Sustainable suburbs : the developer’s challenge

As our cities expand, developers are transforming more and more land to create our suburbs of the future. Developers and government bodies have a golden opportunity to design suburbs that are not only great places to live, but also are environmentally sensitive and sustainable. This is a unique opportunity, as significant changes after development are constrained by the configuration of the subdivision, and then by the construction of the dwellings. This paper explores some of these issues by presenting initial findings from the CRCCI, Sustainable Subdivisions Project. The Project examines the drivers and barriers that land developers face when trying to achieve sustainable subdivisions. This paper will review the results from a series of industry interviews and workshops and explore possible ways forward. In addition, the possible effect on the way future land subdivision is managed and planned as a result of recent changes in the energy efficiency provisions of the Building Code of Australia will be explored. This paper highlights problems that both builders and land developers may face through poor subdivision design. Finally an innovative program being driven by a major land developer will be introduced. The program aims to deliver over 400 energy and water efficient homes through a series of compulsory and voluntary schemes that the developer is designing, funding and implementing. This program is the first large-scale development in Australia that demonstrates how developers can help achieve environmentally sensitive and sustainable suburbs of the future

Introducing the transport impacts of E-business project

E-Business is expected to dramatically change the way business is conducted internationally, nationally, within states and at the local area level. Moreover, these changes are very likely to happen well within the planning time frames required for provision of transport infrastructure and services. This paper introduces a study to investigate: how will the transport task change; what will be affected; and how can the transport system respond? The work, a joint initiative of the National Transport Secretariat [NTS], and the CSIRO/QUT Built Environment Research Alliance, in collaboration with Queensland Department of Public Works, is intended to assist Australian business and government pro-actively address the transport issues arising from e-business. E-commerce is growing exponentially: worldwide e-commerce revenues are estimated to reach $US1300 billion by 2003. Growth in electronic communications within companies which, together with e-commerce between companies, B2B, or between business and consumers, B2C, make up e-business, is even more significant. The magnitude and speed of both these changes increase the urgency of planning, for their impacts provide forecasting challenges. A study approach is described to consider direct impacts from e-business on Australian transport, derived demand for travel or delivery as other businesses prosper and transport related constraints to e-business in the next five to ten years. Base line information collection: includes a review of literature and information about trends in e-business then transport and e-Business; interviews with stakeholder/experts in planning agencies, e-business companies and transport/logistics firms across Australia; appraisal of data available for on-going assessment; and contact with international experts. Trends and impact assessment: National trends will be estimated and very important impacts or very urgent impacts selected via a ranking and rating process. Transport related productivity gains will be assessed; trends in regional Australia and international trends and experience will be reported with a final assessment of opportunities and threats for Australia. Outputs: A series of working papers and final reports; a user friendly database of contacts, publications and data availability information for update; a research framework for identification of policy and planning levers to maximise benefits to Australia from national and global e-business activity

for The National Transport Secretariat E-BUSINESS TRENDS

The second Working Paper for the impacts of e-business on transport project, reports on a literature and document search for trends and developments in e-business, which may have significant transport impacts. E-business is defined as including e-commerce, either between Businesses to Business [B2B] or Business to Customers [B2C], and the adoption of electronic technology within businesses. We suggest that growth in e-business stems from the combined existence of: market demand; suitable enabling technology; and skills/familiarity in management/users / industry/government. Thus, we consider: Internet Readiness: for example, 46 % of Australian adults had accessed the Internet [May, 2000]; 37 % of businesses had Internet access as did 88 % of government organisations [June 1999]. Training will be needed for the IT professions and the community at large, but the more urgent need is for e-business management skills. The Market: for e-business in terms of: products, including the move of established retailers into e-business, and increases plus changes in the services offered by intermediaries; place or channels such as electronic portals as new market places for industry/consumers and efulfilment

Urban environments and health: identifying key relationships and policy imperatives

This Research Monograph investigates the relationship between urban environments and health. The project examines the empirical evidence for relationships between urban environments and health outcomes, focusing on three specific aspects of the urban environment: urban form, transport systems and the location of health services. The main finding of the research is that the evidentiary base for many expected relationships between urban form, transport systems, health services location and eventual health outcomes is underdeveloped. While some associations between urban environments and behavioural outcomes have been identified, there is insufficient evidence to identify specific causal relationships between urban form, transport systems, the location of health services within urban areas and specific health outcomes. This finding indicates that a much greater research effort is required into both health and urbanity to identify urban-health relationships

Working Paper 6 of the E-Business and Transport Project: Regional Impacts of E-business in Australia

This is the sixth Working Paper from a project designed to consider the impacts of e-business on the Australian transport system together with any constraints that the transport system might place on e-commerce opportunities. E-business impacts on the transport system in any area of the nation, or indeed the world, will vary with the industry mix in the area, the existing transport infrastructures and services, growth profiles, characteristics of the people in the area and the priorities of business and government. Thus, analysis must encompass regional diversity. To consider regional impacts, this paper draws together information from specific document searches, interviews with experts and overseas experiences. Changes arise from increased profitability of existing industries, access to wider markets or entirely new types of industry. While there is always the possibility of better systems lowering costs, Australian farmers, miners and foresters are currently amongst the most efficient in the world and profitability is linked to prices governed by global commodity markets. Therefore, it is the possibilities of access to wider markets, especially export markets and/or the growth of new industries which are likely to have the most significant effect on transport. Suggested Australian niche products range from stud services to tree nurseries and flower seeds. All have in common the need to match the product to end-user. Moreover, producers may discover that "it is not just the product they raise that has value, but also the process used to grow the crop" [Buerskens, 2000]. An export market in expertise should be pursued. Tourism may be the first regional industry in many areas to benefit from e-business. Inbound and interstate tourism should be boosted by opportunities for lower cost air travel and access to wider markets should be even more significant. However, to realise that advantage transport infrastructure and services must be in place. Opportunities and threats for regional Australia due to e-business include: Access works both ways and local suppliers will no longer have captive markets; Opportunities for regional centres for warehousing and freight transfer will require suitable infrastructure. This is equally true of tourism where potential for regional visits by international tourists exists. Business should be encouraged to site both types of activity to limit impacts on transport infrastructure and create regional employment. Finally, e-business allows relocation of business to attractive regional areas if transport and communications infrastructure is available

Working Paper 3 of the E-Business and Transport Project: Transport Impacts and E-business

This Working Paper, the third in the series, reports on a literature and document search. Information and opinions are discussed about the ways in which transport is impacted by e-business, as well as the ways in which the development of e-business may be influenced by changes in the transport system, over the period 2001-2010. The following transport implications, are highlighted: Higher Levels of Demand for Goods and Services: due to wider choices and savings of business transaction/administration costs as conventional logistics activities, intensive paper and administration activities are replaced. Increased total vehicle kilometres by Light Commercial Vehicles [LCV] for local centre/home delivery will increase congestion, unless deliveries are made off peak; and badly affect GHG and air quality since LCV have low emissions standards, unless alternate fuel use increases. Increased Customer Expectations/Requirements for Logistics/Distribution: tasks requiring greater flexibility and greater levels of reliability in the delivery of goods and services. Information is a critical component in the supply chain and it will drive change in logistics. B2B will mean less predictable flows, smaller orders placed more frequently and some parts of the distribution chain disappearing altogether. Increased Freight Demand: due to wider choices of supplier/provider. Additional demand, mainly on road, given the greater flexibility, level of service, and the potential for value added services. Higher Expectations from Rural and Remote Communities: as they take up Internet opportunities and require better standards of service from logistics providers and suppliers. The wider set of choices from consumers and producers will result in increased level of demand for freight movements. Air Travel Increase for Both Business and Leisure: will increase due to lower costs and increased access to information and will lead to increased demand in this sector. Some redistribution of tourism to regional areas will also be expected. Changes in Location Preferences: Small centrally located freight terminals replacing large warehouses on city fringes. Dispersion trends [self-employment; teleworking; loss of jobs in white-collar services industry], leading to longer trips. Less reliance on CBD for commuting thus conventional public transport [fixed route/radial] will suffer continued erosion in market share. Flexible PT will be valued. Improved Transport Network Performance: through interfaces between Intelligent Transport Systems [ITS] components and data interfaces to B2B and B2C systems. This has the potential to reduce transit times and trip time variability through improved knowledge of transport demand, as well as improved real-time data on transport network performance. Safety will also be improved. Such co-ordination between ITS and e-business systems is likely to be implemented in practice in the medium term