Social Environments.

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1.0 Introduction

The aim of this assignment is to use the data gathered from the field, maps, photos and information about the Silkstone and Fairview Rise residential estates using patterns in this planned/integrated residential estate.

This is a photo of Fairview Rise Estate

This is a photo of Silkstone estate

1.1 Aims

The aims are to compare Fairview Rise and Silkstone’s residential areas and their livability. The criteria is as follows

1. To what degree is the suburb ecologically sustainable in terms of:

(a) Environmental issues

(b) Resource conservation

(c) Waste reduction/energy efficiency

(d) Social aspects

(e) Physical environment

2. To what degree does the design/planning of the suburb promote a sense of community?

3. To what degree have planners designed and implemented traffic safety/traffic calming devices into community roads?

4. To what extent has urban planning integrated the aesthetics of the estate?

5. To what extent does the residential development offer residents privacy?

6. To what degree have urban planners integrated access to adequate services such as schools, shops, hospitals, parks/recreational facilities?

7. To what degree is the area family-oriented?

1.2 Study Methods 

The main primary methods of collecting data were field observation and statistics. My secondary method was the internet.

2.1 Findings of the Two Study Areas  

a) Silkstone

Silkstone housing estate was developed after World War II to house the returning war veterans. This development was subsidized by the government, which provided low interest loans to returned servicemen. These men required jobs which were to be found in the mines and collieries around Ipswich. During the post war period, there was a marked growth in local industry, including expansion in meat and butter processing, the production of timber products, and chemical and tobacco manufacture.

This area would have been a working class area close to the city of Ipswich and would have been designed to be near existing transport which would have been the existing rail network. The houses would have been constructed of timber weather board, which were the cheapest materials for construction at the time.  The roofs were tile or tin. The block sizes are small, on average 1/3 acre. They were only fenced at the back and sides, to decrease cost. The house size was two to three bedrooms.

The services that would be close to the Silkstone residents are small corner shops. There also is a small park within the suburb. There are no other recreational facilities or parklands. There is a large shopping centre close by at Booval which was constructed at a later date. There is one major road, Blackstone Road. The houses are arranged in a grid like structure. There is a state school and a nearby high school.

Livability at the time of being developed would have been adequate for the people’s needs, when life was much simpler. There would have been no management provided by the developer. The council would provide water, collect garbage, sanitation, maintain roads, and the electricity supplier would maintain the above ground power lines and poles.

b) Fairview Rise

Fairview Rise estate was developed for the expanding air force personnel at Amberley RAAF Base to enable the staff to live close to where they work. This would provide subsidized housing for the arrival of Defence Force personnel in ongoing stages.

The houses in Fairview Rise are on average sized blocks of 500-800 metres squared.  They are of a higher quality, and they have been made of brick with tiled roofs. The requirement from ADF (Australian Defence Forces) was that the houses be four bedrooms or larger, with family room, ensuite, double garage, and with 18 square of covered outdoor living area.  Also the existing houses in Fairview Rise were of that size and quality, and ADF wished to maintain the standard of housing within the area. The houses also needed to be air-conditioned and have a four star energy rating.

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The services that would be provided would be parks and walk ways that weave through Fairview Rise. DHA (Defence Housing Australia) requested the developer provide roads, water, sewerage and stormwater to Ipswich City Council standards. DHA requested that gas reticulation be provided by Origin Energy and stormwater quality be maintained using water sensitive urban design such as through the use of swales. They also requested broadband capabilities because of the high number of service people who may be away from home and needing to be contacted by their families.

There is an extensive bus service catering for travel ...

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