Ali Cheshmehzangi, Professor and Head of the School of ADP
Brisbane is undertaking a more global role as it prepares for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, which will significantly alter the city’s urban development in the coming years. The necessity of sustainable urban design, which not only addresses environmental issues but also makes sure Brisbane is a liveable city for its diverse population, lies at the core of this transformation. The demands of a growing population, climate change, and better infrastructure necessitate ambitious yet context-specific routes toward sustainable urban design. Because of Brisbane’s distinct climate, topography, and social structure, specialised strategies that strike a balance between the built environment, green areas, and community needs are needed.
Brisbane needs to concentrate on three key areas of (sustainable) urban design: green infrastructure and climate adaptation, integrated public transportation, and community-centric urban spaces, in order to create a healthy and liveable future. These interrelated pillars will act as a basis for creating an urban fabric that is resilient, inclusive, ecologically sound, and capable of thriving in the face of multiple challenges.
Green Infrastructure and Climate Adaptation
Brisbane’s subtropical climate, characterised by hot summers and intermittent extreme weather, necessitates an urban planning and design strategy that puts green infrastructure first. Brisbane’s built environment is becoming more resilient to heatwaves, flooding, and other climate-induced stresses thanks in large part to nature-based solutions. Parks, street trees, and urban forests are examples of green spaces that serve as natural buffers to improve air quality and lessen the effects of urban heat islands. The Brisbane River’s close proximity to Brisbane emphasises the significance of flood-resilient design principles. Wetlands, bioswales, and permeable surfaces will all help control stormwater runoff and lessen the likelihood of urban flooding. These components improve public spaces’ aesthetic appeal and recreational value in addition to strengthening their resilience to climate change.
Brisbane’s rapid urban growth imposes striking a balance between development and preservation of green space. Biophilic principles, which incorporate natural elements seamlessly into the built environment, must be incorporated into the city’s urban design. This benefits Brisbane’s citizens’ physical and emotional health in addition to increasing biodiversity and habitat connectivity. Incorporating community gardens, living walls, and green roofs can help reduce carbon emissions and increase energy efficiency while also promoting a sense of community among urban dwellers.
The development of multipurpose public spaces that fulfill ecological and social purposes is a crucial strategy for Brisbane’s green infrastructure. For instance, parks and green corridors can serve the community’s needs for recreational and cultural spaces in addition to acting as floodwater retention areas during severe weather. Brisbane’s green infrastructure is guaranteed to remain adaptable and sensitive to shifting environmental conditions thanks to this adaptive approach.
Integrated Public Transportation
Improving the liveability of Brisbane and lowering its carbon footprint requires effective, integrated public transportation. The need for sustainable mobility solutions that offer quick and fair access to services, employment, and education is growing along with Brisbane’s population. A strong, long-lasting public transportation system is more important than ever as the 2032 Games draw near.
The establishment of a well-connected, multimodal transportation system that lessens dependency on private vehicles must be given top priority in Brisbane’s sustainable urban design. Reduced greenhouse gas emissions and less traffic will result from the expansion and improvement of the city’s rail system, buses, and ferries, among other public transportation options. Future projects like Cross River Rail and the Brisbane Metro are significant turning points in this transition. In addition to providing for the immediate needs of transportation, these projects ought to be planned to build a network of connections that encourage active transportation, like cycling and walking.
Active transport networks, such as bicycle lanes and pedestrian pathways, must be integrated into the overall urban design to encourage low-emission, healthy modes of transport. Because of Brisbane’s mixed topography of generally plain terrains, cycling is a practical and appealing option for short commutes. By creating a safe, well-designed cycling infrastructure that links neighbourhoods with key transit hubs and public spaces, Brisbane can further reduce its dependency on cars and promote healthier lifestyles.
Furthermore, the urban growth strategy for Brisbane should place a strong emphasis on transit-oriented development, or TOD. Higher-density development is encouraged by TOD principles in the vicinity of public transportation hubs, which can stop urban sprawl and build thriving, walkable neighbourhoods. Brisbane can lessen the environmental effects of urban expansion and improve accessibility by creating mixed-use developments that include housing, retail, and job opportunities close to transit stations.
Community-Centric Urban Spaces
The success of any urban design strategy lies in its ability to meet the needs and aspirations of its people. Brisbane’s urban design must be community-centric, equitable, and inclusive to guarantee that all citizens, regardless of financial status, have access to first-rate facilities and services in the public domain. Creating environments that meet the needs of a variety of demographics, such as families, the elderly, and those with disabilities, is a key component of designing for social equity.
Initiatives for community-driven urban design, like participatory planning, can provide locals the power to reshape their neighbourhoods to better reflect their cultural identities and priorities. This guarantees that urban areas are planned to meet community needs and promotes a feeling of pride and ownership. Urban design in Brisbane’s multicultural setting should embrace diversity by establishing public areas that are welcoming to a variety of cultural customs, pastimes, and social gatherings.
Focusing on placemaking through the city’s precincts—the process of improving a place’s social and physical fabric through deliberate design—will help make Brisbane a more liveable city. Through the integration of art, culture, and community gatherings in public areas, the city can promote social harmony and establish lively, vibrant urban landscapes. For instance, Brisbane’s famous riverfront offers a chance for improved waterfront design that incorporates public parks, cultural venues, and recreational amenities to create a vibrant urban environment for both residents and visitors.
In summary, a comprehensive strategy that incorporates green infrastructure, sustainable mobility, and community-centric design is needed for Brisbane to follow the path toward sustainable urban design. Brisbane can build a healthy, liveable city that satisfies the needs of both current and future citizens while reducing the effects of urbanisation and climate change by concentrating on these three key areas.
