b'AROUND THE WORLD NEW TRANSPORT SYSTEMSARE SHAPING NEW DEVELOPMENTThe Urban Taskforce organized a half day conference to highlight the symbiotic relationship between new transport systems and the location of new development. The conference saw examples from London, Singapore, Melbourne, Belfast, Doha and Sydney that connected urban planning to accommodate growing populations with the roll out of fast metro rail or light rail networks. While Sydney is going through its biggest investment in new metro rail lines ever, the length of our new network is well behind the networks in Shanghai or Singapore, and the early adopter cities of London, Paris and New York. So, Sydney is on track to roll-out a city shaping public transport network that will support the city growing from its current 5 million people up to 8 million over the next 40 years. INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT WITH TRANSPORT TOM FORRESTChief Executive Officer The Urban Taskforce supports the growing trend of constructing newUrban Taskforce Australiametro lines in existing cities that have become too big to only relyThe effective integration of on vehicular road traffic. As Sydney grows from its current 5 millionland-use planning and transport people up to 8 million over the next 30 or 40 years, the new metro railinfrastructure planning has network will be an essential way to move people around the city. Also,beguiled State governments a network of light rail loops that feed the metro stations will also bein NSW for decades.essential. But it is critical that denser forms of living are constructed around the metro stations and along the light rail routes. In this wayThe North West of Sydney was people can walk to the station and avoid car use. fully developed with out a rail line. The North West Metro, The Urban Taskforce believes that along with the announcementwhile very welcome indeed,of any new rail station there must be a related announcement aboutcost significantly more to build as a result of the disconnect between new urban development focused on taller apartment buildings. the development of housing and the reservation of a transport corridor.DEVELOPMENT WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE The Berijiklian government seems to have learnt this lesson, but the OF TRANSPORT NODES proof will be in the pudding. Developing quality high rise and high density mixed use real estate above and around new rail lines, metro The most crucial part of how cities are shaped by transport is to getlines and light rail lines is sensible on every level. This will change the as many people as possible living within walking distance of a transportcharacter of some suburban shopping strips. So be it.node. In Sydney, the roll out of the new metro rail network with itsThe Cities Shaped by Transport conference showcased examples multiple stations are where new development is best located. Thefrom around the world where transport infrastructure investment Urban Taskforce has strongly advocated for good density aroundhas been planned and delivered in parallel with urban renewal metro stations that enable commuters to walk to the station. along with increased building height and density. Transport Oriented MESSAGES TO NERVOUS COMMUNITIES Developments reduce traffic as there is no need for commuters to drive to station car parks. Thats why the area immediately surrounding a transport node should be high rise. By developing high density, high Metropolitan Sydney is partamenity, environmentally friendly apartments near stations, we deliver way through its restructuringan option that is increasing attractive for both young families and into a metro city with urbanretirees, at a price point they can afford.apartment development and this has created concerns aboutThis conference was a tribute to the vision of Chris Johnson and his a change in the character of theoutstanding leadership of the Urban Taskforce over the last 8 years. city by many suburban dwellersIt highlighted with optimism and quality the possibilities available if we living in detached houses. Butdare to dream beyond the constraints of the statutory planners box.Sydney can have both housing typologies: we can have low riseChris Johnsonwe thank you and wish you well in your post garden suburbs and we can haveUrban Taskforce life.more cosmopolitan urban living environments in centres aroundTom Forrest, CEOtransport nodes. This edition of Urban Ideas demonstrates Chris Johnson, successful solutions to linking Conference facilitator, Former CEO density to transport from around Urban Taskforce Australia the world.Major Sponsor Sponsors2'