Reading Response: Urban Form and Locality

Since this article was written there has been a significant focus on sustainability when it comes to planning strategies of the built environment. Alot of the ideas put forth and discussed aren't new ot me, as DAB610 and previous Regional and Town Planning experience has made me quite aware of these ideas and discourse.

The paper evaluates current and future urban form with regard to:

• Dispersal and Concentration (towns vs cities)
• Segregation and Mixed-Use (placement and distribution of industry and commerce)
• Settlement Density (low vs high)
• Shape (depending on transport emphasis and types)

When weighing up the benefits of the dispersal of built form, it was highlighted that more and more people want to live in areas designated as 'sprawl'. Although this article is in reference to a Europian setting, I think this point is relevant to current residential trends in South East Queensland (SEQ). It is my belief however, that this is un-sustainable in its current form in SEQ, as we will eventually reach a point when our land, resources and natural environment can't take anymore strain.

I found the point that small, childless households are becoming more prominant (in Europe) quite interesting, and it got me thinking about the possible ramifications for the built environment. Alot like the movie "Children of Men" starring Clive Owen and Jodie Foster where the human race has become infertile and face eventual and certain extinction, however I believe it would offer more opportunity to evaluate this film from a design perspective.

I would have to say that the one part of this paper that really resonated with me would have to be the following quote. I just feel that it is an all-encompassing justification for action and for 'greenification' strategies to be put in place NOW, not in 5, 10, 15 years, but NOW!!

"Why should we green the cities? Because man needs beauty: he needs nature, trees, greenery, birds, squirrels, the changing of the seasons, the links to the soil. Because we need space for leisure, to recreate mind and soul, to run, play, fish, cycle, relax and socialise. Becuase the green can be productive of food, of timber, of energy, of pure water, of benign microclimates."