Urban Regional Planning in Australia Can Make a Difference in our Cities and Regions - Case Study Example

Urban Regional Planning in Australia Can Make a Difference in our Cities and Regions Name: Lecturer: Course: Date: Urban Regional Planning in Australia Can Make a Difference in our Cities and Regions Introduction The concept of planning has been invariably used to refer to the creation, content and implementation of public policies relating to the effective use of space. The aspects of planning therefore include a combination of public policies that affect the regional and urban land use, zoning and development. Hence, it should encompass the national, regional and urban spatial policies undertaken directly or indirectly under the oversight of the modern state (Yiftachel 1998). Oludarem (2011) pointed out that urban and regional planning consists of making a general plan that sums up the land development objectives, planning for public transportation and traffic flow, subdivision and zoning that specify permissible land use, laying out strategies for economic restore depression rural and urban areas, laying out strategies for supporting action to help the less privileged social groups and lastly, setting out the guidelines for preservation of protection of resources. Basing on these perspectives, it is critical to argue that urban planning can make differences to the Australian cities. Australia is among the world’s most urbanised societies globally. The country’s population growth has continued to pile pressure on the current infrastructure, such as water, transport air and energy systems in the major cities and regionally. The adverse effects of climate change have also signalled the need for effective urban and regional planning in the country. Sustainable urban and regional development Urban and regional planning in Australia can be integral in ensuring the sustainability of cities at present and in future (Envac 2013). Effective regional planning is also critical. Since the transportation, economic and land use patterns have progressed over the last decades, the Australian metropolitan areas have become increasingly populated (Steele 2009). Past and current trends in the growth of energy systems, emission from transportation, urban development, waste management and adverse weather events, such as flooding and heat waves have indicated the significance of urban and regional planning. Essentially, these have underscored the need to have an increased focus on sustainability in Australian cities and regions. The Australian Bureau of Statistic s estimated the Australian population to increase by 60 percent, peak at 35 million by 2056. Most of the population will live in capital cities. This implies that 85 percent of the entire population live in urban areas. As a result, energy usage, transport emission and urban development underscore the need for specialised focus on ensuring sustainable urban places (Envac 2013). Current studies show that improvement in energy, waste and water conservation are at the centre stage of planning for urban sustainability in the city. In addition, environmental conservation and protection are of fundamental significance to the Australian government. Studies have showed that transport emissions generate the highest rates of emissions in Australian cities (per capita carbon dioxide equivalent emissions of 26.54 tonnes) (Dodman 2009). Glover (2010) argues that this has resulted from the consequences of distance separating many land uses in addition to the low density form of most Australian metropolitan areas. Use of private transport has increased significantly, increasing the level of congestion and problems with the quality of urban air. For instance, in 2004, the cost of congestion in Australian economy was approximated at $9.4 billion with projection showing that the rise could reach more than $20 billion by 2020, unless effective urban and regional planning interventions are adopted (Envac 2013). Studies have indicated that while the amount of key pollutants in the cities has plummeted over the last decade, ozone levels and air pollution still exceed the national air quality standards. Further, the recycling of wastes has increased national relative to increase in the waste generation. These have piled pressure on the government to plan for landfills as well as set aside waste management facilities in the cities (Envac 2013). In Australian urban and regional planning, essential aspects of sustainable housing such as encouraging mixed use development, raising density and promoting transit-oriented development to increased use of public transport have been increasingly adopted as policy response to contemporary challenges in Australian cities. For instance, sustainable building codes, including New South Wales’ BASIX and Victoria’s Green Star rating sustainable assessment tool have found application in New South Wales and parts of Victoria to improve water and energy conservation at the individual house level. In addition, The City of Salisbury has been at the fore of promoting sustainability through city planning by implementing the “City Plan 2020 – Sustainable Future” strategic plan. Urban planners in the City of Salisbury have focused on ensuring liveable and sustainable urban buildings that are connected to efficient transport networks that provide expedient access to recreational facilities and employment lands (City of Salisbury 2013). Proper planning is critical for sustainable development of human environment. Hence, there is a need for sufficient and future-oriented planning (Glover 2010). Urban renewal and consolidation Urban and regional planning can change the face of Australian cities through revitalisation, redevelopment and renewal of old structures (Steinberg 1996). The planning strategies can be centred on controlling the physical urban sprawl, while simultaneously focusing on renewing the inner cities, in addition to redeveloping old employment zones into new residential places. Such strategies have been observed in Melbourne, resulting to a new middle class that has impelled the restoration and revitalisation of the houses that were originally owned by the older generation of the working class individuals (City of Melbourne 2014). An example is the 2009 project in Melbourne called the Melbourne docklands development. Aside from renovating the housing stock, revitalisation of neglected commercial and industrial spaces, including the docklands and the warehouses has been transformed into new commercial, residential and recreation spaces (City of Melbourne 2014). Among other examples include the Barrangaroo and Victoria Park in Sydney, Docklands development in Melbourne and South Bank in Brisbane. Concentrated living in urban places is restricted to the inner urban centres of major Australian metropolitan areas. They are significantly less dense compared to the European and Asian cities. Catering for the housing needs of different demographics Urban and regional planning can play a significant role in ensuring that the housing needs of the demographics of the aging population are catered for (Onu & Onu 2010). Housing needs of smaller households can also be facilitated by ensuring cheap housing. For instance, the Sydney Metropolitan Plan 2036 targets at least 70 percent of all the new houses planned for the existing urban footprint (NSW Government 2012). About 80 percent of the entire housing are planned to be within 20-minute commute of a major urban centre. To smooth the progress of these plans, the Minister of Planning in New South Wales launched an “Urban Renewal Planning Policy” targeted at delivering urban redevelopment in major sites in Sydney Metropolitan area (NSW Government 2012). Urban and regional planning has also encouraged the introduction of Strata Titles, which has enabled convenient financing arrangement for low-income individuals looking to buy apartments. Strata Titles consist of apartments in addition to attached houses, such as town houses that have been developed under one-titled land. After Strata Titling was introduced, redevelopment became easy, specifically in valued areas that are at close proximity to transport infrastructure (Anon n.d.). Ensuring adaptability to Climate Change Urban planning can help plan for climate change adaptation in urban places, as well as, implement climate-change mitigation strategies (Wilson & Ward 2009). Climate change is a critical factor of consideration in Australia’s urban and regional planning due to the greatly urbanised population that is vulnerable to the adverse consequences of climate change, such as extreme heat waves. Wilson and Ward (2009) points out that the planning strategies can work since urban and regional planning helps in risk avoidance. Studies have indicated that Australian cities are vulnerable to climate change due to the physical construction of the transport infrastructure, built environment and the relationship of the ecology with the urban ecosystem (Victorian Government 2011). Further studies have showed that some 80 percent of the population in Australia live in coastal regions of the country, with the existence of the many rivers and bush land exposing them to risks of forest fires and flash flooding respectively. Among other climate-change effects include rise in sea level, high storm surges, intense wing and rainfall (Envac 2013). Several projects have already been started in city planning to ensure adaptability to climate change. For instance, in December 2009, the Australian Federal Government spearheaded an urban planning initiative aimed at ensuring climate change adaptation of Australian cities. To this end, the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency (DCCEE) established adaptation programs and risk assessments targeted at adapting urban areas to climate change in the areas of industrial, transport, commercial and residential infrastructure (DCCEE 2011). To this end, it is critical to argue that risk-avoidance is the single-most cost-effective approach used in urban planning. To this end, the riverside and coastal management strategies can be employed in regional and urban planning to address the rise in sea level and surges in storm, which include “protection,” “retreat,” and ”accommodation.” “Retreat” consists of relocation riverside and coastal infrastructure that are at high-risk of destruction from acute weather patterns in addition to designing built environment and infrastructure in safer locations that are far from risk areas. “Accommodation” implies that the built environment is adapted to sufficiently cope with the changing conditions, including raising infrastructure to deal with storm surges and flooding. “Protection” encompasses building levees or sea levels to mitigate the adverse effects of rise in sea level and storm surges (Wilson & Ward 2009). A range of adaptation strategies can be applied at local scale to address high temperature and rainfall rises such as impervious surfaces that facilitate water infiltration. The buildings can as well be designed to have natural ventilation. In regards to bushfires, Hallegatte (2009) suggests that fire breaks should be increased between bush land and housing facilities. Conservation and preservation of Australian heritage Urban and regional planning can ensure effective conservation and protection of historic and heritage buildings within cities (Steinberg 1996). Since the 1970s, the Australian government has placed emphasis on protection of historic buildings in the country. An example of initiatives used for this course includes the Green Ban, which has set out regulations to guide conservation of heritage buildings in the proposed urban development in Sydney (Envac 2013). Historically, no momentous sense of protection and conservation of the built environment existed. Steinberg (1996) argues that a key challenge that rationalises the need for urban planning is since the need to modernise has to be balanced with the desire to preserve cultural heritage. In developing countries for instance, while the desire for modernising by the government and policymakers have often emphasised that modern housing is sensible and that traditionalised or old style of little value and has to be torn down. However, since the 1970s, the Green Bans movement advocated for protection of older style buildings. Australian territories and states afterwards set up heritage acts with the view of protecting sites and places that are culturally significant. For instance, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act was enacted to specify a list of places and buildings that needed preservation and protection. Current studies show that the number of heritage buildings has steadied at 113, including the Melbourne Cricket Ground. According to Logan and Long (2001), the Australian 21st century urban planning currently has stringent guidelines that stress that heritage is of vital importance in the decision-making process ahead of any construction project. Effective Public Transport and Land Use Urban planning can ensures effective transportation system across Australian cities (Siddique 2010). Australian urban system is projected to face huge pressures from the country’s growing population. In response, urban and regional planning has been implemented to ensure an environmentally-friendly urban system. Among the problems faced by the road system include air pollution and road congestion, both of which have been targeted with improved urban transport system, since it is a vital aspect necessary for creating sustainable and functional city (Litman 2011). The urban structure of the metropolitan areas in Australia is made up of scattered suburbs and densely populated central building districts that create huge challenged in city planning. Urban planners have realised the potential for integrating active and sustainable public transport with places that are accessible through alternative transportation modes such as walking and cycling to reduce use of cars that cause air pollution (Litman 2011). Road transport in Australian cities contributes some 88 percent of the overall transport emission and that the cities are mostly congested by vehicles and automobiles (Glover 2010). Curtis and Scheure (2001) noted that urban planning can reduce dependence on private automobile as a result reducing air pollution and freeing up more space to construct a range of infrastructure such as schools, hospitals and houses. Several strategies have already taken root. In Canberra, the “2004 Sustainable Transport Plan to the to the 2011 Transport for Canberra” was focused on putting up direct transport routes that connect town centres. The policy is committed to providing direct inter-town routes and reserving the parkways systems for trips that bypass the city (TimeToTalk n.d.). This is consistent with an earlier study by Australian Transport Council (2003) that established that the existing network of trains and buses that ply major cities in Australia need to be incorporated with efficient land use. According to Australian Transport Council (2003), integration of effective land use would imply that the urban planners come up with infrastructure that can improve public transport to ensure that the public can access transport at close proximity to workplace or residences. To this end, Curtis and Scheure (2001) commented that policymakers and urban planners should also realise the need to do away with car parks constructed on the existing transport infrastructure to create more effective systems that encourage urban regeneration. Effective use and conservation of water systems Urban and regional planning can ensure the protection and conservation of natural water systems in the face of sprawling urban places across Australia. Yiftachel (1998) commented that an effective urban and regional planning should integrate planning and design for water systems since it is related to the building and landscape architecture at the construction site in addition to within the context of local and regional projects. Wong (2006a) noted that Water-sensitive urban design (WSUD) has effectively been used to this end. The concept of WSUD has transformed over the years to become a structure that can be applied in managing urban water in Australia. The strategy is aimed at ensuring that urban water management takes place with sensitiveness towards natural water systems and the wider ecosystem with the support of the water system (CIRIA n.d.) The approach suggests that urban and regional planners should seek to protect quality of water and natural systems using filtration and retention in addition to the elimination of pollutants near the source. Urban planners should also integrate potable drinking water that cover piper water system originating from catchments outside the urban places. The approach also suggests that urban planners should integrate sewerage that covers the piped system to carry the wastewater to treatment plants (Wong 2006a). Lastly, WSUD suggest that urban planners should integrate storm water drainage for treatment and recycling of water within the urban landscape. Social cohesion and community participation Urban and regional planning can be leveraged by the government to ensure social cohesion and community participation in activities with the urban places. Mahjabeen et al. (2008) pointed out that lack of community participation has often inhibited the progress of urban planning projects. Based on this premise, the Australian government and the local government have sought for means through which urban infrastructure can be designed to promote social cohesion. To this end, it is clear that Australian government views community participation in urban and regional planning as important. According to Logan and Long (2001), Australian urban planning initially lacked the involvement of the community. Accordingly, projects proceeded with the construction of residential buildings that ended up being crammed up in small areas. Hence, the residential areas lacked socialisation and recreational spaces. Currents studies have indicated that the approach has incrementally changed since urban and regional planners have noted the significance of designing and constructing new urban residential places that encourage social cohesions among the residents. The new approach has stemmed from studies that have showed the positive effects of ensuring community participation in urban planning. In 2008, the federal government launched the Major Cities Unit (MCU) with the view of engaging the community in designing and developing urban residents that are more sustainable and productive. Conclusion Urban and regional planning can make differences to the Australian cities. This is since the country’s population growth has continued to pile pressure on the current infrastructure, such as water, transport air and energy systems in the major cities and regionally. The adverse effects of climate change have also signalled the need for effective urban and regional planning in the country. Urban and regional planning in Australia can be integral to ensuring the sustainability of cities at present and in future. Since the Australian metropolitan areas have become increasingly populated and chaotic calling for interventions through planning. In addition, it can change the face of Australian cities through revitalisation, redevelopment and renewal of old structures. Urban and regional planning can also play a significant role in ensuring that the housing needs of the demographics of the aging population within Australian cities are catered for. Housing needs of smaller households can also be facilitated by ensuring cheap housing. It can also help plan for climate change adaptation of urban places, as well as implement climate-change mitigation strategies. Additionally, it can ensure effective conservation and protection of historic and heritage buildings within cities. Urban planning can ensures effective transportation system across Australian cities. It also ensures the protection and conservation of natural water systems in the face of sprawling urban places across Australia. The planning can be leveraged by the government to ensure social cohesion and community participation in activities with the urban places. 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