As Australia’s cities embark on their largest infrastructure projects in decades, what infrastructure from our industrial past can be born again to contribute to the social and cultural life of the city?
Infrastructure like: – An iconic bridge and major city access route that now hosts a world-famous Bridge Climb and is one of Australia’s most popular attractions and at the top of to-do-lists – Sydney Harbour Bridge – An island that used to be a prison, ammunition depot and ship building yard and is now an event space and creative arts venue – Cockatoo Island – A train depot to hub for creative start-ups and popular farmers’ markets – Carriageworks
Just like Sydney, every city around Australia has major investments in industrial era infrastructure that are ready to be born again into the creative city. Those investments include over-engineered roads, parking structures and service lanes, water reservoirs, and waste plants. Rather than relegating these relics of the past to isolated, single use blights on communities, they can be born again to improve the ecological, social and economic performance of 21st century cities.
The 6th International Urban Design Conference welcomes RobertsDay Principal, Stephen Moore, who will be presenting at the conference next week 9th-11th September at Novotel Sydney Olympic Park. Mr Moore’s presentation focuses on a process to morph the infrastructure of the past into the great places of the future and the role of the hybrid urban professional in doing just that. He also shares techniques, tools and lessons for pragmatic innovation in this emerging field, using real-world examples that include: – How a car centric centre was reborn with a new public domain the equivalent of five Olympic pools – How a regional centre could shift $5M in funding from parking to cultural infrastructure – How an innovative parking structure could be the catalyst for a new arts district
Stephen Moore is a Principal of RobertsDay, based in Sydney. As creative coordinator and lead designer on major projects in Australia, New Zealand, China and United Kingdom, Stephen believes great places can be playful and profitable. Recent projects include infrastructure rebirthing in Coffs Harbour City to inspire a cultural renaissance, road dieting in Bondi Junction to create complete streets, a hybrid urban block called St.Thomas Place to kick start an arts district, and Vietnam’s Halong EcoCity where cultural symbolism also purifies a polluted river. Stephen also co-leads RobertsDay’s research and development unit. Over the last three years the firm has invested in developing its trademarked Great Places Process. Alongside his practice commitments, Stephen has taught at the University of New South Wales and Sydney University. At ACNU 2010, Stephen was invited to lead a master class in Adelaide. He is also a frequent public speaker with invitations including the keynote address at the Mackay Developer’s Summit, PIA’s Congress Highlights and the Alaska’s Projects Idea Bombing Sydney.
If you would like to attend Mr Moore’s seminar or any of the other speakers on our program registrations are still open to attend the conference … simply click here to register!
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