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Policies and initiatives
> Direction 5. A great place to be
> Policy 5.1
Policy 5.1 – Promote good urban design to
make the environment more liveable and attractive
The physical environment affects people’s
ability to participate in community activities, access services
and facilities, and undertake their daily lives. It also affects
their sense of community and security. Urban design, including the
design of buildings, streets and neighbourhoods, can foster or discourage
interaction and participation in civic life.
New development or redevelopment will contribute
to community and cultural life by improving safety, diversity and
choice, the quality of living and working environments, accessibility
and inclusiveness, and environmental sustainability. High-quality
design will be expected for private and public buildings and spaces,
transport routes and corridors, and related infrastructure –
the Government’s new Victorian Design Advisory Council will
support this expectation. Development will respond to its context
in terms of urban character, cultural heritage, natural features
and climate (see ‘Principles for development of urban design
guidelines’).
Attractive landscapes are valuable in metropolitan
Melbourne and the surrounding region. Because a number of distinct
landscape types come together in the centre of this region, residents
can enjoy a wide range of scenic environments for living, working
and recreation. Melbourne 2030 intends that future development
will respond to the surrounding landscape. This is particularly
important around metropolitan Melbourne, given its often subtle
topog-raphy. Melbourne 2030 complements the Victorian Coastal
Strategy 2002 to ensure that sensitive landscape areas such as the
bays and coastlines are protected and that new development does
not detract from their natural quality.
Transport corridors are a public face of our cities,
towns, suburbs and countryside. In some urban areas, they represent
the biggest single public open space resource. Land-use planning,
urban design and transport planning will be integrated in these
corridors. Particular attention will be paid to urban design aspects
such as open space potential and the use of vegetation to maintain
wildlife corridors and greenhouse ‘sinks’. Urban design
is also important in creating safe, walkable and attractive environments,
which will make using public transport more attractive.
Initiatives
| 5.1.1
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Provide leadership in sustainable
urban design and integrated place management through awards,
advice and training programs, and by ensuring that government
projects are exemplary |
| 5.1.2 |
Review and revise urban design
guidelines for incorporation in the planning system, ensuring
that development provides quality environments consistent with
the objectives of Melbourne 2030 |
| 5.1.3 |
Develop and apply performance criteria
and standards for safety, surveillance, noise, amenity and privacy
for subdivision and new development not covered by ResCode |
| 5.1.4 |
Develop urban design projects with
local government and other partners to apply good urban design
principles and meet the outcomes sought by Melbourne 2030,
giving priority to areas of social need |
| 5.1.5 |
Integrate land-use planning, urban
design and transport planning, and prepare guidelines for development
and management of transport corridors with particular attention
to urban design aspects |
| 5.1.6 |
Review the rate of progress in
putting powerlines (11 kV and below) underground, giving priority
to visually sensitive areas, and investigate alternative funding
mechanisms |
| 5.1.7
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Provide assistance to local councils
for projects to improve landscape qualities, open space linkages
and environmental performance in green wedges, conservation
areas and non-urban areas |
| Principles for development
of urban design guidelines
Design for community safety
- clearly define the difference and boundary
between public and private space
- foster natural surveillance by providing
buildings with ‘active’ ground floors and orient
these to streets, squares and parks
- bring together the main lines of movement
to concentrate activity, and mix uses to increase the intensity
and duration of activity
- provide clear open lines of sight, clearly
identify entry and exit points, and provide alternative
means of exit
- provide good lighting and visibility to
create an environment that helps people to find their way
easily
Design for diversity and choice
- reinforce differences between places by
highlighting and celebrating unique qualities
- respond to context, in particular, underlying
landscape character, cultural heritage, valued existing
built form, ecology and habitat
Relate the built environment to community
and culture
- seek community involvement and express the values, needs
and aspirations of groups in the community for whom the
place is being designed
- indicate image and function through landmarks, skyline,
hierarchy and marked edges and gateways
- incorporate public art where possible
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Provide quality built form
- by adopting high design standards, create developments
that add to the quality of the area and provide a high standard
of amenity for all users
Design for accessibility and inclusiveness
- address the needs of all users, including those with disabilities
- direct public transport, walking and cycling into the
heart of an area, and as close as possible to meeting areas
and public spaces
- ensure that new development is of suitable scale to encourage
interaction and participation, and also to allow for retreat
and individual activity
- establish a high-quality pedestrian-oriented street environment
that is visually interesting, comprehensive,
varied and well-connected
Design for sustainability
- consider the whole life of any planned development and
design appropriately for location, functions, local climate
and terrain
- use resources efficiently, minimise waste and use environmentally
benign materials in construction, operation and maintenance
to promote the health of construction workers and occupants
- use renewable energy where possible and aim for energy
efficiency
- adopt water-sensitive design by means such as encouraging
rainwater collection and using as many permeable surfaces
as possible
- design and construct buildings that are flexible enough
to accommodate a range of uses over time
- design for reduction and abatement of noise.
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