PLACEnews June 2010 Issue 7
The ULDA’s Residential 30 Guideline offers development alternatives
The Urban Land Development Authority (ULDA) is offering developers alternatives to the usual ‘tried and true’ subdivision and design practices when they are planning and writing a development scheme.
The Residential 30: Guideline to deliver diversity in new neighbourhood development has been written by the ULDA to provide practical guidance on how residential developments can achieve more diversity to meet the changing needs of our communities.
Regions around Australia are facing social, environmental and economic factors that are driving a need for more diversity and innovative design when planning our residential communities. So the guideline outlines a variety of principles and provisions for planning, designing and constructing mixed residential developments which are no more than 3-storeys in height.
The Residential 30 Guideline covers six design elements:
• neighbourhood
• lot
• block
• street
• park
• building.
Under each element the ULDA has identified the key issues which need to be addressed as well as key principles and provisions that must be met to achieve the guideline’s goals.
The easy to read guideline offers case studies which provide examples of housing diversity at varying densities. A design checklist is also included, aimed at assisting designers to review a proposal before completing any development application.
The ULDA isn’t just offering theories and ideas. It has also developed Practice Notes to complement the Residential 30 Guideline.
The Practice Notes cover a wide variety of topics and offer practical tips on successful small lot development and ways to improve commercial return from an increased number of smaller lots. The notes also provide engineering techniques for use in higher density development which are economically viable.
Environmental sustainability is important for the ULDA. The Practice Notes’ tips for tree retention within a suburban development offer protection to a potential development site’s native species as well as providing a leafy environment and natural setting for future residents to call home.
To date the guideline is only in use in the ULDA’s Urban Development Areas and a living and breathing example of the guideline at work is at the ULDA’s Fitzgibbon Chase development, 12 kilometres north of Brisbane’s CBD. The development offers a range of lot sizes and housing choices is having a positive impact on housing affordability.
When the Fitzgibbon Chase project is completed, over two thirds of the package prices will be below the median house price in Brisbane. In addition, a wide variety of sustainability initiatives including storm water harvesting, tree retention and recycling are part of the development, providing evidence that positive sustainability outcomes can be achieved without adversely impacting on commercial returns.
The ULDA considers the Residential 30 Guideline and Practice Notes as 'living documents’ and they will be added to and amended as further projects are undertaken and information gathered as industry provides feedback.
Consequently the ULDA considers the current version of the Residential 30 Guideline the first in a series that will go on to help achieve quality residential neighbourhoods which address the issues of diversity and affordability facing all Queensland communities.
The Residential 30 Guideline is available at www.ulda.qld.gov.au or phone the ULDA on 1300 130 215 to organise delivery of a copy.
