<
https://theconversation.com/how-we-accidentally-planned-the-desertion-of-our-cities-190145>
"COVID-19 may have kick-started the decline of the Australian CBD, but our
newly published research shows how planning decisions had already created
cities that lacked resilience.
The changes in our work preferences have highlighted how vulnerable our cities
are to economic shocks. Moves to entice (or compel) workers back to the office
may be just a short-term fix for precincts now struggling with low levels of
foot traffic.
Historic zoning practices created separate areas of residential, commercial and
industrial activity in our cities. This practice created whole precincts like
the CBD and residential suburbs dedicated to a single use.
The lack of diversity arising from this pattern of development ultimately
reduces resilience when conditions change. It is arguably one of urban
planning’s greatest failures.
The most resilient places during COVID-19 lockdowns were those that had a
diverse industrial employment mix. It meant they did not rely on a single
sector for jobs – and the lockdown impacts varied from sector to sector.
For example, Melbourne’s last remaining inner-city industrial zone, Port
Melbourne, provides a diverse mix of production as well as commercial services.
It was among the most resilient places of employment in Australia to COVID
impacts. This example offers valuable insight into a truly “mixed use”
precinct.
Areas with diverse land uses became the goal of new planning policies that
emerged in the 1980s. By introducing zoning changes, policymakers hoped to
replicate the vibrant, dense and localised environments of older cities that
predated the rise of cars.
However, our research shows policies that aimed to increase land-use mix do the
opposite in practice."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
