Julian Bolleter

The potential of ecologically enhanced urban parks to encourage and catalyze densification in greyfield suburbs

Abstract This paper explores the potential of a strategy for achieving infill development in Australian greyfield suburbs in which redesigned, ecologically enhanced urban parks, in areas with reasonable access to public transport, are employed to encourage, catalyze, and ultimately support, residential densification. This process involves the upzoning of a walkable catchment of selected greyfield urban parks to higher residential densities than the market is currently delivering. To encourage this upzoning in the local community, local parks are redesigned using an ecological-oriented approach that seeks to enhance both their ecological and social values. The parks’ redesign is likely to lead to an increase in land values, which, in turn, is anticipated to catalyze redevelopment. In combination with increased zoning densities, this strategy is hypothesized to lead to greater densification. It is proposed that, as the densification occurs, a needs-based assessment is conducted to determine the park equipment required by the increased park catchment population. The potential of this process is explored in an illustrative planning exercise in the local government area of Bayswater (Perth, Western Australia), which has significant infill targets and a large amount of sports field-dominated parkland. The paper concludes by arguing that a strategy of densification around public open space could potentially aid in greyfield suburbs achieving their infill targets, as well as lead to improved social and ecological outcomes.

Charting the Potential of Landscape Urbanism in Dubai

Abstract Landscape Urbanism has been, to date, a theory emerging primarily from the Western world. This paper counters the Western focus by exploring the potential of Landscape Urbanism theory in Dubai. In a previous article published by the author, landscape architecture in Dubai has been identified as diverging from the tenets of the various charters of the International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA), having apparently scant regard for pressing ecological, social and cultural design issues. Landscape Urbanism in this paper is discussed with respect to its ability to bolster the practice of landscape architecture in Dubai in relation to these issues. The paper argues that a number of key facets of Landscape Urbanism appear difficult to reconcile with the ecological, social and cultural conditions of Dubai. Further to this, it tends to lack the tools by which landscape urbanists in Dubai could link theory with practice.

Para-scape: landscape architecture in Dubai

This paper explores the role of landscape architecture in the city state of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) [1]. Landscape architecture in Dubai is generally regarded as a benign force, but is a nonetheless important component of constructing Dubais global image and legitimising its socio-political hierarchy. Landscape, in broad terms, is analysed through the lens of Para-Scape: a landscape derived from Koranic depictions of paradise. A survey of a range of landscape architectural projects leads to identification of the dominant landscape architectural typologies that underlie and illuminate the ways in which culture and nature are perceived in Dubai. Primarily, landscape architecture in Dubai is enlisted to serve two grand narratives: the paradisiacal image of greening the desert (Para-Scape), and making the city more attractive to global capital. The paper reveals and examines the way landscape is used within the city to serve these larger narratives. Comparing the work being carried out in Dubai with the tenets of the various charters of the International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA), it becomes apparent that what is happening is Dubai presents a fascinating discrepancy between theory and prac tice[2]. As the handmaiden of global capital with, apparently, scant regard for pressing ecological and social issues, landscape architec ture in Dubai is arguably in a state of crisis. This paper explores this crisis in physical and theoretical terms – not in order to pass definitive judgement on landscape architecture in Dubai but better understand the complexity of what would otherwise appear a superficial situation. What is happening in Dubai is interesting precisely because it so blatantly affronts IFLAs ideals.

On the verge: re-thinking street reserves in relation to suburban densification

Abstract This paper proposes an alternative strategy for delivering urban infill development in suburban contexts. The paper contends that the combination of upgraded streetscapes and residential densification could result in positive synergies. These include the supply of open space amenity as an incentive for resident groups to support infill development that achieves greater than usual residential densities. The capacity of this approach is tested in a research by design exercise in an Australian greyfield suburb that has high infill development targets and expansive yet typically poorly utilized street reserves.

Creating a Rural Civilization

This chapter scopes the early to mid-twentieth century period (1901–1945) in which Australians strove to create a “rural civilization.” The fantasy that propelled this proposed civilization was that Australia might one day support a rural population of hundreds of millions. This, the proponents of the “garden city” model suggested, would deliver both physical and social health benefits while bolstering Australia’s defenses with a healthy “country-raised” population. The numerous new city proposals that emerged following the Second World War included a scheme to build cities around a permanently flooded Lake Eyre and dotted along vast railway networks circumscribing Australia’s arid interior. All these proposals floundered, however, because of the harsh realities of Australia’s interior and the enduring tyranny of distance. Added to this was the dominance and livability of the existing capital cities on the coast.

Barriers to New Northern Cities

This chapter evaluates the potential barriers that could derail the delivery of the new or boosted city proposals for northern Australia, discussed in the previous chapter. These barriers are, to varying degrees, environmental, economic, societal, and governance-related and include carrying capacity issues, the cost of enabling infrastructure, and the question of how to stimulate growth in a new city. Many of these barriers will be familiar to readers who are acquainted with failed attempts at decentralization from the twentieth century. However, in some cases, these barriers have transmuted into different forms, with both changing technology and climate. Regardless, an analysis of these barriers reveals some formidable obstacles to new or boosted city developments in the north, of which proponents should be aware.

New Northern Cities

There have been numerous recent proposals for new or boosted cities in northern Australia. These include new charter cities in the north proposed by World Bank Vice President Paul Romer. Other proposals include Western Australian state government plans to turn Pilbara mining company towns into bustling cities, and Northern Territory Government plans to build a satellite city orbiting Darwin. This chapter provides a tour of these new or boosted city proposals and discusses their agendas and spatial planning. These proposals are potentially important because the federal government has projected a possible fourfold increase in the north’s population by 2060.

Living suburbs for Living Streams: how urban design strategies can enhance the amenity provided by Living Stream orientated Public Open Space

Abstract Perth, the capital city of Western Australia, is a city which is urbanizing into seasonally waterlogged land on two major development fronts. One result of this is that many new greenfield developments are adopting Living Stream orientated Public Open Space systems to cope with the related drainage issues. With respect to this situation this paper scopes the twin research questions, to what degree can Perth Living Stream reserves be considered high amenity Public Open Space, and how can Living Streams be optimized, from an urban design perspective, to provide greater amenity?’ These questions are explored in relation to a taxonomy of recently constructed greenfield Living Stream projects in Perth. The paper concludes that a number of urban design strategies could be deployed in relation to urban density and structure, which could increase the amenity Living Streams provide.

Postcards from the edge: A critical reading of representations of the interior in Australian landscape architecture

Abstract The arid interior of Australia has been conceptualized as the site of a barren wasteland in need of ‘improvement’, a place of symbolic sacrifice by European-Australian culture to the archetypal interior, a powerful symbol of the ‘other’, and a source of Australian authenticity. Since 2001, a number of key public projects located in Australia’s capital cities have sought to represent and refer to the landscape of the interior through landscape design. This paper explores two such projects for how the profession of landscape architecture has applied the narratives of the Australian interior. These projects openly reflect the fact that European-Australian culture remains typically estranged from the landscapes of Australia’s interior_a situation that has implications for the way landscape architecture deals with the drying of Australia’s fertile fringes and engages with indigenous culture.

Fringe benefits? A review of outer suburban development on Perth’s fringes in relation to state government goals concerning the natural environment and efficient transport connectivity

ABSTRACT This paper assesses suburban development on Perth’s fringes delivered since 2004; the year Perth’s first serious plan for urban consolidation was released. This assessment is conducted with reference to state government goals concerning facilitating access to the natural environment and delivering efficient transport connectivity. The paper concludes that greenfield development is producing mixed results in these areas. In this respect infill targets and policies enabling such outer suburban development warrant scrutiny.