University of Canberra Commercial Precinct Study

Although not strictly about urban and regional planning this was a report written for my statistics based unit at University of Canberra. I thought it had some interesting planning aspects so I'm posting it here.


PERCommercialPrecinctReportFinal.pdf

Yass Town Strategic Plan

Yass Town Final Copy

Importance of Indicators in Strategic Plans

Indicators are an important way of measuring the success of strategic plans by monitoring the plans priorities and outcomes. It is important to monitor and measure the success of strategic plans to see if the goals and outcomes our being achieved and if they are not then changes may need to be made to actions and/or priorities or the plan may have to be changed in its entirety. Indicators vary depending on the plan and what they measure. Some indicators our based on baseline data and therefore are easy to measure for example foot fall other indicators like quality of life and state of the environment can be harder to measure although there are models that can be used.

Plans which focus on easily measurable indicators from baseline data such as the Queanbeyan CBD Master Plan and to a lesser extent the Canberra City Plan can lose focus on the community just to deliver these figures to show the effectiveness of the plan which is not ideal. Although plans which focus on things harder to measure like Bristol 2020 plan also tread a fine line, being difficult to measure the effectiveness of the plan. A combination of easily measurable and more complex indicators help make the best plan. Indicators are very important because without a way of measuring the success of a strategic plan it is just an academic exercise.

References

Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate , 2012. ACT Planning Stratergy , Canberra: ACT Government.

Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate, 2013. The City Plan, Canberra: ACT Government.

Leyshon Consulting, 2009. Queanbeyan CBD Master Plan, Sydney: Leyshon Consulting PTY LTD.

McMahon, S. K., 2002. The development of quality of life indicators—a case study from the City of Bristol, UK, Bristol: Elsevier.

The Bristol Partnership, n.d. The Bristol 20:20 Plan, Bristol: Synergy Creative.

Importance of Capital Metro - Canberra as a Great Global City

Capital metro is very important much needed piece of infrastructure although controversial especially if you believe the Canberra Times. Canberra has always been designed to have rail and the large wide median strips show this; but this has never happened. Canberra’s reliance on cars needs to be broken to deal with many issues such as growth in population, sustainability and higher fuel prices, (ACT Government, 2012).

 The first stage is Gungahlin to civic is controversial option but really this makes sense because currently Northbourne avenue is currently a pressure point for public transport, public transport from civic to Gungahlin doesn’t work, this is because there is no bus priority along Northbourne, (ACT Government, 2014). Options to rectify this are to make the left lane along Northbourne a bus only lane which would congest traffic further or the light rail. One obvious answer the light rail its good for Canberra and needed for the future, (Hass, 2014). 

The other thing building capital metro is facilitating is the Northbourne corridor revamp which will completely change Canberra’s image for tourists as they drive in from dilapidated housing commission buildings to nice modern mixed use buildings, more people and more vibrancy, (ACT Government, Land Development Agency, 2014) .

Bibliography

ACT Government, Land Development Agency, 2014. Northbourne Housing Precinct. [Online]
Available at: http://www.lda.act.gov.au/en/northbourne-avenue-corridor

ACT Government, 2012. Transport for Canberra, Canberra: Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate.

ACT Government, 2014. Capital Metro. [Online]
Available at: http://www.capitalmetro.act.gov.au/

Hass, D. C., 2014. ACT Light Rail. [Online]
Available at: http://www.actlightrail.info/
[Accessed 21 October 2014].

City to the Lake

City to the Lake is Canberra’s largest urban renewal project if the ACT government gets around to it. It will bring Canberra’s CBD to West Basin bridging across Parks Way. This Project needs to be done very carefully and needs to enhance not worsen the aesthetic appeal of Lake Burley Griffin. While I do believe this project needs to happen I’m not sure now is a suitable time, not to be to negative but with recent hits to Canberra’s economy and retail struggling around the city I think adding large new retail spaces just won’t work.

Increasing Civics population by building high density housing in the centre of the city as has been seen in New Acton could make this project more viable in the future. On the positive side this project will deliver much needed accommodation in the centre of the city and even more importantly deliver much needed infrastructure, (ACT Government, Environment and Sustainable Development, 2012). Within the City to the lake plan is a new Aquatics Centre, Stadium and land reserved for a new convention centre.

 New Aquatics facilities and a stadium are desperately needed for Canberra and I would start this project by building the new aquatics facility and stadium and then re-evaluate the rest of the project once that is complete, (ACT Government, Environment and Sustainable Development, 2012).

References

ACT Government, Environment and Sustainable Development, 2012. ACT Planning Strategy, Canberra: ACT Government.

Update

Just updating you all my last post and the next 3 are a part of this semesters assessable

  work of 4, 200 words Forum Post spread across the semester. I'm sorry they are brief but I am restricted by the 200 word limit.

Evaluation Tools and Systems

Accessibility is an vital consideration in urban and regional planning however it is rarely considered for policy evaluation from the viewpoint of individuals' quality of life (QoL), (Doi, et al., 2007). Physical accessibility can be split into two key categories: transport and Activity. Transport is simply travel distance, time, cost for various modes of transport, Activity refers to the amount and location of opportunities, (Doi, et al., 2007). The evaluation of QoL has changed throughout time and has recently been evaluated as satisfaction/availability of resources, (Doi, et al., 2007). this is no longer an accurate way to evaluate QoL a more comprehensive approach is needed to understand QoL and how strategic urban planning can enhance QoL, (Khalil, 2012). Five key aspects are to be considered when planning these are safety and security, economic opportunity, service and cultural opportunity and environmental benignity these five areas can replace Felce and Perry’s five areas of QoL which although were multidimensional the cannot be easily applied, (Khalil, 2012). When these Five aspects are applied in urban planning healthier cities can be created and flow on effects are seen. Using these aspects in strategic planning helps lead to less inequality, more recreation, lowing of mental health issues and healthier places to live all round, (Barton & Tsourou, 2013).

Bibliography

Barton, H. & Tsourou, C., 2013. Healthy Urban Planning. 1st ed. Copenhagen: Taylor and Francis Group.

Doi, K., Kii , M. & Nakanishi, H., 2007. An integrated evaluation method of accessibility, quality of life, and social interaction, Toyohashi: published online.

Khalil, H. A., 2012. Enhancing quality of life through strategic urban planning. 5th ed. Cairo: Cairo University .

Case study 5 Coping with disaster: Victorian Bushfire 2009

The 2009 Victorian bushfires also known as the black Saturday bushfires were a series of bushfires that ignited on the 7^th of February 2009. These bushfires killed 173 people and injured around 414 people, over 3500 structures destroyed mainly houses with over 4billion dollars’ worth of damages.  

This day was a perfect day for bushfires with the temperature peaking in Melbourne at 46.4deggrees (C) and 48.8 degrees (C) and over 115 km/h wind combined to make some of the worst bushfire weather in Australian history. The Australian institute of meteorology predicted these conditions well before they happened they and preparations were made warnings were given the fireman were ready to fight the blaze and still 173 people died.

The towns of Kinglake, Marysville, Narbethong, Strathewen and Flowerdale were completely destroyed well many others were severely damaged. Although this is extremely tragic planning can go a long way to making sure that something like this won’t happen again. In September 2009 a royal commission into the Victorian bushfires was called and policy improvements were recommended and there was a strong focus on buying back properties in extreme danger areas, wide fire barriers and clearings around roads and property’s.

other recommendations where more back burning, fire trails, higher fire safety standards for properties (including retrofitting heritage properties), more fire access roads and improving communications as fire tore through telephone lines and towers and communications where lost better communications facilities are needed and more resilient from fire. Another focus was on vulnerable demographics almost 50% of people who died where over 70 or under 12 more has to be done to protect these vulnerable members of the community such as making aged care and child care facilities more fire resistant and in non-fire prone areas.

Case study 3 Planning for adaptation: Batemans Bay

Batemans bay is a town growing fast and has many issues and problems to consider which are unique to settlements on the coast. Batemans bay currently has a population of around 16,000 people which is expected to increase by around 40% to 23,000 by 2031. Batemans bay has an ageing and elderly population with 22% of the population over 65 and this expected to increase over the next 20 years Batemans bay being a desirable retirement destination for members of Canberra and surrounding areas. For this reason Eurobodalla Shire Council have brought in an ageing-in-place strategy to provide planning directions and controls that support easy-maintenance homes for seniors that are located close to shops and other services.

Batemans Bay

The growth of Batemans Bay will be achieved through a combination of Greenfield, urban renewal and infill projects. Two areas were considered for greenfield development both north of Batemans bay CBD; one in Batemans bay north and the other near Maloney’s beach after much deliberation and studies the north Batemans bay site was found to be the best area for greenfield development and Maloney’s beach should not be used until after the north Batemans bay sit.

new growth areas

 

Although these Greenfield areas could accommodate Batemans bays population increase this would not be ideal for Batemans bay infill will be needed in central areas to keep the population especially elderly population close to services. Environmental issues also need to be thought about when planning anywhere but a costal environment is especially venerable.

elderly infill housing Batemans Bay

 

Sea level rise is a serious issue that needs to be planned for with the sea rising an average of 3mm per year, king tides and heavy rainfall also make flooding a more recent event, planning needs to consider this and leave barriers and clearings from the ocean and rivers. If planned well this could save millions of dollars’ worth of damages in the future also Batemans bay being regional and surrounded by bush land and only with one major access road bush fires are a serious issue which can be managed via back burning fire breaks and fire barriers/clearings especially around roads and fire routes.

 

Case Study 2: Melbourne Docklands

Docklands is probably the largest and most economically significant urban renewal project which has taken place in Australia’s history. This project has huge implications on Melbourne, Victoria and Australia as it attempts to attract large national and international business investment. The economic benefits more then cover the overall expense of this large project; the overall cost of the project is $12billion and is currently at its halfway point but has already received $8.5billion of business investment and when complete in 2025 it will accommodate over 50,000 workers. These economic benefits are extremely important to Melbourne’s economy but a urban renewal project of this size internationally shows that Australia can be world leaders in innovation to encourage global investment.

To understand the importance of this urban renewal project locally we first need to consider the history of this area. Established in 1880 to support ships for incoming immigrants and materials, over years it became a heavy industrial area to take in materials for Melbourne and Victoria’s trade, construction and manufacturing industries. Between 1900 and the 1950’s Docklands was the busiest port in Australia, this was due to both industry and immigration and for this reason established strong rail links for trade and transport across Melbourne and Victoria. After the 1950’s docklands trade was redirected to other more accessible ports in Victoria most notably Geelong and its fate was uncertain all that remained was an industrial wasteland on Melbourne’s naturally beautiful waterfront.

In 1991 the Victorian government established the docklands authority, to plan and develop the docklands area, in 1996 the plans were drafted and released and the docklands area was split in 7 precincts, in 1997 construction on the stadium commenced and in 2013 the docklands project hit its halfway point.

Docklands history gives it a special place in the community’s heart so extensive community consultation was and still is needed for the correct outcomes for the Melbourne community and heritage plays and important role to preserve the history of docklands. What was clear from the community consultation was the community wanted more utilisation of the water front, more greens spaces and innovative environmental design. This was all considered and is reflected in the reports released. Docklands is now an area with investor, community and tourist appeal, all design and construction must fall within ESD guidelines and the docklands area will be home to 20,000 residents, 700 marinas and over 100 restaurants and café to establish a vibrant area on Melbourne’s waterfront.

 

Reflection of case study 1: Queanbeyan

 

Firstly I hope all the people who were at the presentation enjoyed it, I have to say this was one of the most interesting assignments that I have had to present. Queanbeyan is a regional city in NSW and has a similar planning framework as other regional NSW cities of simular sizes however Queanbeyan has unique concerns and problems due to its proximity to Canberra. To begin this presentation the process Queanbeyan city council go through in planning was outlined and a brief history was given then we spoke about new growth areas of Queanbeyan these are areas of expansion for Queanbeyan these include south Jerrabomberra, Tralee area and Googong with construction on Stage 1 of Googong well underway.

Then we spoke about the road infrastructure of Queanbeyan and future roads such as Dunns creek road, Ellerton drive extension and the northern bypass currently not going ahead and outlined most of the new road infrastructure and road improvements were being built to facilitate for the new growth areas. Then we moved on to talk about infill housing and Queanbeyan having some quite large high and medium density areas due to their proximity to Canberra and surrounds and also close to Queanbeyan CBD but with this zoning maps of Queanbeyan where shown and zoning problems where outlined from where high density and medium density housing areas met industrial areas.

Then we moved on to heritage and this is an important planning consideration to remain the city’s history but encourage investment, then transport infrastructure was spoken about focusing on public transport, walking and cycling and a focus on the car orientated type of city Queanbeyan is and a lack of public transport integration between Queanbeyan and Canberra. Finally the economics of Queanbeyan was outlined reviewing Queanbeyan city council reports, 2006 census and the CBD master plan and critically analysed the plans for future development and looked at Queanbeyan’s strong manufacturing and construction industries influence we concluded are speech with a short video to have a light hearted finish and I hope all who were there enjoyed.

Planning Systems in Australia (blog 2 2014)

Planning systems in Australia vary depending on state and territory. Every state and territory have their own distinct planning systems and process which are influenced by different things depending on what is significant for that state or territory for this reason I’ll break this blog post into State and territories

ACT

Planning has always been a big part of the ACT Canberra being a planned Capital as you all know. Planning in Canberra dates back to the original griffin plan (1911 + 1918) work didn’t really get underway on Griffins vision till 1927 with the Federal Capital commission (FCC) and the later the National Capital Development Commission (NCDC). The Commonwealth government remained the sole planning Authority over the ACT till it gained self-governance in 1988 and with self-governance came the Australian Capital Territory’s Land and Management act 1988. This did not mean the ACT government became the sole body when it comes Planning due to Canberra’s national commission the NCA would be in charge of planning areas of national significance and these areas would remain commonwealth land while ACTPLA would be the planning body in charge of all other areas. Certain areas of Canberra overlap a good example of this would be Canberra City which is ACT land and also has national significance in this case both planning bodies preside although the commonwealth government (NCA) are supposed to get priority. The ACT does have its own unique advantages in planning as both the ACT Government and Commonwealth Government own all the Land within the territory this means land ownership doesn’t become a big issue and all plans can be carried out in their entirety which has been a problem in other states. This also brings unique challenges as land sales make up 50% of the ACT governments income this tends to cloud their judgement in regards to development.

NSW

New South Wales planning system is very similar to that of all the other states where the state government creates rules and guidelines for planning and then the local councils are the reasonable bodies for planning and they work with in these guidelines. This system becomes problematic in a large city like Sydney where you have 38 local councils which have to work together for big planning projects they often run into problems and the state government then steps in to solve these problems. In recent years the State government has played a larger role in the planning of Sydney to solve this problem.

NT

Northern territory being a territory it is quite similar to the ACT with the commonwealths sitting above the territory government however the commonwealth don’t play as big a role as Canberra has more national significance with all the federal government buildings and national monuments. Also in the Northern Territory you can own land titles as well as leasing. Northern territory also has large portions of land which has been given back to the indigenous people and needs the approval of their elders to be developed, this is normally granted when royalties have been agreed on.

QLD

Queensland run a similar system to NSW where guidelines are set out by the state government and then local councils are the planning body which work within those guidelines. In Brisbane the largest city in Queensland there is only one large council not lots of small ones like Sydney which solves the issues which arise when councils have to work together.

SA, TAS, VIC + WA

All share simular planning systems; simular to NSW and QLD planning systems, but they vary slightly over what they consider significant to their state for example Tasmania have a strong greens presence in parliament so preservation of national parks and the environment are key in planning, WA mining is significant to their economy so it plays a large role in planning and catering for fly in fly out workers and mining communities. In Victoria it has a strong rich history so heritage and urban renewal play a large part in planning along with catering for agriculture which is a large part of Victoria’s economy. While South Australia has a slightly different planning structure where the state government are the main planning body and local councils play more a symbolic role.

Best Planners in 19-20th Century - Ebenezer Howard (blog 1 2014)

It is hard to pick one planner across the 19^th and 20^th century as there has been many great planners who in their own way have contributed and changed planning theory. Ebenezer Howard was one of these great planners although he is hard to quantify as the best because there are positives and negatives to what he did however he will be the focus of this blog. Ebenezer Howard is very well known in the planning profession mainly due to the fact he started the garden city movement. The garden city movement was very important to planning and changed the way planners thought about cities; before the garden city movement planning especially planning in the UK was focused on what it thought was “functionality” and what functionality basically meant was building a lot of roads and then dumping high density council housing to accommodate the population. The garden city moved away from the idea cities just had to house people and created a community and an aesthetic city people wanted to live in with a lot of trees and open spaces.

Ebenezer Howard’s garden city was the first sustainable city model which came about within the planning profession and now is used a lot when expanding and building new cities now, combining urban areas with trees and open spaces is essential for cities to function and we know that thanks to the garden city movement. Many people miss understand and think the garden city should be low density suburbia but as mentioned in the video ‘Planning Past and Future: Early 21st Century Reflections’ the garden city is a medium density urban centre which allows you to walk to the shops and work and combines community with gardening and farming and becoming fully sustainable. Criticisms of the garden city would be although it can be adapted to work with the environment and make a great social community it doesn’t take into account economics and the productivity of the area things like supporting local business and public transport, that is reflective of the time but now with globalization and urbanization these things have to be incorporated.

Canberra as a Planned city: Early Urban Planning, Modernist and Americanisation of Australian planning Influence on Canberra

Just Our groups essay in a different format

Canberra as a Planned City

Canberra as a Planned City - How Early Modernist and American Influences shaped Canberra

To what extent has early modernist and American influences shaped Canberra as the capital city we see today?

The 20^th century oversaw many drastic changes as well as new inventions and technologies which would eventuate as pivotal tools and affluences in many western cultures. Along with these new elements came along a new page in urban and town planning. It was a century filled with change and a hungry desire for new directions and approach. It was during this period however where Australia witnessed a new birth of a city, a new capital in the name of Canberra. Canberra steadfastly evolved over a period of 100 years which oversaw new changes and philosophies in the approach of planning, with the likes of Le Corbusier leading the modernist charge, as well as rapidly growing American ‘Empire’ to which its cultural influences would spill across the Pacific. These influences would allow neighbourhood units to thrive, long transit freeways to connect place to place, employment to become a great possibility as well as the administrative centres which would house the Commonwealth government of Australia. Through this essay we will be assessing the modernist and American influences through plans, events, people as well as the competition which started it all.

Early Urban Planning - Pat WIlliams

There is no one definition of urban planning, but can be defined as a technical and political process concerned with the use of land and design of the urban environment, including transportation networks, to guide and ensure the orderly development of settlements and communities. It concerns itself with research and analysis, strategic thinking, architecture, urban design, public consultation, policy recommendations, implementation and management. (Taylor, 2007)Urban planning has been evident since the 5^th century mainly in the Egyptian civilisations, but recent archaeological digs are showing planning in most civilisations with buildings and sewage systems being efficiently placed in a settlement. Planning In early Australia was very minimal with most cities being placed on the east coast for trade purposes like most cities. Much like America and early Britain, the lack of strict development regulations saw dense urban neighbourhoods quickly sprawl out of hand eventually turning to slums. (Stout, 1998). This was evident in early Sydney (figure 1) and Melbourne, although this type of early planning was basic, usually only about the placement of infrastructure with no population growth, economics or environmental studies. Planning today has moved from just placement to a range of areas to a range of areas outlined in the definition above such as design and consultation.

·

Figure 1. Sydney Harbour Bridge with HMAS Canberra in foreground taken from Farm Cove, 19 March 1932.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/national_library_of_australia_commons/6174055380/

Between 1901-1930 Canberra offers the best example of ideas and events associated with the garden city movement. In the initial design and location of Canberra as the capital several criteria had to be followed, the most significant includes 100miles from Sydney and agricultural background. This shows that a garden city influence was evident from the beginning.

The beginning of the 20^th century was the beginning of ‘city beautiful’ approach to town planning in Australia. (Freestone, 1986). This introduced the British Garden City movement developed in the early 20^th century by Ebenezer Howard known for his publication ‘Garden Cities of Tomorrow’ (1898). His strong dedication and advocacy to the Garden City model movement largely influenced the design of Canberra. During this time the garden city was accepted by most with George Taylor explaining in 1914 ‘We can build it as a model city and it’s sweetness will spread; for a garden city is a hundred times more useful, because of the inspiration it creates’ (Taylor, 1914)

Griffin’s design was mostly geometrical but took into account the topography of the site as well. This being an aspect of the garden city in his original plans, also including his tree lined streets and use of parks and gardens. (Freestone, 1986). The whole Manuka retail-complex was designed under the Garden City idea, each residence having open frontage to the street and having garden out the front. (Freestone, 1986).

Figure 2. Aerial View of Manuka Shops c1970s (Griffith, ACT).
http://www.flickr.com/photos/archivesact/6284669063/in/set-72157612716285327

The garden city idea later created satellite towns surrounded by green belts. This saw the city and its suburbs being separated by these green belts (open land), the original idea of it being to prevent the possibility of the city becoming congested.
The early planning of Canberra illustrates many aspects of the garden city outside of Australia including aspects of Washington D.C. Although Canberra was not initially designed as a garden city the geometrical contours and care for topography of Griffin’s plan and the Garden City advocacy from Howard saw the movement largely influence the way Canberra has been planned.

White immigration started as early as 1827 with blocks of land being used for farming and trade purposes. Later in 1901 the federation of states created the commonwealth of Australia, creating links to Britain, Which saw us join them in WW1 and the idea of Canberra as the Capital city. This saw many British immigrate to Australia due to freedom and work opportunities. Also during this time increased European migration was evident, this was because of the white Australia policy only allowed ‘similar skinned’ people into Australia. Skilled workers were also needed for the design and creation of Canberra and other major cities, attracting everyone from engineers, surveyors and architects all the way to labourers and farmers to Australia to start a new life. This diversity influenced Canberra’s future planning and the way Canberra functioned into the future.
Major immigration Australia began during WWII, during the abolishment of the white Australia policy, further diversifying and growing Australia and its need for planning.

Figure 3. Griffin’s Plan against Canberra in 2007.

http://www.cityofsound.com/blog/2007/04/bestlaid_plans_.html

Modernist Planning - Alex Troy Elsworth Adkins

Modernist planning is a relatively recent move in planning theory. Modernist planning theory began around the 1890’s in America (USA) when people started moving from rural and regional areas to urban areas and large cities. This shift from rural to urban areas saw populations of cities boom; between the 1860’s and 1910’s New York’s population went from 470,000 to 5 million people, Philadelphia’s population tripled to 1.5million and Chicago’s population went from 112,000 to 2.1million in the same time frame. This obviously put a lot of stress on infrastructure and planning. Modernist planning theory was put forward to solve these problems, a fundamental part of modernist planning is buildings and being able to build larger and taller buildings to house everything from people to business, (LeGates & Stout, 1998).This began with the birth of the skyscraper which happened in Chicago in 1885 with the world insurance building but since then skyscraper have grown to become taller and cover the landscape of large cities to create their identity, (History, 2013).

The skyscraper allowed modernist planning to house the large populations of cities. A large part of modernist planning is also transport and the motor car, with the automobile becoming more popular and affordable more and more people owned it, (Benevolo, 2013). Modernist planning set out to try and make commuting as easy as possible. The motorway and freeway were built, more roads and bigger roads were built basically in modernist planning theory getting from A-B should be as easy as possible so massive roads were built, (LeGates & Stout, 1998). Then physical and psychological problems started to emerge from environmental degradation, pollution, no areas of recreation or green spaces. People who could started moving out of the cities in to suburbia and then commuting in creating sprawl, more pollution and more need for roads, (Richard T LeGates, 2013). These were issues which planners had to address and Ebenezer Howard’s garden city movement directly addressed but this also caused a shift in modernist planning. Modernist planning no longer just looked at building taller and making so called ‘megacities’ modernist planning shifted to try and become a sustainable form of planning theory. Modernist planning shifted its focus to the community and open spaces were included for recreation, 4-12 story developments, with shops and cafés at the base, offices close by and everything within walking distances; New urbanism, (LeGates & Stout, 1998).

New urbanism                                                                 Kingston foreshore Development

Canberra is a modernist city; it displays all aspects of modernism. Modernism didn’t really start in Australia to around the 1910’s when people relocated from the ‘bush’ to the cities, Canberra is a planned city and it came about in 1913 when modernist planning theory was really taking hold in Australia due to most of Australia’s planning being influenced by the US. Canberra began with a quick influx of people mainly public servants to build this capital with exciting plans put forward by Burley Griffin. What was not foreseen by the government or Canberra was the First world War and Second World War along with the depression had crippled Australia and strangled and enthusiasm for Canberra. Canberra’s future was uncertain but the National capital planning and development committee (NCPDC) wouldn’t let Canberra fail the lake was built, other government departments were moved to Canberra and built around Parkes and Barton. Civic centre was developed with shops and business by the NCPDC and they looked to the federal government for Canberra to have its own University and ANU was established in Acton in 1948, (Reid, 2002).

Canberra from the 1940’s to plans for Canberra now

Canberra’s architecture then changed its landscape taking a much more modernist planning view from the 1950’s onwards building many more apartments and housing more people also new parliament house and other key landmarks like the high court, national gallery and national museum, (Gordon, 2006).while this encouraged people to come to Canberra and with apartments and taller building there was more room to house them, the people who came to the ‘bush capital’ to live wanted the bush life style so Belconnen, Woden, Tuggeranong areas were created to house people and with Canberra’s population reaching over 100,000 people and every household owning a car Canberra’s road system become front and centre. The national capital development commission (NCDC) came up with a solution the ‘Y plan’ this was based on the modernist planning theory of getting people from A-B as quick as possible. The plan was developing Canberra as a Y with Belconnen and Gungahlin as the top two point’s central Canberra around Civic and parliament in the middle and Woden to Tuggeranong at the base, (Reid, 2002).

The plan is based on sprawl and requires people to spend a lot of time in a vehicle and polluting a lot. With a shift for Canberra to have a viable public transport system and double in size over the next 50years sprawl isn’t seen as a viable option and new modernism is seen as the way to go for Canberra planning with developments like Kingston foreshore, city to the lake, south quay and more high-rise developments varying from 4-28stories with Belconnen and Woden planned to have the tallest building in Canberra in the coming years infill modernist planning a new urbanism styled planning is the future of Canberra’s planning, (ACT Government, 2013).

Americanization of Australian Planning – Joseph Sutton

Modernism has been a part of an Americanisation of planning that has influenced Australian cities. Canberra was designed during the early phases of urban planning models and Walter Burley Griffin’s plan was the start of American planning ideas being introduced to Canberra.

Griffin’s plan was influenced by the L’Enfant Plan that was used to design Washington DC. Both Canberra and Washington have been planned with major landmarks being on a certain angle and distance away from each other. The areas surrounding the centre of the city are noted for having low density buildings and many parks situated near a lake. The street layout is also arranged with hexagonal and triangular angles spiralling off each other, these main roads being major tree lined avenues lining up with the city’s landscape and topography with a grid layout of roads filling in between. The angles and shapes that the major landmarks of both cities have been designed on make for good scenery for residents and visitors. Griffin also took inspiration from the Burnham Plan which occurred in his home city of Chicago in 1909 which was based on having the city closely situated to lake. This concept is based on the City Beautiful movement and the ideas of the Garden City. The ideas are based on having a capital city that is aligned perfectly to make for a healthy city with beautiful environments and scenery. Having been designed by an American, there would always be an influence from American planning ideas in Canberra and that would develop as planning entered the Modernist period. (aph.gov.au)

Walter Burley Griffin had a very strong relationship with Frank Lloyd Wright. Wright was a very influential planner in America who had strong designs for housing. His ideas were very architectural based which added more American influence to Australia’s capital. Added American influence came when the competition to design Parliament House was awarded to architect Romaldo Giurgola who had spent most of his career in America. Adding a further American influence to Canberra, this time it was the most important building in the country. (griffinsociety.org)

The relationship between America and Australia was at its strongest around the 50’s and it was then that Canberra begun to fully develop into the city it is today. At the time American planning theories were introduced to Canberra. Heavy use of the car lead to highways being built in America and being introduced to Australia, they were used to connect the new town centres of Woden and Belconnen to the centre of Canberra and the city has continued to expand. This has altered the design of central Canberra with Parkes Way becoming a major road taking traffic away from Constitution Avenue, one of the main roads in Griffin’s plan. The major use of highways however has made Canberra’s heavy use of the use of car a problem with very little public transport causing congestion on roads. The first shopping mall was introduced to Australia during the 1950’s. They were a sign of American consumerism and were the centre part of Woden and Belconnen. The Shopping mall helped shape the way in which Civic works now, away from the original plan of having the major shopping complexes situated around the Sydney and Melbourne Buildings. (Freestone, 2004) (Legates Stout 1998)

The neighbourhood unit is an American planning theory that is very evident and noticeable and the majority of Canberra suburbs. Designed by Clarence Perry, the neighbourhood unit was introduced to Canberra during the 40’s and was a very popular model with Canberra planners. The idea was that the school and local shops are located in the centre of the suburb. The residential houses are located around the major complexes in the suburb. The main idea behind this is that everyone can find their daily needs within their own neighbourhood. The schools and shops are often surrounded by green spaces and parks adding to the Canberra theme of the garden city. This a major influence from America that is seen in all town centres and is the most influential American planning theory to have an impact on America. It serves as a low density version of New Urbanism which comes from the ideas of Modernism. (Freestone 2010)

All of these models and ideas came to Canberra during and part of the Modernist movement in urban planning. The design of Canberra today has been influenced by American ideas during the Modernist period and shapes the city that we now know today.

Canberra as a ‘planned’ city -  Boutros Hanna

Canberra is one of the very few cities around the world to be labelled a ‘planned’ city (others which include Washington and Brasilia). Its planning process since the founding of the nation’s capital has never gone unnoticed. Its finely-implemented neighbourhood units (inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright), its well-coordinated freeways which connect all parts of Canberra, and its approach to the Garden City concept all makes Canberra unique among the rest of the other major cities in Australia. Canberra’s story of how it came to being was indeed that of blood, sweat and toil. 

Australia had just become a nation in 1901 however a new nation needs a new capital city. Sydney and Melbourne fought intensely for the nations bragging rights to host the nation’s capital. However, a compromise was ultimately reached and recorded in section 125 of the Australian Constitution that Melbourne would temporarily host the nation’s capital until a new location (needed to at least 100 miles from Sydney) was discovered and built (Reid, 2002). Charles Scrivener, the surveyor responsible for an appropriate sight, had preference a horseshoe-shaped territory which needed to include a large water catchment. Canberra was ultimately chosen which then allowed competitors to begin work on their drafts to design the new capital city. The competition was announced in April 1911 and many competitors worldwide participated, not to a surprise that the majority of those entrants were from the United States. One entrant, Chicago-based Landscape Architect Walter Burley Griffin, would submit a draft heavily inspired by Washington DC’s planned elements and outlines (Griffin, 2008). Burley’s design of asymmetric elements were designated to accommodate public buildings. Griffin, in his writings says that “The prime object of the Capital City is not an intensive commerce of the throng but the housing of various specialized deliberative and educative activities demanding rather the quiet zones”. His winning design was an arrangement of axes which would place education in one zonal are opposite a variety of headquarters. The Executive, judiciary and legislative components would feature as the predominant elements of the proposal. Garden frontages were initially formed through these coordinated axes so that they did not primarily serve as thoroughfares for communication (Griffin, 2008). Another element of Griffins design proposal were the protection of surrounding hills. This ensured the pristine landscape of Canberra was well preserved (Reid, 2002).

There were no doubts about America’s influence on Canberra as a ‘planned city’. The freeways, housing, neighbourhood units as well as the axis that form the political circles of Canberra. Bear in mind that Canberra was built from a raw site as a result of a compromise – just like Washington. Griffin compares Washington’s geographical location to Canberra’s, asserting “Washington, located politically near the earliest settles coast of a continental area equivalent to Australia, was to represent the civic ideal of an autonomous nationality” (Griffin, 2008). Griffin had apparently worked with the famous Frank Lloyd Wright for a number of years leading up to the competition. It was his time at Wrights studio where he gained most of his influence for designing Canberra as the future capital of Australia. Organic architecture seemed to be the lesson of thought from Lloyd Wright’s studio that invoked Griffin’s future aspirations for Canberra. “Based on careful observation of nature, building not only should appear to grow easily from their site, but each part should conform to the patter of the whole of the design” (Griffin, 2008).

Canberra’s planning during the course of the 20^th century oversaw the Federal Capital Commission (1925-1930) which its primary role was to construct and administer Canberra. Their proposals included the 1925 Gazette proposal which contrasted Griffins road plan as well a proposed government group which was designed to build an administrative centre which was again further entailing Griffins proposal. Canberra grew steadfastly during the course of the 20^th century however 1966 oversaw a new proposal which further exacerbated America’s influence in Canberra alone. The National Capital Development Commission invited American transport consultants to assist in updating a transport plan which would accommodate a further 500,000 people. This plan would ultimately envisage the future growth in Canberra’s suburbs. This plan was called the Spatial Plan or simply the ‘Y’ Plan as proposal radiated from the city centre (Overall, 1995). Woden and Tuggeranong would form the tail of this plan while the northern suburbs of Belconnen, Gungahlin and Sutton would form the two branches which would ultimately form the ‘Y’ shape. This plan was designed on the assumption that Canberra would remain a car-reliant society where its citizens would use public transport to a minimal extent. This plan provided a development of ‘satellite’ towns in which town would have a major shopping centre, office blocks and entertainment facilities which would serve as a ‘magnet’ in drawing people away from the city centre. The freeways would serve as transit links which was aimed at attempting to avoid large numbers of vehicles through local neighbourhoods. School ovals, community facilities and churches were to be within walking distance from the home. These elements of implementation within the 1967 Spatial Plan reverberate strongly around local communities in the United States. Most neighbourhoods from the1950’s had implemented these proposals which were first evident during the post war era.

Overall, Canberra has been highly influenced by America alone. The Modernist movement began in American and would become a dominant force in planning throughout most of the 20^th century. The movement successfully implemented transport in cities and towns to accommodate its citizens, especially the motor vehicle through the idea of the freeways. The New Urbanism, as mentioned by Robert Freestone, is the most influential aspect of the Modernist Movement in the United States as well as the neighbourhood unit. Through these elements, Canberra was able to transform into a capital which can be recognized with similarities to Washington D.C. Walter Burley Griffin, who was inspired by the new American planning theories has successfully managed to make Canberra an ever-evolving city with its sustainable and adjustable elements. Canberra will continue to grow as a capital city if the legacy of Walter Burley Griffin continues to live on through our planning and ideas. It is important that we understand that what we plan today in the nation’s capital may affect future generations yet unborn.

Peer Review: Our group consisted of Boutros Hanna, Alex Adkins, Pat Williams and Joseph Sutton. We had collaborated together on how the modernist movement and American influence played out in the planning process of Canberra. We were lucky enough to meet with a man who has overseen the expansion of Canberra throughout the decades, former chief planner Geoff Campbell. Through our meeting with him on the 28^th November, 2013, he was able to elaborate on the Spatial Plan of 1967, the Federal Government and theNCDC’s role in Canberra’s planning and the neighbourhood units which are evident around Canberra today.  Alex Adkins did his research on the modernist movement and their influences in Canberra, Pat Williams pursued the earlier forms of planning which led to the coming of the modernist and American influences. Joseph Sutton explained America’s strong influence on Canberra during the many years of planning while Boutros assessed Canberra from within including the design competition and the Y plan of 1967.

 

 

 

References

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An Ideal City - The 1912 Competition to Design Canberra. 2013. An Ideal City - The 1912 Competition to Design Canberra. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.idealcity.org.au/. [Accessed 27 November 2013].

Benevolo, L., 2013. Origins of Modern Town Planning. [Online]
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Capital City Conundrum: An Exploration of Canberra as the Nation’s Capital, 2012, accessed from http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/BN/2011-2012/Canberra (Accessed 26-11-13)

Freestone, R., 1986. Canberra as a Garden City 1901-1930. s.l.:s.n.

Freestone, 2004, The Americanisation of Australian Planning, accessed from http://learnonline.canberra.edu.au/pluginfile.php/786893/mod_resource/content/1/Freestone%2C%202004%2C%20The%20Americanisation%20of%20Australian%20Planning.pdf (Accessed 26-11-13)

Gordon, D. L., 2006. Planning Twentieth Century Capital Cities. Middlesex: Routledge. History, 2013. Home Insurance Building. [Online]
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Griffins, D, 2008. The Writing of Walter Burley Griffin. 1st ed. Melbourne: Cambridge Press.

Legates Stout, 1998, Modernism and Early Planning, accessed from http://learnonline.canberra.edu.au/pluginfile.php/786876/mod_resource/content/1/LeGates%20%20Stout%2C%201998%2C%20Modernism%20and%20Early%20Urban%20Planning.pdf (Accessed 26-11-13)

Overall, J, 1995. Canberra: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow. 1st ed. Canberra: Cambridge Press.

Reid, P., 2002. Canberra Following Griffin. 1st ed. Canberra(ACT): National Archives of Australia.

Urban Nation: Australia’s Planning Heritage, 2010, accessed from http://books.google.com.au/books?id=dUrqBbqbZfkC&pg=PA196&lpg=PA196&dq=neighbourhood+unit+canberra&source=bl&ots=PUShd6r-JV&sig=h-Ue5bAYPRH3mbxVa7uKFprrYXw[PH1] &hl=en&sa=X&ei=FymXUuivL82aiAf90oGgCA&ved=0CCoQ6AEwADgK#v=onepage&q=neighbourhood%20unit%20canberra&f=false

Robert Freestone, p.196. (Accessed 28-11-13)

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