Streets as an Ecosystem
Ormond to Patterson Ecological & Active Transport Corridor Urban Design Framework Vania Djunaidi UPD4002 Ecological City Studio Master of Urban Planning and Design Monash University
Acknowledgement of Country “ The spirit of Bunjil and his gift of generosity has influenced this land for thousands of years and continues to do so today. According to our tradition, our land has always been protected by our creator Bunjil who travels as an eagle and by Waarn who protects the waterways and travels as a crow.� - The Bunwurrung Foundation
Streets as an Ecosystem is an Urban Design Framework which sits on the land of the Bunwurrung people as the first inhabitants of the land. The author of the framework acknowledges the Bunwurrung people of the Kulin Nation as the traditional owners and custodians of the area in which the proposal sits on. The author pays respect to their Elders past, present and emerging, and acknowledge and uphold their continuing relationship to this land.
2
Contents Executive Summary
3
Study Area
4
1. Introduction
5
1.1 Purpose of report 1.2 Structure of report 1.3 Guiding strategies
5 5 6
2. Policy & Planning Context
7
2.1 Policy Context 2.2 Land use 2.3 Demographics & Housing 2.4 Transport & Movement 2.5 Environment
7 8 11 12 15
3. Vision & Design Principles
19
4. Urban Design Framework
20
3.1 Design Principles
19
20 21 30
4.1 Overall Design Framework 4.2 Safe Intersections and connectivity 4.3 Bioretention Swale Link 4.4 Shared Streets
5. Implementation
34
6. Conclusion
39
References
40
5.1 Purpose 5.2 Overview of the Implementation Plan 5.3. Implementation Plan
34 34 35
3
Executive Summary Street as an Ecosystem is an Urban Design Framework of the proposed active transport and ecological corridor located in the Inner SouthEast of Greater Melbourne. It is located within the local government area of Glen Eira, between the suburbs of Ormond, McKinnon and Bentleigh. The framework has used guiding strategies such as state-wide Plan Melbourne 2017-2050 Framework, the Movement and Place framework, existing planning and policy context of Glen Eira to inform opportunities and constraints of the proposed site.
To achieve this vision, there are three principles that have been developed as a guide for the proposed active transport and ecological corridor: • Integrate water sensitive urban design, • Support urban biodiversity, • Improve connectivity and safety of existing street network to encourage active transport across the subject site These guiding principles inform the key objectives and design strategies of three different key sites within the proposal. These strategies are:
From this study, the subject site of the corridor is facing planning challenges including:
• A bioretention swale link across Wheatley Road • Shared street zones across local, low traffic streets • Safe intersections at main roads such as North Road, Centre Road and McKinnon Road.
• rapid population and residential growth • pre-existing flooding risk • increase of urban heat due to the increase loss of vegetation and tree canopies on private allotments. The proposal aims to respond to these challenges with its vision of: “transforming the streets as an ecosystem, by integrating ecology and people through the act of walking and cycling. The proposed corridor aims to place people as part of a wider ecosystem by connecting existing green spaces within the suburbs of Ormond, McKinnon and Bentleigh. It will transform the streets across the three suburbs as a blue-green infrastructure, to mitigate climate change risk including flooding and rapid increase of urban heat while connecting communities with nature. The proposal will become a catalyst to create adaptable and resilient communities against climate change risk to maintain liveability for present and future residents of Glen Eira.”
By achieving these objectives, key outcomes include: • Increase of tree canopy and shrub cover to mitigate urban heat within the urban fabric • Improve cyclists’ confidence through safe and protected cycling infrastructure through main roads • Increase awareness of the importance of active transport and ecological process within the urban fabric • Well connected cycling and walking infrastructure by linking existing and proposed cycling routes to connect key destinations such as green spaces and activity centres • Five designated shared streets to prioritise people and envision the streets as both place and movement • Increase urban biodiversity, reduce urban heat and improve stormwater runoff through the integration of bioswales, community gardens, additional street tree planting within the urban fabric • Strengthening resilience and adaptability of communities within the subject site against climate change risk
4
Study Area: Ormond to Patterson Corridor at Glen Eira Municipality Not to scale Map by Vania Djunaidi (2020)
5
1. Introduction 1.1 Purpose of Report
Streets as an Ecosystem is an Urban Design Framework for the proposed 3.5 kilometre ecological and active transport corridor located at Inner South East Melbourne and in the local government area of Glen Eira.
The purpose of this report is to inform and recommend design principles and strategies to create resilience against climate change risk that the subject site is facing.
It links four green open spaces across the suburbs of Ormond, McKinnon and Bentleigh through active transport infrastructure and the integration of water and biodiversity sensitive urban design.
The Urban Design Framework supports the State level framework of Plan Melbourne 2017-2050 and local planning policy including Glen Eira Council and Community Plan 2017-2021 and Glen Eira Integrated Transport 2018-2031.
Due to its proximate location to Melbourne CBD of 13 kilometre, the subject suburbs are facing rapid population and residential growth, adding pressure on existing housing, transport, hard and soft infrastructure. Simultaneously, the subject site sits on the Elster Creek Catchment and is under the risk of overland flooding. In addition, the increase trend of knock-down-rebuild residential developments to cater for population growth results in an increase of tree canopy and shrub cover loss, creating an urban heat island within the area.
1.2 Structure of Report The Urban Design Framework is structured within four sections: Policy and Planning Context This section describes the existing policy and planning context of the subject site of the proposal. This section is divided into five main sections which are: • policy and planning context, • past and present land use, • demographics and housing, • transport, • and environmental contexts.
The proposed corridor will envision the street as an ecosystem, with three main principles of integrating water sensitive urban design, supporting urban biodiversity and improving connectivity within the existing conditions of the proposed site. Key design strategies such as share street, bioswale retention system and safe intersections will be incorporated within the proposed corridor.
The study of these contexts provides opportunities and constraints in which the vision, design principles and strategies respond to.
The proposed corridor will involve step-bystep actions that will require community consultations and stakeholder engagement from both local and state level stakeholders for the implementation of the framework. These actions will be divided into three timeframes and be allocated by a responsible authority of varying stakeholders. Streets as an Ecosystem will reveal the importance of community consultation, partnerships between stakeholders and the need for continuous evaluation to monitor the long-term purpose of framework.
Vision and Design Principles The Vision and Design Principles describe the vision of the proposed corridor as an ecosystem between people, active transport and ecology. This vision guides the design principles of incorporating water sensitive urban design, supporting urban forest and improving connectivity to create a resilient community within the subject site. Urban Design Framework The Urban Design Framework lays out the key strategies to envision the streets of the corridor as an ecosystem. 6
The main design strategies include Bioretention Swale Link, Shared Streets, protected bicycle lanes, community gardens and traffic calming strategies to create safe intersections. These strategies aim to mitigate flooding risk and urban heat while supporting pedestrian movement and active transport at the subject site. Each design strategy within this report is exemplified through key sites that are Wheatley Road, Charlton Street and the McKinnon Roundabout.
It prioritises three principles: putting people first, focusing on more transport choice, improving connections and confidence in travelling, and providing one overarching system for future transport planning3. 4. Elster Creek Catchment Flood Management Plan 2019-2024 The Elster Creek Catchment Flood Management Plan 2019-2024 is a coordinated framework and approach to flooding at the Elster Creek Catchment between the City of Glen Eira, City of Bayside and City of Port Phillip. The plan aims to adapt the built environment of the municipalities to the natural movement of water and to develop communities that are resilient to extreme flood events. The Plan provides key deliverables, outcomes and lead agencies between Melbourne Water and Councils to implement sustainable on-ground solutions to mitigate flooding and its impact on the community4.
Implementation The Implementation Plan describes the stepby-step actions to materialise the framework. It identifies the various stakeholders within community and government level while identifying the responsibilities and time frame of each action.
1.3 Guiding Strategies
5. National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) Global Street Design Guide NACTO Global Street Design Guide is a street design guide that prioritises people to benefit cities and people’s quality of life. It provides design strategies to reduce vehicle speed, prioritise sustainable mode of transport and create safe streets for all road users5.
Streets as an Ecosystem is guided by the following strategies: 1. Glen Eira Draft Urban Forest Strategy 2020 The Glen Eira Urban Forest Strategy is a strategic plan for the City of Glen Eira to achieve change in the increasing canopy loss within the municipality. The framework aims to set a positive canopy values on private and public land. In addition, the Strategy aims to engage with the community to protect existing vegetation and increase tree canopy cover within private allotments1. 2. Glen Eira Integrated Transport Strategy 2018-2031 The Glen Eira Integrated Transport Strategy aims to set priorities for transport that is liveable and well designed, accessible and well connected, safe and inclusive. It is a strategic planning framework that links the Glen Eira Council and Community Plan 2017-2021 with the State Framework Plan Melbourne. It aims to give clear policy direction, strategies and future structure plans for the municipality2. 3. Movement and Place Victoria Movement and Place is a framework by the Department of Transport Victoria to create a shared movement and place approach of transport and land use planning by rethinking the streets as a multimodal infrastructure. 7
1. Glen Eira Draft Urban Forest Strategy 2020
2. Glen Eira Integrated 3. Movement and Place Transport Strategy 2018- Victoria, Department of 2031 Transport
4. Elster Creek Catchment Flood Management Plan 2019-2024
5. Nacto Global Street Design Guide
2. Policy & Planning Context Â
Â? Â?Â?
Â
 ‚ ‚ ƒ
‚
Â?
„
Â
„ ‚
 €  Â
Metropolitan Context of the subject site and proposed corridor Not To Scale Map by Vania Djunaidi (2020)
2.1 Planning & Policy Framework
In addition, the proposed corridor will support the 20-Minute Neighbourhood principle, advocating for living locally, providing safe, accessible and well-connected pedestrian and cyclists route to encourage active transport6.
State Planning Framework: Plan Melbourne 2017- 2050 Plan Melbourne 2017-2050 is the overarching state planning framework of Greater Melbourne by the Victorian government in response to Melbourne’s future growth. It seeks to integrate long-term land use, infrastructure, transport planning, housing and employment needs6.
Local Planning Framework: Glen Eira 2020 Glen Eira 2020 is a long-term vision for the municipality over the next 20 years. The key concept of the framework is its hierarchy of activity centres. Its aim is to form self-contained activity centres that are interconnected with one another to create social, economic and environmental advantages7.
Within Plan Melbourne 2017-2050, the proposed corridor is within the local government area of Glen Eira and a major activity centre of Bentleigh. As a major activity centre, Bentleigh needs to plan for diverse housing, additional employment, access to public transport and improved walking and cycling infrastructure for its continuing population growth6.
The proposed corridor supports key land use visions including: • Promote environmental sustainability • Improve and protect liveability, neighbourhood characteristics and amenity of Glen Eira • Protect and enhance the natural environment with a combination of parks, gardens, trees and street trees
The proposed corridor supports Plan Melbourne’s Principle 4: Environmental Resilience and Sustainability with its aim to adapt to climate change consequences, integrating urban development and water cycle management6. 8
2.2 Land Use Past Land Use Before European settlement, Aboriginal people have lived in South-Eastern Victoria for at least 30,000 years. The proposed corridor sits on the traditional land of the Bunwurrung clan, one of the five major clans in Victoria, who occupied the Werribee River, Port Phillip Bay, Western Port Bay and the Promontory8.
After European settlement, residential growth occurred across South-East Melbourne due to its geographical features of sandy hills, variation in topography and proximity to the water, providing a better environment for a suburbia lifestyle9.
Originally, the subject site had sandy, sandstone geographical features with its proximity to the coastline of Brighton. The coast provided the Bunwurrung clan important food resources including fish, mollusc, coastal plants and terrestrial animals. Additionally, creeks within South East Melbourne provided fresh water and possibly provide travel routes for the clan8.
Geological map of area around Westernport and east Port Phillip Bay (1854). Map from National Library of Australia Archive
9
Â
Â? Â?
Â?
Â? Â
1
 � €
ƒ ‚ €
3
Â
4
2
€ ƒ
Â
Land Use Map 1:20 000 at A4 Map by Vania Djunaidi (2020)
10
Present Land Use
1. Ormond Activity Centre & North Road, Ormond
Currently, residential zones occupy the land across Ormond to Bentleigh. These residential zones are Neighbourhood Residential Zone, General Residential 1 and General Residential 2. Residential Growth Zone surrounds the major activity centre of Bentleigh, to cater for the expected population growth within the suburb. The proposed corridor is in proximity to each activity centres and shops within the suburbs of the subject site. In addition, soft infrastructures including schools and retirement villages, parks, green spaces and outdoor sports facilities are across the subject site.
Opportunities & Constraints Opportunities:
2. California Bungalow Development at Hawthorn Grove, McKinnon
• Key destinations such as activity centres, parks and schools can be connected to provide a safe and accessible network across the suburbs. Constraints: • Rapid residential development of multidwelling unit or knock-down-rebuild homes will add pressure on existing infrastructure and amenities.
3. Elster Creek Trail, McKinnon
4. Increase of Infill Development at Mitchell Street, Bentleigh
11
2.3 Demographics & Housing Demographics Glen Eira has a population growth rate of 1.1% from 2018 to 2016. According to the 2016 Census, Bentleigh-McKinnon has a population of 22,415, whereas Ormond-Glen Huntly has a population of 13,33910. Bentleigh-McKinnon has an aging population with a median age of 40 years old and a highest age group of 45 to 49 years old. On the other hand, Ormond-Glen Huntly has a younger population with the median age of 33, and a highest age group of 30 -34 years old10. In addition, family composition within BentleighMcKinnon is mainly families within children, with a higher percentage compared to the rest of Greater Melbourne (Fig.1). Therefore, the corridors need to be safe, child-friendly and accessible to cater for a wide range of age groups from children to older communities.
Fig.1 Demographics at Bentleigh-McKinnon & Ormond-Glen Huntly
Transport behaviour Compared to the rest of Greater Melbourne, the suburbs of Bentleigh, McKinnon and Ormond has a lower average of car per dwelling and lower percentage of travelling to work by a private vehicle (Fig. 2). However, as population of the area continuously grow, added pressure and demand of car use with limited road space is a continuous issue. Therefore, the proposed seeks to provide alternative transport options to create a multi-modal transport system and reduce car dependency across the suburbs. Housing
Fig.2 Travel behaviour at Bentleigh-McKinnon & Ormond-Glen
As population grow, the demand for housing increases. Bentleigh-McKinnon and OrmondGlen Huntly experienced a substantial increase of semi-detached developments from 20112016 (Fig. 3). This reveals the rapid population growth with the area with the transformation of single, detached dwellings with dual occupancy dwellings or multi-unit developments. However, the increase of knock-down-rebuilt dual occupancy development contributes to the loss of pervious surfaces and landscaping in each residential lot. Therefore, the proposed corridor seeks to increase green spaces and improve existing amenities to cater for popular growth throughout the neighbourhoods.
Fig.3 Dwelling structure at Bentleigh-McKinnon & Ormond-Glen Huntly Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics 2016 Graphs by Vania Djunaidi (2020)
12
2.3 Transport & Movement Transport Infrastructure
Movement and Place
The proposed corridor is within local streets with low traffic volumes but intersects with two mains, declared roads: North Road and Centre Road. North Road is classified as a key route within the Glen Eira Integrated Transport Strategy, serving as an efficient driving route for general traffic and freight. Centre Road, McKinnon Road and Brewer Road serve as local connections, while Dalmore Avenue, Glen Orme Avenue, Wheatley Road, Campbell Street and Charlton Street are residential streets.
The Movement and Place Framework is a guide to understand the role of streets for traffic (‘movement’) and its surrounding destination and centres (‘places). The Movement and Place matrix by the Department of Transport Victoria has been used to analyse key streets in which the proposed corridor will sit on. It identifies that: • North Road and Centre Road serve as major roads with moderate and significant movement of people and goods across municipalities. Both are places of municipal significance. • Wheatley Road and Brewer Road serve as roads for movement or people and/or goods within a municipality. Both are places of local significance. • Residential streets including Charlton Street, Campbell Street, Glen Orme Avenue and Dalmore Avenue serve as streets for local movement and are places of local significance.
Public Transport The proposed site of the corridor sits within a train precinct with a walkable distance to train stations. North Road, McKinnon Road and Centre Road serve as routes for buses, where North Road has been identified as an express public transport route within Glen Eira Integrated Transport Strategy 2018-20312.
From this approach, the proposed corridors will maintain the purpose of North Road and Centre Road as major roads, connects Wheatley Road and Brewer Road to a wider network of local streets and improve residential streets as local community spaces (Fig.4)
Active Transport There is a lack of safe cycling streets between key destinations within the subject site of the corridor. On-road bicycle paths at McKinnon Road and Brewer Road are unprotected, while cycling trails at Bentleigh to McKinnon, McKinnon to Ormond and Elster Creek bike trail are for recreational purposes only.
‚
ƒ
€ „
Â…
‚
Within Glen Eira Integrated Transport Strategy 2018-2031, McKinnon Road has been identified as a safe cycling street route. In addition, activity centres along North Road, Centre Road and McKinnon Road serve as great walking and shopping streets.
ƒ
„
… €
 Â?Â? Â?  Â?   Â?  Â? Â
Fig.4 Movement and Place Matrix of the subject site of proposed corridor
13
Â
Â?   Â?Â? Â
 Â? Â? Â
1
2
4
3
Transport Conditions 1:20 000 at A4 Map by Vania Djunaidi (2020)
14
Opportunities & Constraints Opportunities: • To connect existing, disconnected cycling routes across the three suburbs to connect key destinations such as green spaces and activity centres • Utilise residential streets as local connectors for pedestrians and cyclists and to create comfortable and safe local community spaces • Slow down traffic within residential streets to allow for the prioritisation of pedestrian and cyclists 1. No bicycle path at North Road, Ormond
Constraints • High traffic volume roads including North Road will be a challenge to incorporate safe cycling routes • Finding balance to accommodate existing bus routes and bus routes with bicycle and pedestrian paths • Changing behavioural dependency on car-based transport across communities
2. McKinnon to Bentleigh cycle path
3. Speed humps at local streets (Campbell Street)
4. Cycle path conflicts with on-site parking at Brewer Road, Bentleigh
15
2.4 Environment City of
Water and urban forest are two main environmental factors Melbourne that are considered within the site of the proposed corridor.
Stonnington West
City of Port Phillip
Stonnington East
60
50
50
lip y Ba
il Ph
40
Elwood Canal
rt Po
30
50
City of Glen Eira
40
30
10 20
Elster Creek Ephemeral Creek
Water Catchment 1:200 000 at A4 Map by Vania Djunaidi (2020)
City of Kingston
Water
Opportunities & Constraints City of Bayside
The proposed site sits on the Elster Creek Catchment. Its lower section was a swamp (the present-day Elwood Canal) which drains stormwater runoff to Port Phillip Bay. Due to its relatively flat topography and early development between Ormond and McKinnon, the site is prone to flooding. Therefore, the subject site experiences a 1 in 5 years flooding, with previous major flood events in 2011 and 2016.
Opportunities:
With the event of climate change, more rainfall and stormwater events will further challenge flood management, adding a greater risk of flooding events in the near future. Therefore, the proposed site seeks to mitigate flooding impacts by adapting existing urban fabric to the natural movement of water flow and cycle.
Constraints
• Seek alternative solutions such as water sensitive urban design to be implemented within the proposed corridor • Raise awareness of flooding management and preparedness towards the wider community within the area
• Risk of more flooding due to climate change • Existing drainage infrastructure does not have the capability to eliminate flooding
16
 � � �
40
Â? Â
€‚ ƒ€‚ „€‚
30
20
17
Tree Canopy Cover Conditions 1:20 000 at A4 Map by Vania Djunaidi (2020)
Urban Forest • Residential development contributes to the 5.9% loss of canopy cover change, while commercial development contributes to 21% loss of canopy cover change1
Due to rapid residential growth, urban forest within Glen Eira has been declining with 0.76 per cent loss of tree canopy cover every four years1. Other causes include the removal of large canopied trees replaced with juvenile trees, an absence of strong tree protection policy and framework and the increasing lack of space to plants trees. The lack of diversity within street trees population across Glen Eira is another issue, with their useful lives expected to end in the next 20 years1.
Tree canopy and shrub cover are valuable and important assets. They provide shading and cooling, improves stormwater system and management, improves air quality and stores carbon. In addition, they provide green corridors for wildlife habitats and connect biodiversity location1.
Existing urban forest condition within the proposed site are as follows:
Opportunities and Constraints
• Bentleigh and Bentleigh East have experienced a substantial loss in tree canopy cover, having a greater proportions of land area that contain 10% or less tree canopy cover • Activity centres around Ormond and Bentleigh reveal low levels of tree and shrub cover due to continuing lack of space to plant trees • Due to the construction of the recent Level Crossing Removal Project at Ormond, McKinnon and Bentleigh railway stations, significant tree cover loss occurred
Opportunities • Wide and large areas of existing street verges can accommodate for additional planting of shrubs and trees • Existing juvenile trees to be protected and maintained for full canopy cover in the near future • Existing practice of gardening within residential lots is common throughout the community. This can catalyst for small community gardens beyond residential lots and at a community level • To raise awareness and prioritise vegetation and trees as important assets throughout community Constraints: • Lack of existing space within the urban fabric to plant new trees • Conflicts with overhead conditions on streets such as existing power poles along main roads may stops full tree canopy cover. • Continual knock-down-rebuild residential developments will continue to contribute tree canopy and shrub cover loss within private allotments.
Fig.5 Urban Heat and tree canopy conditions at Glen Eira Source: Glen Eira Draft Urban Forest Strategy 2020
18
 �����
  ��
 €
1
1. Mature trees & full canopy cover Dalmore Avenue, Ormond
2
3
2. Sparse vegetation Centre Road Activity Centre, Bentleigh
3. Combination of juvenile and mature trees Campbell Street, Bentleigh
Tree Canopy Cover Conditions 1:20 000 at A4 Map by Vania Djunaidi (2020)
19
3. Vision & Principles The vision of the proposed corridor is to envision the streets as an ecosystem, to integrate ecology and people through the act of walking and cycling. The proposed corridor aims to place people as part of a wider ecosystem by connecting existing green spaces within the suburbs of Ormond, McKinnon and Bentleigh. It will transform the streets across the three suburbs as a blue-green infrastructure, to mitigate climate change risk including flooding and rapid increase of urban heat while connecting communities with nature. The proposal will become a catalyst to create adaptable and resilient communities against climate change risk to maintain liveability for present and future communities of Glen Eira.
3.1 Design Principles
01. Improve connectivity between key destinations through active transport
02. Integrate water sensitive urban design within existing urban conditions
03. Revalue urban forest as part of the urban fabric
Currently, existing protected bicycling paths are for recreational use and stops at intersections, preventing active travel between key destinations. Therefore, the proposal will improve connections between existing intersections that are safe for cyclists and pedestrians, slowing down traffic through shared zones and providing protected, safe cycling lanes at main roads.
Water sensitive urban design (WSUD) integrates water cycle management within urban planning and design to improve water cycle management11. It prioritises water cycle to function naturally. The benefits of integrating WSUD within the proposed corridor is to reduce the risk of flooding by intercepting stormwater flows, reduce the volume of stormwater and mitigate pollution entering water ways12.
The proposed corridor will place an importance of vegetation and trees to support urban biodiversity and mitigate urban heat island. Currently, vegetation and trees within the subject site are concentrated within existing parks and green spaces, rather than embedded throughout the urban fabric. Therefore, the proposed corridor aims to disperse green infrastructure throughout the subject site of the corridor.
20
4. Urban Design Framework 4.1 Overall Design Framework Concept Â
Â? Â?
Â? Â?
1
2
3
Â
Â
21
Overall Framework Map 1:20 000 at A4 Map by Vania Djunaidi
4.2 Safe intersections and connected cycling paths To promote cycling across the three suburbs, a connected and continuous pathway must be established to ensure a clear travel route, safety and comfort for cyclists. Although the proposed corridor will connect existing green spaces to promote active transport between key destinations, it will connect and improve existing cycling paths to create a cohesive, safe cycling paths on main roads of the subject site. Proposed intersection located at: • • • •
improvements
Objective: • To create safe intersections for cyclists and pedestrian • To increase cyclists’s and pedestrian’s confidence at intersections • To provide continuous cyclist’s movement at intersections with no need for cyclists to stop and get off their bikes • To connect existing cycling paths and creating a cohesive bicycle paths across the suburbs of the proposed corridor • To prioritise active transport and slow down vehicular movements at intersections. • To minimise conflict between different modes of transport within intersections
are
North Road, Ormond McKinnon Roundabout, McKinnon Centre Road, Bentleigh Brewer Road, Bentleigh
Precedent
Design stategies • Implement a clear, dedicated cycle path at intersections including McKinnon roundabout, North Road, Centre Road and Brewer Road • Implement clear conflict zone markings between pedestrian crossing, cyclists and vehicles • Implement traffic calming strategies including landscaping, medians and refuge islands to slow down traffic approaching intersections
Safe intersections with clear paint at Copenhagen Cycling Intersections
Implications & key challenges: • Behavioural change within communities to prioritise cyclists and pedestrians within the streets may cause community backlash • Integrating bus path and cycling path in a safe manner to ensure confidence for cyclists in travelling through main intersections Dedicated cycling path and pedestrian crossing of Dutch Roundabout at Cambridge, UK
22
4.2.1 Location of Intersections
Â? Â?Â?
Â?
Arterial Road: North Road, Ormond
Â? Â
 1
Key Site: No cycling path at McKinnon Road Roundabout
Medium traffic at Centre Road, Bentleigh
Cycling path is parked on and no pedestrian crossing at Brewer Road, Bentleigh
Intersections 1:20 000 at A4
23
4.2.2 Design Strategies 1. Extend pedestrian crossing to include cycling path at North Road, Ormond Existing condition
Proposed intersection concept Aerial view - Not to Scale
Proposed intersection concept Perspective view - Not to Scale
NOR T H R
OAD
NOR T H R
OAD
• • • •
No bicycle crossing Speed of 60km/hr High traffic volume Bus route
2. Implement a dedicated bicycle crossing at Centre Road, Bentleigh Existing condition
D
Proposed intersection concept Perspective view - Not to Scale
CENTRE ROA
Proposed intersection concept Aerial view - Not to Scale
• • • • •
Pedestrian crossing is sparse Speed of 40km/hr High traffic volume High pedestrian volume Bus route
3. Introduce pedestrian and bicycle crossing at Brewer Road, Bentleigh Existing condition
Proposed intersection concept Aerial view - Not to Scale
Proposed intersection concept Perspective view - Not to Scale
D
BREWER ROA
• • • •
No pedestrian crossing Speed of 50km/hr Medium traffic volume High pedestrian volume
24
4.2.2 Key site 1: McKinnon Road Roundabout Proposal
 � �  � �� �
McKinnon Road Roundabout Detail Plan 1:500 at A4 Map by Vania Djunaidi (2020)
Existing Conditions • On-road bicycle paths on McKinnon Road stop once it reaches the McKinnon Road and Wheatley Road roundabout • No dedicated cycling path and footpath crossing on the roundabout • Bus route along McKinnon Road
McKinnon Road Roundabout Existing Condition
25
Existing condition 1:200 at A4
Proposed McKinnon Road Roundabout section 1:200 at A4
Proposed McKinnon Road Roundabout from Wheatley Road Perspective
Cross Sections and Perspective by Vania Djunaidi (2020)
26
4.3 Bioswale Retention Link Bioretention swales are designed as vegetated open channels to treat stormwater runoff and management13. It aims to reduce peak water flow caused by heavy rainfall event and utilise pervious surfaces to mitigate flooding and improve water quality. Wheatley Road from Bentleigh to McKinnon will be transformed into a oneway street to cater for a bioretention swale link while prioritising active transport with protected cycling path and widened, permeable footpath. This site is chosen as it is where the topography falls making it a flood prone area.
Objective: • To improve stormwater management system along Wheatley Road and mitigate flooding risk • To prioritise cyclists and pedestrian access to Allnutt Park, Wattle Grove Reserve, Bentleigh Activity Centre and McKinnon Road Shops • To provide opportunities to cool existing environment from urban heat impacts • To slow down and restrict movement of vehicles along a bioretention swales strip and encourage active transport on the proposed corridor
Precedent
Design stategies • Implement signage and wayfinding at the beginning and end of link to define a one-way strip and slowdown of traffic to 30km/hr. • Integrate a bioretention swale strip with diverse plant species and trees on one side of Wheatley Road. • Reduce parking to accommodate kerb extensions for additional planting. • Implement a dedicated, protected cycling path on both sides of the road with a curb buffer next to a vehicle travel lane. • Focus on high quality, accessible pedestrian infrastructure by utilising street verges to widen and implement permeable surface on existing footpath • Investigate improvements at Fitzroy Street and Carlton Street intersections. • Maintain existing juvenile trees and plant new tree species on bioswale strip to respond to the lack of existing tree diversity across the suburbs. • Protect existing trees with full canopy cover • Extend landscaping and safe cycling strategies to adjacent residential streets including Fitzroy and Charlton Street and link existing cycling pathway at Nicholson Street • Integrate driveways with footpaths and cycling path through clear grade and pavement changes on roads
Dedicated cycling path integrated with landscaping Bourke Street, Surry Hills, Sydney
Biorentention Swale and raingarden Dawson Street, Sunshine, Melbourne
Tree Canopies at Rain Garden City of Melbourne
27
4.3.1 Location of Bioretention Swale Link
Â? Â?
Â? Â?
Â? Â?
Â? Â?
Wattle Grove Wheatley Road
Reserve
accessed
from
 2
Allnutt Park accessed from Wheatley Road
On-street parking and street humps on Wheatley Road
Bioretention Link 1:20 000 at A4
Map by Vania Djunaidi (2020)
28
4.3.2 Key Site 2: Wheatley Road, McKinnon Proposal Existing Conditions
 �
Â? Â? Â? Â? Â?
� �   €
• 8.5-metre-wide two-way street with on-street parking on both sides, creating a narrow travelling lane. • Medium traffic volume • Main route to go to Alnutt Park and Wheatley Grove Reserve • High volume of pedestrian and cyclists sharing existing footpath with a width of 1.6m. • Various juvenile tress with less canopy cover and grown trees with full canopy covers • Wide street verges
Wheatley Road Existing Condition
Implications & key challenges:
Wheatley Road Detail Plan 1:500 at A4 Map by Vania Djunaidi (2020)
29
• Slowing down vehicle movement, reducing parking and implementing a one-way street can result in community backlash • Behavioural change within communities to prioritise cyclists and pedestrians within the street and road network • Moving existing kerbs and widening footpath can be costly and time consuming • Conflict with overhead conditions including existing power poles and underground services including drainage along Wheatley Road • Long-term maintenance
Existing condition 1:100 at A4
Proposed Wheatley Road section 1:100 at A4
Proposed Wheatley Road Perspective Cross Sections and Perspective by Vania Djunaidi (2020)
30
4.4 Shared Street Corridors Shared streets prioritise pedestrian and cyclist’s movement over vehicular movement. Vehicular movement is reduced to 10km/hr by utilising traffic calming strategies such as narrow entrances, differing surface treatments and landscaping to reduce speed of vehicles. Shared streets will be implemented into existing residential streets within the proposed corridor where traffic volume is low but high pedestrian movement. These Shared Streets will become local connectors to key destinations such as parks and activity centres and integrated with community gardens to increase urban forest within a residential level.
Objective: • To prioritise pedestrian and cyclist’s movement on residential streets as local connectors across the suburbs • To create a sense of place for varying age groups and community ownership through the act of community workshops such as gardening within residential streets • To slow down traffic and reduce parking to minimise conflict between vehicles and alternative modes of transport • To increase shrub and tree canopy cover to reduce the increase of urban heat within residential streets.
Precedent
Design Strategies: Shared Street with change of pavement texture and landscaping Woonerf Design, Netherlands
• Implement contrasting surface treatment (e.g. paving texture and colours) and signage to demarcate shared zones • Implement kerb extensions or “pimples” as a gateway onto a shared street. Kerb extensions will accommodate community garden to increase urban forest and create a meandering pathway to slow down traffic • Designate zones for parking, bicycle parking and allow for flexible zones where streets adapt for different purposes e.g. play zones • Maintain a clear path for cars and cyclists through contrasting pavement and colours Implications & key challenges: • Slowing down vehicle movement and reducing parking street can result in community backlash • Behavioural change within communities to prioritise cyclists and pedestrians within the streets
Kerb-less Shared Street Copenhagen, Denmark
31
4.4.1 Locations of Shared Streets
Mature trees and tree canopy cover at Dalmore Avenue, Ormond
 �
Street Humps at Glen Orme Avenue, Ormond
Low traffic at Hawthorn Grove, McKinnon
Juvenile trees at Campbell Street, Bentleigh
3
Share Street locations 1:20 000 at A4 Map by Vania Djunaidi (2020)
32
Pedestrian Activity at Charlton Street, Bentleigh
4.4.2 Key Site 3: Charlton Street, Bentleigh Proposal Existing Conditions
 Â? Â
Â
• No through street that meets with Victory Park • Two-way residential street with a width of 7 metre • Existing on-street parking on both sides of the road • Low traffic volume • High pedestrian activity of families and children to access Victory Park • Low canopy cover with juvenile trees and wide street verges
Charlton Street Existing Condition
Charlton Street: Detail Plan 1:500 at A4 Map by Vania Djunaidi (2020)
33
Existing condition 1:100 at A4
Proposed Shared Street at Chalton Street 1:100 at A4
Proposed Shared Street Perspective Cross Sections and Perspective by Vania Djunaidi (2020)
34
5. Implementation 5.1 Purpose
• Advocacy: continue to advocate for active transport and ecology within the urban form across Glen Eira as ways to mitigate climate change risk.
Street as an Ecosystem is an Urban Design Framework of a proposed ecological and active transport corridor. It aims to promote urban resilience through active transport and integration of people and ecology within the urban fabric. Therefore, the implementation plan seeks to set a framework of actions to achieve its visions and objectives. These actions are prioritised with its timeframe and responsibilities while emphasising the need of review and evaluate to monitor the long-term purpose and impact of the proposal.
• Education programmes: implement educational programs across schools and communities of Glen Eira about the importance of active transport and ecology within the urban form of Glen Eira to build resilience against climate change risks. • Monitoring and Evaluation: continue to review and monitor process during implementation of the framework to ensure the delivery of key actions and that the framework achieve its vision.
5.2 Overview of the Implementation Plan
Actions: Actions within the Implementation Plan are required to implement design strategies from the Urban Design Framework. It describes the tasks that need to be completed to achieve the design strategies of the proposal.
The Implementation Plan is summarised in a table that consists of three parts: Themes There are nine overarching themes to divide the actions of the framework. These are:
Responsibility: There are key roles and responsibilities to be considered to ensure actions are acted upon to achieve the objectives of the Urban Design Framework. These roles are mostly the planning authority from local to state government such as Glen Eira City Council and Department of Transport Victoria.
• Pilot Projects: temporary activations and test designs for community feedback and input • Design Development: detail design and development for construction of the proposal • Planning and Policy: reviewing existing planning schemes and prepare amendments if needed
Timeframe A timeframe of short (0-2 years), medium (2-4 years), long (4+ years) and continuous are set to prioritise actions needed to ensure the objectives and design strategies of the framework is achieved (Fig.6).
• Stakeholder engagement: form effective partnerships to key stakeholders to effectively implement the framework. • Budget and Funding: investigating funding opportunities and council’s annual budget to ensure the proposal can be achieved financially. • Community Consultations: community consultation and input will be considered during the implementation process for feedback and improvements.
35
Â
Â?
 �
Â? Â?
Fig 6. Overview of Implementation Plan
5.3 Implementation Plan Themes
Actions
Community Consultations
Pilot Projects
Location
Responsibility
Timeframe
Community consultation NA and feedback on proposal, pilot projects and design developments Conduct place-based workshops Shared within shared streets using streets tactical urbanism approaches for different age groups such as community gardening and painting on surface pavements
Glen Eira City Council
ShortMedium
Glen Eira City Council
Short
Temporary one-way street temporarily on weekends
Wheatley Road
Glen Eira City Council
Short
Temporary cycling paths, designated parking and temporary pop ups of removeable garden beds as a trial bioretention swale system
Wheatley Road
Glen Eira City Council
Short
Implement temporary activations as test designs with moveable planters, paint markings and designated parking
Shared Streets
Glen Eira City Council
Short
Implement temporary cycling paths at roundabout
McKinnon Roundabout
Glen Eira City Council
Short
36
Community groups at Glen Eira (e.g. gardening groups, youth groups)
Themes
Design
Actions
Design Site
Responsibility
Timeframe
Implement temporarily footpath extension to include a cycling path
North Road Intersection
Glen Eira City Council
Short
Implement a bicycle crossing on Centre Road intersection
Centre Road Intersection
Department of Transport Victoria Glen Eira City Council
Short
Department of Transport Victoria
Implement a temporary cycling Wheatley and pedestrian crossing at Brewer Road Road Intersection
Glen Eira City Council
Short
Design Development
Glen Eira City Council
Short
NA
Landscape Architect / Urban Design team Engineers: water, civil and traffic Detail Design
NA
Glen Eira City Council
Short
Landscape Architect / Urban Design team Engineers: water, civil and traffic Construction
Planning and Policy Context
Stakeholder Engagement
Intersections
Glen Eira City Council
Shared Streets
Landscape Architect / Urban Design team
Medium Long
Wheatley Road Review existing planning schemes NA on on-street parking, urban forest and landscaping on council’s street network.
Engineers: water, civil and traffic Glen Eira City Council
Short
Prepare planning scheme NA amendments on affected schemes if needed
Glen Eira City Council
Medium
Engage in various stakeholders NA including landscape architects, urban designers, engineers (water and traffic) horticulture specialists on the feasibility of design proposal.
Glen Eira City Council
Short
37
Landscape Architect / Urban Design team Engineers: water, civil and traffic
Themes
Funding and Budget
Actions
Design Site
Responsibility
Timeframe
Form partnerships with state-level bodies including Melbourne Water, Department of Environment, Land and Planning (DEWLP) and Department of Transport Victoria (DoT) to advocate for active transport, urban biodiversity and water sensitive urban design (WSUD) Form partnerships with local schools and community groups to promote the importance of active transport, urban biodiversity and WSUD across the communities Investigate the most appropriate way of funding through grant programs and other funding avenues within Federal and State level such as Growing Suburbs Fund. Prepare a budget and expenditure schedule to consider which project should be prioritised for actions and to be implemented within the annual budget.
NA
Glen Eira City Council
ShortMedium
DoT DEWLP
NA
Glen Eira City Council Educational institutions across Glen Eira
Short Medium
NA
Glen Eira City Council
Short
NA
Glen Eira City Council
Short Medium
Education Programs
Educational and awareness NA programs on the importance of active transport, integration of nature within the built environment and resilience against climate change risk.
Glen Eira City Council
Continuous
Advocacy
Advocate for active transport NA within the wider road network of Glen Eira; e.g. protected cycling paths on arterial roads to connect municipalities Advocate for strong public NA transport system at Glen Eira
Glen Eira City Council
Schools and community infrastructure such as library programs and youth services. Continuous
DEWLP DoT Glen Eira City Council
Continuous
DEWLP DoT
Advocate for integrating urban NA forest and WSUD as strategies to mitigate climate change risk
Glen Eira City Council
Advocate for building a resilient NA and adaptable communities across Glen Eira against climate change risk
Glen Eira City Council
38
Continuous
DEWLP Continuous
Themes
Actions
Monitoring & Evaluation
Prepare a progress report on NA the implementation of the Street as an Ecosystem framework to ensure progress and any needed changes to ensure that the framework achieve its vision. Prepare maintenance guidelines NA of constructed elements to maintain high standard and not cause any safety hazards.
Maintenance
Design Site
39
Responsibility
Timeframe
Glen Eira City Council
Long
Glen Eira City Council
Long
6. Conclusion Street as an Ecosystem Urban Design Framework informs a clear direction for existing and future communities across the suburbs of Ormond, McKinnon and Bentleigh. Its aim is to overcome challenging planning issues including climate change, population and residential growth. Its vision is to: envision the streets as an ecosystem, integrating ecology and people through the act of walking and cycling. The proposed corridor aims to place people as part of a wider ecosystem by connecting existing green spaces within the suburbs of Ormond, McKinnon and Bentleigh. It will transform the streets across the three suburbs as a blue-green infrastructure, to mitigate climate change risk including flooding and rapid increase of urban heat while connecting communities with nature. The proposal will become a catalyst to create adaptable and resilient communities against climate change risk to maintain liveability for present and future residents of Glen Eira.
Community gardens on Shared Streets will also be integrated to slow down vehicle movement and increase shrub cover while creating a sense of place for residents. • Safe intersections at 4 intersections on the proposed corridor with main roads (North Road, McKinnon Road, Centre Road and Brewer Road). These intersections will prioritise cyclists and pedestrian’s confidence and safety while crossing main roads through separate, projected cycle paths and pedestrian crossings. The framework provides many benefits including cooling of urban heat, integrating ecology to the urban fabric and promoting active transport across the three suburbs. However, issues and challenges will inevitably occur across various stakeholders. These issues include:
For this vision to be achieved, three design principles have been developed: • Integrate Water Sensitive Urban Design • Support Urban Forest • Improve street connectivity and safety These principles guide three main design strategies across the proposed sites. These strategies are:
• Community backlash on reduced parking and prioritisation of active transport over vehicles • Funding and budget • Lack of space and different land uses to consider • Tight, unadaptable planning and policy contexts
• A bioretention swale link across Wheatley Road to increase permeable surfaces, mitigate flooding risk and manage stormwater runoff. The link also provides a protected cycling path and widened pedestrian footpath to respond to the high pedestrian volume between Alnutt Park and Wattle Grove Reserve
The framework is not aimed to solve all current planning issues which the subject site is currently facing. However, it aims to contribute in being part of the solution to mitigate climate change impacts while responding to the inevitable population and residential growth of the subject site. Its visions, principles and design strategies ensure the subject site have resilient and adaptable infrastructure for existing and future communities to be prepared for future climate change risks.
• Shared streets across 5 local streets (Charlton Street, Campbell Street, Hawthorn Grove, Glen Orme Avenue and Dalmore Avenue) to create local connectors across the subject site while prioritising pedestrian and cyclist’s movement.
40
References 1. Glen Eira City Council. 2020. Glen Eira Draft Urban Forest Strategy. Retrieved from https://www.gleneira.vic.gov.au/media/7288/urban-forrest-strategy-draft.pdf 2. Glen Eira City Council. 2018. Glen Eira Integrated Transport Strategy 2018-2031. Retrieved from https://www.gleneira.vic.gov.au/media/3639/integrated-transportstrategy.pdf 3. Department of Transport. 2019. Movement and Place in Victoria. Retrieved from https://transport.vic.gov.au/about/planning/movement-and-place-in-victoria 4. Melbourne Water. 2019. Elster Creek Catchment Flood Management Plan 2019-2024. Retrieved from https://www.melbournewater.com.au/building-and-works/all-projects/elster-creekcatchment-flood-management-plan 5. NACTO. 2020. Global Street Design Guide: Global Designing Cities Initiative. Retrieved from https://globaldesigningcities.org/publication/global-street-designguide/ 6. Victorian Government. 2017. Plan Melbourne 2017-2050: Metropolitan Planning Strategy. Retrieved from https://www.planmelbourne.vic.gov.au/ data/assets/pdf file/0007/377206/Plan Melbourne 2017-2050 Strategy .pdf 7. Glen Eira City Council. 2020. Glen Eira City Plan: Activity Centre, Housing and Local Economy Strategy. Retrieved from https://www.gleneira.vic.gov.au/media/6136/cityplan-2020.pdf 8. Canning, S. & Thiele, F. 2010. Indigenous Cultural Heritage and History within the Metropolitan Melbourne Investigation Area: A report to the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council. Retrieved from http://www.veac.vic.gov.au/reports/Indigenous%20 Cultural%20Heritage%20and%20History%20within%20the%20VEAC%20 Melbourne%20Metropolitan%20Investigation%20Area.pdf 9. Davidson, G. 2014. The Rise and Fall of Marvellous Melbourne. Melbourne: Melbourne University Publishing; Revised Edition. 10. Australian Bureau of Statistics.2016. Bentleigh-McKinnon & Ormond-Glen Hutly 2016 Census Quick Stats. Retrieved from https://quickstats.censusdata.abs.gov.au/census services/getproduct/census/2016/quickstat/208021174?opendocument 11. City of Melbourne. 2020. Urban Water: What is water sensitive urban design? Retrieved from http://urbanwater.melbourne.vic.gov.au/melbournes-water-story/watersensitive-urban-design-wsud/ 12. Melbourne Water. 2017. Introduction to Water Sensitive Urban Design. Retrieved from https://www.melbournewater.com.au/building-and-works/stormwater-management/ introduction-wsud 13. NACTO. 2017. Urban Street Storm Water Guide: Bioretention Swale. Retrieved from https://nacto.org/publication/urban-street-stormwater-guide/stormwater-elements/ green-stormwater-elements/bioretention-swale/
41
Vania Djunaidi E: vdju0002@student.monash.edu IG: @southeast ecoplanning UPD4002 Ecological City Studio S2 2020 Master of Urban Planning and Design Monash University