20 November 2014
The Bays Precinct International Summit is presenting the world’s best examples of renewal projects at an inspirational exchange of ideas, says the Urban Taskforce.
“ Urban Growth NSW is to be congratulated on their hosting of the Bays Precinct Summit,” says Urban Taskforce CEO, Chris Johnson. “ The Sydney community is being exposed to exciting renewal projects from New York, Toronto, London, Singapore and Hong Kong.”
“One of the most powerful presentations was by Lincoln Leong of the Hong Kong MTR Corporation. Mr Leong demonstrated the importance of linking rapid transit networks with urban density. The MTR is able to run an efficient rail system by using funds from property development around stations and income from commercial outlets at stations. Amazingly only 23% of MTRs income comes from fares.”
“Around one new rail station the MTR have enabled new residential towers for 58,000 people to be constructed. Clearly Sydney will not develop like Hong Kong but the integration of new housing with transport systems provides a good message for the Bays Precinct urban renewal.”
“Thomas McKnight from New York demonstrated the value of robust development at the urban renewal project at Hudson Yards on waterfront land adjacent to the Hudson River. This bold scheme includes 5,000 residences and 500,000 sq. m of office space in 16 towers and a new subway line. Joe Berridge from Toronto stressed the importance of having large numbers of jobs to support public transport like a light rail system.”
“The reoccurring message was that bold thinking was needed for the urban renewal of the Bays Precinct and that local communities need to be involved in the process.”
“The Urban Taskforce produced an Urban Ideas publication two years ago in October 2012 that presented ideas for renewal of the Bays Precinct and raised concerns that the assets were not being fully utilised. We are keen to work with Urban Growth to ensure that the incredible opportunities at the Bays Precinct are fully realised.” Link to the October 2012 Urban Ideas is here: https://www.urbantaskforce.com.au/https://www.urbantaskforce.com.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/urbanideas/october2012/
