Urban development typology
The plan demonstrates an urban structure
by distributing a palette of defined urban
development types. This urban development
typology systematically groups urban features
to establish a logical structure for a desirable
city. The limited number of types and coarse
steps between them reflects the high-level
nature of the structure. More subtle and placeresponsive
outcomes will result from detailed
local planning.
The terminology of urban development
intensity as distinct from residential density
seeks to differentiate the plan from statutory
planning. These urban typologies are not
intended to correlate to density codes, as
this would circumvent the process of local
planning scheme review. This distinction
allows the plan sufficient objectivity to identify
and shape urban patterns and structures
based on mapping, analysis, investigation and
consultation, yet understanding that not all
local conditions will be resolved.
These types suggest development forms
with a range of activity and development
intensities that may apply to central Perth.
Common features associated with each type
are outlined to define their role in the urban
form. Although the terminology overlaps with
statutory planning, these typologies should
not be interpreted as defining permitted
elements or to imply that all features are
uniformly applicable throughout the respective
zones.
• Land use: Each typology has a range of land
uses most suitable for their range of intensity.
Although the growth of central Perth is likely to
see a much greater mix of land uses, there will
remain areas that are predominantly residential,
commercial, civic or other use.
• Public-realm characteristics: How the public
spaces should perform and the ways that
development can contribute.
• Building characteristics: Certain combinations
of land uses and intensity are associated with
particular building types as either existing or
emerging trends. Building type descriptors are
noted to suggest possibilities for development
but are not intended to prescribe allowable
parameters. Local planning provisions should
accommodate and encourage innovative
departures from these typical forms.
• Access: Both the land use and the intensity
of activity determine which characteristics of
access are desirable for each typology. Intensely
active places make good quality public transport
or walking access highly desirable and viable.
Lower-intensity areas often benefit from the
flexibility of cars and bicycles.
Land uses
A wide range of mixed uses is generally
suitable for areas designated city. This includes
commercial, retail, civic and cultural uses in
lower building floor levels, with commercial and
residential uses in upper levels. Residential use
is to be encouraged to reduce mono-functional
planning and extend active hours.
Public-realm characteristics
Detailed and integrated design guidelines
reinforce the significance of public spaces to the
capital city identity. Intense usage necessitates
high levels of amenity, design-quality and
robustness. Ground-floor building frontages
include verandahs, awnings or colonnades that
support intensely active streetscapes. Street trees
contribute to the pedestrian environment and the
city’s green infrastructure.
Building characteristics
Development in the city attracts the highest level
of investment, with corresponding sophistication
and aspiration. Relatively complex site constraints
and considerations can result in diverse built
outcomes, but some typical forms can be noted:
Towers on podium: High-rise elements are
balanced with a podium base that reinforces scale
and setbacks of the adjacent streetscape, typically
four to six storeys in the city centre. Height,
proportion and spacing of high-rise elements
above podiums adapt to the urban context and
contribute to the overall cityscape. This type has
evolved to accommodate human-scaled active
frontages and mitigate some of the microclimate
effects created by ‘skyscrapers’.
Modulated urban frontage: Buildings are
set back from the front boundary to allow
for landscaped forecourts that contribute to
streetscapes and the green infrastructure of the
city. Buildings generally rise to their full height at
their front elevation, creating a strong but lesscontinuous
street frontage.
Access
City areas have a high degree of integration with
multi-modal public transit. Movement networks
adapt to pedestrian and public transport priority.
Parking and service access utilise laneways or
minimal crossovers to reduce streetscape impact.
Low car-parking provision is generally appropriate
within developments.