creating places for people 19oct11

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Creating Places for People

an urban design protocol for Australian cities

FINAL DRAFT


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Creating Places for Peoplean urban design protocol for Australias cities (Final Draft)

2 www.urbandesign.gov.au

Final Draft: October 2011

Who should read this document?

The Urban Design Protocol is intended for anybody who has an interest in our built environment.

Broadly, there are two audiences for this Protocol:

1. Decision makers and professionals whose actions affect the urban environment, including: Elected representatives and officers in Commonwealth, State and Local government Consultants and practitioners whose work has an impact on urban design, including

planning, development, architecture, landscape architecture, engineering, law and

finance.

This audience should make particular reference to the model processes for creating high

quality urban environments, and the outcomes that these processes are seeking to achieve.

2. The general public (individuals and community groups) who are affected by the builtenvironment. This audience should make specific reference to the outcomes that is, the

aims and principles described in this document and how this might affect them.


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Creating Places for People

an urban design protocol for Australian cities

INTRODUCTION 4

Relationship with other policies and guidelines 5

DEFINING WORLD-CLASS URBAN DESIGN 7

AIM AND PRINCIPLES 8

Design Principles about Place: prosperity + sustainability 10

Design Principles for People: liveability 11

Principles about leadership and governance 12

MODEL PROCESSES 13

ELEMENTS OF URBAN DESIGN 15

APPENDIX A: URBAN DESIGN PROTOCOL ON A PAGE 17

APPENDIX B: NATIONAL URBAN POLICY 18

.


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Cairns Esplanade redevelopment, winner of the 2003 Australia Award for Urban Design.

By Cox Raynor and Tract Consultants. Image courtesy of Cairns Regional Council

INTRODUCTION

Urban design occurs across all parts of a city, from the inner city to the middle suburbs and outer

metropolitan fringes. Urban design is relevant from the largest to the smallest scale developments,

whether they are city-wide transport and infrastructure networks, urban infill projects, regional

towns, new suburban developments, shopping malls, office blocks, university campuses or hospitals.

The quality of our neighbourhoods and towns have a significant impact on our daily lived experience

and, consequently, urban design makes a valuable contribution to our economy, our natural and

built environments, and the liveability of our cities.

The basis for the Urban Design Protocol (the Protocol) is to encourage world-class urban design. This

is drawn from an agreement by the Council of Australian Governments, between each of the States

and Territories, to undertake reforms in capital city strategic planning systems to ensure Australian

cities are globally competitive, productive, sustainable, liveable and socially inclusive and are wellplaced to meet future challenges and growth. (COAG 2009)

1

Nine criteria are listed in the COAG agreement. The Urban Design Protocol addresses Criterion 8: To

encourage world-class urban design and architecture. The Protocol identifies what urban design is in

the Australian context, and provides a framework to define, implement, measure and improve best

practice to deliver on COAGs criterion.

Although the agreement applies specifically to Australias capital cities, there is a recognition that

regional cities and towns can benefit by sharing best practice knowledge and encouraging better

quality planning and design of the built environment.

1www.coagreformcouncil.gov.au/agenda/cities.cfm

First life, then spaces, then buildings:

the other way around never works

Jan Gehl
http://www.coagreformcouncil.gov.au/agenda/cities.cfmhttp://www.coagreformcouncil.gov.au/agenda/cities.cfmhttp://www.coagreformcouncil.gov.au/agenda/cities.cfmhttp://www.coagreformcouncil.gov.au/agenda/cities.cfm


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Relationship with other policies and guidelines

Our Cities, Our Future: a national urban policy for a productive sustainable and liveable future

(National Urban Policy, available at www.majorcities.gov.au) is the Australian Governments

strategic policy document for the eighteen major cities of Australia. It articulates the role of the

Australian Government in facilitating better outcomes in our cities, whether through direct

investment or in partnership with key stakeholders. Appendix B summarises the National UrbanPolicy goals and objectives. One of the actions arising from the National Urban Policy was a

commitment to develop an urban design protocol.

Many jurisdictions at State, Territory and Local government level already have in place their own

guidelines and protocols related to planning and urban design. Figure 1 illustrates a line of sight

from the National Urban Policy down to neighbourhood and street level.

Other guidelines and tools that also operate across the national platform including Healthy Spaces

and Places a national guide to designing places for healthy living (www.healthyplaces.org.au)2

and

the sustainability rating tools soon to be released by the Green Building Council of Australia for

Green Star Communities (www.gbca.org.au/green-star/green-star-communities) and the

Australian Green Infrastructure Council (www.agic.net.au).

The Protocol is intended to complement these materials by providing a national framework in the

context of the COAG planning reforms and National Urban Policy. It is intended to be supported by

further guidance on best practice, urban design concepts, and case studies.

Paddington Reservoir Gardens, joint winner of the 2009 Australia Award for Urban Design. By Tonkin

Zulaikha Greer Architects and James Mather Delaney Design. Image courtesy of City of Sydney.

2Developed by the Australian Local Government Association, in partnership with the National Heart Foundation and Planning Institute of

Australia, supported with funding from Department of Health and Ageing
http://www.majorcities.gov.au/http://www.majorcities.gov.au/http://www.majorcities.gov.au/


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Figure 1: Line of Sightfrom national level to street level

Thinking about urban design, strategic and statutory planning at different scales helps put them in context. Theelements of urban design are illustrated next to the scale of planning at which they are commonly addressed.

Concept adopted from Next Generation Planning, published by the Council of Mayors (SEQ), 2011


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DEFINING WORLD-CLASS URBAN DESIGN

Urban Design Urban design is concerned with the arrangement, appearance and function of

our suburbs, towns and cities. It is both a process and an outcome of creatinglocalities in which people live, engage with each other, and engage with the

physical place around them.

Urban design involves many different disciplines including planning,

development, architecture, landscape architecture, engineering, economics,

law and finance, among others.

Urban design operates at many scales, from the macro scale of the urban

structure (planning, zoning, transport and infrastructure networks) to the

micro scale of street furniture and lighting. When fully integrated into policy

and planning systems, urban design can be used to inform land use planning,

infrastructure, built form and even the socio-demographic mix of a place.

Urban design can significantly influence the economic, environmental, social

and cultural outcomes of a place:

Urban design can influence the economic success and socio-economiccomposition of a locality whether it encourages local businesses and

entrepreneurship; whether it attracts people to live there; whether the

costs of housing and travel are affordable; and whether access to job

opportunities, facilities and services are equitable.

Urban design determines the physical scale, space and ambience of aplace and establishes the built and natural forms within which individual

buildings and infrastructure are sited. As such, it affects the balancebetween natural ecosystems and built environments, and their

sustainability outcomes.

Urban design can influence the social and cultural impacts of a locality:how people interact with each other, how they move around, and how

they use a place.

Although urban design is often delivered as a specific project, it is in fact a

long-term process that continues to evolve over time. It is this layering of

building and infrastructure types, natural ecosystems, communities and

cultures that gives places their unique characteristics and identities.

The section Elements of Urban Design provides further definitions relating tourban design in the Australian context.

World-class World-class refers to something that is of an international standard ofexcellence. It engenders standard-setting in terms of design, performance,

quality, satisfaction and value when benchmarked against the best

developments, products or processes in the world.

The objective of the urban design protocol is to encourage world-class urban

design across all parts of our suburbs, towns and cities, from the most iconic

projects to everyday projects and situations.
http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/term.htmlhttp://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/design.htmlhttp://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/performance.htmlhttp://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/quality.htmlhttp://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/value.htmlhttp://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/value.htmlhttp://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/quality.htmlhttp://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/performance.htmlhttp://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/design.htmlhttp://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/term.html


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AIM AND PRINCIPLES

The Urban Design Protocol is founded on five pillars: prosperity, sustainability, liveability, leadership

and design excellence. When integrated together, these pillars form the aim of the Protocol:

To create prosperous, sustainable and liveable

places for people

through leadership and the

integration of design excellence

Figure 2: Pillars of the Urban Design Protocol

Twelve basic principles underpin the Protocol. These are divided into eight principles about design

(outcomes) and four principles about leadership and governance (process). These principles, which

are described in the next section, are interrelated with the five foundation pillars of the Protocol, as

illustrated in the matrix in Figure 3.

Prosperous

LiveableSustainable

world class

Urban

Design


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Figure 3: Aim and Principles of the Urban Design Protocol

What is being achieved (outcome) How its achieved (process)

Aim Prosperity Sustainability Liveability Leadership Design

Creates prosperous, sustainable and

liveable places for people, through

leadership and the integration of

design excellence

Enhances

economic

prosperity +

living

affordability

Fosters

environmental

responsibility

Cultivates

healthy +

cohesive

communities

Demonstrates

visionary

leadership +

governance

Integrates

design +

embraces

excellence

Design principles about place: prosperity + sustainability

EnhancingEnhances local economy,

environment + community

Connected

Connected, bothphysically and socially

DiverseDiversity of options

and experiences

EnduringSustainable, enduring

and resilient

Design principles about people: liveability

ComfortableComfortable and

welcoming

VibrantVibrant, with people

around

SafeFeels safe

WalkableEnjoyable and easy to walk

+ cycle around

Principles about leadership and governance

ContextWorks within the planning,

physical and social context

ExcellenceExcellence, innovation

and collaboration

EngagementEngages with stakeholders

CustodianshipConsiders custodianship,

management +

maintenance over time


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Design Principles about Place: prosperity + sustainability

Creates the context for people to engage with the place

Principles Outcomes Attributes - How it helps to achieve world-class urban design

Enhancing Enhances the

local economy,

environment and

community

It respects the needs and aspirations of the local communitywho live and work there

It creates opportunities for people to prosper and businesses tothrive

It sustains and enhances the natural environmentIt enhances the built environment visually, physically, and

functionally

It celebrates the unique characteristics of the place, its heritage,culture and community, that create a sense of place and identity

Connected Connected, both

physically andsocially

It is well connected to surrounding areasYou can see where you are and where you are goingThere is a range of transport options, including public transport,

walking and cycling

It is connected to places with jobs, schools, shops, facilities andservices

It is connected with the past the heritage of a place and withthe community and its culture

It feels connected with the natural environmentDiverse Diversity of

options and

experiences

Each locality has its unique character and qualitiesThere is a range of facilities, services and activitiesDespite the diversity, there is an overall harmonious blendThere is a rich range of experiences how you move around andinteract with others, what buildings and spaces look and feel

like, and what things you can do

You can take different routes depending on your mood, or ifyoure visiting different places on your way

There is biodiversity in the flora and faunaEnduring Sustainable,

enduring and

resilient

Things are built to last, where appropriate theyre made ofrobust materials, are designed well and theres a sense of quality

It is visually and aesthetically pleasing as well as practicalThe place is well-maintained and cared forIt is designed to save resources such as water, energy and

materials, and minimises its impact on the environmentThe place can evolve and adapt over time

Enhances the local

economy,environment andcommunity

Enhancing

Connected, both

physically andsocially

Connected

Diversity of options

and experiences

Diverse

Sustainable,

enduring andresilient

Enduring


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Design Principles for People: liveability

Creates the context for people to engage with each other

Principles Outcomes Attributes - How it helps to achieve world-class urban design

Comfortable Comfortable

and welcoming

It feels comfortable to walk through, sit, stand, play, talk, read, or justrelax and contemplate

It is not too exposed to unpleasant noise, wind, heat, rain, traffic orpollution

You can freely use the place, or at least part of it, without having topay

You can be yourself and feel included as part of the communityVibrant Vibrant, with

people around

You can see that there are other people around People are enjoying themselves and each others company There are places to meet and interact, play, explore, recreate and

unwind

Overall it is a place you want to visit, experience, or live inSafe Feels safe You feel safe and secure, even at night or on your own

There arent signs of decay such as graffiti, rubbish, weeds or derelictplaces

Roads and paths are safe for adults and children to walk or ride theirbikes

Walkable Enjoyable and

easy to walk +

cycle around

Prioritises people walking or riding before vehiclesEasy to get around on foot, bike, wheelchair, pushing a pram or

wheeling luggage

Buildings and streets feel like theyre the right size and type for thatplace

Encourages physical activity and social interaction, and promotes ahealthy lifestyle

Comfortable andwelcoming

Comfortable

Vibrant, withpeople around

Vibrant

Feels safe

Safe

Enjoyable and easyto walk + cyclearound

Walkable


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Principles about leadership and governance

Principles Processes Attributes - How it helps achieve world-class urban design

Context Works within theplanning, physical

and social context

Sets, or works within the context of, a strategic planningframework for designing and decision-making

Integrates with the physical environment including itstopography, biodiversity, landscape and views, existing

streets and buildings, and infrastructure

Incorporates the heritage, culture and historical context ofsurrounding communities and places

Recognises the impact of different aspects of building onurban design outcomes, from major infrastructure such as

airports and railways, to small scale projects and buildings

Excellence Fosters excellence,

innovation and

collaboration

Prioritises best practice planning, design, engineering,procurement and maintenance

Integrates design, and design expertise, from the earlieststages of a plan or project through to completion

Engages competent, skilled professionals to design anddeliver on projects

Engagement Engages withstakeholders

Acknowledges that urban design is about creating places forpeople

Engages people in the development of their communityAdopts a multi-disciplinary and collaborative approach to

urban design

Custodianship Considers

custodianship,

management and

maintenance over

time

Recognises that communities, environments and cities arecontinually evolving and adapting

Considers the wider environmental, social and economic costsand benefits of development, operations, maintenance and

disposal

Ensures that the design of a place is appropriate for itsongoing maintenance, operations and upkeep

Incorporates climate change mitigation and adaptationstrategies

Works within theplanning, physicaland social context

Context

Fosters excellence,innovation andcollaboration

Excellence

Engages withstakeholders

Engagement

Considerscustodianship ,management and

maintenance overtime

Custodianship


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MODEL PROCESSES

Well-designed urban places can only be achieved by adopting an integrated design approach where multi-

disciplinary teams work collaboratively at all stages of a project, from design through to procurement,

implementation, operation and maintenance. Good model processes prioritise design excellence through

leadership, teamwork and integrated processes.Whilst the urban design process is unique to each project, it involves some common components:

CONTEXT The project is should be undertaken within the context of a strategic planning

framework. It should respond to the National Urban Policy objectives

(Appendix B) and the Urban Design Protocol, as well as the relevant State,

Territory, and local authority strategic and statutory plans and guidelines

(refer Figure 1: Line of Sight).

A strategic planning framework documents and coordinates social, economic

and environmental urban intervention priorities. Strategic plans are

implemented through a variety of mechanisms including: statutory planning

instruments and policies, infrastructure plans and service delivery plans.

EXCELLENCE through:

Leadership A process that embraces design excellence requires visionary leadership. Oneway of encouraging this is to appoint a client-side project leader and ensure

that delivering high quality urban design outcomes is a key accountability. For

larger projects, consider a design champion within the project team, capability

based selection, design competition and /or independent design review.

Collaboration Urban design excellence is dependent on multidisciplinary teams comprisingof consultants with appropriate skills and experience. Ensure the project team

includes professionals with good physical and spatial design skills includingland use planners, urban designers, landscape architects, architects and

engineers as appropriate.

Integratedprocesses

Invest up front in quality, integrated processes:

Develop a vision of the outcomes that the project seeks to achieve Write a detailed and balanced brief, setting out performance criteria Undertake high quality place-based analysis Develop at variety of realistic and varied options (potentially through an

enquiry by design process) that meet the brief

Consult relevant stakeholders and communities at appropriate stages Evaluate options against performance criteria and Urban Design Protocol

principles and attributes

Develop the preferred option through an iterative design process, anddocument decision making

Document the preferred option Select the procurement method, ensuring that procurement processes do

not reduce design quality and monitor throughout the implementation of

the project to ensure outcomes are achieved

Evaluate outcomes with reference to the Urban Design Protocolprinciples, and document areas for improvement or future rectification

Design culture Foster a culture which critically assesses urban design, builds design literacy,shares its best examples and rewards design excellence.


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ENGAGEMENT Relevant stakeholders, including the broader community, should provide

input and feedback at key stages of the process. They can help to develop the

vision, review design options and provide feedback during public exhibition.

CUSTODIANSHIP Ensure that systems are in place for ongoing operations and management, to

ensure the place is well-maintained and sustainable in the long term.

Geelong Youth Activity Precinct, joint winner of the 2010 Australia Award for Urban Design.

By City of Greater Geelong.

Inner Northern Busway, joint winner of the 2010 Australia Award for Urban Design.

By BVN Architecture and Queensland Department of Transport.
http://www.bvn.com.au/projects/inner_northern_busway_brisbane.html?OpenDocument&idx=&pcat=&tpl=ext


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ELEMENTS OF URBAN DESIGN

This section provides basic explanations for terms that are commonly used for urban design in the

Australian context.

Figure 4 shows the approximate hierarchical relationship between the elements of urban form, followed

by a brief definition of each of the elements.

Figure 4: Elements of urban formmacro to micro scale

Urban structure The overall framework of a region, town or precinct, showing relationships

between zones of built forms, land forms, natural environments, activitiesand open spaces. It encompasses broader systems including transport and

infrastructure networks.

Urban grain The balance of open space to built form, and the nature and extent of

subdividing an area into smaller parcels or blocks. For example a fine urban

grain might constitute a network of small or detailed streetscapes. It takes

into consideration the hierarchy of street types, the physical linkages and

movement between locations, and modes of transport.

Urban Structure

Urban Grain

Density + Mix

Height + Massing

Streetscape + Landscape

Facade +

Interface

Details +Materials

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Density + mix The intensity of development and the range of different uses (such as

residential, commercial, institutional or recreational uses).

Height + massing The scale of buildings in relation to height and floor area, and how they

relate to surrounding land forms, buildings and streets. It also incorporatesbuilding envelope, site coverage and solar orientation. Height and massing

create the sense of openness or enclosure, and affect the amenity of

streets, spaces and other buildings.

Streetscape + landscape The design of public spaces such as streets, open spaces and pathways, and

includes landscaping, microclimate, shading and planting.

Facade + interface The relationship of buildings to the site, street and neighbouring buildings

(alignment, setbacks, boundary treatment) and the architectural expressionof their facades (projections, openings, patterns and materials).

Details + materials The close-up appearance of objects and surfaces and the selection of

materials in terms of detail, craftsmanship, texture, colour, durability,

sustainability and treatment. It includes street furniture, paving, lighting

and signage. It contributes to human comfort, safety and enjoyment of the

public domain.

Public Realm Much of urban design is concerned with the design and management ofpublicly used space (also referred to as the public realm or public domain)

and the way this is experienced and used. The public realm includes the

natural and built environment used by the general public on a day-to-day

basis such as streets, plazas, parks, and public infrastructure. Some aspects

of privately owned space such as the bulk and scale of buildings, or gardens

that are visible from the public realm, can also contribute to the overall

result. At times, there is a blurring of public and private realms, particularly

where privately owned space is publicly used.

Topography, landscapeThe natural environment includes the topography of landforms, water

and environment courses, flora and fauna whether natural or introduced. It may be in the

form of rivers and creeks, lakes, bushland, parks and recreational facilities,

streetscapes or private gardens, and is often referred to as green

infrastructure.

Social + economic fabric The non-physical aspects of the urban form which include social factors

(culture, participation, health and well-being) as well as the productive

capacity and economic prosperity of a community. It incorporates aspects

such as demographics and life stages, social interaction and support

networks.


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APPENDIX A: Urban Design Protocol on a page

Aim: to create prosperous,

sustainable and liveable places for

people, through leadership and the

integration of design excellence

Urban design incorporates:

Outcomes described in theeight design principles

Processes described in thefour principles about

leadership and governance.

DESIGN PRINCIPLES ABOUT PLACE: Prosperity + Sustainability

DESIGN PRINCIPLES FOR PEOPLE: Liveability

PRINCIPLES ABOUT LEADERSHIP + GOVERNANCE

Enhances the localeconomy,environment andcommunity

Enhancing

Connected, bothphysically andsocialy

Connected

Diversity of optionsand experiences

Diverse

Sustainable,enduring andresilient

Enduring

Comfortable andwelcoming

Comfortable

Vibrant, withpeople around

Vibrant

Feels safe

Safe

Enjoyable and easyto walk + cyclearound

Walkable

Works within theplanning, physicaland social context

Context

Fosters excellence,innovation andcollaboration

Excellence

Engages withstakeholders

Engagement

Considerscustodianship,management andmaintenance overtime

Custodianship

Prosperous

LiveableSustainable

world class

Urban

Design


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APPENDIX B: National Urban Policy

Our Cities, Our Future: a national urban policy for a productive sustainable and liveable future presents

the Australian Governments agenda for a long term, national framework to guide policy development

and public and private investment in cities. It articulates a set of goals, objectives and underlying

principles to guide this agenda. Seewww.majorcities.gov.aufor further information.

Goals Objectives Principles

Productivity To harness the productivity of Australias people and industry, by better

managing our use of labour, creativity and knowledge, land and

infrastructureEfficiency

Value for

money

Innovation

Adaptability

Resilience

Equity

Affordability

Subsidiarity

Integration

Engagement

1. Improve labour and capital productivity

2. Integrate land use and infrastructure

3. Improve the efficiency of urban infrastructure

Sustainability To advance the sustainability of Australias natural and built environment,

including through better resource and risk management

4. Protect and sustain our natural and built environments

5. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality

6. Manage our resources sustainably

7. Increase resilience to climate change, emergency events and natural

hazards

Liveability To enhance the liveability of our cities by promoting better urban design,

planning and affordable access to recreational, cultural and community

facilities

8. Facilitate the supply of appropriate mixed income housing

9. Support affordable living choices

10. Improve accessibility and reduce dependence on private vehicles

11. Support community wellbeing

Governance To progress the goals of productivity, sustainability and liveability through

better governance, planning and management

12. Improve the planning and management of our cities

13. Streamline administrative processes

14. Evaluate progress
http://www.majorcities.gov.au/http://www.majorcities.gov.au/http://www.majorcities.gov.au/http://www.majorcities.gov.au/

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