Urban renewal series
Harbourside transformation, Darling Harbour, Sydney, Ausatralia
Combining the right elements to create long-term success in urban renewal projects is complex but there are a number of strategies that can be employed to give these projects the best chance possible.
By Yuru Ding, Researcher, Hassell
Have you ever found yourself wandering through an old part of a city that feels deserted, lacking reasons for people to come and linger in its streets and buildings? Urban renewal is an opportunity to give these areas a new chapter in their history.
Imagine those empty buildings filled with new apartments or shops, boring concrete turned into green spaces, streets that become easier to walk and bike along. New life is breathed into forgotten and underutilised parts of cities, making them vibrant and valuable again.
The Department of Lands, Sydney, Australia - one of Sydney’s best preserved heritage buildings, built between the 1870s and 1890s. The adaptive reuse of this building will see it be turned into a hospitality destination
Our daily work at Hassell shows that many individual buildings and urban areas aren’t performing well or are no longer fit for their original purpose, but can be given a new lease on life with some careful research, planning and imagination. For example, an office lobby on 120 Collins Street in Melbourne has recently undergone a remarkable transformation, reflecting the changing nature of modern work. Similarly, the Department of Lands building, once home to traditional government offices, now stands as one of Sydney's best-preserved heritage hotels, welcoming visitors from around the world. And in many cities, industrial warehouses have been creatively converted into workspaces that retain their industrial charm, attracting tech unicorns and innovative startups.
120 Collins Street, Melbourne, Australia - Ground floor revitalisation
Computershare, Melbourne, Australia
Upgrading these areas and buildings is essential, but it's also challenging. Some are public spaces, which means any revitalisation must consider community needs and public interest. Additionally, the cost and complexity associated with such revitalisation requires careful planning and significant investment.
China's current wave of urban development prioritises renewal projects, addressing two crucial needs. Firstly, former industrial spaces are being transformed to fit the needs of the knowledge economy, turning them from rigid, traditional manufacturing facilities into flexible, high-tech environments that can accommodate diverse and evolving uses. Secondly, more housing options are needed for young residents, so the renewal of areas into residential blocks aims to strike a balance between affordability and high-quality living quarters.
However, achieving long-term success in urban renewal projects presents a complex challenge. Commercial viability, operational efficiency, spatial user experience and the appropriate scale of transformation are all factors that impact success and must be weighed carefully.
Flour Mill of Summer Hill, Sydney, Australia
By focusing on a set of core strategies, we can create sustainable plans that go beyond financial returns to encompass social value, fostering human-centered experiences and cultural enrichment.
Cross-disciplinary professional collaboration: integrating expertise from architectural design, interior design, landscape design and other relevant fields enables a multidisciplinary approach, ensuring comprehensive solutions that address all aspects of urban renewal.
Flour Mill of Summer Hill, Sydney, Australia
Multifunctional project renewal: diversifying the project's functionality improves utilisation efficiency and increases economic benefits, making the project more sustainable in the long run.
Mixed financing mode: introducing private funding and adopting public-private partnership models diversifies project financing, making a project more feasible and resilient.
West Bund Waterfront Public Realm, Shanghai, China
Multi-scale spatial articulation: the renewal project’s long-term value proposition informs the scope of the update, which may vary from controlled, detailed improvements aimed at refining specific spaces to a comprehensive redevelopment plan covering a larger community area.
Experience-driven design: prioritising the spatial experience of a space by enriching sightlines, soundscapes and overall quality enhances the project's appeal and caters to user needs.
Brookfield Place, Perth, Australia
By implementing these strategies within a framework that prioritises balance, urban renewal projects can overcome the challenges they often encounter even before a project commences. This allows design to leverage their value, enhancing sensory experiences, cultural enrichment and business agility during project operations. Consequently, a predominant focus on cost control and spatial limitations can be redirected towards revitalising or repurposing a space that is adaptable to various programs, responsive to technological advancements and attuned to community engagement.
The true success of urban renewal hinges on harmonising revitalisation demands and economic growth together with a commitment to preserving the unique character of our evolving cities.
Look out for more Hassell urban renewal experience and insights.
CONTACT US
Isabel Tang
Media Relations
T +86 21 5456 3516
E itang@hassellstudio.com
Thomas Xu
Business Development Leader
T +86 21 5456 3525
E TXu@hassellstudio.com
See more Hassell insights.
