Kelmscott Activity Precinct

“TO BEE OR NOT TO BEE” Jesslyn Chua Jia Xin Urging the community to reflect, on the actions they can take for the upcoming future in 2040. The campaign will feature nodes of healthy urbanism, predominately increasing the biodiversity and connecting services, safety, culture and public spaces. No better place to start than with the bees and humans living cohesively in a sustainable fashion.

“TO BEE OR NOT TO BEE” In an increasingly individualistic society, there is an ailing need from the environment which calls us to band together for the betterment of the ecosystem. In the book by Lovelock, ‘The revenge of Gaia’, he lamented that the nonchalance of humans with respect to the environment has been and is spiralling into irreversible detriment. The heightened greenhouse gases, the deforestation of rainforest worldwide for cash crops. These climate changes induce dire burdens on the global economy, the wellbeing of the population, and the sustainable urban infrastructure issues. These include, deleterious urban water management, undulating urban heat island effect, pavement production and construction.

Unsurprisingly, bees are an integral part of the natural environment. Their contribution reaches far beyond farm grown fruits and vegetables that require pollination. As primary pollinators, bees play a key role in every step of the ecosystem. Wild flora and fauna depend on them as well. Bees are responsible for pollination a myriad of wild seeds, berries and nuts which provide nourishment for wild animals. Without these super pollinators, our gardens would be sparse and plates empty.

Thus, the phrase ‘to bee or not to bee’ is my motto for the future of Kelmscott. This is the opening phrase of soliloquy given by Prince Hamlet of William Shakespeare’s play. He contemplates the value of life and if it’s worth striving for. This phrase urges the community to reflect, on the actions they can take for the upcoming future in 2040. The campaign will feature notes of healthy urbanism, predominately increasing the biodiversity and connecting services, safety, culture and public spaces. No better place to start than with the bees and humans living cohesively in a sustainable fashion.

In 2040, 20,000 new dwellings are projected to move into Kelmscott. The width of the roads in Kelmscott will be reduced and more priority will be given to pedestrians and bus lanes instead of the current car dominant state. The bustling traffic along Albany highway is expected to mellow as well.

Railway tracks will be raised for safety, aesthetic and ecological purposes. The current underpass design located at Third Avenue is not ideal, with a low green area index and a melting pot of urban heat island effect triggers. The flagship project of the campaign will be a raised railway track that provides ecological links under the tracks. Additionally, there will be space for gathering areas where social activities can take place. This maximises the use of the land for social and ecological aspects.

Kelmscott is a breath-taking site with stunning views of the hills, canning river streams with barren lands that are prime for improving the ecological biodiversity. There is much potential to be uncovered for Kelmscott. There was a time where significant trees lined the avenues and westerners would flock to for agricultural purposes. It is time to bring that back to the future of Kelmscott, with the aid of our black and yellow friends.

REGIONAL SCALE ANALYSIS

HISTORICAL TIMELINE OF KELMSCOTT

Sums up the connection of Kelmscott to Perth city through metro and how cycling tracks creates a loop around the region. The importance of biodiversity and pre-europeran vegetation were taken into consideration as well.

Historical information selected based on environmental an social aspects

1830 Canning river locality provided the early settlers with fertile soils & vital water supply

1871 St Mary’s Anglican Church

1880 Timber became an important industry in Kelmscott. Jarrah, Red Gum and Sheaok.

1891 First Kelmscott Hall

1897 First Kelmscott Agricultural show

1898 Opening of Kelmscott Primary School

1921 Kelmscott first train station

LEGEND Black Carnaby Cockatoo Nesting Areas

Armadale to Perth Train Route

Eucalyptus marginata, Corymbia calophylla, Eucalyptus wandoo

10 KM Bird Analysis

River

Mainly Eucalyptus marginata, and Corymbia calophylla

10 KM Bee Analysis

Pre-European Vegetation

Mixed heath with scattered tall shrubs (Acacia spp., Proteaceae & Myrtaceae)

10 KM Dragonfly Analysis

Eucalyptus marginata, Banksia spp. and Allocasuarina spp.

Other Acacia, Banksia, Peppermint, Cypress Pine, Casuarina, York gum. (Acacia spp., Banksia spp., Agonis flexuosa, Callitris spp., Eucalyptus loxophleba)

Bicycle Route

2011 Kelmscott bushfires.

72 homes completely destroyed

CITY OF KELMSCOTT ANALYSIS

LOCAL SCALE ANALYSIS

Overall Green Spaces, Ecological connections, historical wetland and soil composition of Kelmscott

Overall Green Spaces, Ecological connections, historical wetland and soil composition of Kelmscott

Existing native bees A total of 5 native bee species were found in the 1km2 radius of kelmscott through https://biocache.ala.org.au/ Lasioglossum hemichalceum

Amegilla chlorosynaea

Apis mellifera

Leioproctus douglasiellus

Neopasiphae simplicior

Endemic vegetation flowering seasonal calendar for native bees The analysis shows a list of bee attracting endemic vegetation. The flowering seasonal calendar states the flowering period of each species.

Acacia sp.

Anigozanthos sp.

Banksia sp.

Callistemon sp.

Eucalyptus sp.

Grevillea sp.

Leptospermum sp.

Melaleuca sp.

Wahlenbergia sp.

Waratah sp.

Westringia sp.

Xerochrysum sp.

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun

LEGEND

Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

LEGEND

Green Open Spaces

Ecological Linkage

0 - 3m

10 - 12m

Residential

Lasioglossum hemichalceum

Leioproctus douglasiellus

Endemic plant species (85%)

Stormwater Sumps

Stormwater Sumps

4 - 6m

13 - 15m

Commercial

Amegilla chlorocyanea

Neopasiphae simplicior

Exotic plant species (15%)

Wetland Basins

Wetland Basins

7 - 9m

16 - 18m

Healthcare

Apis mellifera

150m flight radius

Bush fire zone

OPPORTUNITIES AND CONSTRAINTS LOCAL SCALE

An annotated plan that outlines and summarises key constraints and opportunities of the site and indicates ideas and locations for intervention

Annotated Opportunites and Constraints plan

Other Opportunities

Revegetation of street

Improve pedestrian and cyclist priority and connection between the East and West and to the river

Improve lighting and safety

Bringing trainn tracks up and having and ecological strip and social amenity under

Improve diversity and appearance of buildings

West region residential cross section along Merrifield and Ward Cres Road (1:350 in A3) Trees along roadside but does not provide shade

One storey housing = takes up alot of land spaces

Electrical wires hanging across the road

Fences with a huge backyard

7M

2.5M

12M

15M

24M

24M

15M

12M

Car dominant. No bus stops. No bus lanes

2.5M

7M

9M

East region commercial cross section (1:250 in A3) Lack of trees. No proper shade

One storey buildings.

Opportunity in increasing the levels as population increases in the future

Good views of the hill at the back of the one storey commercial

Mix use commercial and residential in the future?

Vacant buildings

Existing Carpark Bus Stop

5M

10M

10M

10M

10M

10M

10M

10M

10M

PAGE 5 AXONOMETRIC DIAGRAM Perspectives and a cross section of underpass located Third Avenue (Cross Section 1:75 in A3)

No road side shade or existing trees

4M

2.5M

5M

5M

1M

5M

2.5M

Full concrete suspended bridge. Is there a way to create a green connector (parks or green spaces) under the brdige itself and the pedestrian walk underneath instead of under the scorching hot sun.

Electrical wires

4M

Long Cross Section of East to West Connection (1:450 in A3)

Metal fences

9M

2.5M

Too much car park spaces

2M

3.5M

1M

3.5M

3.5M

3M

5M

No trees. No shade = Not condusive

6M

5M

2.5M

3M

Pedestrian crosses the East and West region through the train tracks. Opportunities in bring the tracks up. Bus interchange below with ecological connections underneath the stretch of railway (pocket parks, open green spaces social and biodiversity aspects)

5M

6M

8.5M

6M

5M

Too much car park spaces

3M

5M

6M

More carparks. Is it necessary?

5M

4M

6M

5M

Trees along roadside that does not provide much shae. Plant shade trees instead?

3M

2.5M

7M

4M

7M

2.5M

4M

5M

6M

5M

2.5M

7M

Masterplan 5

4

3

3

2

15 6

6

7

7

13

9

9 9

10

1 8 13

10 8

14

8 13 2

14 2

7

11

12 12 8

14

LEGEND

8

1. Raised Railway 2. Mix used Commercial & Residential

12

3. Town houses 4. Fancote Park 5. Canning River 6. Commercial 7. Bee Rooftop Garden 8. Vegetated Swales 9. Nature Play 10. The Underline. North to South Landscape Strip 11. Home Amongst Gum Trees 12. 2 to 4 storey residential 13. Bicycle lane leading to Perth City 14. Bicycle Lane 15. Education 16. DevWA

Conceptual diagram on Healthy Urbanism and Bees in the urban environment Connects services, thermal comfort, lighting and safety

Conceptual Analysis Diagram Gathering people from both East and West to the centre of the “Underline”. Having weekly farmers market and connecting the public through food, culture and public open spaces

Built Form (Existing and New)

Landuse

Mix use Existing New

Vehicular Circulation

Enhances urban biodiversity whilst sustaining air, water and soil quality through vegetated swales in filtering storm and grey water

Revegetating verges, street median and strip gardens with bee attracting plants and native vegetation.

Town house 2 to 4 Storey Commercial

Bus and Bicycle Circulation

Rooftop bee gardens on commercial buildings. Commercial buildings chosen and situated specifically according to bee radius analysis.

Bus Bicycle

Raised railway road

Green Spaces & Rooftop Gardens

Diversity in a mix of dwelling types (A total of 980 additional new residential units) 2 Storeys Apartment unit/Row housing (7.5m x 10m) = 30 units Mix used commercial and residential apartment, double loaded (20m x 40m) = 166 units 2 to 4 Storey unit, single loaded (6m x 16m) = 784units Green Open Spaces

2 Storey Row housing. Timber Inclusive housing design, representing the historical of Kelmscott that used to produce timber in 1880

Mix used commercial and residential apartment, double loaded

Bee Rooftop Garden

“Home Amongst the Gum Trees”. Surrounded by Kelmscott’s significant native trees. Co-living together as a whole.

Green Connectors

Canning River & Vegetated Swales

N to S Green Connection

Canning River

Living Knowledge Stream

Vegetated Swales

Forest Trail

Flow of water

B

B A

A

Section Elevation A-A

Section Elevation B-B FOREST TRAIL Biolink for birds through tree canopy, linking Westfield Nature Reserve to Fancote Park. Food for birds.

Calothamnus quadrifidus

Eucalyptus mannifera

Eucalyptus marginata

Grevillea sp.

Hakea genera

LIVING KNOWLEDGE STREAM Filters grey and storm water around Kelmscott. Cleaner water attracts and increases dragonfly population. Home for dragonflies.

Baumea juncea

Carex appressa

Cyperus gymnocaulos

Juncus pallidus

Poa poiformis

BEES CO-HABITS IN AN URBAN ENVIRONMENT Commercial zones/buildings place through the bee population radius. Revegetating landscape spaces with native bee attracting vegetation

Detailed Strategy on Urban Ecology Urban Ecology Planting List

Acacia sp.

Anigozanthos sp.

Banksia sp.

Callistemon viminalis

Westringia sp.