Pillars to Place

This activity took place during COVID-19 distancing restrictions and demanded a novel approach. The objectives were to increase the level of involvement of the community reference group in the spatial design of the masterplan for a large inner city redevelopment precinct. Not only to improve the level of participation but also to moderate views and help reach consensus, improve understanding between proponents and the community and continue to build custodianship of the project outcome.

The activity involved twenty six participants who each received an individual model comprised of paper products to reduce disease transmission risk. Groups of four to six participated in one of five seventy five minute online workshops where they constructed a conceptual design model and reflected collectively on their preferences and priorities for key urban design elements. These were analysed and presented back to the reference group in subsequent meetings. A unique partnership between AUDRC and Development WA.

‘I liked the process following: they broke us into small groups and we all got a chance to show off our maps, ample time to explain why we had placed things where, The way they brought that together, I thought it was quite astounding – great job.  The logistics of it – a great job.’

 ‘As an exercise, it was very powerful.  As soon as you started placing blocks here and there, you really got a feel for how complex these decisions are.  I would not like to have done that in the group I was in.  Being able to do it on your own, you had your own time to redo and remodel, to really think about it.  The concept is phenomenal‘

— Participant feedback