Creating an aspirational community that fosters a true sense of belonging

Urban design is an interdisciplinary field that draws together the many strands of place-making, environmental stewardship, social equality, and economic viability into the creation of places, maximising what is special about that place.

Lendlease Urban Design Manager Sue Dewar said in order to create an aspirational community at Yarrabilba, it was important to understand the residents and not just meet, but exceed their needs, wants and desires.

“My role at Lendlease as the State Urban Design Manager for Communities in Queensland is very diverse, from visioning, master planning a 30-year community, to writing a brief for a park, a guideline for a commercial development and a variety of tasks in between,” she said.

“The crux of the job is to create aspirational communities that foster a true sense of belonging, offer a wide range of attainable living options in environments that deliver early amenity and are truly beautiful and sustainable.”

In Yarrabilba, Sue and the Lendlease team have created an aspirational community through the following;

• More than 25% of Yarrabilba will be reserved for open space, including environmental corridors, bushland reserves, parks, landscaped areas and playing fields. 
• A full range of education facilities will be offered, from early childcare and learning to secondary and potentially higher learning. A total of 11 schools are planned for Yarrabilba. There’s also a range of childcare centres, primary and secondary schools only a short drive from Yarrabilba.
• Yarrabilba will be a walkable community with an extensive pedestrian and cycle path network to connect the community internally and externally to the broader neighbourhood and adjacent conservation areas.
• There will be a range of shopping options available in Yarrabilba, including a future sub-regional Town Centre as well as district and neighbourhood centres, medical and health facilities, and professional services. 
• Yarrabilba includes a comprehensive range of living options to suit every lifestyle and budget.
• Use of covenants and design guidelines to ensure attractive streetscapes.

There are a range of unique and distinct addresses within Yarrabilba so that people can know their neighbours and neighbourhood, fostering a strong community.

To embed the community in place the design is informed by ongoing consultation with the Yugambeh people who are the traditional owners.

“Everyone wants to live somewhere special. Humans are not happy in identical homes, with identical layouts and furnishings, living in a community that could be anywhere is the world,” said Sue.

“We are all individuals and like to surround ourselves with things and people that resonate with us. So, while diversity and choice is paramount it needs to be anchored by place. By understanding that makes a place unique and staying true to that, makes a place where people want to be.

“At our new address ‘The Parks’ at Yarrabilba it is the connection to the conservation parks (Plunket and Wickham), the views of the Scenic Rim and in places glimpses of Brisbane City skyline, the new school, the large number of parks with retained trees and rock outcrops and the nearby future Town Centre that make it so special. The design of one of the parks is informed by ongoing consultation with the Yugambeh people who are the traditional owners.”

So why is it important to create a community with sustainability in mind? Sustainable design seeks to reduce negative impacts on the environment, and the health and comfort of people. The basic objectives of sustainability are to reduce consumption of non-renewable resources, minimize waste, and create healthy, productive environments where people can live a healthy life.

Learn more about buying land at The Parks.