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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2010-05-26 Daily Xml
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Question Time

INTEGRATED DESIGN STRATEGY

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (14:22): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Urban Development and Planning a question about integrated design strategy.

Leave granted.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: In 2003, when the Hon. Jay Weatherill was minister for planning he issued a press release entitled 'Success for South Australian National Planning Awards'. It stated:

In a triumph for planning in South Australia, one of the state's most innovative partnership projects took out the national award for planning research and teaching at the Planning Institute of Australia's 2003 national awards for planning excellence.

The Public Spaces and Public Life report by Danish architect Professor Jan Gehl—a joint initiative of Planning SA and the Adelaide City Council—was announced as the winner of the national award at a presentation dinner, held at the Adelaide Convention Centre tonight.

It continued:

The report makes recommendations on how Adelaide could be made better for the people visiting, living, working and shopping in the city centre and focuses on improving the vibrancy and character of the streets and squares within Adelaide. This would encourage the use of the more recreational, social and cultural activities to create a more vibrant 'public life' within the city—also improving conditions for business and commerce.

As the minister would be aware, I was with him at a lunch today that was sponsored by the Urban Development Institute. I made some inquiries at that lunch—and also previously—about what had happened to the report; most people believe that it is just collecting dust.

I was intrigued to read an article in The Adelaide Review,written by Amanda Ward, regarding Laura Lee's recommendation for a design commissioner and the integrated design strategy in particular. In one section she talks about the various phases of the integrated design strategy, particularly phase 1, called 'Analyse and Understand', which at the time of writing the article she said 'may already be underway'. She wrote:

It involves the preparation of a report, Public Spaces and Public Life Adelaide 2010 by Gehl Architects, that will build on the 2002 study by the eminent Danish architect, collecting data on how people use this city now compared to eight years ago and using that data to make informed design decisions.

My questions to the minister are:

1. Can he confirm that Gehl Architects have now been commissioned to compile yet another report entitled 'Public Spaces and Public Life, Adelaide 2010'?

2. Can he also inform the chamber how many of the 16 recommendations of the previous report in 2002 the government has implemented?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister Assisting the Premier in Public Sector Management) (14:25): The information on the report of 2002 is not something I would have, but I indicated to the Leader of the Opposition, when he asked a question just a few weeks ago, how I had met with Jan Gehl and Laura Lee in regard to the general issues of urban design. I was aware that Jan Gehl had done some earlier work. I am not sure who had actually commissioned that work, whether or not the city council had been part of it, and I will have to go back and get that—

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway interjecting:

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: That is right. As the honourable member says, it involved the city council. He would well know that there are issues in relation to getting things done in conjunction with the Adelaide City Council.

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway: So, it is the city council's fault?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: No, I am not suggesting that but saying that, if you want to get done in this city, we work closely with the Adelaide City Council, but its priorities will often be different from those of the government. I will have to go back and get that information. What was the other part of the honourable member's question?

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway: Have they been engaged to compile another report 'Public Spaces and Public Life, Adelaide 2010', and how many of the recommendations have been implemented?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: I had a meeting with Jan Gehl some time last year. He is a very eminent, world-renowned architect, an associate of Professor Laura Lee, who we have here for the Integrated Design Commission.

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway: Where in the world can we look at Professor Lee's work?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: Let me tell you: I am quite happy to do so. Laura Lee has extensive experience in a number of cities—minor little towns like Pittsburgh, Washington DC, Antwerp, Barcelona, Copenhagen, Rome and Gdansk! She has worked on an urban design program for Doha in Qatar and has also been involved with the oldest urban design program in the United States for some 20 years, in addition to being involved, I am told, in 18 commercial-based programs of urban design in 18 cities and communities in the United States. So really, come on, let us stop this rubbish about trying to denigrate.

To come back to the question, Jan Gehl is an associate of Professor Laura Lee. I know that he did some of the work not only in Adelaide but also in Melbourne, including I believe some of the work around Federation Square. He is a person who regularly visits this country and with whom governments consult. As to the details of the arrangement, I will bring back an answer to the chamber.

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway: You're the minister responsible and you don't know?

The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. Mr Ridgway should not have raw meat for lunch.

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