BRISBANE CIT Y COUNCIL | URBAN RENEWAL BRISBANE AUSTRALIAN AWARd fOR URBAN dESIgN

URB has transformed Brisbane's inner-city

Powerhouse | a once derelict city landmark that has become a cultural mecca

australian award for urban design

Urban renewal brisbane | 20 years

Urban Renewal Brisbane (URB) is arguably one of Australias most successful urban renewal programs, responsible for transforming Brisbanes inner-city over the last 20 years. At the heart of Australias fastest growing region, Brisbane in 2011 has proven to be an urban success story, but this wasnt always the case. In the late 1980s Brisbanes inner-city areas were struggling with economic stagnation, urban decay and crime which resulted in an exodus of residents and business to the suburban fringe. URB was established in 1991 and charged with the task of revitalising derelict industrial areas within inner-city Brisbane. In 20 years the States capital city has been transformed with unprecedented growth being harnessed to deliver excellence in urban design and subtropical architecture. The renaissance of inner city Brisbane over the last 20 years has not only created an attractive and more accessible urban environment, but has been critical in reinvigorating the life of the CBD and inner-city and ensuring continued investment in Brisbane. As a direct outcome of the Urban Renewal program, inner Brisbane now features a network of diverse and desirable inner city neighbourhoods which are thriving and self-sufficient mixed-use hubs. Brisbane now faces significant growth challenges with 138,000 new in-fill dwellings to be accommodated by 2031, not to mention the critical employment and retail functions and transport demands of a capital city. URBs focus on urban consolidation is a crucial component of Brisbanes approach to sustainable growth. Careful planning and design allows valued heritage and character areas to be protected alongside contemporary architecture and thus strengthen the identity of local neighbourhoods. By focussing growth in urban renewal areas, close to public transport and other services, existing infrastructure is used more efficiently and natural areas on the fringe of the city are protected from growth. Changing the urban environment to meet changing needs is the central tenet of what URB does, whether its the conversion of woolstores into modern apartments, turning a derelict Powerhouse into a world-class performing arts centre or upgrading open spaces to meet the needs of todays generation. Adaptability is written into plans for future development, using form-based codes to achieve good urban design outcomes but offering flexibility in allowable uses to meet an ever-changing market. One of URBs strengths is its successful approach to the challenges of growth in a way that is sympathetic to the historic and cultural setting of established neighbourhoods. From the very first projects which involved the transformation of historic woolstores in Teneriffe into stylish living spaces and mixed use precincts URB has carefully struck a balance between the creation of vibrant places that meet contemporary needs and preserving the things that people love about their area to look back upon where weve come from. URB also revisits plan areas at regular intervals to engage with local communities, identify new challenges and opportunities and adapt approaches accordingly. The work of URB in transforming Brisbanes inner-city suburbs has opened the eyes of the broader community to the benefits of living in vibrant, mixed use communities that demonstrate good urban design outcomes. The creation and facilitation of numerous best practice design outcomes in both public and private redevelopments has provided realworld examples to demonstrate the value of placemaking and urban design to the wider public. Marketing and communications has also been a key component of the URB program right from the outset to ensure that these benefits are clearly communicated to the community to bring about a true culture-shift in Brisbanes attitude to urban design.

urban renewal brisbane | 20 years

Urban renewal brisbane | 20 years

Urban Renewal Brisbane (URB) has had a unique and outstanding influence in the field of Urban Design in Brisbane. As an innovative agent of change, URB's impact has been greater than any single development or capital works project, as it is the driving force that has brought many diverse components together to orchestrate the revival of Brisbanes inner-city. URB was established in 1991 to revitalise obsolete industrial land around Newstead, Teneriffe and Fortitude Valley. Over the last twenty years URBs role has expanded and is now responsible for planning and development facilitation in growth corridors and major centres within the inner 5km of Brisbane. Urban Renewal Brisbane has been successfully planning and implementing high quality urban design for 20 years. Although URB does not build individual developments its influence on the urban fabric of Brisbane is clearly evident. URB prepares strategies and planning frameworks for neighbourhoods across the inner 5km of Brisbane to embody sustainable urban design right through from the overarching urban structure, down to neighbourhood level and local place-making, including: Focusing new development at accessible locations near transit stations and major centres. Managing the transition of declining industrial land to high density and mixed-use urban communities Establishing new centres to service rapidly growing inner city neighbourhoods Preparing built form guidelines to ensure new development integrates with the established characters Master Planning development sites that serve as catalysts for regeneration in local areas Delivering a range of new public spaces such as plazas, laneways and street upgrades as well as funding critical infrastructure to support new inner city communities Planning for sustainable new transport connections through the inner city

australian award for urban design

URB also actively engages with local residents, businesses and development industry professionals to achieve these urban renewal outcomes. The results of URBs work over the last 20 years are plain to see in the revitalised suburbs of Newstead and Teneriffe. URB has achieved significant success in this time, including: Over 1000ha have been planned for growth and change 120ha of obsolete industrial land are being redeveloped to create vibrant places for living, working and recreation 14ha of new parkland and 4.5km of publicly accessible riverfront promenade $8.75 billion direct investment into infrastructure and development Significant growth in the number of inner-city dwellings: URB Plan Areas 1991 2006 2031 City Centre 689 5,790 10,000 Fortitude Valley 393 3,230 15,000 Newstead & Teneriffe 440 3,500 8,700 URBs successful approach is defined by the following characteristics: Streamlined Renewal Strategies and Code Assessment facilitate timely redevelopment, allowing a rapid response to the market Focused on key centres in Brisbanes inner 5km that offer redevelopment potential Placemaking Delivery of high-quality public realm projects to catalyse renewal Facilitation actively working with developers to deliver urban renewal Clarity A clear message that URB delivers growth and change Partnering with all levels of government and the industry to deliver good outcomes

The renewal of historic woolstores in Teneriffe and Newstead is some of URB's best-known work

urban renewal brisbane | 20 years

Urban Design Processes

Integrated decision making
URB was established as a driving force to partner with all levels of government and the development industry. Initial funding came primarily from two sources the Brisbane City Council, which provides funding each year under its annual budget, and the Commonwealth Government, which provided funding under the Building Better Cities program over a four-year period from 1992-1996. URB reformed the old adversarial approach of private developer versus government regulators. The Urban Renewal Task Force and later the Urban Futures Board employed key private sector developers, architects and urban planners to inform and guide the work of URB.

Engagement
Since URB began working with local communuties to deliver renewal, the community engagement process has gone above and beyond legislative requirements. URBs Community Engagement Framework is now considered industry best practice as was acknowledged when the framework was awarded a Merit Award from the Planning Institute of Australia in 2009. All URB plans, from large master plans to small streetscape improvements, have been developed jointly with the community and other stakeholders, with opportunity for input at all planning stages. This has resulted in unprecedented public support.

Newstead | Because of the work of URB Brisbane's inner-city is now a desirable place to live

australian award for urban design

Sustainable urban governance

The success of URB in revitalising the inner-city provides incentive for development in urban consolidation. Infill development is now an attractive alternative to Greenfield development, the old way of dealing with growth, which is eating up our natural environment, but often touted by the development industry as the only way to solve housing affordability. Economic investment in urban renewal areas has been proven a sound investment as property values continue to perform well in a tough market.

Coordinated public and private interests

URB has actively stimulated developer interest by funding and delivering catalyst projects, creating new development opportunities and streamlining the government approval process. Early government investment in key infrastructure has also worked to build developer confidence. The URB approach has shared the costs of providing infrastructure as well as the financial benefits that come from urban renewal. URB has provided clearly defined development directions, utilising innovative planning controls to provide for orderly development and economically attractive built forms.

Economic innovation
URB has always considered commercial realities, balancing aspiration with economics. This is the secret to much of its success. Sceptical developers, previously distrustful of government planners, were won over by URBs understanding of the marketplace; URBs master plans were always informed by extensive research into market demand. URB has stimulated significant investment in Brisbanes inner-city. In 2010, more than 2,200 new residential units were sold in the inner city, the highest on record. Brisbanes inner city office market is also booming with net absorption of over 101,700sq m during 2010. URBs plans ensure that this growth is aligned with the transit and centres networks ensuring that the burgeoning inner city communities are supporting more sustainable travel behaviour.

urban renewal brisbane | 20 years

Plans anD strategies

Inner Suburbs Action Plan Study finalised Urban Renewal Task Force established Urban Renewal Report: Inner North East Suburbs Brisbane finalised Building Better Cities Funding allocated Riverside Study finalised Newstead and Teneriffe Master Plan finalised Inner North Eastern Suburbs Master Plan finalised URB receives the National Better Cities Innovation in Local Government award for outstanding urban area management Newstead and Teneriffe Waterfront and Teneriffe Hill Local Area Plans adopted Fortitude Valley Development Control Plan adopted New Farm, Teneriffe and Newstead Riverside Promenade Master Plan finalised Emporium Master Plan finalised Brisbane Powerhouse cultural centre concept finalised Newstead Village Master Plan finalised Newstead Riverpark Master Plan finalised

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Valley Gateway Master Plan finalised Bulimba Master Plan finalised Valley Music Harmony Plan finalised City Centre Master Plan finalised Urban Futures Brisbane Board established Valley Urban Vision finalised Albion Neighbourhood Plan adopted Inhabit program launched

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Woolloongabba Centre Neighbourhood Plan adopted URB receives the Planning Institute of Australia Merit Award for its Community Engagement Strategy.

Fortitude Valley Neighbourhood Plan adopted Howard Smith Wharves - Expressions of Interest closed Toowong Auchenflower Renewal Strategy Finalised Kangaroo Point South Renewal Strategy Finalised Newstead and Teneriffe Waterfront Neighbourhood Plan adopted Eastern Corridor Neighbourhood Plan adopted Milton Neighbourhood Plan adopted South Brisbane Riverside Neighbourhood Plan adopted Toombul Nundah Renewal Strategy Finalised Taringa St Lucia Renewal Strategy Finalised

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australian award for urban design

Physical oUtcomes
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Fortitude Valley designated Australias first dedicated entertainment precinct Green Square: $160 million commercial and affordable housing development Emporium: $100 million mixed-use redevelopment of former BCC bus depot Market Street revitalisation One Macquarie: $62 million residential development of derelict industrial land Church Street public housing: $4 million residential development Teneriffe Apartments: $13.5 million residential redevelopment of a 1920s woolstore City Cat high-speed ferry service launched Teneriffe Village: $24 million mixed-use redevelopment of former Paddys Market $22 million SW1 Sewer upgrade Mariners Reach: $90 million residential redevelopment of derelict land Teneriffe Wharves: $100 million residential redevelopment of riverfront woolstore and wharf Central Brunswick: $145 million residential redevelopment of Carlton United Brewery The Cannery: $35 million village-style redevelopment of former State Cannery Centro on James Street: $72 million mixed-use redevelopment of former Coca-Cola site Cathedral Place: $130 million mixed-use redevelopment of a Catholic Cathedral

$33 million Goodwill Bridge opens Cutters Landing: $200 million residential redevelopment of former Colonial Sugar Refinery Site $220 million Inner City Bypass opens $17 million floating RiverWalk opens

$63 million Kurilpa Bridge opens Northern Quarter legal precinct commences: $1.9 billion public private commercial precinct redevelopment $2.6 million Jacobs Ladder revitalisation Albert Lane revitalisation Woolloongabba Antiques Precinct: $8.5 million redevelopment Little Roma Street revitalisation HQ: $290 million 5-star Green Star sustainable retail and commercial development $8 million China Town Mall redevelopment $28.5 million King George Square redevelopment $2.5 million Burnett Lane revitalisation

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Newstead Riverpark: $500 million mixed-use redevelopment of derelict industrial land (stage 1 complete) Spencer Lane revitalisation

urban renewal brisbane | 20 years

20 years oF Urb
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Brisbane Powerhouses: $17 million redevelopment of the citys first municipal power station River Gallery Apartments: $45 million residential redevelopment of former Australian Maritime Depot Freshwater Apartments: $41 million residential development on former HMAS Moreton site

Urban Design characteristics

Clear urban structure
Brisbane now faces significant growth challenges with 138,000 new in-fill dwellings to be accommodated by 2031, not to mention the critical employment and retail functions and transport demands of a capital city . At present, URBs neighbourhood plans can accommodate over 40% of these dwellings. URBs focus on urban consolidation is a crucial component of Brisbanes approach to sustainable growth. By focussing growth in urban renewal areas, close to public transport and other services, existing infrastructure is used more efficiently and natural areas on the fringe of the city are protected from growth.

Local character
The work of URB has always focussed on creating places that are authentic and distinctive. The URB process is based on engagement with local communities and in-depth strategic analysis to understand the unique characteristics that create a localised sense of place. No two urban renewal areas are alike and as such URB tailors its approach to each neighbourhood to facilitate bespoke outcomes that address the characteristics, natural assets, traditional built form and iconic landmarks of each area and complement the unique identity of the place. With a thorough understanding of opportunities and challenges of local character, suitable precincts for change are identified while other areas will experience little change to protect established character areas. To further enhance the City Centre public realm, URB established the Vibrant Laneways and Small Spaces Program as well as the award winning Inhabit program. The Vibrant Laneways and Small Scale Spaces program involves the revitalisation of underutilised and forgotten small spaces in the city, creating unique places for events and a location for people to meet and relax. The transformation of previously ignored small spaces like Burnett Lane and Little Roma Street has delivered safe, accessible, high quality public spaces that promote Brisbanes character and identity and create another dimension to the urban experience. Emporium, Fortitude Valley

Burnett Lane | given new life through URB's vibrant laneways project

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australian award for urban design

James Street Market | Fortitude Valley

Mixed uses
Some precincts become highly vibrant and active destinations such as Fortitude Valley, known as a destination for performing arts, while other areas such as New Farm enjoy a quiet suburban setting with subtle activation creating walkable streets that connect with local destinations. Vibrant and activated streetscapes are delivered within growth precincts through a diversity of uses, both residential and non-residential, providing all the things that people need within a short trip by foot, cycle or public transport. The use of form-based codes creates a human-scale street edge with active frontages and a high degree of casual surveillance. Places such as Emporium and James St Market are just a couple of examples of the vibrant mixed use destinations delivered by URB.

Mixed density/intensity
Since its inception 20 years ago, a key aim of URB has been to facilitate increased housing choice in inner-city areas of Brisbane. This has been achieved by bringing about a significant increase in the number of dwellings in the inner-city area. The diversity of housing types has also increased significantly, moving from a market of predominantly detached homes to a greater offering of homes, townhouses and apartments, priced and sized to suit a wide range of people. Many affordable housing projects have been identified and facilitated by URB including the multi-award winning Church Street Public Housing Project. When URB began, opportunities for growth were limited by inadequate infrastructure and congested roads. URB identified and directed government funding into key infrastructure projects to kick-start and support private sector development, assisting in the delivery process. Brisbanes S1 Sewer, the citys main sewer line through the north-east, received a $22m major upgrade, supported by local system improvements.

urban renewal brisbane | 20 years

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RiverWalk | connects more than 20km of Brisbane's riverfront

Connections and accessibility

Connectivity is a fundamental benefit delivered by URB and is considered right from the outset to deliver truly integrated land use and transport. New development is focussed in areas that enjoy convenient access to public transport and walking and cycling connections so that people can get to where they need to go work, school, shops and recreation, without the need for a car. URB has delivered significant improvements to transport networks in the inner-city including: In 2002, the 4.5km, $220m Inner City Bypass (ICB) was constructed to divert non-essential regional traffic from the Valley, the states largest infrastructure engineering project undertaken for decades. Public transport was significantly improved through the establishment of the super-fast CityCat ferry service and City Glider, a direct bus service connecting residential areas to the Valley and CBD. Bus and City Cat patronage has almost doubled since 2001. Improvements to the cycle network including a 4.5km of riverfront promenade. The benefits of this focus cannot be overstated. Inner-city suburbs where URB has been active, have the highest rates of walking, cycling and public transport use in the City, and hand-in-hand with this the lowest rates of car ownership. The re-emphasis on public and active modes of transport represents an important paradigm shift for Brisbane and is a critical factor in creating a more liveable city.

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australian award for urban design

green infrastructure
Development is characterised by Brisbanes unique subtropical design that takes advantage of Brisbanes ideal climate that enables an all-year-round outdoor lifestyle. This design ethos pervades not only architectural design but the character of public spaces and streets. Over the last 20 years URB has delivered a robust network of public spaces that includes parklands, plazas, malls and riverfront promenades. This has been achieved through negotiation with developers to provide new public spaces, acquisition of new public open spaces through infrastructure charges and upgrades to existing open spaces through master plans.

High quality architecture and public spaces

Development also contributes to the enhancement of the public realm through its design. Many of the developments facilitated by URB have won industry awards . High standards are set through bespoke Neighbourhood Plans for building design, active frontages, casual surveillance and CPTED. Permeability is enhanced through mid-block links and laneways and legibility is improved through urban design cues.

Emporium | Fortitude Valley

urban renewal brisbane | 20 years

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Outdoor living room | Woolloongabba

Creativity and cultural expression

Opportunities for creative collaboration are pursued wherever possible, and URB has been the driving force behind some of Brisbanes most successful creative industry hubs such as the Brisbane Powerhouse and the Judith Wright Centre. As URB worked in Fortitude Valley, a conscious decision was made to retain and promote the eclectic, vibrant atmosphere that the area is known for. URB also negotiates with developers to deliver other community benefits such public art, public space and floor space for community organisations to the value of 0.4% of construction costs. These initiatives are vital in encouraging the emergence of creative communities in the inner-city. Brisbane has become the place to be for young professionals with imagination and ambition, thanks to the high-quality living and working environments URB createda magnet for knowledge workers. The Valley and surrounding suburbs now host high-energy business clusters at the forefront of their respective fields, be they fashion, design, advertising, digital media or software development.

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australian award for urban design

Integrated water and energy management

Through the work of URB the framework for precinct-wide sustainability is established, embodying principles such as optimal solar orientation, promoting active transport, subtropical landscaping and natural ventilation. Individual developments are then required to implement initiatives within each site to promote sustainable living for residents and minimising the impact of the development on the environment.

Urban resilience
URB statutory plans strike a balance between providing necessary certainty for the development industry and the community, while being adequately flexible to allow buildings and uses to change over time as the needs of the city change.

Health promoting
The overall aim of URB is to create places for people. From the overall structure of where uses are located, down to the architectural detailing of buildings to promote activation, places are designed with the end user in mind. Urban renewal promotes healthy and active lifestyles, making walking and cycling a part of the daily routine and providing easy access to a diverse range of retail and services.

Market Street | CBD

urban renewal brisbane | 20 years

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URBAN RENEWAL PROJECT AREA

Albion, Central Business District, Fortitude Valley, Milton, New Farm, Newstead, Teneriffe, South Brisbane Riverside, Woolloongabba, Woolloongabba North, Eastern Corridor
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GREEN SPACE BOARDWALKS

TOOMBUL NUNDAH

5km

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Creek

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RIVER

FORTITUDE VALLEY CITY WEST MILTON

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TENERIFFE NEW FARM

BRISBA NE
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SOUTH BRISBANE RIVERSIDE

CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT

TOOWONG & AUCHENFLOWER

WOOLLOONGABBA NORTH WOOLLOONGABBA

TARINGA & ST LUCIA EASTERN CORRIDOR

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ISB

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BRIS

BAN

NEWSTEAD