New developments, particularly in a greenfield suburban context, are often seen as being boring and sterile - nothing to do and all the same.  This is because you need more than just houses and streets to create a real community, and it then takes time for a place to mature and develop character, and for a community to form.  And this raises the question of what, if anything, can be done in the early days to help this process along.

This newly emerging development of 2500 homes in Ballarat is planned to include a community village and main street, district park, schools and business precinct.  To help add some 'life' to the community in the early days, the detailed design focuses on providing a mix of housing types, streetscape features and park spaces that are not typically found in a suburban context and that add interest and diversity to the community.  A central open space and pedestrian spine has also been included to link all key destinations - promoting walking and cycling, encouraging social activity and interaction and helping to bind the community together and add life from day one. 

Project: Lucas (Ballarat, VIC)

Description: Master planning and detailed urban design for 2500 home new community