Vertical Mixed Use Communities: A Solution to Urban Sustainability? Review, Audit and Developer Perspectives

Abstract

Cities have advocated more compact development patterns to address the need to accommodate a burgeoning urban population. One such compact model is the vertical mixed use (VMU) development. However, its development and implementation are generally perceived to be complicated in terms of unfavourable regulatory and development controls, higher construction cost, staging as well as funding complexities.We examine the growth patterns and development trends of vertical mixed use developments in Australia with a focus on Brisbane, looking for evidence that the vertical mixed-use model can help realise sustainable futures for Australian cities.We also reviewed existing urban policies, codes and regulations. Here, our results indicate a slow but growing trend towards the development of VMUs within Brisbane CBD as a result of statutory policies which encourage the integration of mixed use zones within activity centres. Using Hoppenbrouwer and Louw's (2005) framework we identified and profiled thirteen VMUs. Our results strongly suggest the rampant presence of single function vertical structures (86% of 418) within Brisbane CBD. Only 1.7% of the vertical structures identified accommodated three and 11.9% two uses. Based on these findings, we develop policy recommendations to facilitate the implementation of the VMU model in the Australian context.