LEADING THE WAY

There is a certain amount of crystal-ball gazing in any endeavour that seeks to account for the future especially when planning the growth of a city.

At Brisbane City Council, Urban Renewal Brisbane (URB) carries out the planning and implementation projects within a 1000-hectare area from Albion in the northeast through to Woolloongabba in the south, says Brisbane City Council neighbourhood planning and development assessment chair, councillor Amanda Cooper.

"URB is the lead agent for change in several key inner-city locations, including Fortitude Valley, South Brisbane Riverside, and Newstead. These areas will accommodate a significant proportion of growth in jobs and dwellings, while also delivering improved urban spaces, housing choice, urban amenity and improved public transport."

Through extensive consultation with both the private and public sectors, URB has identified five key elements in the planning process: people, the green web, innovation, better public transport and a mix of uses. Already in areas such as Teneriffe, former commercial and industrial buildings have been redeveloped into high-quality residential and retail facilities.

"As Brisbane continues to see significant growth, we must look towards innovative solutions to address the challenges being faced by the city," says Cooper.

One such initiative for the city's residents and workers is Inhabit ideas for better living. In this pilot programme, URB identified several small thoroughfares and laneways in the CBD and transformed them into temporary art galleries and parks.

The outstanding success of the projects encouraged residents to view the inner city from a different perspective. As a result, Brisbane City Council is looking to make some of the locations permanent sites for art installations.

"Surveys conducted during the programme indicate that there is significant public support for more art and events in our CBD spaces," says Cooper.

"Inhabit identified opportunities for art in the city, and we will continue to look for new projects based on the City Centre Master Plan."

Areas such as South Brisbane Riverside and the Valley are also undergoing a cultural and strategic transformation. These two regions have been incorporated into URB's Neighbourhood Plans with the focus on land use and activities, together with built-form design and density.

"We are keen to use new solutions for the challenges faced by ever-growing cities," says Cooper. "Brisbane City Council has an ongoing vision for the area's projected population, which includes increased housing options, a series of linked parkways providing a green belt area along the river's edge, and additional bus and ferry facilities. With these measures in place, the city of Brisbane will be an outstanding example of new urban living."

Story by: Justin Foote