Design for People Diverse

Places that are inclusive and offer a diverse range of experiences

• Each locality has its own character and qualities
• There is a rich range of experiences – how you move around and interact with others, what buildings and spaces look and feel like, and what things you can do
• There is a range of facilities and services
• Despite the diversity, there is an overall harmonious blend
• You can take different routes depending on your mood, or if you’re visiting different places on your way
• It meets different people’s needs, including a diversity of housing options
• There is biodiversity in the flora and fauna

ATTRIBUTES

Each locality has its own unique character and qualities

1. Does it retain or enhance distinct precincts or localities that have a unique feature, character or quality?

There is a rich range of experiences – how you move around and interact with others, what buildings and spaces look and feel like, and what cultural, social and physical things you can do

1. Is there a diverse and rich range of experiences in the way you move around and interact with others?
2. Is there a variety of things you can do and experience?

There is a range of facilities and services

1. Is there a mix of different land uses in the same precinct?
   For example housing, shops, cafes and workplaces.
2. Is there a range of services available to meet the social, cultural, recreation and health needs of the community?
   For example, childcare, schools, health care, libraries, parks and playgrounds.

Despite the diversity, there is an overall harmonious blend

1. Is there consistent rhythm in the shape, scale and colours of buildings and landscapes?
2. Is there variety and visual interest in the look and feel of buildings and spaces? Do they work well together overall?
3. Will the area support people of different ages, cultures and economic backgrounds?

You can take different routes depending on your mood, or if you’re visiting different places on your way

1. Does the development have small block sizes, and mixed land uses, which facilitate people to take different routes when walking or riding through the neighbourhood?

It meets different people’s needs, including a diversity of housing types

1. Is there a range of housing types, including of different densities and affordability, for a variety of socio-economic, cultural and family groups?
2. Does it recognise the need to cater for people with differing physical capabilities and the growing proportion of older people by providing for universal design standards?

There is biodiversity in the flora and fauna

1. Does the proposal include strategies to protect and enhance local flora and fauna biodiversity?

REFERENCES/LINKS

Australia’s Biodiversity Conservation Strategy 2010–2030

A significant national policy document guiding how governments, the community, industry and scientists manage and protect Australia’s plants, animals and ecosystems over the next twenty years (Australian Government).

Australian (Commonwealth) Environment Legislation
An information source describing the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and Water Act 2007 (Australian Government).

Draft New South Wales Biodiversity Strategy 2010–2015
A strategy providing a framework for NSW’s future investment in biodiversity conservation and profiles on the 15 ecosystem types identified for the State (Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW, 2010).

Housing Diversity Guide
A guide to the key planning and design requirements for high quality housing diversity (Landcom, 2009).

Residential Density Guide
A guide on the concepts of residential density and activity density (Landcom, 2011).

Technology and Tolerance – The importance of diversity to high-technology growth
An analysis comparing measures of diversity, tolerance and high-technology success across 50 metropolitan areas (Florida, R & Gates, G 2001, Brookings Institution).