ENGINEERING COMMUNITY HUBS – THE FUTURE OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT

BOWDEN URBAN VILLAGE OVERVIEW
 

The Clipsal site in Bowden is an iconic site on the fringe of the Adelaide CBD, South Australia. The Clipsal factory was originally a family owned business and after years of being located along Park Terrace the industrial site was purchased by Renewal SA, the then Land Management Corporation (LMC), and the Clipsal factory then relocated to Gepps Cross. The Park Terrace site was then given the green light for development and from this, the Bowden Urban Village was created. The purpose behind Bowden Urban Village was to create a showcase site for medium to high density living. In the final months of 2013, Bowden Urban Village saw the completion of stage one of infrastructure for the development with the first townhouses and apartments now under construction.
 

 

The Bowden Urban Village project showcases a demonstration walkable community, one of the first of its kind in South Australia. Delivering this medium to high density “walkable community,” shows how developers and FMG Engineering are embracing the changing trends towards modern, urban communities. This development incorporates design elements to minimise traffic and urban sprawl while allowing residents to have access to public transport and amenities nearby.

STAGE ONE – FMG ENGINEERING INVOLVEMENT

FMG Engineering were engaged to assist with the Bowden site infrastructure, streets, stormwater drainage, utilities and the construction superintendence of the works.

Throughout the initial planning stages and construction FMG Engineering consulted with landscape architects, site owner Renewal SA and other engineering firms to manage the project. With expertise and knowledge in urban renewal and infill development, FMG Engineering were able to efficiently and effectively assess the site and deliver a range of solutions to meet the criteria of the project.

FMG Engineering managed a number of challenges from an engineering perspective throughout stage one of Bowden Urban Village.

Challenges within Bowden Urban Village included creating a walkable community with a low speed traffic environment while managing stormwater and integrating seamless kerb to roadside access. A number of considerations then stemmed from this, such as the need to define pedestrian crossings to assist the visually impaired and minimise trip hazards.  

Given the initial design stages of Bowden Urban Village, the purpose was to create an intimate community with dwellings located close to the roadway with the use of trees and plants to help define the boundaries. The trees and structural soils and multiple services being laid in narrower than normal street reserves and in non-standard locations, all required considerable effort to resolve.

Stormwater was designed to be captured through a central point in the road and transferred to the ground pipe system by infiltration pits. To assist with runoff, the street profile is inverted to allow this process to happen without water pooling while a sunken lawn design feature makes for an easy drainage point. 

Each aspect has been designed to create a vibrant streetscape, whether it’s through locating housing closer to the street, the salvaged pavers within the park precincts or the new concept of using LED lighting throughout the streets, Bowden Urban Village is unique.

The various elements that were incorporated to fit the first stage of Bowden Urban Village are those that can be used as a benchmark for future developments, infill and urban renewal around Australia.

Following the first launch of Bowden Urban Village, housing interest within the village has already been exceeding expectation. Community ‘café culture’ living has been embraced by the local residents with the market responding well to this new lifestyle choice.

Stay tuned for part two of the development overview and discussion.
From the FMG Engineering team.