Designing inspiring workplaces for tomorrow
By creating inspirational, next-generation workplaces, we design environments that embody a business’s cultural and community values while also fostering a sense of pride and belonging.
Regional communities in Australia, particularly in Victoria, are navigating challenges like population growth, climate change and resource pressures. Public open spaces, including parks, greenways and high-quality streetscapes, offer vital social, environmental and economic benefits. These spaces enhance community well-being, support biodiversity and promote climate change adaptation. However, variability in planning strength across regional Victoria highlights the need for comprehensive strategies to maximise their potential for building resilience and sustainability.
The research shows significant variability in the strength of public open space planning across Victoria's regional local government areas (LGAs). Central regions, which experience rapid population growth and tourism, tend to have stronger public open space strategies than western regions with smaller, more dispersed populations focused on food production. Notably, some smaller LGAs have developed exemplary strategies despite limited resources. The key findings include:
Although public open space is occasionally acknowledged in various strategic documents, such as Community Visions and Disaster Management Plans, its inclusion in water management or drainage strategies remains rare. This is an important strategy that has been overlooked, as water is a critical component of resilient public open spaces. Integrated water management within these spaces supports sustainable water use, improves urban cooling and enhances biodiversity. Effective water management can mitigate flooding by incorporating features such as wetlands to manage stormwater naturally. The overall findings highlight the need for comprehensive and consistent planning to better utilise public open spaces as multifunctional, resilient spaces that can enhance regional communities.
Public open spaces in regional communities foster social benefits and well-being by providing venues for recreational activities and social interactions. These spaces bring together residents of all ages and backgrounds, creating opportunities for connection and engagement that foster a sense of belonging. The World Economic Forum notes that well-designed public open areas significantly enhance a community’s appeal, making them especially valuable in rural areas where they help address mental and physical health challenges. Integrating public open spaces into planning strengthens community ties and promotes healthier, more cohesive regional communities.
Public open spaces serve as essential green infrastructure, integrating natural and semi-natural elements like vegetation and water systems that support biodiversity, air quality and sustainable water management. They can also inspire sustainable practices, such as renewable energy use and recycling. One of the most critical roles of public open spaces in regional communities is in climate change adaptation. They mitigate the effects of extreme weather by reducing urban heat through tree canopy cover and acting as buffers against floods and bushfires. These public open spaces contribute to community well-being, economic sustainability and environmental resilience, making them central to climate change responses in regional areas.
The presence of public open spaces is interlinked with the economic health of regional towns. Their funding and management are influenced by the wider area's prosperity, while at the same time, they can positively impact local economic activities. High-quality public open spaces are associated with increased property values, including retail, residential and rental markets. Attractive environments can also attract developers and investors who see potential for profitable real estate projects, sparking further economic development. Local businesses benefit from higher foot traffic, as visitors are more likely to spend on accommodation, dining and services when they have access to appealing parks and recreational spaces. In fact, Austrade has noted that visits to parks and gardens have experienced the most significant growth among nature-based tourism opportunities in recent years.
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By creating inspirational, next-generation workplaces, we design environments that embody a business’s cultural and community values while also fostering a sense of pride and belonging.
Creating resilient communities involves designing urban spaces that adapt to environmental, social and economic challenges. Sustainability, inclusivity and collaboration between sectors are key to fostering thriving, adaptable environments. By prioritising flexible and community-centred planning, these spaces can endure future uncertainties while supporting the well-being of both people and nature.
Anne Sutherland, Director of Urban Design discusses the transformative impact of the Central Station Metro line on Sydney's public transport infrastructure.