Australian cities and towns are formed by our culture. They must continue to evolve sustainably, whilst ensuring an economic and social future.
Urban Design guides the evolution of cities and towns, in responding to changing cultural values and determining outcomes in the public’s best interest. Urban Design aims to maximise public benefit by ensuring development is coordinated and assessed in relation to long term urban outcomes. Urban Design ensures that overall sustainability is improved with every initiative that effects a physical change to a city or town.
The Australian Institute of Architects (the Institute) has three major concerns that should be addressed.
• The continued expansion of cities into their hinterland is not sustainable, and government policy must be aimed toward measures that increase density and amenity in existing areas.
• The need for greater co-ordination of existing data on the physical and social characteristics of cities and towns.
• The need for appropriate Urban Design processes to ensure adequate regulatory focus on the public domain.
Urban Design research provides valuable data. Analysis of this data, and subsequent design processes support the everyday interaction of society in urban environments.
The Institute believes that Urban Design and related planning controls should not extend into the private domain beyond ensuring reasonable amenity and building standards, as well as an appropriate relationship between public and private domains.