WK04 Project 01 Development

Summary

Through group discussions and individual research I have begun to formulate a fictional framework that focuses on Paddington's gentrification and the negative social implications associated with future displacement of low income residents. Paddington's character may be diluted and distorted as the residents that make up this rich urban fabric are forced out by high real estate prices. My future scenario is an investigation into possible solutions to gentrification that erodes cultural heritage.

Key Question:

How do we maintain cultural diversity in the suburb of
Paddington when high rent prices are forcing the traditional
population of students, musicians and 'artistic types' out of the
area.

Secondary Question: 

How can the Paddington Central site be
reconfigured to foster Paddington's cultural character whilst
stimulating a sense of community?

Future Scenario:

Brisbane City Council has become concerned with the
unaffordability of Paddington and the unfeasibility of introducing
medium residential unit blocks to the hilly terrain. The median house
price has reached 5 million dollars resulting in a purely affluent
suburb with only high end boutique retail remaining. After researching
international underground cities the council has come up with a scheme
for an underground community that will reside under the existing
Paddington Central Site in a state of the art sustainable complex.
This new community will be house 10,000 people and will boast a sky
periscope that will project an image of the sky onto the roof of the
underground complex. Fiber optic technology will bring daylighting
into the complex and hydoponic farms will produce food for a local
market on the site of the old Paddington Central building.
Paddington Central has been reconfigured as a retail community market
with a flexible stall arrangement that gives a market feel while
making retail rents affordable for all potential vendors. The
traditional 'vibe' of Paddington is back with the injection of a
youthful student community and a music culture which culminates on a
community stage at Paddington Central.


Main Issue: Social Sustainability

Sub Issues:  Urban density, Affordable housing, Cultural diversity,
Community, Retail centre design, Food production

Technologies: Underground excavation, Solar capture, Geothermal
energy, Hydroponic farming,