ABPL  30052:  URBAN  PRECICNT  STUDIO:  URBAN  DESIGN  FRAME  WORK  REPORT  12.5  U  

ROYAL  PARADE  PRECINCT    Introduction:  

Royal  parade  has  and  will  continue  to  play  an  important  role  within  Melbourne.  The  report  will  analyse  and  explore  the  evolving  character  and  form  of  the  precinct  from  the  origins  of  a  glamorous  boulevard  to  a  leader  in  ecologically  sensitive  and  sustainable  urban  design.  The  report  will  identify  the  site  context  and  intervention  focus  for  the  precinct  in  which  will  act  as  the  foundation  for  analysis  and  design.  The  design  process  will  be  examined,  highlighting  the  steps  taken  from  analysis  to  actualization.  The  importance  of  the  process  in  informing  the  evolution  of  design  will  be  examined  highlighting  steps  taken  in  which  lead  to  the  design  outcome.  The  report  will  examine  the  framework  plan  highlighting  how  the  design  will  transform  Royal  Parade  into  a  destination  that  will  meet  the  needs  of  current  and  future  populations.  The  relevance  of  theory,  literature  and  precedence  within  the  design  process  will  be  analyzed,  highlighting  the  importance  of  its  role  throughout.  Furthermore,  the  skills  utilized  and  acquired  will  be  discussed,  highlighting  their  importance  in  shaping  the  design  process,  sharing  of  skills,  and  methods  of  communication.  An  important  relationship  between  architecture,  planning  and  design  will  be  analyzed  and  explored  through  design  outcomes.  In  summary  a  case  and  argument  will  be  examined  as  to  why  this  should  be  the  adopted  ‘plan’  for  the  precinct  in  the  future?    

 Site  Context:      Royal  Parade  runs  as  a  continuation  from  the  northern  end  of  Melbourne  CBD  as  seen  in  (Figure  1).  The  site  has  evolved  from  playing  a  role  as  a  significant  historical  and  political  boulevard;  to  the  central  research  and  education  hub  it  is  today.    In  1878  the  Melbourne  City  Council  created  a  tree-­‐lined  boulevard  "from  Grattan-­‐street  to  the  Brunswick  boundary"  in  which  is  known  today  as  Royal  Parade  (AHD,  2013).  The  precinct  falls  within  the  Parkville  activity  center,  boarded  by  Carlton,  Brunswick  and  the  CBD.  The  site  acts  as  a  significant  thoroughfare  facilitating  public  and  private  connections  from  north  to  south  (ADH,  2013).  The  site  has  evolved  into  a  key  civic,  administrative  and  community  hub  within  Melbourne  (ADH,  2013).        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure  1:  Site  Context  of  Royal  Parade.  Date  Made:  Sept  2014.  

Ongoing  analysis  and  investigation  of  the  site  has  lead  to  the  definition  of  the  chosen  zone  of  

intervention  seen  in  (Figure  2).  The  objectives  and  strategies  formulated  will  be  achieved  within  the  timeframe  (2015-­‐2050)  in  which  the  site  will  be  analyzed  for  its  success  in  achieving  these  frameworks,  and  the  second  phase  of  intervention  will  be  rolled  out.  The  plan  acts  to  address  the  current  and  projected  needs  the  precinct  stakeholders.  

 

Figure  2:  Intervention  focus:  Achieved  within  2015-­‐2050.    

 Design  Process:    

The  design  process  involved  a  thorough  and  ongoing  evolution  of  investigation,  analysis,  design  and  intervention.  Group  members  shared  their  interdisciplinary  knowledge  in  conjunction  with  analysis  of  literature  and  theory  to  inform  and  shape  the  design  process.  In  reference  to  (Figure  3)  the  design  process  is  broken  down  into  the  steps  taken  and  revisited  in  which  lead  to  the  design  outcome.    

 

 

Figure:  3  Design  Process:  Analysis  through  to  design  actualization.  

Key  Analysis  Focus  :  Transport  and  Mobility  

 The  precinct  is  well-­‐served  by  existing  public  transport,  with  two  train  stations  on  the  periphery,  main  metropolitan  bus  portal  and    major  tram  spines  running  north  to  south.  However,  there  are  limited  east-­‐west  public  transport  options  in  City  North.    

In  reference  to  (Figure  4),  the  following  observations  are  illustrated.  Extensive  pedestrian  and  bike  infrastructure  facilitates  a  high  level  of  connectivity  within  the  site  (Figure  4).  

A  multitude  of  entrances  into  the  site  expedites  high  connectivity  thus  circulation.  Furthermore,  a  series  of  traffic  lights  and  crossings  facilitate  pedestrian  movement  through  site,  however  such  infrastructure  is  discontinuous  and  sporadic;  generating  limitations  to  navigate  the  site  efficiently  and  safely  (Figure  4).  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Analysis Of Site

Develop Principles & Objectives

Establish Vision: Continue to Revise

Research Existent UDF: Inspiration

Use Literature To Inform Design

Revisit Site: Ongoing Propose Design: Overlay Design

Alternatives

Test Design Against Principles & Frameworks

Plan Timing of Design Interventions:

immediate & future

Test Outcomes For Specific User Groups:

Personas

Finalise & Refine Design: Model

 

 

Shared  infrastructure  occurring  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  site  presents  limitations  to  cohesive  flow  of  movement  due  to  conflicting  speeds  thus  hazards  (Figure  4).  Furthermore  Haymarket  acts  as  a  major  node,  highlighting  conditions  facilitating  modal  split,  thus  high  mobility  throughout  the  site  (Figure  4).  

 

Figure 4: Transport and Mobility Analysis: Connectivity and Circulation

 

 

 

Multiple  modes  of  transport  facilitate  accessible  and  high  capacity  flows  of  movement  throughout  the  site  achieved  through  separation  of  infrastructure  as  seen  in  (Figure  5).    

 Figure  6:  Road  Hierarchy  Systems  of  the  Site.  

A  clear  hierarchy  of  road  infrastructure  defines  the  precinct  as  seen  in  (Figure  6).  The  main  arterial  road  Royal  Parade  acts  as  a  thoroughfare,  facilitating  high  volumes  of  traffic  through  the  site.  Concern  is  raised  as  such  behavior  draw  benefits  away  from  precinct.    

Furthermore,  service  lanes  and  roads  direct  traffic  and  connect  arterials,  in  conjunction  with  streets  interconnecting  residential  and  commercial  activities  within  the  site  (Figure  6).  

Thus,  a  concern  for  a  growth  in  the  number  of  residents,  workers,  students,  and  visitors  to  City  North  will  put  pressure  on  this  transport  system.  The  corridor  is  a  significant  route  for  transport  including  cars,  trams  and  bicycles;  thus  there  is  an  opportunity  to  reduce  conflicts  between  these  modes  and  enhance  activity  between  districts.    

 

 

Vision  

The  vision  aims  to  transform  Royal  Parade  into  a  highly  integrated  destination  for  Melbourne.  The  intervention  focus  aims  on  enhancing  the  existent  transport  system  through  radical  transformation  of  antiquated  infrastructure  into  a  highly  efficient  and  interconnected  network.  The  vision  aims  to  create  a  contemporised  environment  in  which  will  act  as  a  beacon  of  green  urban  sustainability.  Thus  the  vision  focuses  on  place  making  through  achieving  an  inclusive,  flexible,  collaborative,  inspiring,  community  driven,  highly  connected  environment  and  sense  of  identity.    

Principles  

The  defined  principles  were  derived  from  and  will  facilitate  achieving  the  vision.  The  key  principles  and  objectives  are  valuable  in  contributing  to  the  functionality  and  longevity  of  the  site  for  current  and  future  stakeholders.  Outlined  below  are  the  chosen  principles  and  objectives  in  which  were  defined  as  valuable  for  the  site.  

Creating  Character  &  Identity  focuses  on  creating  community,  ownership,  and  cohesion  through  creating  powerful  landmarks  and  improving  street  frontages  and  streetscape.  Achieving  a  Sustainable  Precinct  focuses  on  creating  a  water  and  energy  efficient  design,  regenerate  urban  green  spaces  and  mitigating  the  heat  island  effect.  Enhancing  Accessibility  and  Connectivity  focuses  upon  increasing  the  capacity  of  NS  and  EW  connections,  efficiency  of  public  transport  and  navigation.  Creating  a  Neighborhood  Activity  Centre  aims  to  establish  social  and  commercial  activity  hub  for  all  users,  improving  small-­‐scale  business  opportunities  through  rezoning,  and  promoting  inter-­‐generational  contact.  

Framework  Plan:    The  framework  plan  ties  together  the  vision  and  principles  to  inform  the  design  outcome.  In  reference  to  (Figure  7)  the  framework  plan  is  illustrated.    

   Figure  7:  Framework  Plan  for  Royal  Parade.    

 

The  foundations  of  the  framework  plan  aim  to  achieve  the  following,  lending  to  its  success  within  the  precinct.  (Figure  8).    

 Figure  8:  Framework  Plan  Key  Objectives  

 

Why  this  should  be  the  adopted  plan?  

The  design  possesses  the  greatest  potential  for  creating  a  highly  sustainable  environment  in  which  will  facilitate  the  growing  population  and  complex  needs  and  systems  of  the  future.    

The  design  satisfies  important  issues  and  opportunities  identified  within  the  analysis,  establishing  a  medium  for  social  and  economic  vitality,  and  encouraging  environmentally  sustainable  behavior  through  design.  The  plan  confronts  and  instills  change  in  antiquated  systems  of  urban  form  and  acts  to  encourage  a  more  efficient  and  effective  urban  landscape.  The  plan  focuses  on  liberating  life  within  city  centers  through  fostering  opportunities  for  social  and  cultural  vitality.  Thus  the  design  enhances  the  function  of  the  precinct  as  a  key  transport  path  creating  a  highly  permeable  and  connected  hub.      The  plan  will  allow  the  site  to  evolve  into  a  beacon  of  urban  sustainability  and  innovative  urban  design.  The  plan  will  revise  under-­‐utilized  areas  of  the  site  in  effect  reactivating  the  precinct  to  its  greatest  potential.  Through  utilizing  the  capacity  that  exists  within  current  infrastructure  the  plan  maximizes  opportunities  to  achieve  a  more  efficient  and  competitive  precinct.  Thus  design  realigns  existing  infrastructure  to  achieve  a  more  sustainable,  livable  and  economically  viable  future.    Densification  thus  intensification  aligns  the  site  with  a  more  sustainable  and  adaptable  model  for  the  future.  With  Melbourne  growing  at  a  rate  of  (1.3%  per  annum),  the  design  will  effectively  accommodate  the  projected  increase  in  capacity  and  diversification  required.  

 

Structure  

• Organise  space  so  parts  relate  

Access    • Ease,  safety  and  choice  

Animation  

• Sense  of  character  and  place  through  activity  and  vitality  in  pubic  space  

Mix  Use  • Integrate  activities  promoting  synery  between  public  and  private  space  

Place  • Create  a  sense  of  place  that  enhances  identity  

Safety  • Suf\icient  survallience,  protection  and  security  to  minise  risk  

Inclusion  

• Create  space  that  facilitates  medium  for  encounter  and  sense  of  belonging