Pyrmont

Definitions
Urban renewal: The redevelopment and revitalisation of a location so as to better meet the needs of the community. Gentrification: The buying and renovation of houses and stores in deteriorated urban neighbourhoods Amenity: Any feature that provides comfort, convenience, or pleasure

Urban renewal dynamic

Pyrmont has been subject to one of the worlds largest urban-renewal projects. Some of these projects include: o Affordable Housing Program 365 units of accommodation, housing about 800 people in the peninsula o Green spaces added in the last 10 years include Pyrmont Point Park, Giba Park, Fig Lane Park, Mary Anne Park and many more. o New tech. replaced old. 2km west of the CBD

Where is Pyrmont?

Key site and location features

Star City Casino, Sydney Fish Market, Jacksons Landing Headquarters: Nokia, Network 10 and 7, Nova 96.9, There are four light rail stations in Pyrmont at Pyrmont Bay, Star City, John Street Square and the Sydney Fish Market.

What was the area like?

Time line
1950's Heavy industries closed, population droped, rapid deteriotion in services for 40 years 1999 - Sydeny Harbor Forshore Authority took over and continued the urban rejuvenation

1850's Sandstone cottages, early industry (iron works, brewery)

1900's Industrial port, sugar refinery, flour mills, electricty generated for Sydney

1992 - City West Development corp started planning for mixed use development

What were the key industries and why were they there?
Wool, CSR = on train line, port, existing warehouses Quarry = where the sandstone was Power station = Some coal from underground, close to existing infrastructure

Why did it decay?

Industry decentralised and moved away from city to cheaper areas for expansion Railway yards and wool stores relocated Lead to the deterioration of services and amenities with only 900 residents by 1990 The old so -called slum housing of the inner city area was out-of-date

Why did it offer potential for renewal?

Pop shrunk to 900 1990 Abandoned infrastructure and warehouses Close to CBD Pyrmont offers high returns = 23% over fist two years (resolution research)

The decade of renewal

Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority(SHFA) objectives To improve the economic efficiency, social equity and environmental sustainability Housing o To create a mixed use, high density, medium rise residential area o Provide affordable housing, opportunities to live close to work and a high quality urban environment Transport o Provide an efficient public transport system with improved facilities with more buses, a ferry wharf and a light rail transport system Public parks and open spaces o Provide adequate parkland and open spaces o Pyrmont = well below the standard ratio of open space (28m2 per person)

Community consultation o Facilitation of workshops with the community and discussions with specific focus groups representing different groups of the community o Providing community services, including; pre-school, childcare, community centres, sporting facilities and support services for the elderly and disabled

The success of the renewal process

Change in economic character Old to new economy o The older industrial infrastructure was dismantled as the Sydney economy loosened its ties to the commodity cycle and forged new links with financial markets, tourism and information industries. o E.g. Nokia, channels 7 & 10 Evidence o Jones Bay Wharf = Industrial port now mixed use (R, L,C) Old train tracks visible, Loading structure, some heritage preserved by developers Multiplex as part of agreement with SHFA o Point Hotel Although old, now aimed at a different lifestyle Change in social character Youthful and more wealthy population E.g Jacksons landing promotes close proximity to amenities: UTS 1.5km, QVB 2km, Darling Harbour 1km. Shows development is geared towards Empty Nesters, Yuppies, DINKs Change in heritage Tablet house (now office space) and the cooperage = Evidence of the old Pyrmont Change of culture of place The distillery site o Offering close proximity to amenities and a modern/ luxury lifestyle o Has led to more expensive cafes and bakerys o Driven up rent in the area ($400p.w. compared to $200p.w.) Village green o Community centre with strong links with the past (war memorial) o Streetscape = green (trees) unlike the past Heritage architecture o Use of sandstone (old quarry) Terrace houses, new made to look old (heritage colours, Facades) o SHFA made Lend Lease restore some low rise buildings on Cadigal ave Vitality o Minimal, very quiet in day due to residents lifestyles (empty nesters, DINKs) New SES Change of Environmental amenity Parks, open spaces, pocket parks

Statistics
2006 Census Median age Occupations Income Median rent Couples without children Fulltime workers Pyrmont 31 35% professionals $900 $400 60% 75% Australia 37 20% professionals $450 $200 35% 60%

Comparison between 1994 and 2004 1994 Population 3,000 Jobs 5,000 Heritage buildings 4 Parks/gardens (ha) 7.7 ha Public transport Buses (1 route) Monorail (limited) Harbour access 5% Gov. spending $18.2 mil University degrees 16%

2004 12,000 22,000 21 25.8+ ha Buses(3 new routes) Monorail (link to CBD) Ferry services (23 weekday) Light rail (8 new stations) 60% - soon growing to 100% $223 mil 25%

Results of the urban renewal process (field work)n Location Past Evidence Jones Bay Industrial shipping port, Old rail lines visible, Wharf commercial Structure used for loading/ unloading Rail Cutting Union Square Commercial goods line Residential workers cottages Manufacturing, commercial power station

Present Mixed use Leisure, commercial, residential

Chimneys, cottages

Power Station

Sign

Transport - Light rail Leisure, tourism War memorial Community area Star city parts conserved ruff cut sandstone.