Changing neighbourhood character in Melbourne: point Cook a case study

In the past two decades, Melbourne has been subjected to diverse pressures due to its changing scale and function within the global system of cities. Among many other features of the new phase in Melbourne’s urban transformation are its new suburbs which have proliferated in large numbers at the city’s urban fringe. Characteristic of these suburbs is a new urban character which has evolved as a by-product of a pre-defined and controlled mechanism in planning, design and implementation of housing developments. The objective of this paper is to investigate the process that determines the evolution of this new character; examining the role of local planning authorities and developers in shaping the built environment. Firstly, the paper discusses the definition of neighbourhood character and its interpretation among academics, policy makers, planners, urban designers, developers and real estate agents. Then in a three-step process the nature, quality and style of neighbourhood character in Point Cook are investigated through analysis of Council policies and through review of developer statements on character building and place-making. Lastly to understand how the idea of character is constructed and enacted by local residents of Point Cook, a survey was administered for the residents.     

Incremental Urban Intensification: Transit-oriented Re-development of Small-lot Corridors

The imperative to transform car-dependent cities for a low-carbon future requires that we engage with the challenge of increasing densities along existing road-based transit corridors – within the constraints of existing morphologies. Such corridors are often lined with small lots that are valued for their functional mix and urban character. This paper explores the degree to which small and narrow lots constrain urban intensification through a study of tram corridors in Melbourne. We examine the impact of site area, shape and access conditions as constraints on re-development and increased density. We find that small and narrow lots have not prevented intensification that is substantial in its accumulated effect and contributes more to urban character than large lot re-development. The paper discusses the relations of urban morphology to questions of car-dependency, development capacity and resident resistance.     

GIS in the Urban Landscape: reconfiguring neighbourhood planning and design processes

Landscape architects have been using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) primarily for large-scale applications such as regional, environmental, ecological and natural resources planning and management. GIS applications are explored for the smaller-scale urban landscapes of communities and neighbourhoods. It is described how a community-based GIS was used in a participatory neighbourhood planning process to enhance communication between planners, community groups and local residents. This case study, which reflects on the experience of a design team at the University of Illinois at Chicago, found that a community GIS was highly useful for urban landscape and design, particularly when augmented with a variety of other computerized and non-computerized techniques. In this case free-hand sketching by a trained artist and three-dimensional software that could create representations of the designs as they were in process were incorporated. This combination of tools proved effective for increasing community understanding and participation in the designing and revitalization of their neighbourhoods.     

GIS in the Urban Landscape: Reconfiguring neighbourhood planning and design processes

Landscape architects have been using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) primarily for large-scale applications such as regional, environmental, ecological and natural resources planning and management. GIS applications are explored for the smaller-scale urban landscapes of communities and neighbourhoods. It is described how a community-based GIS was used in a participatory neighbourhood planning process to enhance communication between planners, community groups and local residents. This case study, which reflects on the experience of a design team at the University of Illinois at Chicago, found that a community GIS was highly useful for urban landscape and design, particularly when augmented with a variety of other computerized and non-computerized techniques. In this case free-hand sketching by a trained artist and three-dimensional software that could create representations of the designs as they were in process were incorporated. This combination of tools proved effective for increasing community understanding and participation in the designing and revitalization of their neighbourhoods.     

Urban Tourism and the De-gaying of Cape Town’s De Waterkant

This investigation is set against the observation that analysis of South African neighbourhood development and evolution is very uneven, with limited reflection on historically white neighbourhoods in close proximity to former White CBDs. The study focuses on the intersection between neighbourhood change in this type of setting and urban tourism and sexuality. Consideration is given to the role of sexual identity, as well as urban tourism and leisure seeking, in contributing towards the changing geographies of De Waterkant. It is suggested that this nexus has been central to dramatically altering the physical character and symbolic meaning of De Waterkant. Questions are posed as to why De Waterkant developed in the manner it has and issues that arise from such neighbourhood change. A central conclusion is that this neighbourhood has undergone dramatic changes which exclude a broad spectrum of urban dwellers.     

Urban triage: saving the savable neighbourhoods in Milwaukee

During the 1970s, an era of increasing fiscal austerity and deindustrialization, cities across the United States sought to arrest the spread of urban disinvestment. In 1974, faced with similar concerns, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, implemented a two-part planning programme. First, planners conducted the Relative Residential Status (RRS) evaluation to assess, classify, and map neighbourhood health. The RRS map delineated three types of neighbourhoods: healthy, threatened but savable, and unsavable. Second, Preservation Planning prescribed policies and resources based on the RRS neighbourhood types, concentrating resources in the neighbourhoods classified as threatened but savable. The paper examines the implementation of RRS and Preservation Planning. I argue that RRS/Preservation Planning functioned as urban triage by seeking to bolster the housing market in moderately healthy, white neighbourhoods as it prescribed market-determined, inevitable death for less healthy, African-American neighbourhoods. The main point supporting this argument is that planners borrowed and recalibrated RRS/Preservation Planning to officially and systematically redline neighbourhoods that would have been judged savable in other US cities. In doing so, this form of urban triage exacerbated urban decline and racial injustice instead of arresting the spread of urban disinvestment.     

《物权法》语境下的城市规划

2007年3月颁布的《中华人民共和国物权法》强化了对私有财产的保护，将“公共利益”作为政府行使征收权的前提条件。以体现“公共利益”和“政府干预”为特征的城市规划必将成为相关问题和矛盾争论的焦点。从西方近现代城市规划的实践来看，“公共利益”不但体现在政府对私有土地行使征收权方面．同时也体现在政府对私有土地利用自由的限制方面。本文试图通过对近现代城市规划出发点的回顾，以及中美对公共利益解读的对比，探索《物权法》的颁布对城市规划实践的影响，展望城市规划未来所必须应对的局面。     

Size Matters: Dwelling Size as a Critical Factor for Sustainable Urban Development

A critical residential planning objective through much of world is how to create sustainable urban development. Within this context, the average Australian home has been rapidly increasing in size to be among the largest in the world. An innovative approach was used to form a conceptual framework from a critical review of academic literature. It illustrates that the increase in dwelling size is counterproductive to sustainable urban development challenges of urban consolidation, green urbanism and housing affordability. A review of selected government policy and industry guidelines at spatial scales of neighbourhood, region and nation is used to validate the framework. It reveals that issues associated with dwelling size are not represented in strategic approaches. The outcome of this research is a conceptual framework, which illustrates the relationship between increasing dwelling size and its effect on urban sustainability.     

城市空间文化规划中的目标体系建构

在激进的理城改造和快速城市化过程中,中国城市的发展和建设特别关注经济效益而缺乏足够的文化关怀,致使城市空间的整体性文化特色遭到很大破坏。就此,本文提出了一种城市规划的新维度——城市空间文化规划,试图进一步完善和丰富城市规划体系。同时从宏观、中观、微观三个层面探讨了城市空间文化规划中目标体系的建构,其中宏观层面指在城市整体层面上落实空间文化发展战略,构建城市空间文化的主题和网络;中观层面指在城市次区域或街区层面上提出一套有针对性的城市空间文化目标体系;微观层面指在地段和空间单元层面上落实具体的空间文化目标,结合具体的空间地段塑造场所精神。城市空间文化规划不等于广义的城市文化规划,其主要任务是将城市文化给予保障与配合;其基本思想是主张建构自觉、明确文化导向的城市规划设计体系,将文化内涵更明确而有机地带入物质空间对象。在今天,通过历史文化名城保护规划实施城市空间的历史遗产保护已成为共识,但新城空间的品质和新老城空间之间的文化衔接往往被忽视,而启动城市空间的文化规划,可以全面实现城市空间文化的复兴和振兴。     

从居住分异现象看城市规划的变革

居住分异现象与城市规划之间有着密切的联系,城市土地利用规划会引导居住分异格局的形成,已有的居住分异格局也会对城市规划的编制和实施产生一定的影响.树立科学的城市发展观和价值观、加强对城市居住分异特征及机制的研究、编制合理的居住用地规划、关注城市贫困地区、加强城市规划的引导与控制作用,对城市形成合理的居住分异格局具有重要的意义.     

城市总体规划修编中对绿地系统规划的基本思考——关于北京城市绿地系统规划的研究与实践(一)

常规意义上的城市绿地系统规划经过多年的经验积累,已经初步形成规范,但是,在城市总体规划编制阶段同期开展城市绿地系统专项规划却是一个新的课题。结合北京城市总体规划修编,探讨在城市总体规划中绿地系统规划的工作目标、工作思路和工作阶段的划分,从城市绿地系统的规划范围、城市绿地概念的延伸等基本问题着手,寻求与城市总体规划建立对话关系,从而提升城市绿地系统规划的地位与作用。     

都市乐队的指挥--城市设计

城市规划的完成,并不能保证建设工程就会有序推进,特别是只有总体规划没有详细规划的城市,或只有修建性详规而没有控制性详规指导的城市;在规划和具体工程之间,我国的许多城市都普遍地缺少城市设计这一环节.呼吁并从苏州工业园区来说明城市设计这一环节的重要和必须.     

大尺度总体城市设计方法初探——以具有可实施性的“大庆市总体城市设计”为例

该文依据相关规划设计标准,借鉴各地成功的总体城市设计案例,综合应用传统设计理论、数字技术等手段研究大尺度总体城市设计方法。通过城市设计指标体系的构建、多层级的设计内容控制以及数字技术的应用,实现了艺术设计与科学分析的结合,并在大庆市总体城市设计实践中得到应用。应用实践表明,该方法能有效提高总体城市设计对城市形态和景观风貌的整体控制能力,并将设计成果快速地转化为管理语言,进而促进总体城市设计成果的实施。     

论城市规划学科体系

城市规划具有两层涵义,既包括城市规划所开展的工作,同时也包含对城市规划工作的相关的科学研究.但是其科学研究往往受到忽视.从城市规划学科发展的双核心模式角度提出了城市规划学科体系的构架,认为城市规划学由理论城市规划学、技术城市规划学和应用城市规划学三部分组成,而科学性内涵是城市规划学科体系架构的核心.     

Towards the experiential meaning of milieu for neighbourhood regeneration: discussions on the institutional designation of milieu-valued areas in Tallinn, Estonia

This article analyses the constructive and strategic character of the milieu discourse in the planning of urban neighbourhoods in Tallinn, Estonia, that has an influence on neighbourhood regeneration. In the institutional designation of milieu areas, the concept of milieu area means the coherent historical housing environment as assessed by planning experts. The article argues that this milieu discourse has strategic aims in terms of preserving architectural housing heritage and acknowledging the traditional understanding of the heritage value. This has influenced, in the collective knowledge, the specific perception of the term ‘milieu’ that will in turn influence the change of a neighbourhood’s social structure and of its placemaking. For example, the concept of milieu area is used by real estate agents for selling and renting apartments in deprived neighbourhoods that are institutionally acknowledged as the neighbourhoods with the milieu value. The study concludes that the expert-based milieu discourse does not consider the socio-spatial neighbourhoods’ everyday life, which is significant in terms of viable neighbourhood regeneration. The reconstruction of the milieu term towards an experiential milieu approach is suggested, as the involvement of residents in neighbourhood regeneration is especially essential in the neighbourhoods of the dispossessed.     

Inverse Planning in the Cracks of Formal Land Use Regulation: The Bottom-Up Regularisation of Informal Settlements in Maputo,Mozambique

This paper focuses on a case of ‘non-public planning’ in an informal neighbourhood of Maputo, Mozambique. Here, several residents undertook some planning duties (e.g. drawing up a detailed plan) in order to regularise their informal dwellings in lieu of the Municipality, due to its inertia. This was an attempt to deal with the shortcomings of urban planning in Maputo, not by flouting the system, but by remoulding it and creating a sort of alternative formality. The detailed analysis of this case is an opportunity for critical reflection on the risks, potentialities and inherent limits of such a form of non-public planning in Mozambique, which we label ‘inverse planning’.     

Network Governance in Contested Urban Landscapes

Urban planning is one of the policy fields where new forms of governance are developing. The article focuses on governance networks as one emergent form of governance in urban planning. In governance literature, discourse networks are seen as a threat to representative democracy. This article argues that the consequences for democracy depend on the type of network that develops and its performance in relation to democratic norms. Governance networks are discussed through the lens of democratic network governance, the utility of which is explored as an analytical tool in a case study of urban planning in Norway. In this context a governance network was constructed as a response to market-orientated planning practice in order to enhance citizen participation and public debate. The aim of this article is to discuss the relevance of the theory of network governance relating it to new forms of participation in public planning processes. The study shows that governance networks could strengthen democracy, though important questions about meta-governance, however, remain unsolved. The article also shows that networks operating in an institutional vacuum tend to fail in institutional capacity building.     

旧城更新中的社区整治规划实践——以重庆市渝中区为例

城市社区是构成整个城市及其管理的基础单元,对于展现城市文脉与特色具有不可替代的作用。反思大拆大建的粗放模式造成的城市邻里冷漠、社区环境不协调、社区管理不到位等突出问题,城市社区整治与社区规划正逐步成为解决社区建设的关键手段。论文以重庆市渝中区社区整治实践为例,从整治管理机制、社区规划编制方法与内容、居民公众参与、整治资金来源渠道方面总结了经验与启示。     

Urban Planning and the Delimitation of Diversity: Roma as ‘In Place’ and ‘Out of Place’ in Jungbusch,Mannheim

Planning theory is increasingly concerned with how urban planning is engaged in the management of cultural difference and diversity. But there is a need to consider the conditions by which difference is ‘allowed’ in processes of planning and urban development. This paper explores the conditions under which the Roma is admitted into the image of Jungbusch, Mannheim, as a ‘diverse’ neighbourhood, and thereby into the category of diversity in the local discourse of planning. We argue that cultural differences are allowed in the category of diversity to the degree that they contribute to the economic and normative aims of managed diversity.     

城市规划与城市空间系统自组织的认识论耦合

本文以对自组织理论的理解为基础,旨在从认识论上化解城市规划的他组织性与城市空间系统的自组织本质间的对立,揭示二者在语境上的统一。为此,文章首先确定了该认识论的耦合基点,即城市规划与自组织规律间对立统一的认知逻辑;接着结合自组织理论的哲学概括,展开并阐释了涵盖城市规划的城市空间系统自组织演化图景。