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EXPERT PROJECT REVIEW PANEL |
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For Sydney’s growth to continue to be sustainable, its outward expansion must be contained and higher densities within existing urban areas will need to bestrongly encouraged.
While there are signs that this is already happening, with higher densities and apartment living becoming increasingly the norm, many of the changes have been very unpopular.
Sydneysiders still tend to want large homes, privacy from their neighbours and safe streets. They are also increasingly demanding a wider choice of housing and affordable products. While many of these expectations may seem impossible to fulfil, particularly in higher density developments, the answer lies in good design.
At Landcom, we have been promoting the benefits of good design within our own developments for some time. We stand by our strong track record of delivering projects that set new benchmarks for the development industry, at Victoria Park, Hunterford, Newbury and elsewhere.However, we accept that there is always room for improvement.
EXPERT PROJECT REVIEW PANEL
We use a Project Review Panel of external specialists to independently assess our projects and to promote improvements. We refer our projects to the Panel for review several times during the planning and development phase, seeking design input, constructive criticism and creative solutions to problems. By seeking independent assessment at the beginning of the planning and design process, we have been able to address potential flaws early. This maximises our ability to make meaningful improvements.
MEMBERS OF THE PROJECT REVIEW PANEL
Peter Dransfield
Director, Layrir Pty Ltd
Professor Ed Blakely
Director, Planning Research Centre at the University of Sydney.
David Chesterman AM
Founding Director of the architectural firm, Jackson Teece Chesterman Willis.
Richard Johnson MBE
Director, Johnson Pilton Walker Architects.
Roderick Simpson
Principal, Simpson Wilson Architecture and Urban Design.
Susan Young
Director, UrbisJHD.
OUR STREET DESIGN GUIDELINES
This year, Landcom produced guidelines on street design, the first in a series that will eventually include built form and open space guidelines.
Our Street Design Guidelines are significant in that they have been developed from an urban design perspective, providing a balanced view of social, environmental and aesthetic needs, while also satisfying engineering or traffic safety requirements.
Put simply, they encourage streets that people like.
The Guidelines promote best practice in street design and include a number of model street examples. They provide practical solutions to common issues such as improving “connectivity” (how streets can increase access, spread traffic loads and integrate new and old communities) and “functionality”.
Landcom sought out a diverse range of independent experts to assist it in developing the Guidelines. This external input has ensured that the Guidelines are robust and capable of responding to all possible stakeholder interests. They have been well received within Local Government across New South Wales and interstate and they are being used to assist councils in wider discussions with the development industry on a range of other projects.
The Street Design Guidelines can be downlaoded here: pdf (3,446KB).