[Pil-pc-oceania] Where have all the gardens gone?

[Andrew Leahy]

Hi, for those who are teaching urban permaculture you may want to
check out this recent paper from Griffith University's Urban Research
Program.

If you haven't lived in or visited modern Australian 'suburbia' you
might be in for a shock!
It is certainly going to provide some design challenges.

http://www.griffith.edu.au/centre/urp/urp_publications/research_papers/URP_RP13_Hall_ResidentialForm.pdf

"Where Have All the Gardens Gone?
An Investigation into the Disappearance of Back Yards in the Newer
Australian Suburb
by Tony Hall
August 2007

Introduction

The disadvantages of the low-density car-based suburbs that surround
Australian and US cities are well known and widely debated. These
include facilities located to the disadvantage of non-car users,
wasteful use of land, cost of infrastructure, time and energy expended
on driving, low incidence of social contact and lack of exercise.
Nevertheless, the older Australian suburb also has compensating
advantages for both the residents and the wider community. This
includes a higher degree of bio-diversity, the presence of trees also
provides shade, modifying the microclimate and giving aesthetic
pleasure. The planted areas around the dwelling also aid the process
of storm drainage by retaining water and reducing run-off. The private
amenity space around the dwelling can accommodate not just a garen for
the pleasure of the occupants but also barbeque facilities and an
in-ground swimming pool. These not only benefit the residents directly
but also facilitate social interaction with friends and neighbours. In
some parts of Australia, notably Queensland, use is made of verandas
to provide outdoor living sheltered from the sun. Although very large,
all encompassing roofs may be employed, a significant part of the
space under them is open to the air and to the surroundings.

The more recent suburbs, however display a disturbing trend, signified
by the problematic design and layout of the dwellings. The dwelling
now extends near to the boundary of the plot and, in consequence, near
to adjoining dwellings. There is very little private amenity space to
the rear of the dwelling, in extreme cases none at all. Houses are
predominately single-storey, with only a proportion rising to 1.5 or
two storeys. There is little in the way of balconies and verandas. The
design is square of deep-plan and incorporates an integral double
garage greatly reducing the scope for natural lighting and
ventilation, windows are often small and tinted. Normally only one
room provides an outlook to the front and surveillance of the street.
While the disadvantages of suburban living still apply, the advantages
referred to above have disappeared.

This paper provides a quantitative analysis of this change to the
morphology of the Australian suburb. Comparisons are made with
selected examples in the USA and UK. The effects and possible causes
of the change are discussed and remedies suggested."


Cheers, Andrew

-- 
Be The Least You Can Be
http://idletheory.info/