Urban Growth and Decline in Newcastle

1. Urban Growth and Decline in Newcastle By Lotus Killerby

2. Urban sprawl • Inner Newcastle city area was the centre of the original settlement (port activities) • Settlement also occurred around the mining areas creating suburban growth • These areas finally joined up as the area grew • As land became scare, growth of the Newcastle area has been on its periphery areas. Growth is restricted on the east by the Pacific Ocean. • New residential estates have been created as a result of developers changing the use of the land from forest/bush or farmland into urban blocks. (e.g. Maryland, Minmi, Beresfield, Raymond Terrace, Toronto) Loss of native flora and fauna • Land prices and building is more affordable for families in these areas who leave the inner city areas – “the great suburban dream” – single detached houses. • The urban sprawl has meant the need to provide infrastructure such as roads, electricity, water, parks, schools, shopping centres etc. It is dependent more upon mobility by cars. • This urban sprawl has impacted on the environment, on mobility and living costs.

4. Urban renewal The NSW Government will transform and revitalise Newcastle's city centre to boost economic activity, making Newcastle a more vibrant place for locals and visitors, and reinforcing its role as a 21st century regional centre. A strategy has been announced with a range of initiatives and an implementation plan to help drive urban renewal and improve links between the city centre and its waterfront. The initiatives will revitalise Hunter Street with activity focused on three key hubs to form a dynamic city centre offering a range of experiences for the wider region and eight new crossings to link the city centre with the foreshore. Significant upgrades are planned for Wheeler Place and Hunter Street Mall, with a new transport interchange to be built at Wickham to serve the city's emerging commercial hub, providing more travel options and better connectivity for people outside Newcastle. New retail, residential and leisure activities across these different precincts will stimulate the city centre and surrounding areas

6. Urban consolidation • In an attempt to reduce the urban sprawl process, Newcastle City Council has encouraged the process of consolidation – allowing the development of medium density housing – building a “granny flat” at the back of existing houses; dual occupancy – building a number of villas or home units on one block of land thereby making use of the infrastructure already provided. • Consolidation has also occurred where the type of land use has been altered to allow urban development (e.g. the former Beaumont Park Greyhound Race track at Hamilton now a new residential area; Warrabrook Estate at Mayfield East was formally an abattoir and stock yards. • Consolidation seen in the CBD – medium density residential accommodation associated with Honeysuckle Project.

8. Urban decline/decay • The inner Newcastle area around the CBD (Central Business District) has experienced a decline in population since the 1970’s. This has been due to-: a) An aging population and so b) A decline in reproduction rates c) Less people moving into the areas d) Declining employment opportunities e) Declining retail outlets – retail sectors moving into large suburban/regional shopping centres such as Garden City, Charlestown Square, Glendale etc. As a result, • Many retail stores have become vacant for many years – used by vagrants and homeless people; graffitied. • Dilapidated wharves, neglected buildings, contaminated land, forgotten heritage and aged services (power, water etc.) around the harbour foreshore.

10. Bibliography • Google images • Sharepoint • Google