Towards a new development model for housing regeneration in greyfield residential precincts

Greyfield residential precincts are defined as under-utilised property assets located in the middle suburbs of large Australian cities, where residential building stock is failing (physically, technologically and environmentally) and energy, water and communications infrastructure is in need of regeneration. The panel investigated how parcels of land could be assembled for higher-density redevelopment at the scale of the precinct and how innovative design and construction methods could make these developments more socially and environmentally sustainable. The panel found that a range of innovations are required to achieve a sustainable regeneration of greyfield residential precincts, including: New planning and policy frameworks to reduce the risk and uncertainty associated with larger-scale redevelopment in the middle suburbs; A robust planning instrument or code (Regen Code) for the redevelopment of greyfield residential precincts; New regional bodies or authorities responsible for urban renewal (equipped with financial, statutory and planning power) to run over a long time frame (20 years) to drive change; Spatial information (e.g. demographic, planning, infrastructure) to enable developers, investment, design and construction professionals to explore development opportunities and potential regeneration sites; Demonstration models of precinct design to play a role in communicating how these shifts in our urban environment could be envisaged, designed and delivered; Innovative construction processes that use industrialized and prefabricated components may provide attractive solutions to medium-density housing developments; and Pro-active community engagement of citizens as 'partners' in development, in both planning/design and finance aspects rather than the 'placatory' or 'adversarial' models of engagement that are currently employed with populations targeted for redevelopment.