A GRUELLING five-day process has turned out a series of visions for the future of Perth.
On April 9 three teams of architects, town planners, landscape architects and urban designers undertook a brainstorming session.
The three teams came up with a number of common ideas including:
• Sinking the railway line that currently separates the CBD from Northbridge
• Keeping East Perth predominantly residential and turning the western region to commercial development
• Enhancing the links between the city and Swan River as much as possible, and
• Protecting Perth’s urban squares such as Forrest Place, the Cultural centre, Cathedral Square, central Park and West End Square.
The outcome of the charette is expected to map out Perth’s future for up to the next 50 years.
All teams agreed the population of Perth in another 50 years time could be around 35,000.
Charette facilitator Lorenzo Matteoli said it was impossible to know the future but “we are allowed to describe it”.
“If we are able to communicate the future to the people that will use it and a lot of this people want it, then it will happen,” Prof. Matteoli said.
The results of the charette will be presented to the WA Government, probably by the end of May.