Urban Renewal - Newtown, Sydney

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Content 1-1: Vision development .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3 1-2: Socio-spatial urban analysis Historic and demographic analysis ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4-7 Spatial analysis ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8-11 Behavioral setting analysis ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................12-13 1-3: Integrated analysis of public place urban structure plan SWOT analysis __Newtown ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................14-18 Structural plan ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 19 SWOT analysis __Urban segement 1 ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................20-24 SWOT analysis __Urban segement 2................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 25-29 1-4: Precedent study .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 30-34 1-5: Detail design Urban project1................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 35-42 Urban project 2 ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 43-50 Design Guidelines ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 51-70 Refernce........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 71

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TRAIN STATION BIKE PARKING DRINK WATER FOUNTAIN PLAYGROUND CHURCH SCHOOL

STATE HERITAGE REGISTER

LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL PLAN

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NEWTOWN, SYDNEY

Life Between Buildings - Active Frontages ACTIVE REGION 1

ACTIVE REGION 2

Newtown Station

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Active Frontages and Built Edges

Active Frontage is a highly encouraged concept in urban design, especially forefronted by Jan Gehl that in urban developments involving more interactive fronts are likely to enhance social cohesion by bridging together people, hence the life between buildings is prioritised. For the ease of analysis and specificity, we have focused exclusively to an active, urbanised area of the intersection - where the density of activity is the highest hence examining an optimal condition.

The focused area of the intersection hub is being elicited and broken down into two regions with explicit active frontages which fosters existing positive street edges through visual dialogue and physical interactions

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Newtown Central is a major hub for exchange and amenities alongside the Newtown train station, the protective awnings and overhang act as a shield and extension of the interior volume, enabling outdoor usage by cafes, bars and resting facilities. This fosters visual dialogue and engages commuting groups.

Intersection of Primary . roads

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B King St. & Princess Highway/Enmore road intersection Cafe Newtown

Cafe Newtown is at the heart of the intersection, connecting two crosswalks from both the square and the station, making it the cynosure of gatherings and ideal spot for a cafe. The outdoor space fosters visual connection and a welcoming atmosphere.

Newtown Central r---------<.

Corellis Newtown

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A Newtown Central multi-level mix-use shopping centre/exchange hub (King street)

Corellis isa cafe located next to a vegetation buffer zone of the Newtown High School for Performing arts, right below Newtown Central on Princess Hwy, the extended awning and outdoor cafe space act as an extension (visually and physically) of the heritage built edge, attracting people from a quiter end of the street.

C Corellis Newtown restaurant in St. Georges Hall heritage (Princess highway)

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40m

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SWOT - Newtown Analytics Spatial Findings

OBJ1:

Foster a community where people celebrates its uniqueness

Newtown is “a place for people from all social classes and cultural backgrounds… (with) strong sense of community, progressive ideas, creativity” (Lord Mayor Clover Moore). To promote and celebrate community engagement and interaction, further, development should consider walkability, public space design, and housing design as means to bring people together and create inclusive, resilient, self-reliant, and creative communities.

STRENGTH

STRENGTH

The suburb is characterized by heritage buildings & terrace building, enhance the sense of space; -Diversity in retail, especially multicultural restaurants , as there is many immigrants, tourists, and students live in the area making it rich on all cultural levels.

Renowned street art and free-spirited residents, attracting artists with a message since the early 19 century; the murals are political manifestos or inspired by daily life, exhibiting a community that concern about rights and equality

WEAKNESS Lack of attention given to public infrastructure further away from the main street; Place of worship defaced with graffiti; high rent and house pricing clashing with the local’s financial capacity. (Overall, 66.5% of households were paying high rental payments __$450 per week or more)

OPPORTUNITY

THREATS -Active night-life may cause noise pollution to affect surrounding residents and lack

measures

of crime-prevention

also impose safety risks.

-Some Street art has been removed

or painted over. Some Street art has been removed or painted

The former reservation scheme by the NSW Department of Main Roads was abandoned after the imposition of Green

Bans by the Builders Labourers Federation (BLF)

OPPORTUNITY

such as active frontage and widened footpath to promote social gathering and interaction.

Encourage a mix of commercial and residential and find a more appropriate transit.

WEAKNESS

To preserve the heritage significance, and artistic character of the area, which could transform Newtown into a touristic suburb. Revitalize the current untended urban space with features

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OBJ4: A Safer Neighborhood For Newton

SWOT - Newtown Analytics

Strength

When considering opportunities, four main techniques are the leading elements in this analysis base on the Safer by control - Crime Prevention Through Envi ronmental Design. NSW Government 1. Territorial re-enforcement; 2. Surveillance; 3.

Access Control; 4. Space/activity Management

Night Clubs and Bars

There are securities guards outside every clubs and bars at night. This is strength for security as they are somehow acting as Formal surveillance for crime prevention. There are 14 bars and clubs at king street, and this which alternatively

provide a safe environment at night.

Weakness

Minor Roads ( Narrow Streets ) The mix traffic within minor roads. Newtown has lots of terrace houses which lack parking space. Cars which have to part alongside the streets and this further increase the issues of mix traffic and narrow roads.

Causing more dangerous situations for both pedestrians and vehicles. These roads are usually the sub exits of the main road.

Mix Traffic Turning Corner Narrow streets with a lot of turning corners, and most of the streets are in mixed traffic, which make the streets dangerous for both pedestrians and vehicles.

Some comers doesn’t have a convex mirror

High Crime Rate Newtown has High crime in both Alcohol related assault and steal from motor vehicles. Few reason could be pedestrians path is very close to the street, make it easier to steal directly from motor vehicles. A better option is to re-design the street layout, or adding fences to better protect pedestrians on street.

Opportunities

More Surveillance Cameras More Surveillance Cameras could be used in public space, narrow streets. This is one way to reduce crime as base on the government website. Criminals are often avoid the to commit a crime that with surveillance.

Which this could be one way to make a safer region.

Legend Strength Night Clubs and Bars

Weakness

Minor Roads ( Narrow Streets )

Mix Traffic Turning Corner High Rate of Alcohol Assault area High Rate of Steal From Vehicles area Very narrow road with Mixed traffic Vehicles parking along side

Opportunities

More Surveillance Cameras More Alcohol free zones Increase police patrol Routes Adding Fences Adding More Public Facilities

Threats Drunk and Sober people at night High Alcohol Related Assault

More Alcohol free zones One of the main issues in Newtown at night is because of the late night clubs and bars, most of the people feel uncomfortable when surrounded by sober/drunk crowds. Especially in residential area. One way of doing that is adding alcohol free zones to multiples residential areas. Which is a way of access control and Space/Activity management.

Introduce More Public Activities Areas This idea is base on the territorial re-enforcement. By setting up public facilities, new constructions of public spaces to allow more people to use that space. The pedestrians which can form passive surveillance to the surrounding area. Hence to reduce crime rate.

Better protection for pedestrians This is because the narrow pedestrian path. With the adding of fence; re-design of the pedestrians path entrance could better separate pedestrians and motor vehicles. ( Adding Bike Lane is also an option) Hence to increase the safety of pedestrians.

Increase Police Patrol Routes The increase of police patrol routes at night especially at 11 pm,12 pm during weekend. These are the times where most of the people just finished drinking in late night bar. Police patrol through th main streets where most of the bar locates is another way of adding surveillance

Short distance

Long Distance

Threat

Night Clubs and Bars Although securities guards outside the clubs can be the strengths of Newtown, but late night clubs and bars which also brings another issues the gathering of sober and drunk people. They usually produce loud noise, and can produce more serious issues. Which makes Newtown has relative high rate of Alcohol related crimes.

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URBAN SEGMENT 1 Detail Area SWOT The Hub Intersection

3m

3m 3m

3m 2m

3.5m

The first urban segment is set to be the intersection due to its geographical and spatial significance,it converges multiple streams of traffics from two primary road/highway into King St, as well as volumetric pedestrian traffics from the train station and various directions of Newtown. Being the central cynosure of the region it holds symbolic social values to capture first impressions as a destination.

EXISTING CONDITION

3.5m

3.5m 3.5m

3.5m 3.5m

Section Cut

3.5m 3.5m

3.5m 3.5m 3.5m 3.5m

Bus Stop

Bus Only

Traffic Light

Route Direction

Bike Parking

Green Cover

Train Station

Connective crossings and the objective to make pedestrian friendly network presented the opportunity to potentially extend pavings and create close-circuit loop of shared zone

EXISTING SECTION

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STRENGTH

Intersection Area, Newtown

Wide Foothpath available to hold many pedestrians using the area. Bus stops available all around the intersection area making it very accessible and public transport friendly.

Bus Routes leading to all corners in Sydney, making the intersection a main transport hub. Wide car routes with up to 3 lanes per direction making the intersection a main road connecting central Sydney to the suburbs. In addition, Traffic lights are highly available achieving a clear and easy guide for pedestrians and drivers to follow.

Legend: Traffic Light

Bike rack

Bus Stop

Train station

Car Lane Direction

Dinning

Bus route 370

Active frontage

Bus route 355 - 76T3 Bus route 428 Bus route 423 - 426

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WEAKNESSES Intersection Area, Newtown

Bike parking space are not available except for a small space near the train station. Most footpath in the intersection area is not covered making it hard for pedestrians and cyclists to use the space during extreme weather conditions.

Based on previous behaviour analysis of the intersection, we can clearly see that there’s high pedestrian activity in the area which clashes with the space and services available.

Legend: Bike Parking Space Busy Footpath: Cyclists & Pedestrians Car Parking Space Uncovered Footpath lost space defaced by graffit

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OPPORTUNITIES Intersection Area, Newtown

New traffic lights installed would benefit circulastion since adding new cycling lanes and reducing car lanes, The lights would guide users and change based on timing and activity.

Addition of cycling lanes would benefit bike users and encourage biking in Newtown as a way of transport. Wider footpath would also be beneficial by reducing pedestrian traffic and makes walking more easy. The addition of trees/vegetation on footpath is a must since it protects users during harsh weather conditions. More seats is also a plus, since it’s a resting space and it encourages social interactions.

Legend: Additional Seats Additional vegetation/trees Footpath Extension Cycling Lanes New Traffic Lights

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THREATS

Intersection Area, Newtown

The intersection on King Street is a main and wide road, cars tend to speed on it which is dangerous for pedestrian and cyclists using the area. Pedestrian crossings also affect traffic and makes the circulation slower especially near the train station, where there’s heavy pedestrian activity. Climate Change is also a big threat since increasing temperature levels would affect any outdoor activity, like cycling and walking.

The availability of many transport options such as cyling, public transport, walking, private cars, etc. could lead to potential accidents especially on intersections where all modes of transport use same routes.

Legend: High Temperature/Climate Change Possible Accidents Pedestrian Crossings High Speed Car Route

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Enhancing level of security via urban activties and passive surveillence while activiting uder-mainted space

URBAN SEGMENT 2 Detail Area SWOT Alice Street Intersection and Pocket Park

2. Alice st

The second urban segment is chosen based on the spatial analysis conducted in previous assessment, in which the particular intersectional area around Alice Street (western Newtown) has lower concentration of activity, yet embedded large public housing dwellings and a deserted corner reserve - which has been identified as an opportunity to revitalise and encourage positive neighbourhood activity, security and accessibility.

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EXISTING CONDITION

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Surrounding restaurants and bars also presented an opportunity in terms of food culture to attract people, or potentially be further integrated with the park

EXISTING SECTION

Residential Area

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C tion

Peace Reserve Current existing lost space

Pedestrian Sidewalk

4m

Roadway Roadway North North

3.5 m

3.5 m

Roadway South

Roadway South

Pedestrian Sidewalk

3.5 m

3.5 m

4m

Stores alongside the street

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URBAN PROJECT 1 The Hub/Intersection

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EXISTING CONDITION 3m

3m 3m

BEFORE

The Hub Intersection Plaza

3m 2m

3.5m 3.5m

3.5m 3.5m

3.5m 3.5m 3.5m 3.5m

3.5m 3.5m 3.5m 3.5m

Bus Stop

Bus Only

Traffic Light

Route Direction

Bike Parking

Green Cover

Train Station 36

PROPOSED DESIGN Concept 3m

3m 3m

AFTER

The Hub Intersection Plaza

3m 2m

3.5m 3.5m

3.5m 3.5m 2m

3.5m 3.5m 3.5m 3.5m

Bus Stop

Bus Only

Green Cover

Traffic Light

Route Direction

Pedestrain Paving

Bike Parking

Cycling Lane

Pedestrain Paving

Train Station

Shared Lane

3.5m 5m 3.5m 2m

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PROPOSED DESIGN Concept The Intersection Street Structure Design

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Section Cut

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URBAN PROJECT 2 Alice Street

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ACESS PLAN_Alice street Enhancing level of security via urban activties and passive surveillence while activiting uder-mainted space

2. Alice st

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Built form_Alice Street Enhancing level of security via urban activties and passive surveillence while activiting uder-mainted space

2. Alice st

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PROPOSED DESIGN Concept Alice Street Plaza + Road Conditions

4.5 m 3.5 m 3.5 m 3.5 m 0.5m 2m 4.5 m

Legend: Bike racks Traffic light Building Pedestrian Footpath

Vechile lane bidirectional vehicle lane Tree Cycling lane Bike lane Planter box strip coloured paving for crossing coloured paving for Peace park Timber decking flooring for parklet 47

URBAN SEGMENT 2 PROJECT: Alice Street Urban Plaza Introducing pedestrian-oriented plaza at pocket parks and edges to activate life between buildings and streets

Section Cut 48

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Urban Art Installations - in narrow laneways 4, GENERAL KING STREET URBAN ART 4.1 All activation structure design principles are applied.

4.2 Narrow car laneways are flipped into artistic spaces for pedestrian only.

4.3 The art design is related to Newtown local historical and cultural background, shows visitors the local culture.

4.4 Give priority to the use of environmentally friendly materials, and some green plants are also used as art decorations.

4.5 The art installations set up must be enjoyable in addition to being playable, as one of the few children’s entertainments in Newtown.

4.6 In order to encourage visual dialogue interaction between the urban street and the urban art, there should not be any visual barriers between the street and the urban art illustration.

Festival celebration light show Green vegetation cover on the wall as decoration Spotlights installed, lighten the design space at night, enhanced safety of visitors during night.

Street sculpture should be enjoyable and playable which is made in degradable or reusable materials.

Rainbow colour paving is used which increases the fun of the site, and also shows that the community is friendly to LGBT groups.

Famous street sculpture in world tour Colourful barricade which brings the art to the main road.

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Mobile food/cafe kiosks 11 GENERAL KING STREET FOOD INVITATION 11.1 Permitted vehicles which serve food can enter the pedestrian/cycling zone at certain locations.

11.2 Integrating local food with mobile stations, pop-up kiosks, movable seatings and small scale urban farms.

11.3 Encouraging combining different cultures by involving diverse food types.

11.4 Urban furniture in different scale should be applied for custom configuration, to encourage gathering of various sizes and locations.

11.5 The gathering place would be better to be set at somewhere with urban art installed (graffiti, which is a feature of Newtown, colourful paving) so that the activity site could be more attracting and dynamic.

11.6 Near street coffee shops can participate and help easily, since there is now a wide variety of food in Newtown.

Service window of the near street coffee shop, nearby cafe can participate easily Graffiti art which is a feature of Newtown

Small scale furniture for small group people using

Planter boxes bring green vegetation, metaphorically remind visitors to keep the environment tidy while enjoying food

Large scale furniture for having social interactions, which fosters the community to some extent Colourful paving active the zone Mobile food provision Trash cans are essential to allow people to discard food waste and maintain the tidiness of the site 67

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Barriers and Fences 12, GENERAL KING STREET BARRIERS AND FENCES 12.1 Define boundaries and protect people from traffic hazards.

12.2 People with vision impairment also must be able to detect the barriers 12.3 Filter the movement mode 12.4 May be removable or permanent 12.5 Define zones only allow movement of pedestrians and cyclists 12.6 Should be highly visible 12.7 The barriers can be a visual feature at the site 12.8 Should be low or transparent to support informal surveillance to the street and public space

Trees act as natural barriers that define the boundary keeps vehicles away from pedestrians and cyclists which are highly visible

Planter strip along the street acts as a curb/buffer zone that keeps pedestrians and cyclists away from the traffic hazards

Planter boxes between pedestrian lane and cycling lane

Bollards at the end of pedestrain crossing, prevent vehicles to enter 70

References

Historic and demographic analysis: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/population/national-state-and-territory-population/latest-release#states-and-territories https://profile.id.com.au/sydney/service-age-groups?WebID=210 https://profile.id.com.au/sydney/about?WebID=210 https://quickstats.censusdata.abs.gov.au/census_services/getproduct/census/2016/quickstat/SSC11641 https://www.domain.com.au/suburb-profile/newtown-nsw-2042 Sptial analysis: https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=2421485 https://www.hms.heritage.nsw.gov.au/App/Item/SearchHeritageItems https://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/epi-2011-0645/maps#LAP https://www.newtownproject.com.au/portfolio-items/cities-and-sustainability-report-king-street-newtown-sydney/. https://moovitapp.com/insights/en/Moovit_Insights_Public_Transit_Index_Australia_Sydney-442. https://quickstats.censusdata.abs.gov.au/census_services/getproduct/census/2016/quickstat/SSC12960?opendocument. https://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/about/corporate-publications/statistics/traffic-volumes/aadt-map/index.html#/?z=16&lat=-33.895377409156055&lon=151.18087729367068&id=02396&pco=1&pcl=1&sco=1&scl=1&nd=1 &v=1&st=1 https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/late-every-time-sydney-s-worst-bus-revealed-20180704-p4zphp.html. https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/data-and-research/passenger-travel/public-transport-patronage/public-transport-patronage-about-data Integrated analysis_SWOT: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-13/sydney-businesses-brace-as-lockout-laws-lifted-in-kings-cross/13244326 https://neighbourhoodpaper.com/issues/double-cross-another-friday-night-newtown/ Photography by Nate Palmer / @langstonpalmer https://www.police.nsw.gov.au/safety_and_prevention/policing_in_the_community/safer_by_design https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/partys-over-for-rogue-traders-20160106-gm0pge.html https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/sydney-council-plans-to-designate-54-more-alcohol-free-zones/ Precedent: https://archithoughts.wordpress.com/2016/11/08/2343/ https://fineyoungurbanists.tumblr.com/ https://gehlpeople.com/work/projects/ https://gehlpeople.com/projects/san-francisco-market-street/ https://www.theplan.it/eng/award-2019-publicspace/city-thread Guidelines: https://bicycleinfrastructuremanuals.com/manuals3/NSW% 20bicycle%20 guidelines .pdf https://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/design-codes-technical-specifications/sydney-streets https://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/design-codes-technical-specifications/sydney-streets https://roads-waterways.transport.nsw.gov.au/business-industry/partners-suppliers/ document- types/standard- drawings/pavement.html https://nacto.org/docs/usdg/bus_infrastructure_guide_ nsw.pdf https://nacto.org/publication/urban-street-design-guide/streets/ 71