‘Walkable cities’ the future – WAPC

Less reliance on cars, more green spaces and a shift away from centralised electricity could form the basis of a new policy on WA’s neighbourhoods, the Western Australian Planning Commission says.

WA Planning Commission chairman David Caddy told an Urban Development Institute of Australia WA event today that a revised liveable neighbourhoods policy would focus on sustainability.

He said the review, expected to be released for public consultation before the end of the year, would address the impacts of COVID-19 and climate change, as well as a need for sustainable and equitable living.

Mr Caddy acknowledged that the current policy, developed in 2015, “fell short” in some communities, particularly in social equity.

“As most of new housing in Perth and Peel continues to be built in greenfield locations, these suburbs are often highly car dependent, with employment and educational opportunities, services and amenities not readily accessible via public transport,” he said.

Mr Caddy said looking at concepts including the 15 or 20 minute city, where amenities were within walking or cycling distance from most households, would form the basis of the review.

Founding Partner of urban planning group HATCH RobertsDay Mike Day also addressed the UDIA, talking about the importance of living in close proximity to amenities.

He said COVID-19 emphasised the importance of having communities where people could access amenities without getting in their cars.

Mr Caddy added that the need to reduce greenhouse emissions meant planners would need to consider alternative energy structures.

“As urban development to support WA’s growing population expands or intensifies, pressure is increasing on the state’s water, electricity and transport infrastructure,” he said.

“(We need to look at) how we deliver water in a drying climate, a potential move from centralised electricity production to renewables, microgrids (or) standalone systems.”