New publication: Ideas for Batavia Coast Marina Stage 2

Innovation in water sensitive urban design – with support from the CRC for Water Sensitive Cities (CRCWSC) – is helping to drive a residential development in a growing north Western Australian city.

CRCWSC researchers have been involved in the Batavia Coast Marina Stage 2 (BCM2) development in Geraldton since early 2013, when the City of Greater Geraldton invited external participation at a planning workshop. BCM2 involves the redevelopment of a six hectare residential precinct between the Geraldton Central Business District and the Batavia Coast waterfront marina.

batavia-graphic — Building design showing the integration of green walls and roof with living streams in the public realm to provide an integrated water sensitive urban design solution for BCM2. (illustration credit– Realm Studios).

The development of an ‘ideas’ package for the project has led to the publication of Ideas for Batavia Coast Marina Stage 2, which articulates a vision for water management in Geraldton.

CRCWSC CEO Professor Tony Wong said the report emphasised the collaborative effort involved in planning and developing concepts for sustainable water management in an expanding regional city.

“This exercise has been an important application of the CRCWSC’s research in a regional context, highlighting the broad transferability of these ideas to a range of scenarios including those beyond large capital cities. It also provides a tangible example of the strength of the partnerships that have been developed with Geraldton, which will prove vital to the city’s success in transitioning to a water sensitive city,“ Professor Wong said.

The report highlights ideas that focus on solving drainage challenges; maximising urban design/public realm opportunities; and promoting sustainable building design and technology innovation.

Download the report here.