Individual Project One Statement

The overall concept of our vision is that the introduction of a congestion charge to Brisbane CBD in 2020 led to a series of events which caused the densification and centralisation of Brisbane city. With more people moving into the city suburbs for easier access to work and entertainment, the city begins to thrive on economic activity and social abundance. However, the population increase on such a small area began to put a strain on the available resources, and as such, sustainable solutions have been put in place to balance the line between a population boom and resource depletion. It was determined that over time, more people would move into the city centre to live and that eventually the city region would expand to include the inner-city suburbs therefore creating an expanded city region.

Generally speaking the new urban sprawl is strictly mixed use, however certain areas, such as Southbank and New Farm continue to have their own individual characteristics which continue to a play a part in Brisbane's identity. A new entertainment belt is set up between west end and fortitude valley which connects the current high streets of Queen Street, Melbourne Street and Wickham Street, while green fingers are placed throughout the CBD and along the river to reduce alienation to nature and to create more comfortable and climatically balanced environments.

As an alternative to personal transport, Brisbane city council starts construction of a high speed automated pod system which would service the new expansion. This new public transport is environmentally sustainable and conducive to modern life, with minimal waiting time and minimal transfer points. As this system is elevated, the ground plain is freed up to become used as social meeting points as well as food production areas and green space. The elevated platforms servicing this transport system create a second high street within the city, allowing for more retail space, commercial space and residential connections, which are the main building typologies found within the site.

These buildings are used to create a vertical suburbia which support high density living. The sharing of services and building materials means this form of living is more sustainable, and the inclusion of rooftop gardens and urban farms produce food to be sold at the market or by restaurants. These buildings are primarily mixed use community blocks which promote social interaction, the ability to work at home and convenient living expected by future generations.