Designing the subtropical city: an evaluation of climate-sensitive policy effects in Brisbane, Australia

Abstract

Faced with global warming, Australia aims to wean itself from mechanical approaches to cooling homes. Cities are searching for passive solutions to residential development. These involve the use of porches, basements, natural ventilation, tree shading and the like. In 2016, the Brisbane City Council introduced the New World City Design Guide: Buildings that Breathe (BtB), a non-binding policy document to guide new development in a subtropical climate. The aim of this study was to establish the effectiveness of BtB on overall development outcomes in Brisbane. We found that development applications received after the implementation of the BtB policy incorporated more subtropical design elements than those applications received before the policy. However, overall designers and developers had responded poorly to subtropical design guidance due to various path dependencies. We conclude that discretionary and flexible planning may not be in the public interest in the present era of climate emergency.

Keywords:

• climate-sensitive design
• subtropical cities
• Brisbane
• Australia
• climate change
• path dependence

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1 Of course, any international list of criteria needs to be tailored to the local context. For example, in Brisbane, buildings must be able to exclude solar heat gain during summer and a good part of the spring and autumn, and admit solar gain during the short winter.

2 All photos are by the authors.

3 The National Construction Code (NCC) provides a nationally uniform set of technical building standards. It covers items related to fire resistance and protection, access for people with disabilities, and microbial control in sanitary facilities. ‘Health and safety’ is a major focus, but the code also covers some aspects related to passive design, including weatherproofing, energy efficiency, light, and ventilation. In addition to the uniform standards, the NCC contains provisions specific to Queensland (and all other different states and territories). Where it is impractical to include certain provisions in the national code, they are detailed in state acts, such as the Queensland Development Code. The latter has special provisions for the siting and amenity of detached housing and duplexes, and sets forth some performance requirements for sustainable single- and multi-family buildings (on energy efficiency, water conservation, and end-of-trip facilities, such as bicycle parking). The Queensland Planning Act contains detailed provisions on land use planning, the development assessment process, and infrastructure provision.

4 Note that architecture and town planning are accredited professions, whereas urban design is not. The Architects Accreditation Council of Australia enforces a National Standard of Competency for Architects, whereas the Planning Institute of Australia accredits education programs and recognises planning qualifications. There is no equivalent institute for urban designers.