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Consensus favours a 'connected network' city
Ask people how they would like to see their city develop and the answers can be surprising. Perth has just tried it with a forum adapted from the public participation concept pioneered by New York to determine what New Yorkers wanted to happen to the Ground Zero site.
The Perth forum, under the title Dialogue with the city, brought together 1100 delegates, mostly members of the public, to create a vision that will guide the city's basic plan for the next 20 years.
Delegates were presented with the planning issues facing Perth as it prepares for a much-expanded population and for the need to develop the city in a far more sustainable way.
"Our biggest challenge will be to retain what makes Perth unique and attractive, while at the same time manage the forces of global change to keep our place in a competitive world," said the Western Australian Premier, Dr Geoff Gallop.
Explained Planning and Infrastructure Minister, Alannah MacTiernan: "We are not just asking people to comment on a plan that has already been developed, but are inviting them to help us create it, and by doing so, protect our quality of life for future generations."
The forum considered four scenarios to handle growth:
- as a Dispersed City;
- as a Connected Network;
- as a Multi-centred City; and
- as a Compact City.
he consensus was that Perth should develop as a "Connected Network". This would allow for "urban villages" that promoted community spirit, provide local employment, and enable people to better interact.
More than 70% of delegates wanted to end sprawl by setting an urban growth boundary. Retention of WA's lifestyle which offers a wide choice of housing types and urban backyards and a reduction in car dependency by promoting transit alternatives, were other key themes.
"The sustainability of our future was another strong theme, with around one third of delegates wanting to ensure that future plans maintained Perth's green, clean environment and that developments had sustainability as a core," said Ms MacTiernan.
