Better cities are not just about height

The recent debate in the Legislative Assembly on building height in town centres, the community response to masterplans and the need for greater urban renewal reflects a discussion our community needs to have. While we are fortunate to live in one of the more privileged cities in Australia, if not the world, what is the legacy we are leaving for current and future generations, as they grapple with responding to climate change, housing affordability and intergenerational concerns about access to employment and lifestyles that support health and wellbeing.

These issues may seem unrelated to height and in some respects they are, but that is because the issue is not really height but that of increasing population densities - particularly in key centres to allow more people access to services including rapid public transport, health, shops and employment. Focusing denser development in town and group centres brings numerous benefits, such as more housing close to jobs and transport, and it should be supported. This builds on Canberra's planned framework, of a hierarchy of centres to service surrounding areas.

Karen Wright is president of the ACT Division of the Planning Institute of Australia and a planning consultant.

Photo: Jamila Toderas

The high-rise apartment tower plays an important role in delivering this supply. There is legitimate concern, however, that developing at higher densities will have negative, long-term impacts for Canberra, eroding Canberra's celebrated landscape and liveability. There are valid concerns about creating a legacy of apartments that are of poor quality – homes that lack access to light, air and an outlook - and diminish the quality of the streets and parks below by blocking sunlight, increasing wind drafts and obstructing sky views. In the city and town centres, the quality of public spaces is critical – even more so as these city residents retreat from their compact apartments to use the city's streets and parks as their living rooms.

So yes, why not have well designed, slender apartment towers that are judiciously located and spaced, and infill that includes townhouses, duplex and other housing forms. Contrary to popular assumption, not all Australians want to live in detached houses, particularly when other factors such as proximity to employment, schools, family, friends and shops as well as housing costs are considered. Grattan Institute studies focused on Sydney and Melbourne have shown that people will tend to favour medium-density development as their preferred housing option when considering these various trade offs. Unfortunately the market provision of this housing type typically does not meet demand.

Geocon Republic, when complete, will contain 1213 apartments and Canberra's tallest tower.

Photo: Fender Katsalidis Architects, OCULUS

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