Leaders, culture, community knowledge the key to sustainable urban change
More than 50 Sunshine Coast urbanists have highlighted the development of transition leaders and cultural programs and the need to broaden general community awareness as critical factors in the success of sustainable urban change in their community.
They were responding to Studio THI place strategist Peter Browning’s presentation on the importance of urban culture in sustainable urban development at last week’s The Design Series presented by SunCentral and The MET in Maroochydore City Centre project.
Between now and 2041 the Sunshine Coast community needs to plan for an additional 170,000 people, almost double the current population.
Peter told the delegates that accommodating sustainable growth is being progressed via a mix of new greenfield suburbs (Aura) and urban consolidation with a diversity of densities and more housing types. He said creating contained communities with good access to services via active and public transport provides an opportunity for people to live more sustainable lifestyles and highlighted the high-speed rail link, the Mass Transit strategy and the Maroochydore CBD projects as examples of strong solutions.
Studio THI’s Peter Browning discusses urban growth change sentiment. Picture: Timothy Birch
Peter said that while the Sunshine Coast community were generally passionate about sustainability, the urban change required to live more sustainably can negatively impact place attachment.
“Supporting communities through transition requires developing awareness, knowledge and ownership of the challenges and solutions and providing people with new positive urban culture.”
“As a sector, we put most of our energy into getting the infrastructure, plans and designs of the city right. While success is dependent on getting these elements right, of equal importance is developing the urban culture that will support the transition. This element is often left to consultation and information.”
“If we are preparing communities at the consultation phase for major urban change this is too late and probably not enough. Change management requires developing the awareness and a desire to address challenges before we are open to solutions. It requires being an informed urban citizen with the ability to understand urban change and articulate the needs of self, others and future generations.”
Peter outlined Studio THI’s model of community transition that is focused on developing urban change literacy and citizenship. The model included:
Change Readiness Index: a tool to assess the capability of the community to support and navigate change
Spectrum of Interventions and Toolbox for Change: a framework to plan community cultural transition
Future Shaping Citizens: an online education tool about the drivers of urban change and sustainable solutions
Peter Browning discusses Studio THI’s model of community transition at the workshop. Picture: Timothy Birch
Peter told the delegates that Studio THI had piloted this model with 360 people living in high growth and high change communities in Greater Sydney, Melbourne and South-East Qld.
“The results demonstrate that by increasing knowledge and awareness people’s support for more sustainable urban change can be achieved,’’ he said.
The workshop concluded with The Design Series participants using the Spectrum of Interventions to explore the potential ingredients of a cultural transition strategy for the Sunshine Coast community.
Outcomes included:
enhancing and promoting places with the potential to demonstrate more sustainable urban form and lifestyle and increase their desirability
working with schools and others to develop sustainable transition leaders and broader community education including elected officials
using cultural programs and galleries to support transition
not shying away from community concern, recognising that conflict is an expression of care that provides energy to grapple with the challenge of a more sustainable future.
Click here for the full outcomes
“The workshop demonstrated that as a sector we can be more active in supporting communities to transition but it requires an integrated and sustained strategy with activity from different stakeholders in council, community and industry,’’ Peter said.
SunCentral project manager for city activation Bronwyn Adams reiterated the need for collaboration to amplify the impact of community awareness and education projects.
“The Design Series aim is to build knowledge and connections across the arts, architecture, digital, engineering, environment, landscape and planning sectors here on the Coast,” Bronwyn said.
“Wider community urban and cultural literacy is the greatest challenge (the elephant in the room) that has been highlighted across our program in the last two years. The Studio THI framework provides the clarity for us to work together and identify collaborative projects that maximise the collective impact of activation and education programs.”
The Design Series is presented by SunCentral and the MET in partnership with key industry groups AIA, AILA, EA, PIA, SCCA & PLA.
