Bays Precinct Summit
Last week I represented the Institute at the “Make New” Bays Precinct Summit organised by UrbanGrowth NSW, together with Paul Berkemeier, Paul Walter, and Peter Smith (all active members of the Chapter’s Built Environment Committee). Institute alumni Alec Tzannes, Lawrence Nield, Richard Francis-Jones, Richard Johnson, Ken Maher, Richard Dinham and Chapter Councillor David Springett were also present.
Other Summit attendees included international speakers, local government (Sydney and Leichhardt), PIA and AILA and other built environment professional associations, the Heritage Council, government agencies, universities, community groups, built environment professionals and the development community.
The event was an opportunity to reflect on and review good examples of similar urban renewal schemes from around the world, and to consider the broader principles that will provide the ‘DNA’ of the project – before either a line is drawn or a physical outcome is contemplated.
In a government environment seemingly focused on the economic imperative to the exclusion of all other issues, I commend UrbanGrowth CEO David Pitchford and the Summit organisers for conducting this broad ranging, open-ended event. My Institute colleagues and I sensed an interest in genuine consultation and a desire for a fresh approach.
Some of the issues considered over the two days included:
- What are the city scale benefits that can be derived from the Bays Precinct?
- How is diversity and equity enabled?
- What values most contribute to a liveable city?
- How can the Bays Precinct create tangible benefits for the ‘smart city’ and new knowledge economy?
- How can the connectivity challenges be addressed?
- What governance models for the Bays will deliver certainty and transparency?
- What are the best legacy benefits the Bays can leave for future generations of Sydneysiders?
The Institute has been invited by David Pitchford to prepare a submission proposing the key principles that should guide the Bays Precinct project. In the coming months UrbanGrowth intends to undertake further broad consultation with the professions and community groups. This will include direct consultation with the Institute in early 2015. An initial presentation was made to the Built Environment Committee in September.
We will work positively and collaboratively with UrbanGrowth NSW and other organisations in the coming months to maintain the momentum of this very positive start to the strategic planning process. We must not allow Bays Precinct to become another lost urban renewal opportunity.
Joe Agius
NSW President