Townsville One Million design
Table Of Contents N 1 3 6 7 2 4 8 5 Development Proposal Development Opportunity Satellite image taken from Google Earth Introduction Major Investment 1. Inner City Stadium - The Hive Townsville Airport Expansion Transport 2. Townsville, the Cycle City Land Use / Economy 3. Import / Export 4. Not Just Strictly Business Building Greens World Class 5. World Class City, World Class Tourism 6. The Townsville Music Institute Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Education 7. James Cook University Townsville City Campus - School for the Arts Page 7 Social Infrastructure 8. Urban Ivy Page 8 Page 1
Introduction The possibility of Townsville one day having over one million residents seems more real than ever. When projecting growth for more than five times Townsville s current size, location is of important consideration. With easy access to The Strand, Castle Hill and many other of the city s amenities, the CBD foregrounds itself to be Townsville s ideal location to facilitate exceptional growth. By increasing density, developing quality transport solutions and encouraging smart growth, Townsville can become Australia s Eco-capital as well as the Capital of the North. Currently Townsville s CBD provides many development possibilities. Illustrating some of these opportunities through architectural concepts is the purpose of this booklet. Townsville Enterprise has outlined six key areas for consideration. These are: - Transport - Social Infrastructure - Economy - Land-use - Health & Education - World Class Development Additionally, Sustainability has been included as a key area of consideration. Page 2
An International Connection Major Investment Should Townsville s population surge over one millions, an overwhelming demand would warrant development and expansion at Townsville Airport. These developments would include: - An International Terminal Image taken from Google maps - Expansion on the current Domestic Terminal - Extension of freight and cargo services - Development of a flight training facility aimed at both the domestic and international market; making Townsville the place to be for aspiring pilots. Surrounding vacant land would allow for such expansion and Townsville Airport will become the city s gateway to all of Australia and the world. The RAAF will not be neglected as Townsville International will incorporate their needs and ensure development is beneficial for all parties. Primary Development Land Inner City Stadium - The Hive As Townsville Enterprise is aware, the benefits of an inner city stadium are immense. This stadium, The Hive, serves as a multipurpose amenity to the city. Lending Brisbane s Lang Park s multifunction concept; a large and diverse active recreational facility offers Townsville a state-of-the-art gym and training centre for a wide range of sports. This facility would be located within the stadium underneath grand stand seating. Walkways, shop outlets and car parking will fully utilise space underneath the stadiums seating. Lower level parking will supply much needed car parking during events as well as everyday city commuters. Pedestrian bridges across the river allow efficient access to the stadium from the CBD reducing congestion during events. Most importantly, The Hive is an incremental development. Currently Townsville would be unable to fully utilize a stadium with a forty-to-fifty thousand seating capacity. By building The Hive in segments, the stadium is able to grow alongside the city. Multiple corridors lead to the main floor foyer. Ticketholders are able to find their seats via elevator / stair access. Stadium parking is offered within. Page 3
Townsville, the Cycle City Reducing congestion on Townsville s roads is the aim of a sophisticated active transport network within Townsville. Excellently shaded, segregated and well maintained paths offer commuters a direct connection from Riverway to the Strand and many destinations beyond. Turning active transport into a convenient and viable transport solution, cycle centres offer cyclists refuge from Townsville s harsh summer heat. Secure bicycle storage, shower / changing facilities and locker use would be available for Townsville s cyclists. Access would be regulated through council registration for key cards / swipe entry. Restaurant space located on the second floor offers amenity to non-cyclists as well as creating passive security for the cycle centre. Multiple cycle centres at destinations of interest around Townsville (such as the CBD, JCU / Douglas Hospital, Riverway etc.) will make the entire city as cycle-able and convenient as the CBD. Transportation A cross-section of segregated paths on Townsville s cycle network Front view of a Cycle Centre (above) - Bicyclists access amenity from the front. Second floor restaurant accessible from the rear (below). Page 4
Import / Export Land Use / Economy Continuing Townsville s prosperous economy as the city grows into the millions is of utmost importance. Townsville currently serves as a gateway for surrounding resource exporters. Ensuring such growth is not inhibited by development within the CBD, Townsville s Port Access Roadway and surround land may be developed into an extensive area for a range of industrial services. Relocating the South Townsville rail yards into this area would allow for expansion of the industrial area as well as freeing valuable land near the CBD. The CBD may utilize this new allocation of land by development of a second Townsville Hospital to maintain the quality of health care currently offered to its booming population. Continuing improvements on the Bruce Highway will allow fast and direct road freight movement between Townsville and the rest of Australia. Developments at the Townsville Airport will improve airfreight services to and from Townsville. Not Just Strictly Business Inspired by The Atrium located in Victoria, Canada, this is an example of mixed urban land use. Downtown Plaza on Flinders Street demonstrates an inviting open-air shopping centre on the ground floors with businesses and office allocation directly above through to the middle floors. The upper floors are reserved for residential use. Bringing the home closer to both work and play, thus the need for long distance commuting can be dramatically reduced. This style of living has successfully been trailed multiple locations globally and falls under the new urbanism umbrella. Building Greens An examination of Townsville s ecological footprint would also include consideration of Townsville s ecological fingerprint. Realizing there is a green thumb present, harnessing the garden power and passion Townsville has in its surrounding community, an urban agriculture project could become more than a social club. Utilizing vacant roof top spaces within the CBD and with developments such as Urban Ivy, Townsville could create a sustainable and economically viable manner of feeding itself. Townsville will join other successful centres of urban agriculture such as Singapore, Hong Kong and other worldly metropolis. Page 5
World Class City, Wold Class Tourism Australia is World-Renowned for the Great Barrier Reef. Townsville has fantastic under-utilised reef and Yongala. The Breakwater Marina would be an ideal location to develop an Undersea-sports centre. Focusing on the international market the capital of the north may well become the world s new gateway to the Great Barrier Reef; thus growing Townsville s tourism industry and building on Townsville s prosperous economy. World Class Infrastructure Townsville Music Institute Celebrating 25 years of Australian Festival of Chamber Music next year, Townsville has proved its interest in world-class music. The Townsville Music Institute aims to develop such talent within Townsville. The twin buildings will offer Townsville a state-of-the-art facility to host the annual festival and provide rehearsal, teaching and workshop space for musically inclined Townsvillians year round. Strengthening Townsville s sense of community with frequent events and performances, the centre will also be accessible to James Cook University s city campus students offering a range of musically based degrees. Sound engineering, recording and production equipment will offer students to learn a world-class trade while simultaneously allowing local musicians and bands to produce high end music worthy of the world stage. Keeping it cool with grass roofs, the Townsville Music Institute is designed as two individual buildings isolating noise pollution away from quiet zones. Page 6
Education James Cook University City Campus JCU has already taken great initiative toward a city campus with it s newly announced City Lane location. Continuing JCU s expansion within Townsville, a development for the university's faculty of art in the CBD would be both beneficial for the city as well as the university. The new faculty of art would be well positioned in close vicinity of the Townsville Music Institute and a short commute to City Lane. Branching out across the CBD each location is a short walk / cycle from each other and students will be able to make the most of Townsville s urban living. Large tinted glass on the inner building face makes the most of the Townsville s city skyline as the building is positioned ideally facing the city while simultaneously maintaining reasonable shade from the both morning and afternoon sun. Page 7
Social Infrastructure Ross Creek Esplanade & Flinders Street Beer Garden - Urban Ivy Development at Ross Creek is a concept that has been around for some time and can be found in the Townsville CBD Masterplan. Urban Ivy is aimed to enhance the Ross Creek development. In preparation for the 2011 Rugby World Cup, Auckland constructed a large event venue called the Cloud, dedicated to match viewings, functions and other events. Inspired by its success, Townsville could have its own version of The Cloud as a walkable beer garden and a facility able to host public and private events. Taking a literal approach to beer garden, since bars and event buildings are only used on a timely basis (nights, weekends and scheduled times) it seems that such spaces are heavily underutilized. With a translucent roof, interchangeable shade awnings as well as a hydraulic floor, Urban Ivy is also capable of acting as a green house and urban farm. The produce floor is designed to be raised overhead during social functions, subsequently to be lowered down for watering, toiling and harvest. Urban Ivy also has the capacity to serve as an ideal morning market location. The building was designed with a rustic theme and has glass windows that appear as cracks between the wooden slats. Wide roll-able doors and ceiling louver system allow for maximum ventilation within the constructed space. End of document. Page 8