Transcriber: Adriel Isay Pacheco Reviewer: David DeRuwe
Can you imagine what the suburb of the future will look like?
Does it involve high density living,
having essentials at close proximity, or drones delivering the food shopping?
As students, we've developed a future vision
for one of Melbourne's rapidly changing suburbs.
We have taken a new approach to suburb design
by focusing on the reduction of carbon-emitting infrastructure;
re-establishing local identity;
and creating an inclusive, walkable, and livable suburb for all ages.
And this is our vision for Croydon South in Melbourne.
Croydon South is located 27 kilometers east of Melbourne,
and is a low- to mid-density residential suburb.
A majority of the suburb’s amenities lie within this intersection.
This intersection has a high rate of vehicles passing through the area,
and the current speed limits around this area make it unsafe,
daunting, and challenging for pedestrians to navigate.
This area is a major carbon emitter.
It creates a physical barrier,
which emphasizes the disconnect between the four quadrants of the suburb.
The suburb is missing a key component - connection.
So why’s connection so important?
Speaking with locals, a common theme was the feeling of separation,
along with feeling unsafe when walking around this intersection.
A connected community is a stronger community, environment, and system.
The suburbs of the future should revolve around community,
a centralized hub where residents can have all services at close proximity,
while feeling integrated and being a part of the community.
And that's why in our design proposal,
we sent the main intersection entirely underground.
But it is more than just an intersection rehaul.
It is about fostering connection
in a community which is currently divided by this infrastructure.
It is about creating a safer,
walkable and more inclusive suburb for everyone of all ages,
and to reconnect people between the four quadrants of the suburb.
With the main intersection no longer on road level,
the space can open up to become the main place
for socialization, culture, and recreation within the suburb.
Imagine being able to walk through the bustling local markets and festivals,
surrounded by the stunning native flora,
or walking down to the new expansive shopping strip,
filled with a large variety of locally-owned businesses.
You can step out into the new expansive plaza,
brimming with life and atmosphere,
which has areas for locals to catch up
amongst the serene and tranquil native gardens.
A new business hub offers residents co-working space opportunities
to grow and establish themselves within their community.
A new residential precinct alongside this new community hub
promotes a vibrant and purposeful way of sustainable living.
The suburbs of the future
should have a greater connection to local ecological areas,
to promote environmentalism
while assisting in improving residents’ mental health.
The vision for the Tarralla Creek,
which runs parallel along the community hub,
is to revegetate this harsh and neglected concrete drain
into a lush and thriving creek corridor.
It will be brimming with local fauna and flora.
The creek will be supported by an improved stormwater collection system,
which will assist in the remediation of the creek’s health over time.
New nature-based play spaces and walking trails
along the creek edge will take you on a tactile and euphoric journey.
This will be the place to be, and it's all at a short walk from your doorstep.
And while this design is functional,
it is also smart and has a significantly lower carbon footprint.
We’ve specifically chosen materials and plants
which can work together to begin to reduce the carbon impact.
We are able to reduce our overall carbon footprint
by up to 30% from the existing design by doing so.
So what does the suburb of the future really look like?
It is about connection to place, to community, and to self,
a place where we celebrate culture,
community,
and have a deep appreciation for the ecosystems that we live around.
It is a suburb which is increasingly self-sufficient and sustainable,
promoting values of recycling, conservation, and environmentalism.
It’s a suburb for the residents to feel proud to live in and be a part of,
and that is the suburb we should all strive for.