Urban planning is the forward-thinking process whereby towns, cities and urban areas are laid out based on a set of objectives defined by the state or territory in conjunction with local councils. Urban planning affects our transportation system, infrastructure, the layout, and prescribed densities of our residential, commercial, and industrial areas and more.
Without such planning, our cities quickly become inefficient and uninviting for residents and businesses alike.
Why Is Urban Planning Important?
Over 80% if the Australian population live and work in cities, and they choose to do so because access to healthcare, education, and efficient infrastructure positively affect their quality of life. With all these facilities and services available and easily obtained, the Australian public is better able to contribute to the economy and national productivity.
If an urban area is badly planned, residents face traffic congestion, inadequate infrastructure, unaffordable housing, and are vulnerable to climate change, fire hazards, and flooding. The city and its infrastructure become unsustainable and ultimately hinder the growth of the population and economy.
Urban planning also affects our national parks, ecological diversity, heritage sites and natural resources by ensuring that cities and towns are arranged so they don’t encroach on these areas. By creating and enforcing laws to protect these unique Australian attractions, they will always be around for our children and tourists to appreciate.
How is Successful Urban Planning Achieved?
While much of our urban planning has been reactionary, the goal is to enact planning regulations with a view for the future. By conducting censuses, state governments can predict the changing demographics and growth of the population. Successful urban planning prepares for such changes by ensuring access to quality, affordable housing.
Urban planning also needs to ensure ecological sustainability by prohibiting development that will destroy wildlife habitats such as those of our koala population. Environmental sustainability also refers to minimising carbon emissions by building cycle paths and promoting public transport by making it widely available. Well planned cities are also water sensitive, ensuring minimal water waste.
Each state and territory will have their own objectives when it comes to urban planning and rightly so. Their ecologies, population, economies, and heritage are all unique. To this end, it is also crucial for local councils to collaborate with their respective communities to ensure their needs are met. Communities will often argue for the preservation of heritage sites, planning which promotes social cohesion such as inviting public spaces, and urban regeneration.
How Does Urban Planning Affect Property Development?
To ensure that your property development project is both successful and not halted in the initial phase, you need to be mindful of your state’s urban planning objectives and the needs of the community. Both a city and a community are likely to object to projects which don’t consider certain essential aspects of urban planning. The most crucial factors are sustainability, water sensitivity, urban renewal, climate change, heritage, and conservation.
With the right amount of planning, creativity, and detailed scheme maps, it’s easier to get on top of your property development project.
