Depth study one Flashcards
Describe the site of Perth
Perth is sited on the Swan Coastal Plain which is sandy and gently undulating, and ranges in height from sea level to approximately 60m above sea level.
Describe the situation of Perth
Perth is situated on the South West coast of Australia in Western Australia. 2700km west of Adelaide, closest capital city.
Land use competition in the CBD
There is high land value within this zone due to a high degree of land use competition. This means land use is maximised and density is high, which can be seen by the high-rise buildings within this zone.
Vertical zonation in the CBD
Vertical zonation creates zones within high-rise buildings. This can be seen by pedestrian-accessible functions in the lower levels, and upper-levels occupied by businesses and corporations.
E.g. newsagencies and cafes, BHP (don’t rely on pedestrian traffic)
Horizontal zonation and aggregation in the CBD
Horizontal zonation (linear arrangement of functions) occurs due to aggregation of businesses.
E.g. aggregation of banking on St Georges Terrace - Westpac, Commonwealth, ANZ branches.
Inertia in the CBD
Inertia is a pocess that acts to limit change within an urban or rural area. Older buildings remain in their place due to significance.
E.g. Treasury - historical significance, used to manage state’s financial and administrative affairs. Currently luxury COMO The Treasury hotel, dining, event space.
Accessibility and centrifugal forces in IMZ
High accessibility, ability for expansion, cheaper land values, less problems with parking and traffic. Centrifugal forces push out small businesses from CBD.
Invasion and succession of IMZ
E.g. West Perth, Ord St was once predominantly residential. Now other land use types have invaded this and converted to commercial purposes.
Aggregation in IMZ
E.g. West Perth, Ord St has aggregation of health services such as Perth Eye Hospital and Asthma WA Shop, and mining offices.
Urban blight in IMZ
When land owners are reluctant to renovate their property due to the potential of future invasion and redevelopment. Land becomes more valuable.
Leading to urban renewal projects. East Perth Redevelopment Project (1990s), large areas rezoned for medium to high density dwelling, e.g. Claisebrook Village
Describe the external morphology of Perth (shape)
Semi-stellate shape, becoming more rectangular over time due to urban infill. Takes place between original corridors, north (Joondalup), east (Midland), southeast (Armadale), and south (Rockingham).
Describe the external morphology of Perth (extent)
1600km², north to south corridor almost 150km, from Two Rocks in the north to Mandurah in the south. East to west about 30-40km due to Indian Ocean and Darling Escarpment.
Established residential zone
Dominated by the housing function. Houses and demographics tend to be older, or higher socio-economic.
Gentrification in the ERZ and IMZ
Restoration and renovation of older residential areas. Middle-income people improving aesthetics of an area. Value of houses and rental properties increase, low-income earners are priced out.
E.g. Subiaco and Leederville
Urban infill example - Canopy, Glendalough
Used to be vacant and undeveloped land. Now it offers a modern style living, two-story high density apartments, shared community space, range of amenities nearby.
Saves the government $13700 per lot compared to greenfield development on the periphery of Perth.
Newer growth zone
New growth zone of residential development, tends to be located on the outer boundary of established residential area. It may exist as satellite suburbs. Lower land value and more affordable.
E.g. Alkimos and Baldivis
Industrial zones
Light and medium industrial areas (consumer oriented e.g. furniture) scattered throughout metropolitan area. Heavy industry (capital intensive e.g. oil refinery) further from residential areas.
Light and medium e.g. Osborne Park and Welshpool. Heavy industry e.g. Kwinana (40km away).
Agglomeration in IZ
Industrial functions have clustered together in one location. Can derive benefits from shared services/infrastructure (e.g. transportation - Fremantle and port).
BP Oil Refinery in Kwinana, now closed, developed infrastructure in this area.
Segregation in IZ
Planning undertaken to ensure undesirale functions are separate from residential areas through use of buffer zones. Tend to be located where not suitable for residential purposes.
Rural-urban fringe
Outer edge of metropolitan area. Characterised by mixed land use which can lead to land use conflict. Dynamic due to invasion and succession as urban area expands.
E.g. Wanneroo
RUF functions
Land values are lower and often attract space extensive functions - agriculture, industrial functions, special purpose functions (e.g. rubbish tips) and recreational functions (e.g. pony clubs, gold course).
Urban shadow effect in RUF
Similar to urban blight, rural landowners are reluctant to maintain their property as they await invasion. Evident by run-down sheds, warehouses, other rural buildings.
E.g. Forrestdale
Outer business districts
Scattered throughout metropolitan area. To decentralise job opportunities out of the CBD. Hierarchy of OBDs - smaller areas with local general stores, larger areas with shopping centres.
E.g. Joondalup (Lakeside Joondalup - larger area), Dianella Plaza smaller
Special purpose zones
Used to be on outer edge of Perth, but residential zones have grown and surrounded. Serve a certain function such as education facilities, prisons, rubbish tips. Usually space extensive, sometimes segregated.
E.g. Perth Airport now surrounded, UWA, Claremont Showgrounds (recreational)
Age characteristic - higher proportion of younger population in outer suburbs (NGZ)
Young families are attracted to the NGZs due to availability of cheaper house and land packages. More parks and possibly closer community vs higher-density urbanised living.
E.g. NGZ Alkimos-Eglinton (43km away) under 19 years - 32%, ERZ Cottesloe (11km away) - 23%
Age characteristic - higher proportion of older population in inner suburbs (ERZ)
More established infrastructure and greater access to public transport. Health facilities are well-established. Those living in ERZ grew up there.
E.g. NGZ Alkimos-Eglinton (43km away) over 55 years - 12%, ERZ Cottesloe (11km away) - 36%
Gender characteristic - higher percentage of males living in the CBD and IMZ
E.g. Northbridge and West Perth
Availability of professional work in the area and also the willingness to live in high-density apartments close to work and entertainment.
Socioeconomic characteristic - higher levels of home ownership within the ERZ
Incomes tend to be higher. Houses have been owned for longer, meaning wealth has accumulated and mortgages repaid.
E.g. In 2021 half of the houses in City Beach were owned outright and 30% with a mortgage.
Socioeconomic characteristic - low socioeconomic trends associated with areas occupied by workers
Labourers and low-skilled workers in less desirable locations/SPZ, with higher degree of rental properties. Higher unemployment rates correlating with levels of education.
E.g. Girrawheen, unemployment rate of 13%, 10% of population with bachelor’s degree or higher.
Socioeconomic characteristic - high socioeconomic trends associated with areas occupied by professionals
Higher degree of education, university level qualification, earn higher weekly incomes. More desirable locations, land and property values higher.
E.g. Cottesloe, unemployment rate of 4.7%, over half of population with bachelor’s degree or higher.
Cultural distribution characteristic - percentage of people born in Australia
In 2021, 60% of people in Perth were born in Australia. The other most common countries of birth were England, NZ, India, SA, and Malaysia.
Cultural distribution characteristic - ethnic clustering of Greek community
Greek people migrated to Perth around 1930/50s. Northbridge and North Perth where Greek Orthodox Church was built. Large percentage of people with Greek background in Balcatta and Stirling now.
Traffic congestion
Traffic congestion occurs when there is an increased usage of transport networks which are not designed for the larger number of users.
Users experience slower speeds, longer trip times, and increased queuing on major networks.
When does traffic congestion occur
Scope of transportation challenge
During the peak hours between 6:30am to 9:00am and from 4:00pm to 6:30pm on weekdays.
Who is traffic congestion a problem for
Scope of transportation challenge
Commuters who travel into and out of the inner-city areas, such as CBD and IMZ suburbs (Leederville, Subiaco). For those who use Mitchell and Kwinana Freeways.
Car dependency and transportation methods
Scope of transportation method
Highly car-dependent city with highest level of car ownership of other Australian city. According to 2016 Census, 80% drove a car, 8% used public transport, and 4% rode a bike or walked to work.
Estimated Perth’s congestion adds 96 hours to work commute annually.
Decline of public transport use in Perth
Scope of transportation method
Use of public transport has declined from 65 million boardings in 2012-13 to 43 million boardings in 2020-21. Increasing population means demand will grow.
What is the transportation challenge
Scope of transportation method
Challenge for WA State Government and stakeholders is to find balance between increasing capacity of road networks and encouraging public and active transport networks.
Population growth
Causes of transportation challenge
By 2050, additional 1.4 million needing to move around for employment, education etc. Increase in movement of freight to provide. Many train lines are at capacity during peak hour now.
Train lines need to be monitored and upgraded. Nearly 200km of rail needs to double to keep up with Perth’s projected growth.
Road design
Causes of transportation challenge
CBD wasn’t originally designed for high car use; streets are narrow and grid-like in patterns. Congestion on freeways due to continuous need to merge.
E.g. Beaufort Street
Urban sprawl and car dependency
Causes of transportation challenge
New suburbs aren’t well serviced by public tranport, encourages high car use. In City of Wanneroo, 71% used a car to get to work vs Greater Perth, 68%.
Environmental - air pollution
Impacts of the transportation challenge
GHG emissions and contribution to climate change. GHG emissions are 2-3 times higher per capita in Perth than European cities. Photochemical smog resulting in a haze of pollution.
Photochemical smog is created when nitrogen oxide and nitric oxide react with hydrocarbons including methane.
Economic
Impacts of the transportation challenge
Short-cuts to avoid congestion increases pressure on suburban streets. Higher associated costs. Sitting in traffic decreases fuel efficiency, results in increased running costs.
It is estimated traffic congestion in Perth costs $2.5 billion a year.
Social - road rage
Impacts of the transportation challenge
When transportation networks are not working efficiently it can be frustrating to people using them, causing stress and resulting in anti-social behaviour or road rage.
In a 2020 RAC survey almost half of members said congestion caused them stress and negatively impacted wellbeing.
Social - health
Impacts of the transportation challenge
Increased risk to citizens with asthma and respiratory disease due to atmosphere pollution resulting from vehicle emissions such as nitrogen dioxide, nitric oxide, and fine particle matter.
Cause irritation and inflammation of respiratory system.
Urban sprawl definition
Urban sprawl refers to the outward spread of typically low density residential and urban development on the periphery of urban areas.
Growth
Scope of urban sprawl challenge
Since the 1970s, Perth’s population and size have more than doubled. Areas with largest growth were mostly on fringe of city: Ellenbrook in northeast, Baldivis in southwest.
Higher density and block sizes - urban consolidation
Scope of urban sprawl challenge
Most high-density areas are concentrated in ERZ, e.g. Doubleview, Innaloo. Higher density due to urban consolidation policies, which reduced lot sizes in past 20 years, nearly halving from 1999 to 2022.
Shift in block sizes due to urban consolidation
Scope of urban sprawl challenge
Decrease in lot sizes increased density in greenfield developments. Trend of building larger houses with smaller yards, contributed to dispersed nature of residential densities.
Highest outer-suburban density - Butler, smaller lots in greenfield developments such as Yanchep.
What is the urban sprawl challenge
Scope of urban sprawl challenge
For state and local governments to accommodate a growing population and to improve infrastructure and amenity in existing greenfield developments.
Planning policies - Metropolitan Region Scheme (1955)
Causes of urban sprawl challenge
Began suburban development in a linear pattern along north-south axis with freeway construction. Due to popularity of private car expansion occured faster planned, leading to Corridor Plan (1973)
Planning policies - Corridor Plan (1973)
Causes of urban sprawl challenge
Placed Perth at centre of metropolitan area, continued development of four urban corridors. Established various OBDs such as Joondalup and Midland.
Planning policies - Metroplan (1990)
Causes of urban sprawl challenge
Widened the corridors while establishing a fifth corridor in northeast with Ellenbrook. Increased area for urban expansion by 30%.
Housing affordability
Causes of urban sprawl challenge
Housing has become less affordable in metropolitan area. In survey by WA Planning Commision indicated approximately 70% of residents would prefer to live in central sub-region, but only half could afford.
Housing affordability - greenfield lots
Causes of urban sprawl challenge
Developments on RUF offer wide variety of house and land packages which target first home buyers. Many building companies offer deals including garden and interior finishes.
Land in premium estates in outer-most urban area: $167,000 (Mandora Bay) vs $622,000 median house price in Perth (2022).
Environmental - vegetation
Impacts of urban sprawl challenge
Land clearing large areas of remnant vegetation in Swan Coastal Plain, only 30% of original vegetation remaining in metropolitan area
Environmental - Carnaby’s black cockatoo
Impacts of urban sprawl challenge
Haitat fragmentation due to invasion and sprawl. Endangered species, cockatoo population halved in last 45 years due to fragmentation of breeding and freeding grounds.
Environmental - greenfield developments on areas with history of agricultural production
Impacts of urban sprawl challenge
City of Wanneroo - urban land use invading 80% of area, little left primary producers e.g. vegetable growers remaining. Results in new areas required, pressure on other environmentally sensitive areas.
Economic - government and stakeholders
Impacts of urban sprawl challenge
Higher expenses associated with building on periphery of city due to providing infrastructure services, including roads, water, power etc.
Greenfield development almost 3 times more costly to State Government at $150,000 vs $55,000 for infill sites.
Economic - costs due to travel
Impacts of urban sprawl challenge
High car dependency for those living on RUF travelling to CBD. Economic cost due to vehicle ownership. Congestion on freeways cost economy $2.5 billion a year.
Social impacts - lack of urban amenity in sprawling suburbs
Impacts of urban sprawl challenge
Lack of greenery. Metropolitan area reported canopy cover of 20% in 2016, below average of other capitals of 30%. Health benefits and minimising effects of urban heat island.
Increased property values by $17,000 per house, e.g. Applecross.
Social impacts - socio-spatial inequality in Ellenbrook
Impacts of urban sprawl challenge
Delay between residential development and when various services are available. E.g. Ellenbrook, established in 1995. Residents waiting for 10 year for Morley-Ellenbrook trainline.
Would take commuters half an hour to CBD. Expected to be completed late 2024.
