Better Placed: instigating design-led planning in NSW

J?rn Utzon once said “the architect’s gift to society is to bring joy to the people, from the surroundings they create.”

On the eve of the 2016 Sydney Architecture Festival last week, I had the privilege of being surrounded by some of world's leading architects, urban designers, thinkers and influencers in the inspirational Utzon Room at The Sydney Opera House.

I could think of no better building, venue or destination in which to launch Better Placed - NSW's Draft Architecture and Urban Design Policy.The draft policy outlines seven principles for a better designed built environment and lays the groundwork for the forthcoming NSW design-led planning strategy which is being developed by the 26th NSW Government Architect, Peter Poulet.

Alongside the draft policy, I also announced the first of the NSW Government's proposed amendments to the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 - a new object in the Act to promote good design in the built environment (which will be consulted on later this year). This will give the policy and strategy weight through legislative change.

Architects, urban designers and leaders from across Australia and the world, such as Michael T Hansen, Trade Commissioner and Consul General at the Danish Consulate, Sydney; City Architect of Aalborg, Denmark, Peder Waltzer Neilsen (where J?rn Utzon grew up) and Professor of Architecture at Carniegie Mellon University, Laura Lee, amongst others, have been enlisted to participate in early consultation and peer-review workshops on the document. We hope to create a world-leading urban design policy, strategy and better places for the people of NSW.

Why does NSW need design-led planning?

Our state is projected to grow by more than 100,000 people every year until 2036. During that period, we will need to provide homes for an additional 2.1 million residents. Sydney alone will need 725,000 new homes over the next 20 years to keep pace with demand.

To meet that challenge, and the growth and change we’re going to have to undertake to meet that demand, we need to start having a serious conversation about how we can elevate the role of design here in NSW in shaping our cities, towns, buildings and the public realm into the future.

The NSW Government recognises the importance of good design in making cities and towns more amenable, enjoyable and liveable for their inhabitants as we continue to grow. The draft policy outlines the government’s current position on architecture and urban design, recognising they are critical in helping deliver the Government’s planning purpose: to make people’s lives better through sustainable and inclusive growth. 

What's in the draft policy?

The draft policy articulates the necessary role design plays in achieving liveable, productive and resilient environments and focuses on ensuring the investment in projects adds up to create great places that people want to live, work, visit and invest in.

Importantly it champions the need for design excellence in the NSW built environment and starts the discussion on how we deliver and assess design excellence. The draft policy recognises that great places, cities, towns and buildings don’t happen by chance. It outlines a series of seven distinct principles applicable to the built form at any scale, including:

1. Contextual – the built environment needs to be local and of its place

2. Sustainable – the built environment needs to be efficient and durable

3. Equitable – the built environment needs to be inclusive and diverse

4. Enjoyable – the built environment needs to be safe and comfortable for its inhabitants

5. Functional – the built environment needs to be responsive to change and fit for its purpose

6. Value-creating - the built environment needs to be cost effective (and-value creating)

7. Distinctive - the built environment needs to be visually interesting and appealing

The new role of the NSW Government Architect

The year 2016 marks the bicentenary of the role of the Government Architect NSW. As we reflect on the contribution the Government Architect NSW has made in shaping some of the most valued buildings and spaces in our state over the past 200 years, it’s also time to start the conversation about how we see the Government’s champion for design excellence shaping our future.

Recently, the Office of the NSW Government Architect joined the Department of Planning and Environment. By bringing the Government Architect NSW into planning fold, the NSW Government is striving to improve social, environmental and economic outcomes for communities by supporting design quality in our built environment as we undertake strategic planning.

My expectation is that the NSW Government Architect will continue to build a strong and lasting relationships across government, industry, academia and the community to assist in the consolidation of this policy and the delivery of excellence and effectiveness in our landscape, built and urban environments.

What's next?

The draft policy is a working document, shared early in the process to set the scene for, and to enable discussion to identify priorities, issues requiring further work and additional best practice and case studies and possibly even issues that are being covered elsewhere by others. For more information, or to provide feedback ahead of formal public consultation, don't hesitate to contact Peter Poulet, NSW Government Architect and his team at: [email protected]