Northshore Hamilton Urban Development Area - Case Study Example

Report Name Institution Course Professor Date Executive Summary Northshore Hamilton Urban Development Area (UDA) development is under the responsibility of Urban Land Development Authority (ULDA) in Queensland Government. Northshore Hamilton UDA development is expected to be transformed from an industrial area to an urban area under transit development principles. As such, this report focuses on the evaluation of the planning measures adopted in the Northshore Hamilton UDA project. Key concentration is on the ability of this area becoming an economic infrastructure, having a closer linkage between commercial, retail, and residential developments, and becoming more functional and vibrant in terms of using environmental resources. Northshore Hamilton UDA project was declared in 2008 and is expected to run for 10 years. The main aim of this project is the transformation of the industrial area to an urban area. The report evaluates precinct and sub-precinct structural plans for the development of this area. The report finds that Northshore Hamilton UDA development has well established implementation schemes, which are aligned to the structural plans for the overall development of this area. The project takes an effective consultation of all stakeholders in order to ensure that it has the ability to attain the desired objectives of industrial to an urban centre transformation. Northshore Hamilton UDA has conducted a resource analyses for the completion of the project. This has aided in identification of the project requirements. This was followed by the establishment of the evaluation criteria, which focuses on the ability of the project to attain the desired objectives, as well as the analyses of the impact of the project to the environment and community setting. Monitoring and review of problems is conducted by DMA Partners while ULDA uses its ‘blank slate’ approach to conduct its development operation for Northshore Hamilton UDA. Table of Contents Executive Summary 2 Table of Contents 3 1.0 Introduction 5 2.0 Appraisal of Problems and Prospects 6 3.0 Aims and Objectives 8 4.0 Information Collection Analysis and Projection 9 5.0 Resource Analysis 10 6.0 Action Research 11 7.0 Alternative Strategies and Forms 11 8.0 Evaluation 12 9.0 Costed and Phased Proposals 13 10.0 Implementation Schemes 14 11.0 Monitoring and Review of New Problems 15 Bibliography 15 Etzioni, A, 1995. Rights and the Common Good: the Communitarian Perspective, New York, 16 St Martine Press. 16 Appendix 18 List of Figures Figure 1: Aerial Pictorial of Northshore Hamilton 5 Figure 2: Aerial View of the development area of Northshore Hamilton UDA 19 Figure 3: Northshore Hamilton Urban Development Area Structure Plan 20 Figure 4: Zoning and Precinct Plan 21 Figure 5: Bretts Wharf 21 Figure 6: Building Heights Plan 22 Figure 7: Harbour Road 22 Figure 8: Building Heights Plan 22 Figure 9: Northshore Urban Village 23 Figure 10: Sub-precinct plan 23 Figure 11: Building heights plan 23 Figure 12: Northshore Park 24 Figure 13: Sub-precinct plan 24 Figure 14: Building Heights Plan 24 Figure 15: Waterfront Residential 25 Figure 16: Plot ratios for Northshore Hamilton UDA under 2000 Brisbane City Plan of Brisbane City Council 25 Figure 17: Open and Civic Space 26 Figure 18: Future Apartments 26 Figure 19: Current Industrial Use of the area 27 Figure 20: Empty Streets 28 Figure 21: Empty Buildings 29 Figure 22: Future Buildings 29 Figure 23: ULDA Master Plan 30 1.0 Introduction According to Urban Land Development Authority (2008), Northshore Hamilton Urban Development Area (UDA) was declared in 2008 on March 28. This declaration was made by the Infrastructure and Planning Minister who is also the Deputy Premier. The area has land coverage of 304-hectares. This area is characterized of having two kilometre river frontage (Urban Land Development Authority 2008). Northshore Hamilton UDA is approximately six kilometres far from the Central Business District of Brisbane. Northshore Hamilton UDA encompasses land between Brisbane River and Kingsford Smith Drive with an extension from Gateway Motorway on the eastern side and Bretts Wharf on the western side (see figure 1). Figure 1: Aerial Pictorial of Northshore Hamilton (Source: Urban Land Development Authority, 2008. Northshore Hamilton, Brisbane. Available at < http://www.ulda.qld.gov.au/01_cms/details.asp?ID=32>) Northshore Hamilton UDA prides itself in being at a closer proximity to the key economic drivers of Brisbane (Australia Trade Coast 2011). This includes Australian Trade Coast precinct and Brisbane Airport. Northshore Hamilton development had a basis on the transit oriented development principles. As such, the area was developed to attain an urban environment, which has the ability to promote safe and healthy lifestyles, ease of access to bicycle and pedestrians, and integrated public spaces and open spaces. This incorporated the provision of a variety of housing choices, which have the ability and potential to meet community needs in terms of rental options, ownership of homes, price points, designs, types, and densities mix. The development of Northshore Hamilton UDA was steered by Urban Land Development Authority (ULDA), which was established with an aim of implementing the Affordability Strategy for Queensland Housing (Queensland Government 2010). As such, ULDA had to work with local landholders, community, state and local government, as well as the development industry in order to ensure that the attained developments were viable and had elements of sustainability, affordability, diversity, and incorporated best-practice urban design (Community Newsletter 1 2008). 2.0 Appraisal of Problems and Prospects The development of Northshore Hamilton UDA was based on utilitarian approach. According to Mill (1979), this approach seeks to attain happiness for a majority. However, such is a difficult endeavour to attain, but satisfaction of public demands leads to ensuring that the community enjoys the environment. This occurs when both private and public matters are handled effectively. To attain this, ULDA has embarked on extensive consultation of all stakeholders on how the development for Northshore Hamilton UDA should take place. This approach was suitable for this area. This is because Northshore Hamilton UDA is being transformed from an industrial area to an urban area along a riverside, which encompassed of community setups in form of housing for residential, retail, and commercial uses (Australia Trade Coast 2010). As such, the problem of not having this area as an urban centre will be solved by the end of project completion. In the process, job opportunities are being created since more individuals are being employed in the various implementation schemes as indicated in the structural plan for the area development. This has resulted in improving the quality of life for individuals who obtain a chance to work at the time of design and implementation of this project. The transformation process for Northshore Hamilton UDA from industrial to an urban centre is approximated to take 10 years. Such an approximate is suitable for this plan. This is because the allocated time will create adequate room for the development of plans, consultation and engagement of stakeholders, utilization of resources effectively, and conducting amendments on the overall projects where needed. Further, the prospects for this project seek to improve the quality of life by ensuring that there is a safe and healthy lifestyle for community members, space is available, and infrastructure allows transport to take place effectively. Community needs should be the focus of urban development projects. Northshore Hamilton UDA project has focused on ensuring that community needs are satisfied effectively. The prospects for this project will also ensure that environmental protection is achieved effectively. As such, protection of the natural and environmental values of the river will occur since there will be an improvement of the public views and access to the river (Australian Holdings Limited 2012). Moreover, Northshore Hamilton planning process took a consideration of the Brisbane’s Master Plan, which had undergone numerous stakeholder and community consultation. This indicates that the project will be completed within its prospectus since all the requirement for the project, as well as challenges will be identified at an early stage. 3.0 Aims and Objectives The main aim of Northshore Hamilton UDA project was the transformation of this area from an industrial area to an urban centre within 10 years. This aim was the key guiding factor towards the formulation of the objectives for this project, as well as the strategies, which needed to be adopted in order to ensure that the project was able to attain the desired goals. Northshore Hamilton UDA had the objective of infrastructure development, which would enhance attainment of a safe and healthy lifestyle for the community. This development would also result in attainment of adequate public and open space, higher levels of bicycle and pedestrian access, adequate housing with a variety of choices, and protection of the natural and environmental values of the river. These objectives acted as the starting point for project plan. Therefore, Northshore Hamilton UDA project was able to establish its esteemed plan by focusing on the identified objectives. These objectives depicts that there was a need for consultation of local stakeholders prior to the implementation of the project. With reference to this, Northshore Hamilton project had to consult the community members prior to project implementation. Further, the objectives outlined the benchmarks and timelines, which were to be used for the project. This created room for the identification of the monitoring and evaluation criteria. These objectives were generated from brainstorming activities, group consultations, policy commitments, and general public consultation. This indicates that the identified objectives for this project are not biased, but focus on satisfying the need of the community through steering the attainment of an urban centre. Considering figure 2 in the appendix, it is clear that Northshore Hamilton UDA had an established and clear objective of the area that needs development. As such, the project recognized the problem and opportunities, which needs to be addressed (Community Newsletter 1 2008). Upon the completion of this project, Northshore Hamilton UDA will depict a higher level of environmental responsiveness. This is because the natural and environmental values of the river will be protected. In the process, a sustainable environment will be attained at Northshore Hamilton UDA. 4.0 Information Collection Analysis and Projection A myriad of key sites, which are the aids towards the implementation of the Northshore Hamilton UDA plan were identified by Port of Brisbane’s Northshore. These sites aided in collection of information on how well this plan should be developed and implemented in order to ensure that it has the ability and potential to attain the desired goal and objective. Further, Port of Brisbane has undertaken an effective role of extensive community consultation, conducting research surveys, and master planning on how revitalisation of the land for Port of Brisbane should be undertaken in order to ensure that urban development takes place effectively under the best practice of urban design (REA Group n.d). Such information was analysed effectively in order to develop a suitable projection of Northshore Hamilton UDA project. This projection included the boundary of the area for land development (see figure 2 in appendix), type of infrastructure to be developed, and the strategy to be adopted in the implementation process of the project. According to Queensland Government (2012), Australian population had a growth percentage of 81 between 2001 and 2010. This growth occurred within the major cities. Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne, and Sydney accounted for approximately 60 percent of this population growth. As such, Northshore Hamilton UDA project was established to meet the needs of this rapid population increase. Engagement with major stakeholders involved in the provision of social infrastructure was necessary for this project. The steering committee for this project engaged these stakeholders including private and not for profit sector, managers and providers in government, and facility planners. This was an effective means of gathering adequate information for this project, as well as analyzing this information. The analyses of the information occurred based on the desire to satisfy the needs of an urban centre (Urban Land Development Authority 2008). The inferences obtained from information analyses contributed towards the development of the projections for the project. This was necessary since providers have adequate information related to existing facilities and how such facilities may be increased. Engagement with providers also granted the project a chance to identify facilities, which needed to be retained in the community and location and site requirements for new facilities (Etzioni 1995). Nevertheless, the project conducted an effective literature review of social planning and land use planning among other related reports in order to gather additional information on the area. This included statutory planning documents, which described settlement patterns and proposed residential populations. 5.0 Resource Analysis Resource analysis for Northshore Hamilton UDA occurred after the formulation of the structure plan as indicated in figure 3 in the appendix. The structure plan outlines the requirements for the successful completion of this project (Queensland Government 2009). The structure plan indicates what Northshore Hamilton UDA project has to accomplish. This creates room for the identification of the resources, which are needed for successful completion of this project. The plans for Northshore Hamilton UDA are further illustrated in figures 4 to 17 in the appendix. Major consideration for the Northshore Hamilton UDA is the outcome of the land use. As such, resource analysis was conducted while considering the anticipated outcomes of the project (Castells 1977). Further, precincts and sub-precincts (where applicable) were taken into consideration in the whole process of resource analysis. This included the zones, UDA whole criteria, and statements of intent. This granted an opportunity for effective analysis of the required resources. In addition, resources analysis took into consideration the ability of such resources to meet the design and building standards of UDA criteria. Effective resource analysis for this projected indicated that there will be a need for a primary school, an evacuation centre for cases of emergency, branch library (600 m2 GFA), 2 centres for child care, multi-purpose community hub, which creates room for conduction of community meetings, and a community development strategy (Cuers 2012). These resources are necessary in order to implement ULDA Master Plan (see figure 23 in appendix) (Master Plan, n.d). 6.0 Action Research Northshore Hamilton UDA project had an action research, which was field based (Community Newsletter 4 2010). This research facilitated in effective collection of information and data concerning the needs for the development of the urban centre. An external group, DMA Partners has also been hired, which carries some of the important missions for this project. This collaboration creates room for the project to perform an effective action research on what needs to done. The research also involves evaluation and assessment of the success level of the project as it is being implemented. 7.0 Alternative Strategies and Forms Northshore Hamilton UDA project has not adopted any alternative strategies prior to the former developed strategies for the implementation of this project. The project has stuck to its initial strategies to transform the industrial area to an urban area. Nevertheless, the adopted strategies have experienced several dynamics as new ideas on how the implementation schemes should be conducted are generated when the project team members meet. 8.0 Evaluation The evaluation process for this project involves assessment of the ability of the project to attain its desired objectives for each implementation scheme. The project begun in 2008 and it is expected to be completed in a timeframe of 10 years (Community Newsletter 2 2008). As such, the project has to undergo numerous consultations with key stakeholders for the project. These consultations aid in determining the ability of the project to attain success. The consultations also facilitate in evaluation of the success level of the project. From these consultations, new ideas are generated, which are directed towards the implementation process of various schemes for the Northshore Hamilton UDA project. The developed structure plans for the implementation of the project act as the benchmarks for the evaluation of this project (UTS 2009). This indicates that stakeholders have to determine what has been done and what is remaining with reference to structure plans as indicated in figures 5 to 17 in the appendix. Moreover, the project is evaluated to determine whether it is accomplishing its desired goals of creating an urban centre. This involves observing what has already been developed in the area. Further, the required resources are analysed in order to evaluate their ability to complete the desired project. Northshore Hamilton UDA project is also evaluated through conduction of a post occupancy analyses. This analysis facilitates in identification of needs of the community, as well as tracking the growth rate of the population. The impact of the project on social infrastructure is also monitored in the process of evaluation. The findings from the evaluation process are then incorporated in the process of reviewing the implementation plan of the project. The development process of Northshore Hamilton UDA focuses on enhancement of values and needs for the community. As such, the urban centre to be developed has to demonstrate higher levels of responsibility to community and social needs. This development has attained a political acceptability from the government, which makes it to progress effectively without any form of a challenge from the political environment. Therefore, evaluation of this development has to take into consideration any dynamics from the political acceptance level. Nevertheless, the development has depicted a higher level of fairness by ensuring that it has the ability to earn benefits and distribute costs effectively. This indicates that the evaluation process of the development will also have to take into consideration of the benefits, which accrue to the community due to the development, as well as conducting a cost-benefit analysis for the project. This will aid in determining whether the project has attained the desired objectives and goals or not. 9.0 Costed and Phased Proposals Figures 18 to 22 (in the appendix) illustrate the anticipated development for Northshore Hamilton. The proposal for this development indicates areas, which will need to be changed, as well as the anticipated appearance of the area after the development from an industrial area to an urban area. The proposal is costed based on time and resources requirement for the completion of this project. According to Apartments (n.d), Northshore Hamilton UDA apartments are expected to cost $ 411,000. Looking at figure 18 and 22 (in the appendix) it is clear that an element of creativity was incorporated in the preparation process for the proposal for this project (Development Scheme 2009). This is because these figures indicate the anticipated buildings for the urban centre in the future, which are modern and unique. 10.0 Implementation Schemes Northshore Hamilton UDA implementation schemes are subdivided such that each scheme is able to attain its goals (see figures 5 to 17 on the appendix). These schemes create an opportunity for identification of the necessary resources, which are needed for the infrastructural development. The subdivision of the whole project of Northshore Hamilton UDA into schemes creates room for effective concentration in the implementation process of the plan for the project. This also allowed for resources concentration and subdivision of labour in order to attain the desired success for the overall project for this area. Northshore Hamilton UDA has recognized that it is impossible to attain success without focusing on its vision (Queensland Government 2011). As such, for each implementation scheme, the project had to identify a bold leadership, ensure that a higher integrity level is attained, innovation and creativity takes place, and formation of partnership and collaboration with stakeholders occurs effectively. This ensures that each implementation scheme has the ability to attain success. A ‘blank slate’ is an approach, which ULDA has adopted for the purpose of attaining effective leadership in process planning and implementation. This approach is what was adopted in the implementation scheme of Northshore Hamilton UDA. On the same note, ULDA has realized that a successful urban centre is created when a vision for the same is identified and place making takes place effectively (Pracsys 2008). As such, the implementation schemes for Northshore Hamilton UDA focused on place making. This included the identification of space and arrangement for the usage of spaces, and recognition of the role of community in the process of space development and change enhancement. 11.0 Monitoring and Review of New Problems According to DMA Partners (n.d), ULDA had a role of development feasibility and advisory at a value of $ 1 billion. ULDA engaged DMA Partners in several missions in the process of implementation and sustainability of the Northshore Hamilton UDA project. These missions included development feasibility and infrastructure staging advisory, and assessment of the planning scheme of existing land owners. Further, these organizations have the mandate of engagement in the monitoring, as well as review of the problems, which may emerge in the process of implementation of the project. Northshore Hamilton UDA has an element of environmental responsiveness. This is because it will contribute towards the protection of natural and environmental values for the river (Community Newsletter 3 2009). The infrastructural constructions for this area also will create room for attainment of a sustainable environment. However, the ability of this urban centre to be environmentally response will always be evaluated through a monitoring and review mission. Bibliography Apartments, n.d. Northshore Hamilton-Luxury Apartments. Available at < http://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-qld-hamilton-106753140.pdf?03004c93f9434d5a476711bec561fafa>. Australia Trade Coast, 2010. Northshore Hamilton Sails Ahead. < http://edm.australiatradecoast.com.au/newsletters/36/northshore-hamilton-sails-ahead.html>. Australia Trade Coast, 2011. Synergy. Available at < http://edm.australiatradecoast.com.au/newsletters/46/northshore-hamilton.html>. Australian Holdings Limited, 2012. Hamilton Reach. Available at < http://residential.australand.com.au/apartments/qld/hamilton/hamiltonreach/>. Castells, M, 1977. The Urban Question: a Marxist Approach, London, Arnold. Community Newsletter 1, 2008. Northshore Hamilton Urban Development Area. Available at < http://www.ulda.qld.gov.au/_dbase_upl/NHCommunity_Newsletter1.pdf>. Community Newsletter 2, 2008. Northshore Hamilton. Available at < http://www.ulda.qld.gov.au/_dbase_upl/20080630_NSH_news2.pdf>. Community Newsletter 3, 2009. Northshore Hamilton. Available at < http://www.ulda.qld.gov.au/_dbase_upl/NSH%20newsletter%203%20final.pdf>. Community Newsletter 4, 2010. Northshore Hamilton. Available at < http://www.ulda.qld.gov.au/_dbase_upl/NSH_News_4.pdf>. Cuers, S, 2012. Social Infrastructure Planning in Urban Renewal Areas. Available at < http://www.elton.com.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Cuers-ULDA-urban-renewal-Qld.pdf>. Development Scheme, 2009. Urban Land Development Authority. Available at < http://www.ulda.qld.gov.au/_dbase_upl/Northshore_Hamilton_UDA_Development_Scheme.pdf>. DMA Partners, n.d. Northshore Hamilton UDA, Hamilton. Available at < http://www.dmapartners.com.au/content/cms/Northshore+Hamilton+UDA,+Hamilton/214/>. Etzioni, A, 1995. Rights and the Common Good: the Communitarian Perspective, New York, St Martine Press. Master Plan, n.d. ULDA Master Plan. Available at < http://assets2.mirvacdevelopment.com/assets/foreshore-site/ZuQx5IlEUewXcq3/ULDA-Draft-Masterplan-Render.pdf>. Mill, J.S, 1979. “On Liberty in Utilitarianism”, On Liberty, On Bentham, London, and Collins (first published, 1859, London). Pracsys, 2008. Northshore Hamilton. Available at < http://pracsys.com.au/files/ULDA Northshore-Hamilton.pdf>. Queensland Government, 2009. Northshore Hamilton Urban Development Area Development Scheme. Available at < http://www.ulda.qld.gov.au/_dbase_upl/Northshore_Hamilton_UDA_Development_Scheme.pdf>. Queensland Government, 2010. Urban Development Area. Available at < http://www.ulda.qld.gov.au/_dbase_upl/NorthshoreFS.pdf>. Queensland Government, 2010. Urban Land Development Authority. Available at < http://www.pc.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0015/100536/sub019.pdf>. Queensland Government, 2011. Media Release. Available at < http://www.northshorehamilton.com.au/flux-content/northshore/pdf/Media-Release-NSH-preview-event.pdf>. Queensland Government, 2012. Social Infrastructure Planning in Urban Renewal Areas. Available at < http://www.elton.com.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Cuers-ULDA-urban-renewal-Qld.pdf>. REA Group, n.d. Hamilton. Available at < http://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment qld-hamilton-106753140>. UTS, 2009.Northshore Hamilton Urban Development Area. Available at < http://www.lib.uts.edu.au/gta/14379/northshore-hamilton-urban-development-area>. Urban Land Development Authority, 2008. Northshore Hamilton UDA update. < http://www.ulda.qld.gov.au/01_cms/details.asp?ID=165>. Urban Land Development Authority, 2008. Northshore Hamilton, Brisbane. Available at < http://www.ulda.qld.gov.au/01_cms/details.asp?ID=32>. Appendix The yellow line indicates the Urban Development Area boundary for Northshore Hamilton. Figure 3: Northshore Hamilton Urban Development Area Structure Plan Figure 4: Zoning and Precinct Plan Figure 5: Bretts Wharf Figure 6: Building Heights Plan Figure 7: Harbour Road Figure 8: Building Heights Plan Figure 9: Northshore Urban Village Figure 10: Sub-precinct plan Figure 11: Building heights plan Figure 12: Northshore Park Figure 13: Sub-precinct plan Figure 14: Building Heights Plan Figure 15: Waterfront Residential Figure 16: Plot ratios for Northshore Hamilton UDA under 2000 Brisbane City Plan of Brisbane City Council Figure 17: Open and Civic Space Figure 18: Future Apartments Figure 19: Current Industrial Use of the area Figure 20: Empty Streets Figure 21: Empty Buildings Figure 22: Future Buildings Figure 23: ULDA Master Plan Read More