Julie Brunner

‘Where Have All the Trees Gone?’ Urban Consolidation and the Demise of Urban Vegetation: A Case Study from Western Australia

Abstract Despite a vast body of empirical evidence emphasizing the significance of urban landscapes for improved quality of life, academic literature examining the impacts of urban consolidation on established vegetation and trees remain limited. This paper outlines the economic, social and environmental benefits of urban vegetation and trees and investigates the consequences of urban consolidation on established vegetation and trees in Como, an inner suburb, south of Perth, Western Australia (WA). It presents data from a longitudinal study utilizing photographic evidence and visual observations over several years. This study reveals an overwhelming trend for the removal of all landscaping when land is redeveloped under the current policy direction of urban consolidation. This paper investigates the importance of urban vegetation and trees, as a significant and valuable proportion of ‘greenery’ in urban areas. A conclusion drawn is that there exists little or no incentive for developers to preserve established urban vegetation and trees and only limited capacity to regulate for the protection of established ‘greenery’ in the private domain. Finally, the authors provide some recommendations, which emerge from this research.

A review of the practice and legacy of Australian planning pioneer Margaret Feilman

ABSTRACT Dr Margaret Anne Feilman (OBE) (1921–2013) was one of Western Australia’s most notable and influential planners. With qualifications in architecture and planning, she pioneered an approach to town design that integrated the built form with the natural environment. Her work resulted in, inter alia, the establishment of innovative residential neighbourhoods across Western Australia. Over her 34 year professional career she subscribed to many of the philosophies of the New Town Movement, but also recognised the need to adapt British planning solutions to the Australian social, economic and environmental context. She was an advocate of individualised and situational planning and of incorporating community values and concerns. She also fiercely argued that planning schemes needed to be realistic in their scope and take account of the resources and needs of communities.

Sustaining population levels and understanding the implications of housing density – a review of the approach in Belmont, Western Australia

Abstract Providing opportunities to house-predicted population growth is often considered to be simply a matter of increasing housing densities to provide for the construction of more dwellings. National policies aimed at accounting for this growth prescribe approaches and set targets that may result in outcomes contrary to those desired by or beneficial to the local community. Increases in housing densities applied in isolation and through a blanket approach can actually generate a decrease in population, a significant change in population characteristics and social circumstances and make housing less affordable. This is demonstrated through a longitudinal study of the strategic approach to housing provision in the City of Belmont, Western Australia.