It was a privilege to attend the Property Council of Australia’s Property Congress on the Gold Coast this week.
One of the sessions on Tuesday was titled A ‘Green & Gold’ decade for Australia. It was a discussion regarding the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympics Games being 10 years out and what can we learn from past host cities as well as what makes a great host city.
Keynote speaker James Tuma, and panellists Dr Sarah Hill, Jason Langer and Jen Williams spoke about Vision, Culture, Legacy, Connectivity, Deadlines, Revitalisation and the Environment. Throughout, I kept thinking about the parallels when creating any scale of Residential, Retirement or Mix-use community.
As a property marketer and communicator, helping to create and nourish communities is key to success. By thinking like Olympic and Paralympic Games Organisers, we can effectively plan for current and future community needs as well as promote environmental, accessible, adaptable, inclusive and cultural best practices.
Throughout the presentation and panel discussion, I noted down a few reinforcing, yet big picture thoughts and questions which could relate to a Residential, Retirement or Mix-use community:
- In what ways can a new community become a natural extension to the surrounding, broader community? How can it become a destination for family and friends? How can we encourage inclusiveness of all ages?
- What thoroughfares and transport links do communities need now and what future trends should we consider, to encourage internal and external, intergenerational and special needs connectivity?
- By understanding the history of the land we are constructing on, how can we acknowledge and honour the traditional indigenous custodians as well as educating the broader community of any cultural significance of the development area?
- How can our community contribute and be leaders within the broader community on environmental best practices? With consideration of the development size, what climate change, biodiversity and carbon neutral initiatives can we implement now, which will benefit current and future residents?
- How can we showcase, celebrate and promote local cultures and arts throughout our common building areas, streetscapes, playgrounds, landscapes and parklands?
- Can we design built form amenity to be adaptable and accessible to encourage usage by multi-generational, multi-cultural and special needs groups as well as extended families and friends?
Image source: James Tuma – Director, Future State Urbis