Planning framework in local level

This week we look at how the planning operate at local level. The planning framework relate to many branch facets, for example development codes and regulations. Mr. Hamish Sinclair introduced how and why we made regulation. The benefits of regulations are control zoning and land using etc. Also Mr.Hamish Sinclair talk about the ACT planning framework for us. 

(from week 4 lecture notes)

Development Code was a tool for planners to regulate and plan a city. Codes are a method of regulating development to achieve a specific urban form. codes place an emphasis on the relationship between the street and buildings, pedestrian and vehicles, public and private spaces, and the relationship between multiple buildings, a block, a neighborhood and transitions in scale. 

One important thing is how can we take experience from past decades and foresee the future city development issues to prevent and improve it.

Application of Technology to Planning

GIS has emerged as an efficient tool in planning, moitoring and managing of urban issues and activities where large scale digital base maps plays a significant roll in providing the graphical base to GIS

There are two core data types to the GIS:
-Raster data: The raster data model is often used for physical and biological subsystems of the geosphere such as elevation, temperature, water flow, or vegetation. The raster data model was designed with a focus on analysis, modeling and image processing
-Vector data: Vector data model is used to represent areas, lines and points. Vector data are most efficient for described by lines with simple geometry, such as roads,  property boundaries etc.

On the basis, use of GIS in urban planning the following basic activities are recommended for wider adoption:
-Preparation of existing land-use map
-Land suitability analysis base on physical, environment etc. to guide the selection process for opening the land for urban development
-Accessibility analysis for proposed major development project like airport, growth centre etc.

International Experiences and Implications for Australia

France
In the France, the idea that the city of the future should be compact, so as to make an efficient use of resources, specially land and energy. The most public transport is a new fully automatized railway around the city of Pairs, called Arc Express. Most cities are moving towards more "ecological" public transport systems, for example buses running on biofuel or batteries, and even obliging people to use them by restricting using of private vehicles.

(http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/12/26/1198345057327.html)

Germany
Schwerin is the capital and second largest city of the north Germany, with a population around 10 0000. Schwerin has 4 tram lines and 16 bus route, public transport is first choice for Schwerin people. Because the German federal government more than doubled gasoline taxes between 1990 to 2007. Local cities and regions in Germany have introduced measures like car-free pedestrian zones, limited car parking, and high parking fees to nudge people out of private car.

In my opining, Australia should rise gasoline taxes even car taxes as well. In Austrlia, car was very cheap anyone can bought it, that will increase carbon emission. Australia's emissions of carbon dioxide during te past 25 years have risen at almost twice the world average rate. Road transport was the main source of transport emissions in 2007, accounting for 68.5Mt CO2 or 11.5% of national emissions. Passenger cars were the largest transport source, contributing 41.9 Mt CO2.

(http://www.panoramio.com/photo/19616321)

Phnom Penh
The traffic jam is really a big problem for Phnom Penh, since most roads are not available for more expansion, whereas the population of city keeps increasing along with the purchasing of more motors and cars for their own travels since public transportations are not yet available.

(http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-photo/mcmactravels/1/1254935277/traffic-in-phnom-penh-1.jpg/tpod.html)

I have find some ways to change this situation:
-Road expansion
-All pwer cables to go underground to clear the airspace for high-rise buildings or future skytrain
-Create a decent inner city public transport services, too many those bike and tricylce that don't follow traffic rules are too dangerous
-Traffic lane function division,such as bus lane, bicycle lane

Batemans Bay

Batemans Bay is closest coast for Canberra, making Batemans Bay a popular place for Canberra's resident spend their holiday. There are some issues facing Batemans Bay:
-Insufficient housing and bussiness accommodation choice
-Insufficient pedenstrain infrastructure
-Low population of young people
-Tourist from other city but they don't pay tax
-Climate change rising sea level
-Aging population health care
-Low economic vitality (53.8% low income people(less than $400per week),8.4% high income people($1000per week))

(http://www.batemansbaymarina.com.au/proposal+overview.aspx)

In my though:
-Set highway toll station on Kings Highway
-Raise tax during holiday
-Government could attract investment and provide more full time jobs to stimulate local economic development to holding you families stay
-For long-term, improvenment public transport reduce carbon emission, make plans to relocate homes and business away from the shore, and establish protective buffers of vegetation to prevent or moderate the effect of storm surge in the future

(http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/christmas-fatality-20111224-1uvo1.html)

Another problem I interest in was Kings Highway safety issue. Speeding, dangerous overtaking, and poor road design and conditions are among issues which ACT and NSW government must to facing. Some people thought reduced speed and speed cameras are not the solution for long-term, so how to slve this problem in long-term we should think about it.

Molonglo Valley

Molonglo Valley is located in inner Canberra, between Mount Stromlo and Black Mountain.

(http://www.molonglovalley.com.au/overview/)

The Molonglo Valley construction into 3 stages:

Stage 1-Coombs and Wright concept plan

            -Wright Estate Development Plan has been lodged

            -Coombs Wright Estate Development Plan currently being prepared

Stage 2-Detailed planning, environmental and engineering studies have commenced

            -Design of Molonglo Valley Stage 2 will need to consider relevant objectives for discharge of peak flows into the Molonglo River

Also Stage 2 of urban develpment at Molonglo Valley include: transport, stormwater management, infrstructure issues.

                            (http://the-riotact.com/molonglo-planning-forum-this-thursday/40945)

One thing I have expect is until 2030 the rapid bus network will doubling of bus use percentage. Important new links from Molonglo Valley to Belconnen, City and Woden, and probably  will build a bus interchange in Molonglo Valley group centre. That means the bus will more frequent than now and traffic become more convenient. It is really helpful for people choose public transport toreduce carbon pollution for Canberra. Also one challenge for planner was the pink tailed worm lizard, how can we live together with wild life is a problem for our to thinking, protect wild life or continue urban sprawl?

Docklands, Melbourne

in the past decades, the Victoria Dock region is virtually abandoned due to its marshland site condition. However in 1990 something big was under-planning so as to reform the whole area, and just one year later, Docklands Authority Act 1991 has successfully passed by Victorian Parliament. Nowadays, Melbourne Docklands as one of the most famous places is under its way to change the face of the CBD and enhance of the Melbourne’s connection with its waterfront. 
(http://www.docklandsailingschool.com.au/the_docklands.html)

Creativity and vitality: 

The multifarious arts, talent, and culture provide identity and character of Docklands. According to (VicUrban, 2010), approximately $20 million has been invested in public art, and there are more than 35 artworks and promenades or built into its architecture and landscape. In addition, Docklands has a number of sites and structure of heritage significance, such as the Queen’s Warehouse, The railway Goods Shed No.2, etc. All the character and identity make the Melbourne Docklands unique all over the world.

Community wellbeing:

Docklands has good access to the metropolitan and regional road network. The masterpiece of Docklands created with safe and accessible public spaces and opportunities for social interaction. (VicUrban, 2010) states that, a sophisticated public transport system has been carried out locally, including tram, bus, taxi, bicycle network and facilities. All existing residential dwellings are located within 400 meters of either a tram or bus stop and within 800 meters radius of Southern Cross station. On the other hand, in compliance with the increasing vehicle population, Docklands provides adequate parking spaces for the residents, workers as well as visitors. According to (VicUrban, 2010), there are an estimated 14600 permanent car park spaces either existing or under construction at Docklands. Besides, there are bunch of existing and planned community infrastructure at Docklands to bring community wellbeing such as Hub@Docklands, family and children’s service Hub, Kangan Batman TAFE, YMCA Gym, Community meeting space, community health, places of worship and spirituality and so on and so forth. (Coomes Consulting, 2008) The convenient and omniform of this piece of land really bring a benefit to the whole society. 

(http://www.docklandsmelbourne.com.au/docklands_map.htm)

Noise issue in Docklands railyard:

The noise of railyards across Footscary Road is drawing eyeballs from committee of NewQuay residents. The yards are used under long-term lease as a major steel distribution center, operated by Pacific National and Bluescope Steel. Steel from various production mills is shipped in by rail and offloaded onto road transport. Unfortunately the noise was not taken into account in the Docklands redevelopment planning, therefore noise arose from moving of steel sections would certainly be an issue for the local residents as well as local pollution, and it need to be tackled down as soon as possible.

Local Planning in Victoria

Melbourne is a shining light in urban design. Melbourne investing in public spaces of these elements: waterways, built form, street patterns, public transport, parks.

Water ways: Yarra River is main river run through Melbourne city. They using art to dress up the waterfront, and set up public space at waterfront. During the years,Yarra River has been changed.The challenge for Melbourne planners was the harbour has move down river and the area has been build as a mixed used area.

(http://www.aila.org.au/victoria/awards2004/awards2004list.htm)

Built form: Melbourne got very clear structure, and keep own distinct character (architecture)

The Central City is now a rich and diverse area with variety in built form, it is this diversity which makes the Central City unique. 

(http://www.wherewasitshot.com/2010/10/07/webb-bridge-docklands-melbourne/)

Street patterns: Melbourne is a city of public space. In Melbourne around 80% public area made by street, design a good street is design a good city. Current planning policy forces a choice between public space and development. They still adding disability access, bicycle access, trees footpath, and other facilities. Good design embodies all facets of sustainability combining natural and physical environment in a harmonious and functional way, promoting positive equity, and minimising effect on the environment

Canberra could learn some positive aspects from Melbourne's experience. For example, Melbourne have a good street and building design. But most of Canberra's building doesn't have characteristic. Also Canberra's waterfront design is not desirable, waterfront should be a mixed use area. Such as some cafe, shops,pub, restaurants, park even some activities and event. We can find more social value and economic value from the waterfront. We should improve the design quanlity, high quality architecture for private, public, and commercial uses should be adopted which displays harmony with out uniformity, and is on a human scale.