder interviews, this thesis discusses what role, if any, the private sector should play in the operation and management of Sydney’s commuter heavy rail network.

“ IF ENTERED INTO WITH FALSE EXPECTATIONS AND PROMISES ... PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS CAN LEAD TO BUDGETARY BLOW OUTS WHICH ARE NOT OFFSET BY EITHER INCREASED EFFICIENCY OR PASSENGER NUMBERS.”

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Michael Oliveiro

Fairfield under stress: Considerations for developing a local affordable housing framework While housing affordability is a major issue affecting the nation, the impacts may be manifested differently at the local level in response to distinct housing sub-markets shaped by locally specific phenomena. When studying Sydney’s housing affordability it becomes apparent that some areas are more affordable than others. Fairfield City Council has been identified as an affordable local government area (LGA), with both housing prices and rental payments well below the median average for the Sydney region. However, despite this apparent positive picture, research into housing affordability within Fairfield LGA presents a very different and significant scenario. This research shows that over half of households purchasing a house experience mortgage stress and over half of the low income households within the private rental market experience rental stress. Consequently, this more detailed local analysis of the Fairfield LGA reveals that it is actually one of the more unaffordable markets in Sydney. It is for this reason that this thesis examines the factors required to develop a local affordable housing framework for the Fairfield LGA. Quantitative housing affordability data specific to Fairfield is utilised to address this problem, and is supplemented by a qualitative analysis of affordable housing development experiences within the area.

Finally, appropriate recommendations are applied to a local affordable housing framework for the Fairfield LGA.

“ IN FAIRFIELD OVER HALF OF HOUSEHOLDS PURCHASING A HOUSE EXPERIENCE MORTGAGE STRESS AND OVER HALF OF THE LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS WITHIN THE PRIVATE RENTAL MARKET EXPERIENCE RENTAL STRESS.”

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Off the Grid - cogeneration and trigeneration in Sydney

Michael Oliver

Traditional methods of electricity generation and distribution in NSW are carbon intensive, expensive and inefficient, and developers and local governments in Sydney are increasingly looking at ways to disconnect from the grid to deliver greener buildings to meet market demand and regulatory requirements. Gasfuelled Combined Heat and Power (CHP) technologies such as cogeneration and trigeneration offer substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and can provide a competitive financial return to investors.

CHP is not a new concept in energy production and has been successfully implemented in the US, Europe and the Middle East, however its adoption in Australia has been ad-hoc in the face of local technical, regulatory and feasibility barriers. Whilst CHP offers environmental and economic benefits compared to the status quo, the significant physical infrastructure and financial investments required to rollout this technology on any notable scale create an inherent risk of system lock-in, whereby future cleaner and cheaper energy technologies are unable to compete against the entrenched fossilfuel based technology. Through critical analysis of the costs and benefits of CHP, this thesis considers the implications for Sydney’s urban environment in the face of new micro-generation and precinct-scale developments such as the City of Sydney’s proposed 477MW of trigeneration capacity.

“ COMBINED HEAT AND POWER (CHP) TECHNOLOGIES SUCH AS COGENERATION AND TRIGENERATION OFFER SUBSTANTIAL REDUCTIONS IN GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS AND CAN PROVIDE A COMPETITIVE FINANCIAL RETURN TO INVESTORS.”

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Blockages in the System: The growth of Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD)

Sophie Olsen

Throughout history, water has been manipulated by humanity to satisfy its needs for survival, development and progress.

Urbanisation, industrialisation and the resultant expansion of impervious surfaces have altered the discharge volumes, quality and flow rates of urban runoff, irreversibly impacting the natural aquatic environment.

In an attempt to stall the rapid decline in the health of urban waterways, there has been a paradigm shift in the way urban water sources are managed. This has been particularly evidenced in the growing support for Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) and integrated water management systems which seek to improve water quality and reduce demand for potable supplies.

In Sydney, whilst approximately one third of local councils have endorsed development control plans and policies relating to WSUD, the implementation of this environmentally valuable concept is yet to become common practice. The thesis examines the known barriers to the implementation of WSUD. This is achieved through an exploration of the existing statutory context and a case study comparison of developments where WSUD has been imposed by local council and projects where the developer has voluntarily incorporated WSUD treatment systems. The paper concludes with a number of recommendations relating to future opportunities for capacity building and regulatory changes in order to ensure this environmentally valuable concept is more widely incorporated into future urban development.

“ IN SYDNEY, WHILST APPROXIMATELY ONE THIRD OF LOCAL COUNCILS HAVE ENDORSED DEVELOPMENT CONTROL PLANS AND POLICIES RELATING TO WSUD, THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS ENVIRONMENTALLY VALUABLE CONCEPT IS YET TO BECOME COMMON PRACTICE.”

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Matthew Riley “ THE TIMELY IMPLEMENTATION AND DELIVERY OF STANDARD INSTRUMENT LEPS HAS NOT COME TO FRUITION, AS LOCAL COUNCILS STRUGGLE TO ADAPT TO THE PRESCRIPTIVE NATURE OF THE TEMPLATE.”

Keep It Simple: A Critical Analysis of the Standard Instrument LEP Local Environmental Plans are the primary tool for shaping the built environment in NSW but have been perceived as an obstruction to certainty and transparency in the development process. A standardised ‘template’ for LEPs - the Standard Instrument LEP - was introduced to deregulate local land use planning in an attempt to achieve increased certainty, efficiency, competition and economic growth. It is one of many reforms implemented in NSW over the last decade that exhibits a neoliberal, market-orientated agenda. This thesis has utilised both qualitative and quantitative methods to explore and critique the role of the LEP reform program, its effectiveness, and mechanisms for implementation and delivery. Whilst the template does achieve greater simplicity, it continues to be rolled out at the cost of flexibility. Consequently, the deregulatory nature of the template can be criticised for inadequately addressing local concerns and circumstances. The timely implementation and delivery of Standard Instrument LEPs has not come to fruition, as local councils struggle to adapt to the prescriptive nature of the template. Evolving government agenda and proposed amendments to the template have compromised its integrity, threatening to reintroduce complexity and undermine its role. The primary aim of this thesis is to outline recommendations in this regard, with particular consideration afforded to the role and implementation of future standard templates.

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Urban Planning for Equitable Food Landscapes: an in-depth case study

Emily Salvisberg

Although a nutritious diet is an essential component for health and well-being, the accessibility of nutritious foods is becoming increasingly difficult. More and more Australians experience food insecurity, with escalating living costs often consigning purchases of fresh fruits and vegetables to discretionary expenditure.

Food landscape studies worldwide provide evidence to support the links between areas characterised by low-socio economic status, a high prevalence of chronic disease and limited accessibility to affordable nutritious foods. The Green Papers released this year to inform the development of a National Food Plan and to review the NSW Planning System, provide an ideal climate for urban planning to review its role in the food system. Urban planners are well placed to provide and protect land uses that are conducive to healthy eating behaviours, assisting access to affordable foods. This thesis examines food landscapes in two Local Government Areas in Greater Western Sydney that experience socio-economic disadvantage. A mixed-methods approach was adopted to identify a broad range of challenges to accessing fresh fruits and vegetables. This thesis concludes by identifying how urban planning can better address the most food insecure, thereby supporting better population health.

“ FOOD LANDSCAPE STUDIES WORLDWIDE PROVIDE EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THE LINKS BETWEEN AREAS CHARACTERISED BY LOWSOCIO ECONOMIC STATUS, A HIGH PREVALENCE OF CHRONIC DISEASE AND LIMITED ACCESSIBILITY TO AFFORDABLE NUTRITIOUS FOODS.”

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Regulating Urban Design: A comparative study of knockdown rebuild

Laura Schmahmann

Knockdown rebuild (KDR), the replacement of an ageing single detached dwelling by a much larger two storey dwelling, is changing the face of middle-ring suburbs in Sydney. This thesis studies the cumulative impact of KDR on the character of these suburbs from a policy perspective, drawing on the relationship between regulation and the streetscape. Central to this issue is a debate as to whether urban design outcomes of KDR activity should be more closely controlled by regulation or be shaped more autonomously by market forces. Two case studies are considered – Boulder, Colorado, and Ku-ring-gai in Sydney. Boulder City Council introduced a number of policy tools in response to community concerns about the impact of KDR activity on the character of neighbourhoods in Boulder. Comparatively, KDR is not considered a major threat to the character of Ku-ring-gai by residents who are preoccupied with concerns about the impact of multi-storey apartment blocks. A comparative analysis of these case studies in relation to power, freedom, justice and aesthetic problems highlights an inherent fear of change within both these activist communities. There is a need for simple and clear regulation to facilitate development that better complements the existing character of an area; however the discretionary nature of urban design makes it difficult for regulation to maintain clarity.

“ THERE IS A NEED FOR SIMPLE AND CLEAR REGULATION TO FACILITATE DEVELOPMENT THAT BETTER COMPLEMENTS THE EXISTING CHARACTER OF AN AREA; HOWEVER THE DISCRETIONARY NATURE OF URBAN DESIGN MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR REGULATION TO MAINTAIN CLARITY.”

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Farmers’ Markets: An opportunity for placemaking

Sohini Sen

The increasing number of farmers’ markets in urban areas over the last few decades can be attributed to the rise of the slow food movement and a growing public interest in the return to fresh and local produce. This in turn has been driven by a growing concern in food security and consumption. Similarly, there has been an increasing emphasis on creating urban spaces that are “places”, with the concept of “placemaking” being implemented in planning practice to revitalise communities.

Research centred on farmers markets in the UK and across the USA reveals the impact of these markets on agricultural sustainability, local food production and economies, civic revitalization, social interaction and placemaking. This thesis explores how farmers’ markets contribute to a sense of place by providing opportunities for placemaking within a local community, and how farmers’ markets can be better facilitated within the New South Wales planning system. A combination of a checklist audit of farmers’ markets in the Sydney Metropolitan Area, surveys of market visitors to two case study markets, and a number of in-depth interviews with market visitors, market managers and planners was undertaken for this thesis. The findings from the audit, surveys and interviews reveal how farmers’ markets can be used as an opportunity for placemaking and the value of farmers’ markets as a place.

“ FARMERS’ MARKETS CONTRIBUTE TO A SENSE OF PLACE, REVITALIZE AREAS, AND PROVIDE SETTINGS FOR SOCIAL INTERACTION, AND PRESENT AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PLANNERS TO CREATE PLACES FOR LOCAL COMMUNITIES.”

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Andrew Stacey

Roofs and Podiums: The unseen solutions to urban problems facing higher density living in Sydney More people are living in cities than ever before. Population densities around the world are on the rise, and the proportion of people living in major cities is increasing at a dramatic rate. This has consequently led to increases in air pollution, competition for open space, noise pollution, storm water run-off, and the urban heat island effect.

Green roofs and green podiums, as well as other rooftop / podium uses, have been successfully used by a number of cities to counter these problems. This thesis

examines the potential uses of rooftops and podiums, and the different benefits they provide. It looks at how the different uses of these spaces can be implemented across medium and high density areas within Sydney, and explores how these can act to mitigate a variety of urban problems facing the city. The global cities of New York and Singapore have both implemented a green roof program, as well as other urban solutions to city wide problems through rooftop and podium uses. This thesis investigates these cities as individual case studies, looking at the policy and legislation, the success and failures of both programs, and so identifies elements that Sydney might adopt.

“ GREEN ROOFS AND GREEN PODIUMS, AS WELL AS OTHER ROOFTOP / PODIUM USES, HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFULLY USED BY A NUMBER OF CITIES TO COUNTER A NUMBER OF URBAN PROBLEMS.”

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The impact of tourism on place identity: A case study of Bondi Beach

Alexandra Stathakis

Place identity considers the physical and psychological connections people make with a location. People travel to experience the culture and character of a place, seeking destinations based on preconceived ideas of the location. Visitor intentions are to interact with the local community and utilise the area’s infrastructure, facilities, and places of interest. As more people travel, places must become resilient in order to accommodate the influx of travelers. As a result of increased tourism, a place’s identity can be compromised when economic impacts of the tourism industry drive tourism-based development neglecting the local character. This thesis explores place identity, discussing the opportunities and challenges associated with areas that have a higher visitation rate of tourists. As there is a lack of research on the challenges of integrating tourism initiatives into local communities, the topic of place identity and impacts of tourism is timely. Specifically, this study looks at the influence of tourism on Bondi Beach and its local community. It investigates the changes that have occurred to Bondi’s identity in order to accommodate the increasing number of tourists visiting the area. The thesis concludes with recommendations to accommodate and integrate tourism within a local community whilst maintaining its original identity.

“ AS A RESULT OF INCREASED TOURISM, A PLACE’S IDENTITY CAN BE COMPROMISED WHEN ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF THE TOURISM INDUSTRY DRIVE TOURISM-BASED DEVELOPMENT NEGLECTING THE LOCAL CHARACTER.”

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Bryce Thornhill-Weedon “ THE HERITAGE ACT HAS PROGRESSED FROM BEING REACTIVE IN THE 1970’S TO PROACTIVE IN 1999 WITH THE STATE HERITAGE REGISTER. WITH A LISTINGS FOCUS FROM THE 2007 REVIEW, THE FUTURE MAY CENTRE UPON REFINING THE ASSESSMENT OF HERITAGE IN NSW.”

Heritage Stocktake: Contemporary examination of the 2007 Independent Expert Panel Review of the NSW Heritage Act Heritage conservation is a reflection of who we are and what we value as a community.

In NSW, identification and conservation of state significant heritage is undertaken through the Heritage Act 1977. Over the last 35 years, the Act has progressed from its 1970’s context of the Green Ban Movement, with a number of subsequent changes occurring relevant to a different time and climate. The Heritage Act has progressed from being reactive in the 1970’s to proactive in 1999 with creation of the State Heritage Register. Reforms are needed to adapt and move with the times to address, manage and conserve what needs to be conserved. This thesis examines the 2007 Independent Expert Panel Review of the Heritage Act in light of the current version of the Act as well as exploring potential future areas for heritage reform.

The study aims to achieve a stocktake of the current NSW heritage system from the 2007 Review report, its submissions and recommendations, by addressing the changes made from the Review to the present. In depth interviews with government agencies and relevant stakeholders aided comment on the Review whilst establishing the current and potential future position of heritage in NSW. With a listings focus from the 2007 Review, the future may centre upon refining the assessment of heritage in NSW.

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Walk the Walk: An Evaluation of Sydney Metropolitan Recreational Trials

Teille Whiteman

Recreational walking is a highly accessible and popular activity which supports healthy communities. A growing body of studies has identified that various perceived and objective factors in the built environment both support and encourage recreational walking. The importance of recreational walking has been recognised by the New South Wales State Government through policy and recreational trail infrastructure.

This thesis draws upon a wide body of literature to develop an environmental evaluation tool to assess perceived and objective factors which determine the walkability of recreational trails. The evaluation tool was used to examine existing regional recreational trails identified in the Sydney Metropolitan Regional Recreational Trails Framework. Thirty eight regional recreational trails totalling 195 kilometres in distance and of different classifications were evaluated using the tool. The majority of the trails support and encourage recreational walking. The main weakness found through the evaluation was a lack of legibility to connect the individual trails with the larger regional walking network established in the Framework. This study contributes to our knowledge of the quality of regional recreational trails in Sydney. Further, it provides a practical and tested evaluation tool which can be used by planners and landscape architects to assess other recreational trails.

“ RECREATIONAL WALKING IS A HIGHLY ACCESSIBLE AND POPULAR ACTIVITY WHICH SUPPORTS HEALTHY COMMUNITIES. THIS STUDY PROVIDES A REVIEW OF SYDNEY’S RECREATIONAL TRAILS AND A PRACTICAL EVALUATION TOOL WHICH CAN BE USED BY PLANNERS TO ASSESS RECREATIONAL TRAILS.”

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Jordan Widenstrom “ LOCAL GOVERNMENTS BEAR SIGNIFICANT RESPONSIBILITY IN COASTAL PLANNING APPROVING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN DEVELOPMENT EACH YEAR, TYPICALLY WITHOUT A DISTINCT LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK FOR CONSIDERING SEA LEVEL RISE IN THE ASSESSMENT PROCESS.”

A Wave of Change: The policy implications of sea level rise in New South Wales Sea level rise is of particular significance to governments and coastal communities given its predicted impacts and policy implications. Coastal areas face increasing risks from inundation, erosion and storm surges, all having ramifications for infrastructure, public and private assets, and biodiversity. Adaptive strategies to manage sea level rise have been developed under three broad categories: these being protection, accommodation and retreat. Their implementation in NSW however has proven challenging due to the current legislative framework. Local governments bear significant responsibility in coastal planning approving millions of dollars in development each year, typically without a distinct legislative framework for considering sea level rise in the assessment process. In this context, this thesis critically evaluates the existing coastal planning framework at the Commonwealth, State and local government level and draws upon a broad range of literature, international case studies and interviews to establish ‘best practice’ planning frameworks to manage the impacts of sea level rise.

Drawing on the research undertaken, recommendations are provided as to how the planning framework in NSW can be improved to better manage the impacts of sea level rise on coastal communities.

With the consensus of opinion that Coastal Zone Management Plans (CZMPs) are the most appropriate mechanism for local governments to address sea level rise, this thesis develops an Interim Sea Level Rise Adaptation Policy. This policy is a provisional measure which affords guidance on the consideration of sea level rise, in the interim, until an effective CZMP is implemented.

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Urban consolidation and the provision of open space for children and their families

Kaitlin Zieme

Children are society’s most precious asset.

To be able to reach their full potential they need the space and opportunity to physically, socially and mentally develop, through play. The provision of adequate infrastructure in cities is essential in facilitating play for the benefit of children and their families. As populations increase in cities around the world, major cities like Sydney have embraced policies to facilitate urban consolidation. The process of urban consolidation has often ignored the implications of the growing number children living in medium to high density developments, disregarding their needs for play, for example, by providing poorly designed or inaccessible open spaces. This thesis examines two urban consolidation developments in the urban renewal area of Green Square, Sydney through case study analysis. These case studies represent developments completed over the past fifteen years, allowing the research to examine how the provision of open spaces has changed in recent years. The key themes explored in each of the case studies include: the balance between housing and play, urban consolidation and open spaces, and the needs of children. This thesis aims to demonstrate best practice for the creation and integration of quality and accessible open spaces, aiming to ensure that future developments meet children’s needs both now and in the future.

“ URBAN CONSOLIDATION HAS OFTEN IGNORED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE GROWING NUMBER CHILDREN LIVING IN MEDIUM TO HIGH DENSITY DEVELOPMENTS, DISREGARDING THEIR NEEDS FOR PLAY BY PROVIDING POORLY DESIGNED OR INACCESSIBLE OPEN SPACES.”

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Staff of the Planning and Urban Development Program

In 2012 the full time academics in the Bachelor of Planning Program are:

Program Head

Program Staff

Peter Williams Senior Lecturer BSc UNSW, BLegS MEnvPlan Macq., MPubPol UNE, MPIA

Robert Freestone Professor BSc UNSW, MA Minn, PhD Macq., FPIA

Hoon Han Senior Lecturer BArch MU, MPlan UQ, PhD UQ, AAPI

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Susan Thompson Associate Professor BA DipEd Macq., MTCP PhD Syd., MPIA, CPP

Simon Pinnegar Associate Professor BA Oxford, MSc Keele, MA Carleton, PhD UCL

Bruno Parolin Senior Lecturer BA Monash, MSc Oklahoma State, PhD Ohio State

Christine Steinmetz Lecturer BA Arizona, MScEd Edinburgh, PhD UNSW

In 2012 principal administrative assistance and support for the Planning Program has been provided by Lisette Araujo.

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Alumni Profile

At high school I really enjoyed geography and was especially interested in learning about cities and the way urban dwellers interact with each other. I was also interested in heritage and the conservation of old buildings and sites around Sydney. I wasn’t really sure that a degree existed that would allow me to develop my interests into a career, but I came across the Bachelor of Planning degree at UNSW and it seemed like a perfect fit. The degree really appealed to me as there was a good balance of core subjects as well as electives that I could take. The fact the degree is accredited by the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) was important to me as I want to work overseas in the future and will need qualifications that are recognised internationally.

I was fortunate enough to undertake my work experience at the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust and had the opportunity to assess development applications for some really exciting and unique projects, such as the conservation of convict structures on Cockatoo Island, the adaptive reuse of old hospital buildings into offices at Georges Heights and television shows at North Head.

I stayed working as a planner with the Trust after I graduated but have since returned to UNSW to complete a PhD in the Faculty of the Built Environment. In 2010 I started teaching in the BPlan degree and I am now the course-coordinator and lecturer for two first year planning subjects. I enjoy teaching immensely and love having the opportunity to work with so many young planners right at the beginning of their careers. This year my first-year students worked with Mosman Council to develop new ideas to revitalise the Spit Junction retail area. Both BE and Mosman Council were thrilled to see so many unique and innovative ideas coming from such young planners.

I can’t wait to see what my students will create when they graduate in a few years!

Laura Goh BPlan 2010 PHD student at UNSW BE and Lecturer in Planning at UNSW BE

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“I ENJOY TEACHING IMMENSELY...

HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH SO MANY YOUNG PLANNERS, RIGHT AT THE BEGINNING OF THEIR CAREERS.”

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Supporters

BUILT ENVIRONMENT AND ITS 2012 GRADUATING STUDENTS THANK LUMINOCITY’S SUPPORTERS FOR THEIR GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS. Lead Supporter

Major Supporters

Supporters

Built Environment Alumni

Event Partners

Architectural Computing Supporters

89 Throughout this event and graduating student exhibition, I encourage the thought leadership and vigorous debate that is required to deliver on the vision that LuminoCITY seeks to achieve.

Knowledge knows no boundaries and it is our universities and their students that provide a mechanism to allow communities to grow and prosper through improved solutions, products and services. Continued knowledge investment in our universities is vital to equip society to creatively respond to challenges that are impacting all our lives at an ever increasing rate.

Anticipating the thought provoking research and exhibitions of all the contributors, but in particular that of the graduating class, I would like to congratulate all participants who will undoubtedly assist in shaping the cities of tomorrow.

Lend Lease looks forward to the continued relationship with UNSW Built Environment and LuminoCITY to create new ideas that deliver our vision in delivering the best places.

Murray Coleman OAM Managing Director, Australia Project Management and Construction Lend Lease

Message from Lend Lease

Lend Lease is proud to continue its longtime relationship with UNSW Faculty of Built Environment through the sponsorship of LuminoCITY. In creating an event like this, the Faculty delivers a forum to challenge the boundaries of the modern landscape and allows our leaders of the future to showcase how 21st century communities can live sustainably and meet the demands of the modern world.

Lend Lease’s aspiration to be a sustainable organisation and an industry leader means we constantly search for ideas that will help us to deliver the improved social, environmental and economic performance of our businesses and of our industry more broadly.

In sponsoring LuminoCITY, we are supporting the Faculty of the Built Environment to achieve their vision to create a forum to imagine, test and debate ideas about the 21st century city.

Faculty of Built Environment The University of New South Wales Online be.unsw.edu.au Phone +61 2 9385 4799 Email fbe@unsw.edu.au