<
https://theconversation.com/demolition-should-be-the-last-resort-for-melbournes-44-public-housing-towers-retrofit-and-upgrade-instead-246327>
"Investment in public housing is long overdue. But the current proposal to
demolish all 44 of Melbourne’s social housing towers, relocate more than 10,000
residents and redevelop the sites is deeply flawed.
This blanket approach risks repeating the traumatic dislocation of vulnerable
communities that happened when the towers were built more than 50 years ago. It
also involves wasting money, energy and construction materials.
The state government says the old high-rises are being redeveloped to meet
modern standards and house more people. But the decision to demolish and
rebuild, rather than upgrade, has been challenged repeatedly.
I coauthored one of the most recent reports from concerned independent
architects, urban designers and researchers. Together we argue retrofitting and
upgrading existing housing stock, when combined with strategic new building, is
technically feasible, cheaper and better for people and the planet.
At the same time, a class action lawsuit is awaiting a legal ruling on whether
the government should be forced to release documents justifying demolition over
retrofitting.
We know retaining and reusing existing structures saves energy and other
resources, ultimately reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Across 44 buildings,
this could also save around A$1.5 billion in construction costs."
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
