Issue Date URBAN SPACES FRAMEWORK 2003 RMIT. University. City Campus URBAN SPACES FRAMEWORK 2003

Transcription

1 Issue Date FRAMEWORK 2003

2 Contents 1. Introduction Executive Summary The Urban Spaces Framework 2003 is the next step in the ongoing review of s long term property planning that aligns the physical infrastructure with s Strategic Plan to provide a sustainable base to enhance s performance. Introduction 1 2. in the City - open campus 3. Four integrated precincts 4. Student focused campus core 5. Swanston Street - the civic spine 6. Open spaces 7. Pedestrian circulation & linkages 8. Urban Spaces - work in progress 9. Public transport & traffic 10. Precinct 1 - City 11. Precinct 2 - Swanston 12. Precinct 3 - Carlton 13. Precinct 4 - Former CUB 14. Capital Program - development opportunities The Higher Education Sector in Australia continues to experience growth, especially in the international market. must improve the quality of the infrastructure and its ICT capacity to provide for the integrated development of s physical and virtual campuses, if it is to remain competitive. plays a significant role within the central city. It s location at the top end of the Swanston Street civic spine will be consolidated and strengthened. This will involve improved linkages to the west across Swanston Street as well as to the north across Victoria Street. This Urban Design Framework Study 2003 updates and extends the 1997 Urban Spaces Strategic Plan by expanding the plan into 4 main precincts - City, Swanston, Carlton & and the former CUB. The City, Swanston and Carlton precincts are closely co-located and provide for the vast majority of current and future campus accommodation. The former CUB site is further separated which makes it more suited to ancillary uses such as student housing and research facilities. The main purpose of this study is to provide an urban design framework that builds upon the work already undertaken on the City campus since 1997 and assures continued alignment with State and City planning strategies. The Framework study provides a sound basis for the future infrastructure planning with the City of Melbourne to achieve the common goal of a vibrant and sustainable campus as an integral part of the city. The City campus hinges around the concept of a strong student centred core. One of the great attributes of s city location is that students have a ready access to an enormous range of facilities within close range. The student core establishes a sense of place, identity, and contact for all students as well as providing a focus for cross disciplinary interaction. The consolidation and integration of activities on the City campus will also minimise the duplication of services and provide better utilisation of physical resources, all of which drive to achieve a higher level of sustainability in the future. In space terms the provides: current space of 295,000 sqm GFA, including 36,000 sqm GFA associated with Business. development potential of collective sites (excluding the former CUB) of 110,000 sqm GFA. Reference Documents 1. in the City Presentation to the City of Melbourne November 1996 Professor David Beanland Vice-Chancellor 2. relocation of Business will leave over 70,000 sqm GFA expansion potential, which based on an average expansion requirement of 1% per annum provides over 20 years growth potential. In summary, there is sufficient development potential in the three main precincts without the former CUB site. This Urban Space Framework is aligned to s Strategic Plan and will continue to change in conjunction with s annual Strategic plan review. 4. Campus Development Opportunities Urban Spaces Strategic Plan March 1997 Architects with City Projects Division MCC 3. Campus Development Opprtunities City, Bundoora, Brunswick, Hamilton Campus Planning, Property Services May 2002 Submission to FAMIC June Building s Capability for a Sustainable Future Infrastructure Physical Transition Background Paper for Council Retreat October 2002 Christopher White, Executive Director Property Services 6. Strategic Property Review KMPG Executive Summary extract. July Carlton Precinct (final draft) Preliminary Master Plan Report July 2003 Lyons 8. City of Melbourne -various planning documents 9. Department of Sustainability + Environment Various -various planning documents

3 Distinguished Urbanity Civic Spine Metamorphosis Spine Urban Transformation A Haven in the City - the open campus 2 The Urban Spaces Project is an on-going work of distinguished urbanity and value both to the university and inner Melbourne. In reworking the and discovering its intricacies and delights, the university has given a singularly valuable gift to both its own community and Melbourne at large. RAIA Jury, Walter Burley Griffin Award for Urban Design s, has undergone a metamorphosis, an urban transformation that shed its fortress image and opened it up to the city. What was a virtual cacophony of cluttered streets, laneways, deadends and hidden courts, has been transformed into a pedestrian friendly network of continuous open spaces that is a delight to wander through. Once degraded and unloved, the outdoor environment at is now a delightful haven for students, staff and the public - a hidden piece of the city refound.

4 Precinct 1 The integration of the city campus hinges around 4 principal streets - Swanston, Franklin, Victoria and Cardigan. Future Student Housing CUB 4 Cardigan Street Spine Precinct 2 Swanston 3 Strong Interface Precinct 3 Carlton 4 3 Precinct 4 Former CUB Four integrated precincts 3 The long term traffic management of these streets is critical to maintain high levels of amenity and safety. Victoria Street 2 Franklin Street 1 Improved Connection 2 1 Strong Interface Bowen Street Spine Swanston Street Civic Spine 1. The Urban Spaces Project has transformed the core of the. Precinct 1 is now a pedestrian friendly haven for students, staff and the public. 2. Precinct 2 directly interfaces with the main core along Swanston Street and therefore will consolidate s presence at the top end of the city on the civic spine. Precinct 2 and 3 are the next steps in the process of urban transformation and integration. Precinct 2 provides significant capacity for new academic accommodation, in particular facilities for the Business Portfolio. 3. Precinct 3 will be upgraded to provide significant new open space and urban amenity as well as improved and safer pedestrian connection to the main campus. The successful linkage of Precinct 1 and 3 is tied to the intersection of Cardigan, Victoria & Franklin Streets. 4. Precinct 4 whilst nearby to the core campus is more isolated with Victoria Street posing a greater barrier to integration. Its development in the future could provide ancillary uses such as student housing, leasable research facilities, or other short term accommodation.

5 The heart or core of student services is located off Swanston Street and Bowen Street at the plaza level (4) and centred on Buildings 8, 10, with linkage through to Swanston Street, primarily through Building 8 level 3. The Student Core establishes a sense of place, identity and contact for all students. It also provides a focus for trans-disciplinary interaction, with strong linkage to the main Library and central teaching spaces in Buildings The Core is also closely linked to numerous off campus facilities that co-join the university. This includes the State Library and forecourt, Melbourne Central, Swanston Street retail and food outlets, the City Baths and many more. One of the great virtues of a city location is that students have access to an enormous range of facilities within a 200 to 400 metre radius. Integrating the campus physically with the city minimises the duplication of services and provides greater choice. Future Student Housing Student Core Food Cafes and Take-aways Restaurants Food Courts Hotels Retail Clothing Bookshops Art Supplies Consumer Outlets Sporting Goods Chemists Amusements Recreation Swimming Gymnasium Open Space Student focused campus core 4 City Baths Complex CUB Cardigan street Lygon street Bowen Street Activity Spine Victoria Street Swanston Street Food + Retail Outlets Franklin Street Latrobe Street Swanston Street 200m Radius 400m Radius Alumni Courtyard Student Core Buildings. 8, 10, 12, 14. Accommodation Student Housing and Hostels Hotels Motels Melbourne Central State Library and Forecourt

6 The Future Strategy Icons Diversity Swanston Street - the civic spine 5 will continue to develop and upgrade its city campus - to the west across Swanston Street and to the north across Victoria Street. occupies a strategic location on the Civic Spine at the northern edge of the city. is custodian of numerous important city icon buildings including Storey Hall, Building 8 and the Capitol Theatre. contributes to the cultural, educational and artistic endeavours of the city. It adds vitality, diversity and richness to the city fabric with over 30,000 students and staff attending the campus daily.

7 Queensberry Street Student Housing 4 Cardigan Street Spine i) Major new Urban Square Linked to Cardigan Street Central space for Precinct 2 Open Spaces 6 Bowen Street Spine Victoria Street Franklin street 3 ii) Northern Urban Court Linked to Carlton Precinct Old Melbourne Goal 2 Alumni Courtyard Lawn OPEN SPACE DIAGRAM Showing Footpaths, medians and closures Tree lined street system Public Space, Forecourts 1 OPEN SPACE NETWORK HIERARCHY Latrobe street iii) Ellis Court Formal address to the university Precinct 1 has a well defined network of open space and linked circulation. Some spaces are still to be completed as part of the Urban Spaces Project, including the university lawn area and the courtyard/cafe to Building 1. Precinct 1 - central Precinct 2 is closely linked to the central campus along the Swanston Street Civic spine and has limited opportunity for its own open space. Open space opportunity is essentially via an enhanced street system, including Swanston, A Becket, Lt Lonsdale and associated laneways. Precinct 2 - Swanston Precinct 3 lacks open space amenity and proper linkage, and will be upgraded to include: The enhancement of Cardigan Street as the principal access spine, including widened footpaths, removal of kerb-side and central median car parking in selected zones. The creation of a major new piece of open space in the centre of the precinct, as a pedestrian urban courtyard. This involves the demolition of 3 buildings. The closure of the western section of Earl Street and the pedestrianisation of other laneways. The creation of a north-south circulation network, both within buildings as arcades and atriums as well as dedicated open space. The enhancement of the Cardigan and Franklin Street intersection at Victoria Street. Precinct 3 - Carlton Precinct 4 is planned to be divided into 2 parts, the northern section for student accommodation, and the southern development site, both with their own open space. Precinct 4 - CUB

8 Pedestrianised laneways Courtyards Gardens, lawns and terraces Shared streets Forecourts & plazas Dedicated Spaces Pedestrian circulation & linkages 7 The Urban Spaces project since 1997 has established an open network of pedestrian circulation routes throughout the City campus. This not only included the streets and laneways system, but the Building foyers, lobbies, corridors and entries all interlinked. The plan is to extend the pedestrian network into Precincts 2 & 3 by adopting similar strategies. This needs to include the City of Melbourne since much of the circulation system is public infrastructure not owned by. Precinct 4 is virtually a vacant site that can be properly planned with its developments. Pedestrian Intensity Diagram - Pedestrian Flow Pedestrian Networks Aside from the improved circulation and amenity within each precinct, it is also critical to link them together. The proper integration of the City campus is tied to 4 principal streets- Swanston, Franklin, Victoria & Cardigan. Given the very large number of students and staff who attend each day there are numerous locations of considerable pedestrian intensity. Much of this emanates from Melbourne Central Railway Station on Latrobe and Swanston Streets. Footpaths regularly overflow with students and other city workers snaking there way from destination to destination. Linkages Circulation Diagram open space is provided in 2 main areas: dedicated space Pedestrianised laneways Courtyards Gardens, lawns & terraces Shared streets Forecourts & plazas City Infrastructure Footpaths, medians and closures Tree lined street system Public space, forecourts Open Space Types

9 Urban Spaces Project Carlton Precinct - Next stage to be completed Cardigan Street Urban Spaces Strategic Plan Major Spaces Laneway Network Linkages Urban Spaces - work in progress 8 Victoria Street Franklin Street Goal Forecourt Stairway to Alumni Courtyard Swanston Street Lawn Courtyard to Building 1 Urban Spaces Project - work in progress City Precinct Sectors Still to be complete 5. Lawn 6. Building one Courtyard 5. Stairway to Alumni Courtyard 11. Gaol Forecourt The main achievements of the Urban Spaces Strategy have been to regain the campus for pedestrians and as a public thoroughfare, essentially extending the network of Melbourne s northsouth laneways. GRIDS AND GREENERY An important part of this strategy was the proactive role played by in opening up its campus to Swanston Street through the use of challenging architecture. GRIDS AND GREENERY A Better Place for People Bowen Street has become a tree lined spine extending the city to the campus. It is the main activity space for events linked to an open network of urban spaces, paths, foyers, corridors and stairways

10 As an urban campus is ideally located given the level of accessibility to all modes of public transport. In particular the proximity to the rail network via Melbourne Central station gives access to the underground loop and the suburban rail system. Swanston Street locates on a major hub, with 16 out of 23 tram routes passing the city campus. Parking Car parking is at a premium and limited on the street and commercial parking is available in the vicinity. As a part of the Urban Spaces Project all at grade on site vehicle parking was removed from the campus. Traffic Latrobe and Victoria Street (and Franklin) have the highest traffic volumes and pose the most difficulty, given the location of Melbourne Central Station and the Carlton precinct. Remove existing tram stop Public Transport & traffic 9 New proposed tram superstop /City Baths Remove existing tram stop Remove existing tram stop New proposed tram superstop / State Library Public Transport Improvements to the Swanston Street tram stop at La Trobe Street are planned with a new super stop opposite the State Library, and hopefully allow for an expanded footpath and the intersection where pedestrians spill over onto the road at peak times. Bus routes are accessed via Russell and Lygon Street. The transport system offers great flexibility and interconnectivity. Bicycle access has improved significantly recently with an increased number of on-road bicycle lanes and interconnected bike paths, including the inner city trail and Yarra corridor. Pedestrian Pedestrian safety remains an ongoing issue, particularly given the high volume of traffic around the campus. Students and staff have to regularly cross busy intersections and negotiate the street network. continues to seek an improved pedestrian priority around the city campus with new traffic calming facilities. The extension of Swanston Street Walk north of Latrobe Street has had a significant benefit. Improvements Streets that require a further improvement. Cardigan Street - narrowing (between Victoria and Queensberry). Earl Street- closure (between Cardigan and Orr). Victoria Street- improved at grade access (at Franklin & Cardigan). A Beckett Street- enhancement at Swanston Street.

11 Precinct 1 - City The City Precinct has undergone a major transformation since the mid 1990 s and only a few redevelopment opportunities remain. This includes potential roof top extensions to Buildings 6, 7, 9 & 15 aside from the ongoing requirement to totally refurbish a number of Buildings like 1, 2, 4, 13, 22, 24 etc. The Swanston Street frontage, with Storey Hall and Building 8 forms the most recognisable image of as a university embracing contemporary culture. With the consolidation of Precinct 2 on the west side of the street there is a need to provide more direct connections into the group of Buildings 8, 10, 12 & 14. Aside from new entries and stairways there is an opportunity to bring new life and vitality to the footpath level, instead of the existing blank walls Franklin Street 9 Development Potential Additions to Buildings 6, 7, 9, 15, etc. provides a potential additional GFA of up to 8,000 sqm 7 Victoria Street Russell Street Precinct 1 - City 10 Building 22 occupies a prominent location on the corner of Latrobe and Swanston Streets, which is effectively the public address to the whole of the City campus. Precinct 2 Swanston Street 10 6 The Urban Spaces Project has some sectors still to complete including the Lawn, Building 1 courtyard, the stairway to Alumni Courtyard and the Gaol Forecourt facing Victoria Street Latrobe Street 1 Former Studies Storey Hall new annex with canopy to be extended to building 22 (Ashton Raggatt and McDougall 1992) Swanston walk interface Buildings 10, 12, 14 (MAM Architects 1996) Emily McPherson - Building 13 (Peter Elliott Architects 1999) Buildings Rooftop Expansion (Peter Elliott Architects 1990)

12 Precinct 2 - Swanston Street Precinct 2 is centred on Swanston Street, which is the most public face of the. The east side of the street contains 2 architectural icons in Building 8 & Storey Hall, along with the grey blocks of Buildings 10, 12 & 14. Precicnt 2 presents an opportunity for a significant design statement further promoting s commitment to design excellence + sustainibility. An opportunity exists to consolidate s presence on the civic spine by new Buildings and refurbishment of the west side of the street (A Beckett to Franklin) along with improvements to the grey block. Buildings 8, 10, 12 & 14 need to provide a better and more direct interface with the Swanston Street footpath. This is proposed by creating new street level entries and stairways that connect up to the main student services on level 4. Potential redevelopment range 5-12 storeys Potential development range 5-12 storeys Permeable ground floor Franklin Street Stewart Street Retail Precinct 2 Retail Hotel A Beckett Street Swanston Street Precinct1 Improved access + interface Development Potential A potential additonal GFA of up to 79,000 sqm and enables 58,000 sqm development on the vacant Swanston and A Beckett Street. Precinct 2 - Swanston Street 11 The new Precinct 2 buildings directly opposite building 10 will provide a vibrant street presence and draw activity into the block via an internal arcade. This also applies to the A Beckett Street frontage, where retail and other complimentary activities can be housed. Other Buildings in the precinct, like Building 39 & 49 may be refurbished or redeveloped, with Building 48 preferably redeveloped. Stewart Street will remain a public way, although it may have traffic calming to protect pedestrian access between fronting buildings (east and west). It will also be a point of delivery and service access to the block. A Beckett Street will remain in the same format as now, although vastly improved by the replacement of open car parks with substantial new university buildings. Former Studies The development of the Swanston, A Beckett Street site has been the subject of a number of projects that did not proceed because of significant cost increases potential underdevelopment of site, + changing student requirements. Swanston Sports, Health + Education Building Lyons Architects - Perrott, Lyon, Mathieson ( ) Citytech proposal Graeme Law + Andrew Reed + Associates, Architects ( )

13 Precinct 3 - Carlton The precinct is centred on Cardigan Street, which requires a major urban upgrade. The preferred concept is to widen the footpaths, narrow the road carriageway, remove the central parking and replant the street trees, from Victoria Street up to at least the northern edge of Building 70. This treatment would not affect the traffic capacity of the street from its current condition, although it would affect street parking. This can be offset by a new underground car park as part of the redevelopment of the precinct. Cardigan Street will remain the main address and pedestrian route to the precinct. The urban quality of the street is envisaged to be more like the tree lined section of Lygon Street north of Grattan, although only 2 traffic lanes wide instead of 4 lanes. A significant new urban square will be created in the centre of the precinct. The square will provide much needed open space and a sense of address to several buildings fronting it. It will become a major student gathering and activity place, in the same manner as Ellis Court or Bowen Terrace. From an urban design point of view the square will give an important new identity to the precinct that is currently lacking. Potential new 4-5 storey building Retain historic buildings 76, 43, 74, 69 Plus new additions Close Portion of Earl Street Urban upgrade to Cardigan st. Improved Intersection Upgrade shared delivery urban laneway Potential infill building Major refurbishment 8.5 levels Basement carpark 300 cars per level 2N Potential 8-9 storey building Potential 8-9 storey building Retain historic buildings 93, 75, 53 Urban Laneway Refurbish existing Building 51 8 Levels, plus potential of additional level Precinct 3 - Carlton 12 The Square will involve the removal of Buildings 42, 71 and 95. It is proposed to construct a basement car park under the square along with a new larger building to replace Building 45 facing Lygon Street The Preceinct will be redeveloped on the east side of Cardigan Street, including internal refurbishment as well as significant new buildings. The existing north south laneway serving the rear of Buildings 55, 56 & 57 will remain but be upgraded, more in the manner of the shared urban laneway behind Building 5, 7, + 9. Whilst it provides access for deliveries and service vehicles it will also be a shared pedestrian space. As part of the redevelopment of the buildings new internal circulation arcades and throughways will be created to improve access and vitality in the precinct. Development Potential Redevelop site of Building 45 = 2N Redevelop site of Buildings 50, 52, (53, 75, 93) 66, 73, 78, 89 = 1N Plus other refurbishment GFA gains + losses, via additions + demolitions This produces a potential additional GFA of up to 23,000 sqm

14 Precinct 4 - Former CUB Development plans for the former CUB site have been produced by Architects Ashton Raggatt & McDougall on behalf of. Planning permits exist for the site along with preliminary financial proposals from Developers. The northern half of the site is more likely to be developed first as much needed student housing. Whilst in recent times a number of private student housing projects have been built in the vicinity, still does not possess any significant student College type of accommodation. The ARM design provides for a mixed unit ratio of some 750 apartments accommodating 1000 students, plus common facilities & carparking. The housing is contained in 3 parallel buildings of 14 stories along with extensive landscaping space. D.A.G Pedestrian Link Victoria Parade Digital Architecture Gallery Tom Kovak (2000) The Digital Architecture Gallery proposed a major pedestrian linkage under Victoria Parade, utilising the triangular space at the end of the Swanston Street vista opposite the City Baths. Using the full length of the site, the D.A.G encompassed a slow ramped space under the road as a pedestrian route to the former C.U.B site. The concept included for a Digital City Gallery promoting Infrastructure projects in Melbourne and a second Digital Design Gallery to promote an exhibit of digital artefacts. The proposal was jointly supported by, the City of Melbourne and the Department of Infrastructure. Precinct 4 - Former CUB 13 Former Tramways Building Current Proposal (2000) Proposed Student Housing ARM (2000) Ashton Raggatt McDougall proposals for the former CUB site Plan Section Pacific Central International Campus ARM (1996)

15 The majority of the university s space holdings (70%) is at the city campus. Projected future space needs indicate the likely requirement for incremental growth is in the order of 10% additional space over the next 5 to 10 years. has a low GFA per EFTSU being 9.9m2 compared to 15.1m2 Australian average. This figure is due to: - relatively high use of existing facilities into the evening especially in the city. - lack of large sports facilities due to urban location. - limited dedicated research facilities. A Strategic Property Review by KPMG has recently been undertaken, with recommendations to rationalise the property portfolio. Campus development opportunities have also been studied for each of the 4 city campus precincts. Capital program - development opportunities Limited development opportunities exist on the main campus. Some buildings like 6, 7, 9 & 15 have roof top extensions. This produces a potential additional GFA of up to 8,000sqm. Precinct 1 2. Precinct 2 has very good development opportunities particularly given the combination of vacant land and the redevelopment potential of low grade buildings along Swanston Street to Franklin Street. This produces a potential additional GFA of up to 79,000sqm, and enables 58,000sqm development on the vacant Swanston and A Beckett sites. Precinct 2 Swanston 3. Precinct 3 has significant redevelopment opportunities through demolition of low scale, degraded buildings & infill with medium to high rise development on the east side of Cardigan Street & the corner of Lygon & Earl Streets. This produces a potential additional GFA of up to 23,000sqm. Precinct 3 Carlton 4. The former CUB site provides with a number of development options. This includes student housing on the northern end of the site and a mixed commercial development on the southern portion of the site which provides opportunities for to lease space for ancillary activities in the future. Precinct 4 CUB