Save Our
Sydney Suburbs (NSW) Inc.
News
Release July 2004
A world of waffle and donations
Hi Members
We need to be active in reacting to the unsubstatiated propaganda being bandied
about. Here is a letter that we managed to get into yesterday's Sydney Weekly
Courier (20 Wednesday 2004) followed by the article that provoked it.
Sydney Weekly Courier 20 July 2004
Caroline Pidcock says an answer to our population dilemma is high-density building
"which will allow more people to use less land" (Courier 14 July).
She refers to dense European cities such as Paris, Rome and Barcelona as good
examples of how people can live happily.
The reality is otherwise. People in these European cities mostly move out of their units into free-standing dwellings as soon as they can afford to do so. What is more, if Sydney were to be at the density of such cities, a mere 5 km would be shaved off its 45 km cross-section. One has to ask, is such a tiny gain worth all the high density pain? Considering the land area in Australia, this is like a flea on an elephant.
High density advocates seem to promote their policies with motherhood and apple-pie. Facts, it seems, are not relevant.
Dr Tony Recsei
Warrawee
Sydney Weekly Courier 20 July 2004
Lost in space: 2004 is the Year of the Built Environment. So what does
that mean?
Report:
Caroline Pidcock
As people living in the city, with its buildings, roads, transport infrastructure
and man-made parks, we are all participants in the built environment. The quality
of this environment and how it is managed is becoming increasingly important
as the population grows and we run out of green- field sites around our cities.
The NSW Year of the Built Environment Web site says: "The Year of the Built
Environment is about encouraging Australians to celebrate and understand how
structures, buildings and streetscapes make a difference to their quality of
life. "It is about fostering a sense of community and purpose by setting
directions for a positive and sustainable future.'' Maybe this is a good idea
-- but how? And why? Especially for someone who is not directly involved in
the built environment? In the city, higher-density building, which will allow
more people to use less land is being touted as an answer to our population
dilemma. However, the dense cities of Europe (such as Paris, Rome, Barcelona
etc) that have been touted as good examples of how people can happily live in
close proximity to each other did not come about by accident. The dense cities
that work are based on good design. They understand the need for well-considered
buildings that take account of good planning, privacy, regard for solar access,
daylight and ventilation. They also understand the importance of the quality
of the spaces between buildings and how they contribute to the public space
of the street. The dense cities also have a well-informed population which actively
and knowledgeably participates in the debate about what should happen in those
cities and promotes good initiatives. YBE is about engaging the people of Australia
in issues such as this. The many talks, events, exhibitions, articles that are
being delivered are aimed at offering a range of ways for this interaction to
occur. This is your chance to be involved and contribute to a better future.
The Year of the Built Environment Web site is ybe2004.nsw.gov.au Caroline Pidcock is chairwoman of the NSW Steering Committee for the Year of the Built Environment, president of the NSW chapter of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects and adjunct professor at the University of NSW. Her practice, Caroline Pidcock Architects, deals with projects throughout the State. This is the first of a series of articles by her that the Courier will run on the Year of the Built Environment.
Tony Recsei
President
Save Our Suburbs (SOS)