Subtropical Neighbourhood Design

Abstract

This report is a result of a research project commissioned by The Centre for Subtropical Design focussing on the design principles for subtropical neighbourhoods. The Centre was formed in 2003 as a joint initiative between Brisbane City Council and Queensland University of Technology and is undertaking a number of advocacy and research projects. "The Centre's main objective is to inspire regionally appropriate building design and construction practices that accommodate a yearly climate cycle from mild and sun drenched, to chilly and glorious, to sultry and sweltering. This compels design responses that are positive, rather than indifferent, to the climate and landscape - design which subtropical features are neither under nor over-stated, but simply exist to complement the preferences of people and their lifestyles" (CSD 2004) A primary driver for this research is to improve the design of residential subdivisions within a subtropical environment. One of the issues identified in framing the research question is that subdivisions are purely that - subdivisions - removed from other uses, from different forms of housing and the life of urban settlement. At worst, a subdivision no matter how well designed, is the basis of urban sprawl and defining subtropical urban sprawl is not a useful contribution to debates about urban quality in South East Queensland. In order to work towards more sustainable urban outcomes, this research considers a desirable urban structure for settlements that comprise neighbourhoods, towns and cities. Residential subdivisions must be seen as neighbourhoods or parts thereof. The research question has become "what is the form of residential subdivision within the context of a subtropical neighbourhood?"