Should Adelaide Go High Rise

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Norwood, Payneham & St Peters Council has proposed to allow buildings up to six storeys to be built on The Parade; buildings between five and 10 storeys on selected sites in Kent Town and buildings up to four storeys along the Linear Park. The changes would be in line with the State Government's 30-Year Plan, which predicts a population increase of 560,000 across greater Adelaide.



I'm a bit surprised at the public outrage over this. Do people really expect to live in a major city in the CBD in a house on a single allotment? In Europe it is very common to have 4-6 storey apartment blocks in the CBD and surrounds of major cities.



But don't get me wrong, I'm all for and love the stone-fronted cottage, and preserving good examples of heritage buildings and streetscapes to get a sense of what Adelaide used to be like. There must be a way of getting the balance right, preserving what is good, but also producing a modern, functional city that looks to the future as well.



Four storey apartments, if well located and sensitively designed, could work in some locations along the Linear Park as well. The State Government also has plans for high-rise buildings on Greenhill and Fullarton roads. Buildings up to 10 storeys would be allowed around the Glen Osmond Rd entrance to the parklands, and seven storeys along the rest of Fullarton and Greenhill roads.



There is a strong argument for having more people living in the CBD and surrounds. It reduces urban sprawl, puts less strain on public transport (reducing the commute to work), brings life into the city after hours, and attracts new business to support the additional population.



The Adelaide City Council has recently weighed into the debate today on Adelaide Now arguing that high rise buildings around the parklands will spoil vistas to the Adelaide hills.

What do you think? Leave a comment.

#walkerville
#stepney
#st_peters
#questions
#payneham
#norwood
#kent_town
#environment
#architecture
#adelaide_city
%wnadelaide