2 With a state election due in March 2019 it seems that many local politicians are trying to attract votes by raising concerns about what they term “over development”. The electorates of Ryde and Macquarie Fields have local members and candidates calling for a stop to the amount of development that has occurred in recent years. Mayors from North Sydney, Northern Beaches, Canterbury Bankstown and Ryde are also out calling for an end to what they see as excessive development. Part of the concerns about the new forms of development is that they are all looking too similar. Journalist Andrew Taylor wrote on 30 June 2018 “Apartment developments across Sydney, from inner-city Darling Square to suburban Kogarah, Canterbury Road and Dee Why look strikingly similar.” This issue of Urban Ideas opens up a discussion on the design and appearance of apartment buildings in Sydney. To compare Sydney designs with other cities we look at international examples of apartment design and look in particular at Melbourne apartment buildings which have a reputation for innovative design. This issue also examines a range of Sydney apartments that do have a more innovative appearance. NSW APARTMENT DESIGN GUIDE CONTROLS THE LOOK OF APARTMENT BUILDINGS The NSW Apartment Design Guide (ADG) is a massive document that has far more detail than similar guides in other Australian states. The NSW guide has 180 pages of very detailed text with diagrams. There are 80 objectives with an average of 5 design guidance points for each leading to around 400 design guidance statements. There is also a Required Information check list that includes 125 items. While the NSW Department of Planning has put out directives that the ADG is only a guide the language in the document is very prescriptive and planner working in Sydney councils use the ADG as a tick the box set of rules that defines best practice. THE PLANNING ENVIRONMENT PROMOTES CONFORMITY Along with the ADG most councils have a large number of reports that are required to support the planning application and many council and state planning documents refer to ‘respecting the existing neighbourhood character’. The battling developer who wants an approval is forced into trying to comply with the multitude of controls, guides, policies and requirements or the planning process will be delayed. The best way to get an approval from the planning system is simply to conform and look the same as other apartment buildings that have been approved and built. THERE MUST BE ANOTHER PLANNING PATH THAT ENCOURAGES INNOVATION “ THE URBAN TASKFORCE BELIEVES THAT AN ALTERNATIVE ‘DESIGN EXCELLENCE’ PLANNING PATH IS REQUIRED THAT ENCOURAGES INNOVATION. “ Melbourne architects seem to have more design freedom and this is partly based on the strength of the ‘design culture’ that has evolved in that city. Many Melbourne architects have found that the design competition process in Sydney forces conformity rather than innovation. A way forward for Sydney would be to develop a Design Excellence stream where a small group of design experts under the NSW Government Architect could support designs that were truly innovative. The design experts could involve the arts, a Melbourne architect and someone who represented younger people. SYDNEY APARTMENTS NEED MORE INNOVATION AND LESS REGULATION Urban Taskforce is keen to have responses to the proposals illustrated in this issue of URBAN IDEAS and we welcome comments to: admin@urbantaskforce.com.au Chris Johnson AM Chief Executive Officer Urban Taskforce Australia A sign is appearing on Sydney pavements saying 'Conformity' based on the 'Eternity' signs by Arthur Stace