26 September 2013
The changes to the NSW planning reforms must not stop the need for a diverse range of housing types to compliment the low density suburban model for Sydney, says the Urban Taskforce.
“There are a growing number of people who now want to live in more urban areas often in apartments and it is essential that these models are encouraged in the right locations,” says Urban Taskforce CEO, Chris Johnson.
“What is needed to contribute to community discussions on future growth are a number of models for varying levels of density. The Urban Taskforce has developed a new system of grading density based on building heights. Seven residential types representing the number of storeys have been selected from R2 to R4, R6, R8, R12, R25 and R35+.”
“Using precincts by Urban Taskforce members ranging from 100 people per hectare to 1,000 people per hectare we have assembled video fly throughs to give communities a good understanding of the range of density types. The extent of amenities goes up with density where child care centres, shopping centres, gymnasiums, parks and public transport are provided.”
“To encourage community use of our EcoDenCity package we have developed a publication, a website, a YouTube, an email version and a flipbook. The Urban Taskforce is keen to demonstrate the range of density types to community groups and to councils.”
The website is at www.ecodencity.com.au
The flip book is here www.urbantaskforce.com.au/https://www.urbantaskforce.com.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/urbanideas/september2013/
The YouTube is accessed here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QH-9V5kbiT8&feature=youtu.be
The short cut email version is here http://www.ecodencity.com.au/edm/
“We need a robust planning system that supports the development of new housing. This may mean having many Urban Activation Precincts at town centres and transport nodes where the Code Assessable system can get communities involved in setting the rules for development options and then projects get faster approvals when they comply with the rules.”
“Sydney needs to engage in discussion about the need for a range of density types so that we can accommodate the 1.5 million extra people needing housing in the city over the next 20 years.”
“Over recent years Sydney has only produced 15,000 new houses a year. Support from the State Government has boosted this to 21,000 but Sydney needs at least 32,000 new houses or apartments a year over the next 20 years. We need communities to support this population growth through a range of density types.”
