Integrated Regional Planning in Australia - Report Example

INTEGRATED REGIONAL PLANNING Final Report NAME: UNIVERSITY: COURSE: INSTRUCTOR: DATE: © 2012 Introduction This essay discusses integrated regional planning (IRP) by considering the key issues and challenges facing urban and regional planning in Australia. Like any other region in the world, urban planning in Australia plays a key role in ensuring the sustainability of cities. Although Australia is among the most urbanised regions of the world, population growth keeps on placing significant pressure on its cities’ infrastructure such as roadways, public transport, energy, water and air systems within the cities. In this country, urban and regional planning is undertaken at almost all levels of the government, although the Federal Government mainly sets policies for developing climatic adaptation and/or mitigation strategies. For instance, Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) takes the responsibility of coordinating the planning fraternity and profession in the country. In so doing, PIA acts as the umbrella body in guiding and serving the planning professionals who intend to create better communities through education, communication and professional designs. Key issues affecting urban and regional planning Of necessity, urban and regional planning should blend city planning, building architecture, roads and rails construction, and landscaping resulting in blocks of buildings, inter- networks of roads, rails and streets, and public squares and amenities, as well as national parks and reserves. Additionally, present day urban and regional planning should aim at associating the local communities to their places by creating and/or designing places that give a picture of their culture, heritage or identity. Such urban plans should also connect the people to the nature. In so doing, urban designs may consider environmental stewardship, economic viability, and social equity, place-making, culture and the local people’s heritage. Hugo (2010) connects these aspects of urban design that “makes life better for all!” by stating that: …”The building of cities is one of man’s greatest achievements.” Long after the post war, the State and Federal governments in Australia have developed metropolitan plans that have spurred economic growth notwithstanding the negative effects that come with urban and population growth. The exponential population growth over these years has resulted in the need for the design of metropolitan cities with good and adequate dwelling facilities for both domestic and commercial purposes. In particular, focus should be placed on the land release in the urban-rural perimeter. This will establish a hierarchy of urban centres, new public housing estates and building of car-based infrastructure (Randolph, 2004). A good example is the effort undertaken by the “Sydney County of Cumberland Plan of 1948” dubbed “the first metropolitan plan for Sydney” as well as “the Sydney Region Outline Plan of 1968”. Since early 1970’s, the Australian Federal Government (AFG) has been consistently focused in creating regulating policies that guide urban and regional planning activities on diverse issues. For instance, AFG is increasingly taking care of sewage systems in all metropolitan cities; establishing urban growth centres as newer towns in the process of nurturing de-centralization; and funding public housing and urban infrastructure (Aruna et al, 2012). In this case, an example is necessary. In 2004, AFG planned to revolutionalise Canberra into an ultra-modern city by incorporating modern and high technology building techniques and placing emphasis on place making as an aspect of modern urban and regional planning. In order to achieve this, it was necessary to initiate high quality building environment that will offer “a sustainable transport plan” that will not only promote regional linkage, but will also spur economic growth. The government intends all these developments to occur in an environment offering the tranquility of the nature’s freshness (McManus, 1994). This means retaining and maintaining the country’s natural heritage and cultural identity in modern cities to be enjoyed by all Australian communities as well as its foreign visitors. Without repeating myself, I need to emphasise the planning issue that concerns the transportations system. Transportation system in Australia has profoundly developed over years, in spite of causing several problems. The tremendous increase in automobiles has caused street congestions and adverse emissions in the cities. This congestion has forced the urban planners to make use of better and alternative measures such as construction of contemporary tiered parking bays and encourage suitable landscaping so as to clean up the air. Another planning issue is the creation of recreational open spaces which are not only healthy and sustainable, but are also safe and nature-friendly. This is a domain of place-making - or landscaping – and an aspect of urban and regional planning, considering the fact that Australian communities are increasingly becoming aware of and acknowledging the importance of community participation in creating open spaces that reflect their heritage and culture (Blake, 2005). Another planning issue involves regulation and policy. A distinct entity called Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) is an umbrella body that coordinates and regulates urban planning activities in this country. It codifies laws and legislation and establishes guiding principles for urban planning profession. However, the Australia’s system of governments that includes the AFG, the local governments - one for each of the six states and the two territories, has established their own laws and procedures for the urban planning purposes. This may result in separate systems of land use management and urban and regional planning, such as separate administrative departments that regulate and oversee activities of land use and planning. These planning systems operate independently of each other and along state-based lines, notwithstanding PIA. Integrated regional planning will definitely need to deliberately consider the sustainability and maintenance of any surrounding ecosystems. This is the case so as to increase the authenticity of the cities and their environs. For example, the Namadgi National Park “is designed to be a perfect place for such activities as picnicking or bushwalk along carefully marked trails. Both parks boast of beautiful native flora and fauna and spectacular spring wildflowers, not to mention possible camping within a pleasantly bush land. Furthermore, mountain biking, horse riding and fishing are permitted in designated areas”. This point on ecosystem is further emphasised by a meticulously maintained vineyard, which is home for slightly more that 140 vineyards, with 33 wineries. The vineyard, together with a surrounding forest, is the city’s (and the region’s) source of clean air” as indicated by Freestone (1993). According to Gleeson and Low (2000), “urban design will necessarily encompass building architecture as is depicted by skyscraper buildings within the city centres and its environs. This is coupled with an intricate transportation system with several inter-networks of roads and railway systems, and streets that constitute a near-perfect motor and human traffic. This point illustrates the key elements of urban design (including place making) such as mixed-use-buildings for retail uses with ground-floors and upper floors; lively commercial centers; context-sensitive and human-scale design; image-making; attractive and safe public areas; and decorative components in landscaping”. A further point on the issues touching on urban and regional planning will be illustrated using Murrumbidgee River corridor in the Canberra region of Australian Capital Territory (ACT). This point further emphasises the need to consider social issues of the entire Australian community such as poor and minority groups. Thus, “the comprehensiveness and interdisciplinary nature of urban and regional planning will be consolidated by the issues of sustainability and social equity” (Orchard, 1999). For instance, The Murrumbidgee River corridor is designed so as to offer a variety of recreational as well as natural attractions for ACT. This river emanates from the Snowy Mountains to join Murray River and cuts across the city. The corridor is composed of the river and a narrow strip of land at either side and is set aside as an assortment of both recreational facilities and nature. It is particularly and historically important to such groups as Wiradjuri, Ngunnawal, and Nari Nari of Aboriginal origin (Randolph, 2004). The corridor is easily accessed from several city suburbs and is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It is very ideal for fishing, swimming, bird watching, wildlife observation, in addition to canoeing and bush walking as observed by Hugo (2010). Challenges facing urban and regional planning Like other regions in the world, there are several considerations or challenges that affect Australian urban and regional planning, including demographic change and population growth; urban design should be water sensitive; sustainability; consolidation and renewal of urban cities; climatic change; community participation; heritage and/or conservation; and integrating land use with public transport. Each of these challenges is outlined below. According to the 2006 census in Australia, over 75% of Australians live in seventeen urban cities while the five largest cities of Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth are inhabited by 61% of Australians (Hugo, 2010). Furthermore, the Australian Bureau of Statistics in conjunction with Department of the Treasury expect Australia’s population to reach 35 million by the year 2050, in which 72% of this population will live in cities. This poses is a serious challenge for urban and regional planners! The population increase and demographic changes particularly increase in small households due to population ageing, leads to a greater demand in urban and regional planning to house this growing population. In fact, some metropolitan cities are already experiencing housing shortages. Secondly, the emerging trends in population growth, energy usage, transport emissions, urban development, waste management, weather conditions and rainfall patterns-including droughts, severe storms, heat waves, flooding, bushfires - are stressing the importance for increased focus on sustainability in the cities. For this reason, the urban designers are increasingly considering the basic aspects of erecting sustainable houses by raising density, promoting mixed-use and encouraging transit - oriented houses. Furthermore, improvements in water, energy, waste, and food production are increasingly seen as a necessity and significant portions of urban and regional planning so as to sustain the cities (Gleeson and Low, 2000). Modern technology in urban design require that management of urban water in respect to the sustainability the urban designs, should be considered, according to water-sensitive urban design (WSUD) practice (noted by Randolph, 2004 ). The aim is to ensure that urban water should be obtained with careful consideration of natural water systems in conjunction with the broader ecosystem that is supported by these water systems. This means that: Natural water systems are protected and water quality is maintained by filtration and retention as well as removal of water pollutants, Use of potable drinking water should be encouraged, Sewerage encompassing pipe water systems that handle transport and collection of waste water should be carefully designed, and Urban design should consider integrating storm-water drainage and/or treatment for re-use. Thirdly, another planning challenge in Australian cities involve containing the urban sprawl while redeveloping the inner city and destroying and refurbricating the older buildings. This planning strategy includes renewing urban centres and consolidating them to reflect the aspirations of the Australian communities. In this connection, the trend is to renovate the old houses by revitalising the disused commercial and industrial spaces (e.g. docklands and warehouses) by transforming them into new commercial, residential and recreational spaces with high density capabilities. Excellent examples include the redevelopment of docklands at Green Square, Barrangaroo in Sydney, Melbourne, Victoria Park and South Bank in Brisbane (Hugo, 2010). Climate change is a fourth important challenge that requires watchful consideration in urban planning in Australia. This is because this country’s population is highly urbanised and is prone to adverse weather changes. For instance, about 80% of this population lives along the coastal regions and on the periphery of rivers and bush lands, in effect making them susceptible to climatic changes such as increased storm surges that result in coastal erosion, sea level rise, strong winds, bushfires resulting from increased temperatures, and rainstorms that cause flash flooding. There is, therefore, a necessity for establishing a strategy to cater for this change. That is the why the Australian Federal Government (AFG) is currently developing a climatic adaptation and/or mitigation strategy together with a risk analysis (RA) initiative for use in integrated urban and regional planning. An example will suffice! The “Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency” of AFG has put in place adaption programs as well as risk analysis tools. The latter tools calculate the probabilities of possible effects on the urban areas resulting from climatic change. In fact, the department has found that the replacement cost values for industrial, transport, commercial, and residential infrastructure amounts to billions of dollars, so that to avoid any future risk is one of the most cost-effective approaches for integrated urban and regional planning (Aruna et al, 2012). Yet another and fifth challenge facing urban and regional planning in Australia comes in the form of national heritage and its conservation. The AFG, local governments, planners, politicians and the Australian community at large, and other stakeholders, have come to realise the value and importance of constructing buildings that depict and/or portray the Australian heritage. In fact, policies and laws have been put in place to protect and conserve historic building throughout Australia. The urban planning carried out for the redevelopment of the city of Sydney adopted these regulations that have come to be collectively referred to as The Green Ban. The Green Ban aims at protecting the demolition of older buildings with the intention of creating room for new developments of shopping precincts, skyscrapers, and/or luxury apartments. Furthermore, that is why States and territories in Australia have implemented heritage acts coupled with heritage frameworks to protect buildings and other places of cultural importance. For example, the “Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act” outlines a “National Heritage List” (NHL). In this list are found names of places to protect “exceptional natural and cultural places that contribute to Australia’s national identity” (Orchard, 1999). In conclusion, the current century has witnessed strict guidelines that must be followed in urban planning in Australia. These guidelines emphasise the fundamental importance of conserving heritage and Australia’s cultural history in the building infrastructure. Last but not least, a further challenge comes in the form of public transport and the integration of land use in the process of urban and regional planning. The improvement of road transport is a critical issue in establishing sustainable and functional cities. Meticulous design of the road transport would reduce road congestion and pollution, for example. This is particularly desirable since approximately 88% of transport emission is contributed by road transport. What is more, Australian cities are congested not only by cars and other automobiles, but also by the parking lots they use. On this issue, “The Australian Transport Council” has established that the current network of trains and buses in the Australian cities must be integrated with an effective use of land (McManus, 1994). Conclusion This essay has demonstrated that contemporary urban and regional planning can invariably be referred to as integrated regional planning because it includes urban planning as well as planning for other places across a country. Of necessity, it will include such aspects as city planning, building architecture, roads and rails construction, and landscaping resulting in blocks of buildings, inter-networks of roads, rails and streets, and public squares and amenities, as well as national parks and reserves. For its effectiveness, it should consider such issues as social equity, economic viability, place making and its associated aesthetics, culture and heritage of the local people (Blake, 2005). Policy formulation and regulation is another aspect that has clearly come out in this essay. It is therefore encouraging that each State and/or territory in Australia has implemented heritage acts coupled with heritage frameworks to protect buildings and other places of cultural importance. This is in order so as to protect “exceptional natural and cultural places that contribute to Australia’s national identity”. Furthermore, the current century has witnessed establishment of strict guidelines that must be followed in urban planning in Australia in each of the states. These guidelines emphasise the fundamental importance of conserving heritage and Australia’s cultural history in the building infrastructure. References Aruna, S., Manish, K and Katare, V (2012) Integrated planning for an industrial region India Geospatial Digest, Bhopal – India Blake (2005) Queensland Cultural Heritage Places: Context Study—Final Report. Freestone, R (1993) Heritage, urban planning, and the postmodern city, Australian Geographer Gleeson, B and Low, N (2000) Australian Urban Planning: New Challenges, New Agendas, Allen and Unwin. Hugo, G (2010) Implications of demographic change for future housing demand in Australia, Australian Planner McManus, P (1994) Integrating community-development and urban-planning in Western Australia, Community Development Journal Orchard, L (1999) Shifting Visions in national urban and regional policy, in Australian Planner Randolph, B (2004) The Changing Australian City: New Patterns, New Policies and New Research Needs, Urban Policy and Research Read More

In 2004, AFG planned to revolutionalise Canberra into an ultra-modern city by incorporating modern and high technology building techniques and placing emphasis on place making as an aspect of modern urban and regional planning. In order to achieve this, it was necessary to initiate high quality building environment that will offer “a sustainable transport plan” that will not only promote regional linkage, but will also spur economic growth. The government intends all these developments to occur in an environment offering the tranquility of the nature’s freshness (McManus, 1994).

This means retaining and maintaining the country’s natural heritage and cultural identity in modern cities to be enjoyed by all Australian communities as well as its foreign visitors. Without repeating myself, I need to emphasise the planning issue that concerns the transportations system. Transportation system in Australia has profoundly developed over years, in spite of causing several problems. The tremendous increase in automobiles has caused street congestions and adverse emissions in the cities.

This congestion has forced the urban planners to make use of better and alternative measures such as construction of contemporary tiered parking bays and encourage suitable landscaping so as to clean up the air. Another planning issue is the creation of recreational open spaces which are not only healthy and sustainable, but are also safe and nature-friendly. This is a domain of place-making - or landscaping – and an aspect of urban and regional planning, considering the fact that Australian communities are increasingly becoming aware of and acknowledging the importance of community participation in creating open spaces that reflect their heritage and culture (Blake, 2005).

Another planning issue involves regulation and policy. A distinct entity called Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) is an umbrella body that coordinates and regulates urban planning activities in this country. It codifies laws and legislation and establishes guiding principles for urban planning profession. However, the Australia’s system of governments that includes the AFG, the local governments - one for each of the six states and the two territories, has established their own laws and procedures for the urban planning purposes.

This may result in separate systems of land use management and urban and regional planning, such as separate administrative departments that regulate and oversee activities of land use and planning. These planning systems operate independently of each other and along state-based lines, notwithstanding PIA. Integrated regional planning will definitely need to deliberately consider the sustainability and maintenance of any surrounding ecosystems. This is the case so as to increase the authenticity of the cities and their environs.

For example, the Namadgi National Park “is designed to be a perfect place for such activities as picnicking or bushwalk along carefully marked trails. Both parks boast of beautiful native flora and fauna and spectacular spring wildflowers, not to mention possible camping within a pleasantly bush land. Furthermore, mountain biking, horse riding and fishing are permitted in designated areas”. This point on ecosystem is further emphasised by a meticulously maintained vineyard, which is home for slightly more that 140 vineyards, with 33 wineries.

The vineyard, together with a surrounding forest, is the city’s (and the region’s) source of clean air” as indicated by Freestone (1993). According to Gleeson and Low (2000), “urban design will necessarily encompass building architecture as is depicted by skyscraper buildings within the city centres and its environs. This is coupled with an intricate transportation system with several inter-networks of roads and railway systems, and streets that constitute a near-perfect motor and human traffic.

This point illustrates the key elements of urban design (including place making) such as mixed-use-buildings for retail uses with ground-floors and upper floors; lively commercial centers; context-sensitive and human-scale design; image-making; attractive and safe public areas; and decorative components in landscaping”.

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