Archive: Urban Design
Last Updated 13/11/11
(13/4/11- P) What do you think?
The Department of Planning and Community Development's website has a Good Design page showing case study examples of what it thinks are good development design responses. Examples on the website are said to illustrate "quality design solutions" in established areas. You can access the Good Design page by going to http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/planning/urbandesign/gooddesign
The Good Design Project partners are the Department of Planning and Community Development - Urban Design unit, the Department of Planning and Community Development - Heritage Victoria, and the Department of Premier and Cabinet - Office of the Victorian Government Architect.
MRRA Says:
Worth taking a look at.
Good design is about more than looks (although that's important). It's also about how it functions, and how it sits in its context.
Even though the 'experts' say these are fine examples, MRRA isn't sure all of them would get the thumbs up from the average resident or from those who now live with them. Most would certainly be 'over the top' in a rural or coastal context... perhaps rural and coastal context is something that can be put on the Department's 'to-do' list?
Food for thought: these case studies are at the top end of the design range - architect designed, expert input, and probably expensive, possibly showcase. In other words, a long way from what usually happens, including the designs created over a glass of wine at the kitchen table on a Sunday afternoon.
We can't help thinking it would be very, very helpful - and well-rounded - for the Department to give some time and space to 'awful design' (no shortage there), so that what shouldn't be approved is out there for everyone to see. Community groups would probably be more than willing to get the ball rolling by sending in a few 'off' examples they've had to deal with. An added bonus is that this might also assist the powers-that-be to understand what the community objects to, and why.
Heritage And Urban Design Survey - Have Your Say
(11/7/11 - P) Online survey: evaluate the government's heritage and urban design programs and services. Closes August 26.
The Department of Planning and Community Development [DPCD] is inviting people with an interest in heritage and urban design to take an online survey to help understand whether their services are meeting expectations for heritage and urban design. Anticipated to take 5 - 10 minutes, depending on the length of answers, you can access the survey by going to: