It’s taken time, but the debate over the proposed re-development of the Perth Foreshore is now really fired up, writes Paul McGillick.
January 20th, 2012
Led by Dr Linley Lutton, the West Australian chairman of the Australian Institute of Urban Studies, a group calling themselves the City Gatekeepers is mobilising resistance and circulating a petition calling on the WA Government to review the proposal.
The conservative Barnett government inherited the scheme from the previous Labor government. The curious thing about it is that it began as one of those “Wouldn’t it be a good idea if…?” projects and, as critics are now pointing out, no one ever seems to have asked the crucial initial questions: Why do it and what outcomes do we want?
An important reason for the rapidly escalating opposition (a survey by the West Australian newspaper currently shows 57% opposition) has been the way perfectly reasonable objections have been brushed aside and not put up for public discussion.
Local architects and planners, some of whom have put forward alternative schemes, have until now been hesitant to come out publicly for fear of reprisals. It seems their fears may have some basis because backers of the scheme such as Professor Richard Weller (Director of the WA Urban Design Centre) and Sean Morrison (chairman of FuturePerth) have been quoted in the press slagging off the opposition rather than addressing the concerns.
Weller is quoted referring to “1970s claptrap” and Morrison to “a hodgepodge of people”.
Meanwhile, the Minister for Planning, John Day, has dismissed the concerns out of hand and said the scheme will go ahead, reinforcing the impression that from the beginning this is a scheme which developed its own momentum without any critical review of its objectives.
Yet there are very real concerns. An early justification of the scheme – a marina with mixed use high-rise towers on the edge of the Swan River – was that it would create connection between the CBD and the river. In fact, the over-scaled scheme looks like it will do the opposite.
Weller endorses the much-favoured developer justification for lucrative waterfront high-rise (we’re talking here of towers up to 36 storeys) by saying that the cost of effective foundations can only be paid for by high-rise. This is an absurdly circular proposition which only highlights the confused origins of the scheme.
The Gatekeepers have many other reservations including the fact that heritage-listed public domain is being sold off to private interests, that the proposed diversion of Riverside Drive (currently one of only two east-west bypasses around the CBD – the critics suggest putting part of Riverside Drive underground to obviate the current barrier) will cause traffic gridlock, environmental risks and the scale of the project including the timeframe which begins at 10 years.
While the likes of Weller and Morrison dismiss alternative proposals as “utterly suburban” and “lacking imagination and vision”, in fact it is the official scheme which is derivative and clichéd. Not for nothing was it initially dubbed “Dubai on the Swan”. Rather than a living, organic extension of the existing city centre, it will become just another party precinct decorated by souvenir shops.
There are many comparable waterside redevelopment schemes around the world and the overwhelming majority have placed public interest first, emphasised low- to medium-scale development, prioritised public space and amenity and ensured an organic connection with the existing city.
Like Barangaroo in Sydney, the real lack of vision lies in the way the public good is compromised by the meretricious argument that the effective development of the public domain can only be engineered by acceding to vested commercial and bureaucratic interests.
Paul McGillick is Editorial Director of Indesign. For more on the Perth foreshore development, see Sasha Ivanovich’s report in the upcoming Issue 49 of Indesign magazine.
A searchable and comprehensive guide for specifying leading products and their suppliers
Keep up to date with the latest and greatest from our industry BFF's!
In the pursuit of an uplifting synergy between the inner world and the surrounding environment, internationally acclaimed Interior Architect and Designer Lorena Gaxiola transform the vibration of the auspicious number ‘8’ into mesmerising artistry alongside the Feltex design team, brought to you by GH Commercial.
Suitable for applications ranging from schools and retail outlets to computer rooms and X-ray suites, Palettone comes in two varieties and a choice of more than fifty colours.
Savage Design’s approach to understanding the relationship between design concepts and user experience, particularly with metalwork, transcends traditional boundaries, blending timeless craftsmanship with digital innovation to create enduring elegance in objects, furnishings, and door furniture.
Channelling the enchanting ambience of the Caffè Greco in Rome, Budapest’s historic Gerbeaud, and Grossi Florentino in Melbourne, Ross Didier’s new collection evokes the designer’s affinity for café experience, while delivering refined seating for contemporary hospitality interiors.
Subtype’s new flagship Melbourne store encourages sneakerheads to explore, Instagram and return time and time again.
Melbourne-based designer Josh Carmody has been busy since his Legless stool won him a finalist spot in the 2010 Launch Pad competition. Carmody caught up with Indesignlive to share his latest designs.
AgIdeas International Design Week returns for another year in 2011 from 1 May to 5 May, with a host of discussions, workshops and parties to get you inspired and excited. Join 40 of the world’s leading talents in design and creativity at the International Design Forum; take part in full-day workshops with leading designers; attend […]
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
Extrapolating the typology of farmhouse architecture, Cameron Anderson Architects (CAARCH) has drawn on the local architecture of Mudgee in both form and materiality to deliver a surprising suite of buildings.
Suitable for dual and multi-screen configurations, this monitor arm from Colebrook Bosson Sanders breaks new ground in terms of usability and ergonomic design.
We spoke with Jeffrey Wilkes of WILKESDESIGN about the John Portman-designed building, which has been infused with touches of local culture and colour.
Overcoming pandemic hurdles to redefine guest experiences amidst Sydney’s bustling entertainment precinct, The Darling has undergone a two-year restoration that melds Art Deco interiors with the necessities of hotel living.