Built Environment
The ‘built environment’ is a phrase used to describe the public spaces, healthcare facilities, schools, markets and shops that people need to have access to for a healthy and thriving society. As more and more of the world’s population live in cities, the built environment should create spaces where people feel safe and secure and can happily live their lives
Public infrastructure should not only accommodate essential services, but also provide opportunities for people to socialise and engage in income generating activities. All the spaces and buildings that enable these opportunities have to be designed, constructed and maintained.
The built environment of Makers Valley shapes residents’ and visitors’ experience of the place. As with any urban setting, the built environment influences aspirations, sense of self-worth, safety and security. As an inner city location with a history of light industry the built environment in Makers Valley is characterised by residential streets interspersed with industrial units and shops housing an eclectic range of businesses and manufacturing.
In Makers Valley, the built environment is being renewed by initiatives such as the Victoria Yards development. What ideas can you come up with to improve the existing buildings and public spaces to meet the future needs, whilst being inclusive of the whole community?
22. Public spaces
Public spaces that convene the community, host further opportunity for economic activity and provide services such as waste collection points and access to toilets would greatly add to the prosperity of Makers Valley. Can you come up with innovative ways of integrating new public spaces into the existing urban environment?
21. (Smart) green spaces [*1]
Green space is a really important part of making urban spaces positive living and working environments. The population of Makers Valley is growing rapidly, this is putting pressure of the green spaces available to the community for recreation and other purposes. Population growth also causes pressure on food, both in terms of availability and cost. Can you propose a strategy that could increase the food security of Makers Valley, whilst providing a green space that is available to the community for recreation or well-being.
One way people can enhance food production is by maximising yield using greenhouses. However, this leads to two problems: providing the perfect growing conditions, while reliably and affordably powering such a system is difficult; and typically, greenhouses do not provide quality green space for well-being. Are there smart technologies you can embed to maximise the benefit of green spaces for either food security or well-being?
Can you propose ideas that are inclusive of what’s happening in Makers Valley to ensure green space is an integral part of its growth and future?
9. Sorting waste
Bins to store sorted waste are limited and recycling facilities are not common. Can you suggest ways to improve these facilities for households and popularise their use throughout Makers Valley?
15. Digital infrastructure monitoring [*1]
Much of the civil engineering infrastructure in Makers Valley is ageing and in need of maintenance. Can a digital system help to do this in an effective and cost-efficient manner?
