Urban Design Recommendation - Brunswick, VIC

Spatial Thinking and Urban Design

Max s3887124

Purnima s3941296

Darshit s3913743

Michelle s3959067

Urban Challenge in Brunswick

Problem Statement

Livability as detailed by Jacobs and Appleyeard (1987) is the creation of cities whose aim is to promote active public spaces and green spaces, enhance safety and promote inclusive communities by creating distinct spaces through an improved urban design form and quality Accordingly our problem statement; How can we revitalize the urban blight, lack of safety, sparse green space, inequity and post industrial malaise of the Brunswick Site towards making it a liveable vibrant neighbourhood. To underline this problem - a livability matrix has been utilized to guide the SWOT analysis.

Legend: Equity & Access Climate Resilience Safety Active Mobility

Strengths

Location: Union Street

Item: Street Greening

Evaluation:

Reclamation to greening/gardening/canopy. Using road space allows for maintenance of footpath integrity

Location: Jewell Station

Item: Shared Path Design

Evaluation: The path markings - alteration of pattern - help to calm cyclists as they approach & intersect high density pedestrian area.

Location:

Item: Shared Path Lighting

Evaluation: A very common pedestrian & cyclist corridor, recent lighting upgrades enhances the equity of this space to be used by more people without fear

Location: Dawson St

Item: Tactical Urbanism

Evaluation:

Opportunities

Location: 33 Saxon Street

Item: Urban Renewal Evaluation:

development plans to extend to community centre, green space & creative space.

Location: 209 Sydney Road

Item: Ethical & Sensitive Development

Evaluation: This site represents a thoughtful development on what was a Sydney Road/Brunswick cultural institution [Kinki Gerlinki]. Middle density, & highly development for the site.

Location: Ollie Pizza Parlour

Item: Parklet Program

Evaluation: This venue illustrates the usage of Moreland Parklet program. Reclamation of street scape for dining and social activity - is an initiative to replicate in the more lifeless parts of the site - as well gives more room for higher need footpath users.

Location: Fallon St

Item: Road Canopy / Street Trees

Evaluation: Fallon Street represents a use-case to replicate - in enhancing street

Vision Statement

Weaknesses

Location: Goodman Street

Item: Footpath width

Evaluation: Residential footpath width is regularly slim limiting equity of access & increasing potential for hazard.

Location: Harvey Street

Issue: Cul de Sac

Evaluation: Brunswick Secondary & RMIT sites abut several residential areas/streets. No through roads across many streets contribute to calming of vehicles, but restriction of even walking/bike riding dislocates potential for activity

Location: Brickworks

Issue: Urban Heat Island

Evaluation: Brickworks transition to residential zoning has missed some opportunity

Very trees with most open space concrete making it vulnerable to urban heat island

Location: Breese St

Issue: Lighting

Evaluation: Recently demolished sites, reduce amenity and activity, combined with poor lighting reduces safety of street scape.

Threats

Location: Brunswick Road

Issue: Heritage Overlay

Evaluation:

heritage overlay plays an important role, it can be a potential handbrake on site reform and progress.

Location: Rosser St

Issue: Aging Buildings-Empty Sites

Evaluation: The longer buildings or sites remain unused or in disrepair, the costlier it can be to renew them.

Location: Phoenix St

Issue:

Evaluation: symptom of urban decay

Location: Barkley St

Issue:

Evaluation: With urban renewal can come skyrocketing housing prices, and accompanying pricing out of long time renters and historic migrant community. Equity concerns must be considered.

Our vision for 2050 is to see a transformed Brunswick with a high livability index made possible by active public spaces, promotion of active and sustainable transport modality, space equity for land-use and inclusive safe spaces to produce thriving and vibrant communities.

Threat: Heritage Overlay

VicPlan

Pedestrian Sidewalk Cover & Heat Vulnerability Index

This map attemps to portray a connection between street canopy cover and the heat index produced at that area.

Impervious streets and landscapes have an effect in inducing the UHI phenomenon. The industrial area has increased impermeable surfaces such as parking lots, large driveways and low albedo pavements which owe to higher temperatures resulting in a high heat induced vulnerability (Vujovic et al 2021).

Pavement Material

Source:

Source:

Legend

Source:

Sidewalk with minimal or no canopy cover

Sidewalk with sporadic tree cover

Sidewalk with sufficient tree cover

Source:

Existing trees

Major problem zones with no canopy cover

Heat vulnerability ratings are from 1 to 5. These points are alloted based on three major components (Sun et al 2019):

- Heat Exposure

- Sensitivity to heat

- Adaptive Capacity

Heat Vulnerability Index Map with sidewalk canopy cover

Source: Heat Vulnerability Index (2018) (SA1) https://mapshare.vic.gov.au/coolinggreening/

Edited by: Purnima

Vacant plots and open parking made of impermeable materials at Pottery Ct

Open parking at RMIT University made of impermeable materials

Menon

Source: Max Massingham

Impermeable pavements and sporadic tree cover along Phoenix Street.

Max Massingham

No tree cover along Sydney Road with high degrees of impermeable surfaces.

Google Earth

Tree cover along sidewalks at Union Street, with minimal green spaces on footpaths.

Source: Max Massingham

Wavering sidewalks made of impermeabe materials and undulating levels.

Max Massingham

Junction at Temple Park showing contrast in permeable surfaces.

Google Earth

Minimal tree cover along footpath with poor facade treatment at Dawson Street.

Author: Michelle Ndlovu and Purnima Menon

Pedestrian Activity & Urban Activity Mapping

Active streets are minimal in the residential and industrial zones. The streets appear ‘passive’ with no active surveillance denoted as ‘eyes on the street’ by Jane Jacobs (1961, p. 106).

As denoted by the map, high active streets within the site are characterised either by commercial use, institutional use, public parks and transit nodes. Industrial and residential zones have minimal urban activity making the streets dull and barren.

Pedestrian Activity Zones

Activities caused by or near University or college campus, due to student and pedestrian crowd

HIGH-ACTIVITY ZONES

Activity near Cafes and restaurants during peak hours

Commercial Institutional Transit Zone

Activity near public open spaces such as parks and recreational zones

Activity node with people accessing the Gilpin Park during morning and evening hours of the day. Activities include - trails, dog walks, kids play zones.

Travelling pedestrian traffic on footpaths and sidewalks

Police Complex

Tram Station

Railway Station

Railway Line

Dead end zones/ dead alley ways

Map for urban activity hotspots

High activity urban activity zones along Sydney Road and the junction of Brunswick Road due to local shops, cafes, restaurants and the public tram station.

Author: Michelle Ndlovu and Purnima Menon

Source: Max Massingham

Uninteractive facades along Phoenix Street with no tree canopy.

Source: Brunswick Voice 2021, Medium

Gilpin Park is home to a multitude of activities and serves as a urban hotspot.

Source: Jewell Station Interpretation 2016, Lovell Chen

Jewell Station and the reserve see multiple pedestrian traffic at the locality.

Mapping Linkages & Connections

Poor linkages exist between the residential zones, green spaces, industrial and transit zones. This increases travel time and demands the use of vehicles.

Wide crossing junctions create hinderance for pedestrians due to incoming vehicular traffic - especially at Dawson Street due to the presence of institutional campus in vicinity.

No interaction between the public and private realm due to closed off building facades causing minimal urban activity and potential for urban interaction between pedestrians and interior spaces.

Source: Max Massingham

Source: Google Earth

Source: Max Massingham

Source: Google Earth

Map depicting connections and linkages with problem intersections

Source: Vic Government Open Data, https://www.data.vic.gov.au/ , Google Earth, Self on-site Assessment Edited by: Purnima Menon

BRUNSWICK SECONDARY COLLEGE

RMIT BRUNSWICK CAMPUS

Retail node with high vehicle and pedestrian traffic with lack of pedestrian safety controls.

Activity node with lack of safe pedestrian crossing - especially for students.

Activity node with high pedestrian and vehicular volume due to RMIT Campus and presence of Railway line.

Uninteractive facades along Fallon St near the industrial zone

Street crossings with lack of pedestrian traffic lights and cycle paths clashing with road traffic

Major intersection at Dawson and Fallon Street where incoming traffic meets pedestrian crowd from college and university campus

Confusing crozzing zones near parking spaces causing a hinderance to pedestrian traffic

Author: Michelle Ndlovu

Mapping for Safety Analysis

Alleyways characterise with little to no lighting indicate that the area and is likely to increase the chances of criminal activities and generate unsafe zones for residents.

Areas with more lighting and open-ness have been linked to safe and happy zones.

Areas lacking sufficient lighting, have been considered unsafe and unhappy zones and as per the crime statistics shown, with the Brunswick site having an increased crime rate since 2021.

Crime statistics of Moreland Suburbs - Year Ending March 2022

Source: Crime Statistics Agency, Latest crime data by area https://www.crimestatistics.vic.gov.au/crime-statistics/latest-crime-data-by-area

Legend

Streetlights at a distance of about 20m

Streetlights at a distance of approx. 150m-200m

Streetlights present at large distance/ no lighting

Dead end Zones with no/minimal lighting

Unhappy Zones

Happy Zones

Source: Google Maps, CROWDSPOT - Happy and sad places

People reported feeling happy & rejuvinated at Temple Park due to shaded trees and open spaces.

Source:

People reported feeling unsafe at vacant plots and at the skywalk area at Phoenix St due to minimal lighting at night.

Roads with minimal lighting and vacant plots with alley ways lacking sufficient lighting which give rise to unsafe spaces.

Source: Max Massingham

Author: Michelle Ndlovu & Purnima Menon

BRUNSWICK SECONDARY COLLEGE

Creative & Cultural Expression

The historic & current diversity gives rise to the varied community buildings on site. Both Old [buildings of faith] and New [educational and art].

Sydney Road Community School

RMIT School of Fashion

Tian Di Temple

Blackdot gallery [former school]

Site Boundary

Creative & Cultural Expression

Brunswick is renowned for its cultural richness, and this is manifested in the street scape through art. Though creative expression can be undermined by the stain of vandalism

Key Learning: The outcome for the space must allow for creative expression while discouraging vandalistic tendencies

Artistic expression not respected by graffiti

Boundary

The line between street art & vandalism is sometimes blurry – and the control over the public sphere controversial.

Street Vibrancy is enhanced through tactical urbanism

Street can quickly devolve to vandalism when left unchecked or unharnessed – and ultimately transition spaces to urban decay

Urban Design Recommendation

Proposed Masterplan

Proposed Masterplan for the Brunswick Site at Merri-bek, houses varied land use typologies including, residential, commercial, industrial, and recreational zones.

Jewell Station + Civic Arts + Green Precinct via LXRP allow for Extensive Green Space – combat urban heat island effect. Bike Path & Pedestrian segregation – enhanced accessibility for all users.

Social infra-structure – contributes to safety in numbers and antidote to urban blight.

- Lower car speeds/Street Calming

- Tactical urbanism and art

- Enhanced bike infrastructure

- Lighting & Wayfinding techniques

- Equity in access between parks and precinct

Jewell Station with proposed raised rail line and platforms.

Adaptive reuse of the Police Precinct to a Mixed use Centre.

Redesigned Urban Plaza.

Activity Centre with installations Activity Centre for users.

Redesigned Urban Green space.

Skateboard Park

Raised Urban Forest above car park.

Redesigned Shared Zone for Wilson Street from Jewell Station via Temple Park and on Grey Street.

Community Garden Propsal adjoining Kaiseal Street.

Redesigned connecting alley roads for active street intervension.

Redesigned pedestrian and bike path for Barry Street connecting Temple park to Gilpin Park.

Source: Google Earth Edited by: Purnima Menon

Proposed Masterplan for Brunswick

Jewell Station Precinct

Civic Arts Precinct

Green Precinct

Jewell Reserve

Active Streets Design

Active Street Design allows

Elevation connects Wilson Avenue to Wilson street, creating an uninterrupted pedestrian view to Temple Park.

Greater real estate has been used for urban forest, catering for the overall placemaking objectives.

Utilization of skatepark pays cultural reference to Brunswick counter cultural identity.

Edited by: Purnima Menon

Proposed Plan for Jewell Station and Green Precinct

Existing Station New Jewell Station raised above Jewell Reserve Cycle/bike track Pedestrian pathway Urban forest Skate Park

Urban Forest view Edited: Purnima Menon

Sectional view of the Jewell Station Precinct

Sectional view of the Urban forest

Policy Implication for Civic Arts Precinct

The heart of the Civic arts Precinct currently inhabited by a non-public facing Police complex that instead of a relationship to the surrounding space it holds an actively hostile and obstructive one. It is proposed that it is moved elsewhere with the below planning process undertaken to achieve that aim.

Add text re: 18 & 20 Dawson St

1. Site Analysis

Hostile Frontage

2. Planning Scheme Analysis

3. Proposition

Obstructive to Wayfinding

Zoning Overlay

18 Dawson Street

• Presently within State Transport Infrastructure [TRZ1] – demolition within this zone will form part of broader LXRP

Demolish - 18 Dawson Street

20 Dawson Street

• Presently Industrial 1 zoning [IN1Z]

• Amendment to planning scheme will be required to rezone address Commercial 1 zone [C1Z]

• Upper corner to be rezoned as PPRZ

Modify - 20 Dawson Street

18 Dawson Street

• Heritage Overlay [HO] establishes permit requirement to demolish

20 Dawson Street

• 1934 Latiner Hat Factory

• Heritage Overlay [HO] establishes that modification to the site requires a permit

• H0246 – No additional constraints

• Modernist façade is significant and will be retained

References: https://mapshare.vic.gov.au/vicplan/

Moreland Heritage Gap Study 2019, Volume 1: Findings and Methodology Merri-bek Planning Scheme

Civic Arts Precinct

The transition to an arts hub precinct is in perfect harmony with the context of the site [Brunswick Design District] while extensive site greening on previously underutilized spaces [car parks on Phoenix and within 18 Dawson] further alleviates urban heat island concerns.

- Transitions existing site from hostile & uninviting [Police Complex].

- To one more open, green, collaborative and community oriented [arts hub].

- Establishment of shared hub for multi-use cultural and creative Assets.

- Surrounded by green open space, parkland.

Entry/exit to the new precinct Redesigned built form for the civic arts precinct

Urban zone with art installations

Existing parking with grass pavers

Redesigned urban activity centre

track

zone with court Open green recreational zone RMIT University Campus

Precinct with Skate park

Max Massingham Michelle Ndlovu Purnima Menon Darshit Gondaliya

Edited by: Purnima Menon

Proposed design for Civic Arts Centre

Urban Activity zone with art installations

Civic Arts Precinct Amphitheater

Edited by: Darshit Gondaliya

Edited by: Darshit Gondaliya

Edited by: Purnima Menon

Proposed design for Civic Arts Centre 0 100m 50m

Dawson Street

Phoenix Street

Albert Street

Civic Arts Precinct Basketball court

Civic Arts Precinct Activity area

Edited by: Darshit Gondaliya

Edited by: Darshit Gondaliya

Policy Implication for Civic Arts Precinct

The police complex is uniquely situated within the Brunswick Design District – are partnership of RMIT, Merri-Bek City Council & Creative Victoria. Thus – the site provides for great potential consolidation & expansion of all the existing creative assets of Brunswick. Neighbouring community and civic facilities also inform the space – with the Brunswick Baths, Library and Town Hall nearby.

Maker Community

70 Saxon St

• Offers skill development and equipment

• Presently open only 3 days per week

• Excess demand for facilities

Brunswick High School

47 Dawson St

• Overflow space to allow for youth population growth of Brunswick

• Dedicated learning space for arts based subject for study

RMIT University

25 Dawson St

• Overflow space to allow for population growth of Merri-bek/ Melbourne

References: https://bdd.org.au/

Stupid Old Studios

8/10 Peveril St

• Podcasting

• Live performance venue

Northern Theatre Company

3 Dawson St

• Formed in 1990

• Temporarily Closed in 2020

• Relaunch and expansion

• Comedy Firebird School of Music

81 Sydney Road

• Boutique Music School

• All Ages instrument discipline

Policy Implication for Civic Arts Precinct

Once rezoned the space will facilitate a variety of skills, recreation & creative endeavors that will pay homage to the site and Brunswick’s heritage with textiles of the 20th century – redesigned for the 21st. The choice a single former industrial building [20,000 sqm] is in keeping with outcome from Merri-Bek Arts and Infrastructure Plan 2018-2023; high ceiling & flexible floor plates, ability for creative clustering but also segregation where appropriate [music/performance separation from machinery].The space sizes may be large today – but Brunswick total dwellings are expected to grow by 30% by 2036 represented significant population growth creating added demand. The geography is situated within the ‘Brunswick Design District’ and will embody this ethos

Maker Community

70 Saxon St

• Offers skill development and equipment

• Presently open only 3 days per week

• Excess demand for facilities

Firebird School of Music

81 Sydney Road

• Boutique Music School

• All Ages instrument discipline

Brunswick High School

47 Dawson St

• Overflow space to allow for youth population growth of Brunswick

• Dedicated learning space for arts based subject for study

Moreland Arts & Infrastructure Plan 2018-2023

Understanding the Local Impacts of Covid-19 on Population and housing in Moreland, Charter Keck Cramer 2021 https://bdd.org.au/

RMIT University

25 Dawson St

• Overflow space to allow for population growth of Merri-bek/ Melbourne

Northern Theatre Company

3 Dawson St

• Formed in 1990

• Temporarily Closed in 2020

• Relaunch and expansion

Stupid Old Studios

8/10 Peveril St

• Podcasting

• Live performance venue

• Comedy

Policy Implication ‘Connective Corridors’

In order to make the site speak as one – streetscape improvements across several strategically chosen streets are proposed to create a network of safe, walkable/ride-able streets linking the four key green corners 1. Gilpin Park, 2. New Civic Arts Precinct, 3. Jewell Station, 4. Temple Park.

Pottery Court – Tactical Urbanism

• Connects Gilpin Park via Brickworks

• Currently motor vehicle preferred

• Appropriate for shared zone application and better wayfinding. 20km speed, planters & signage

• Policy Lever: Body Corporate Special Resolution

•

Barry St – Shared Path

• Existing cycling corridors has basic sharrow treatment – no protection from dooring.

• Borrow Albion St precedent [Sydney Rd to Lygon]

• Extend Footpath Width + Establish Bi-directional shared path with existing footpath

• Northbound traffic permitted – but parking removed Western side

• Properties maintain rear access via Kailseal Lane

• Policy Lever: Council Resolution Required

Gray St – Shared Zone

Gray St existing cycling corridor

– does not have any protection –exception one way car treatment

Build on this by establishing shared zone for traffic calming

Maintain Bi-directional rights for cyclists

Policy Lever: Council Resolution Required

Phoenix St – Shared Laneway

• Presently dislocated from Gilpin + Brickworks by private industrial land carpark & driveway.

• Rezone from industrial to mixed use – connective pathway in ‘shared lane’ between Pottery Crt Syme & Fallon St

• Will allow line of site from new Civic/Arts precinct to Brickworks/ Gilpin

• Sets foundation for future evolution of Industrial Zone

• Policy Lever: Planning Scheme amendment

Shared Zone

Shared Path

Shared Laneway

Tactical Urbanism

Wilson Avenue

• Space was reclaimed under Brunswick structure plan 2010, pop up park 2014, implemented 2016.

• Park Extension & further public space towards Jewell Station 2023

Wilson St Shared Zone

• Now a very important connective corridor post LXRP to Wilson Avenue from Temple park

• Establish Shared Street learnings from Victoria/Albert Brunswick East via Merri-bek

• 20km speed limit Planter Boxes + Bollards + artworks to street calm

• Policy Lever: Council Resolution Required

Brunswick Structure Plan Strategic Framework 2010 https://conversations.merri-bek.vic.gov.au/transport-projects/shared-zone-trial-brunswick-east

Active Streets & Connecting Urban Spaces

Building on Merri-Bek successful trial and implementation of & Albert St Victoria St shared zones – strong candidates for further experimentation of this model are Wilson St & Gray St. The combination of the elevated Jewell Station & Wilson Avenue Streetscape Improvement Plan creates a potential for an uninterrupted pedestrian boulevard stretching from Sydney Rd to Temple Park.

Gray St is already a one-way street – with bike riders allowed bidirectional movement. Streetscape however still narrow and unfriendly so application of further shared street principles is required. Its geographic position next to temple park means application of traffic calming principles for expected high pedestrianization is preferred.

Planning for Shared Streets - Wilson Street and Grey Street

ic Government Open Data, https://ww

Design Recommendation for Shared Streets.

Source: https://conversations.merri-bek.vic.gov.au/transport-projects/shared-zone-trial-brunswick-east

Design Recommendation for Shared Streets.

Source: https://conversations.merri-bek.vic.gov.au/transport-projects/shared-zone-trial-brunswick-east

Max Massingham Michelle Ndlovu Purnima Menon Darshit Gondaliya

Ndlovu Purnima Menon Darshit Gondaliya

Proposed Masterplan for Brunswick

Map showing Wilson Street and Grey Street with context to Temple Park and Jewell Station

Active Streets & Connecting Urban Spaces

- Precedent from Albion Street shared path [between Sydney Road And Lygon Street]

- Barry St Acts as a key bike corridor from the Gilpin/Clifton Park Precincts via brickworks to Royal Park.

- Extension of footpath was necessary to ensure amenity for pedestrians not undermined by bike-riding.

Planning for Barry Street

Existing Parking for Cars

Two-way bike lane

Existing footpath with Masonry Pavers

After

Design Palette and Intent

Proposed Plan for Barry Street

Reference:

Green Tree Canopy Cover Pedestrian footpath with green paver blocks

One way road for Cars without on street parking

Design considerations for Barry Street to improve urban activity.

Source: Streets Alive Yarra.

https://streets-alive-yarra.org/journal/designing-streets-for-kids/

https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/residents-rally-against-push-to-redevelop-heritage-brickworks-20201109-p56cr8.html

Permeable masontry pavers for pedestrian footpaths.

Edited: Darshit Gondaliya

Source: Max Massingham

Stormwater tree pits to collect runoff water.

Edited: Purnima Menon

Barry St

Gilpin Park

Temple Park

Active Streets & Connecting Urban Spaces

- Site surrounded by Kaiseal Lane & Hennessy St a prime example of urban blight for the overall site.

- Reclamation of this underutilized space for a community garden was decided as method of urban regeneration to foster community connectedness while addressing urban heat island.

Planning for Community Gardens

Source: https://www.camdenhighline.com/design

Redesign of Kaiseal Lane

Design recommendation for Kaiseal alleyway

Connecting laneway of Kaiseal therefore is essential to greening and placemaking – with improved lighting, wayfinding to ensure accessibility and safety principles are tended to. It enables access to the community garden with access for car park garages within homes.

Source: https://conversations.merri-bek.vic.gov.au/carlisle-street-coburg-trial-road-closure-and-shared-zones

Redesign of Alley ways for safer streets

Max Massingham Michelle Ndlovu Purnima Menon Darshit Gondaliya

Current Car Junk yard behind Kaiseal lane

Source: Google earth

Proposed Community Garden for neighbourhood residents

Current Car Junk yard behind Kaiseal lane

Source: Max Massingham

Design recommendations for alleys along residential zones with lighting and trees

Source: Google earth. Edited by Purnima Menon

Spatial Thinking and Urban Design