LCS Landscapes’ Post

As Chair and Co-chair of several Local Government Design Review Panels and an Urban Designer, I am amazed at how often poor design follows poor planning. I am also inspired by how the Local Government's commitment to design across planning and development policy can rapidly lift design standards and outcomes. So, how far should the Capital City go to champion great design? As I dragged myself through a half marathon yesterday, looking at the City from South Perth as it sat on a mirror of water, the skyline looked like a collection of glass boxes distinguished only by their tone of grey. Few were spoilt by the relics of antiquated, liveable urbanism, such as balconies and terraces, and none more than dabbled in integrating the biophilia that sat at their feet. Fortunately, living skylines do not make cities; it is streetscapes and interstitial spaces. In that regard, Perth is evolving quickly; look at the images in the 1992 City Spaces and City Life Study (Prof Jan Gehl et al. [including myself] for Perth City Council and the State of WA) and note the wins and losses over the last 30 years. We have to ask, where will we be in another 30 years? I am looking forward to this important conversation on this Wednesday night. It seems timely and critical not only for the panel but also because, right now, Francesco Maria Mancini and a handful of others are animating a conversation that could reshape the City’s future. 

Since Stephenson's original City Planning Scheme and its subsequent revisions, key documents like the Urban Design Framework (2009) and The Perth City Snapshot (2016) have shifted the focus toward resilience, ecology, and sustainability, aiming to reshape Perth as both a destination and a liveable city. Further initiatives, including the City of Perth Sustainability Strategy and the Perth City Deal, highlight this ongoing effort. This important event seeks to explore how the Ten Principles of good design might further inform strategic planning and provide a clear, actionable vision for addressing Perth's urban challenges and aspirations. https://lnkd.in/gP8wMX_n #planning #urbandesign #designwa #tenprinciples #citypolicy #capitalcity #perth #perthplanning #perthurbandesign #perthfuture #perthurbanresearchlab #curtin #dbe

How Placemaking Can Take Conservation and Historic Preservation to the Next Level: The Case of Woodstock, Vermont https://lnkd.in/e76wc_fB by Fred Kent, #KathyMadden and Tayana Panova, PhD "Place is the missing link to land conservation and historic preservation. By starting with the public spaces – streets, sidewalks, open space and architecture – social and economic life in small towns can be revitalized. So many of our beloved small towns have been deeply damaged by the transportation industries that have reshaped them around cars and traffic. To get back to the beloved village dynamic that many small towns across the US have lost for this reason, we need to put place at the center, and let this idea radiate out into the ways that we approach historic preservation and conservation. The character of our neighborhoods need to be defined by the people who live there, not the cars that pass through. To that end, focusing on the ways our sidewalks, intersections, and other shared spaces work is at the core of how we continuously create and sustain a feeling of welcome." #PlacemakingVermont #PlacemakingUS #Placemaking #Preservation #Conservation

City Hall's Secret Renovation Surprises Uncovered! Join us as we explore the fascinating renovations at City Hall! Follow SPEAKER_01's observations on the recent construction work, and discover the changes that have revitalized this historic building. Don't miss the insights, surprises, and a humorous take on local developments! #CityHallRenovation #BuildingObservations #ConstructionUpdates #UrbanRevitalization #SpeakerInsights #HistoricBuildings #LocalDevelopments #CommunityUpdates #HomeRenovation #FunnyCityStories

An excellent critique here of the C6 tower in Perth - asking whether we should really be building tall buildings at all, and certainly whether it is efficient to do so in timber. Key takeaways for me: 👍As a positive, Andrew's article suggests an upfront carbon footprint of 10,000tCO2e*, which is 220kgCO2e/m2, or 41t per apartment - which sounds pretty good to me. Though I'd love to see the final numbers! ⛈️However... the 6000t of timber used in the building is coming from Austria, shipped to Australia. This would double the emissions related to that timber, I believe. Could this wood have been better used in Europe? If sustainability was the goal, why wasn't Australian timber prioritised? 🌱And, given that most of the surrounding buildings are 3-6 storeys tall, what's the need for a 52-storey tower here? If used in low-rise construction, could those 6000t have been used to create a greater floor area? Timber construction continues to gain interest, but we need to keep asking where, how, and why we use it. Is 'tallest timber building ever' really an accolade worth persuing? Thank you Andrew Waugh for provoking some thoughts with my morning coffee! #timber #structuralengineering #netzero #climatechange *calculated from the statement around the biogenic carbon stored in the structure outweighing the upfront emissions of the building. At 6000t of timber, this would be around 10,000t of upfront emissions.

Mixed-use property: " data-image-caption=" A majestic, modern school rises from the heart of Kingston, its twin sleek glass towers connected by a dramatic, elevated skybridge that soars above a bustling city street, captured in a cinematic film still with the warmth of 35mm film, rich film grain, and a subtle vignette. The rooftop oasis, filled with swaying palm trees and lush tropical plants, provides a serene escape for students, while the boldly cantilevered gymnasium offers breathtaking views of the vibrant urban tapestry below. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the airy classrooms with natural light, framing the dynamic cityscape in a stunning display of modern, tropical design. " data-medium-file="https://lnkd.in/eXW883ec" data-large-file="https://lnkd.in/ejHTEauU" tabindex="0" role="button" /> Mixed-use property in Jamaica and across the globe represents a versatile approach to urban development, blending residential, commercial, and sometimes industrial spaces within a single area or building. In Jamaica, particularly in cities like Kingston and Montego Bay, mixed-use properties are becoming increasingly popular as they promote efficient land use, reduce the need for long […] The post Mixed-use property first appeared on Jamaica Homes. #jamaica #glossary #realestate

In the scholarship of urbanism, small towns are overlooked and understudied. "Rebuilding the American Town" (forthcoming by Routledge Press, December 2024) highlights how smaller municipalities are transforming to serve their communities and meet the future. The book uncovers creative design and planning strategies of nine U.S. towns as they rebuild to remain vibrant, equitable and viable in the face of metropolitan sprawl, population shifts, political division, economic shortfalls and climate change. The book includes interviews and insights from those directly involved, revealing the challenges and advantages of being a smaller municipality while highlighting the power of design at local levels. The projects in this book show how the small town in the United States is unexpectedly progressive, experimental, urban and global. "Rebuilding the American Town" is a follow-up to our 2016 "Rebuilding the American City" (David Gamble/MIT, Patty Hedya/ Washington University, co-authors). You can order your advanced copy here:  https://lnkd.in/exZmQTe5

The first issue of #VERTICALURBANISM is out now! Published by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH).

SoWy A Transformative Mixed-Use Development Coming To Wynwood and Overtown 🎨 A groundbreaking 8-acre mixed-use project is set to reshape the urban fabric between Miami's iconic Wynwood and historic Overtown neighborhoods. The project's scope includes a diverse mix of residential units, flexible work environments, and pedestrian-friendly plazas, all designed with sustainability at its core. For professionals in the construction industry, SoWy represents massive opportunity. The project's scale and complexity will likely require innovative building techniques, sustainable materials, and creative solutions to urban infrastructure challenges. SoWy signals a growing trend of large-scale, mixed-use developments in Miami's urban core, potentially heralding increased demand for similar projects in the future. This development could set new benchmarks for urban renewal projects that respect and enhance existing neighborhood identities. Click below to read more: https://lnkd.in/eqb9ERsV #cityconstructiongroup #southfloridaconstruction #miamiconstruction