In light of the recent housing crisis, the solution appears to be slapping together a bunch of expensive, poorly designed residential towers throughout downtown. It’s important to consider that these buildings will have a lasting impact on life in Victoria.
We do not need to build highrises to get optimal density. When people are only a few storeys above the street, it’s possible to look at and interact with people at ground level. This social element is critical.
Four- to six-storey buildings are ideal, dense enough, but not too tall. Tall buildings create shadows, require more energy to heat and cool, and can simply feel dehumanizing.
New buildings should not be built out of concrete. Concrete has a huge carbon footprint and should be avoided whenever possible. Short-term impact is critical; developments such as Dockside Green might look sustainable, but concrete highrises (which are part of its plan) are not. Wood buildings are feasible up to about 10 storeys, and with fire-resistant compressed-laminate timber and other low-carbon materials, there’s no excuse not to build this way.
Lastly, new buildings should be thought through and properly designed. We do not need mountains of car parking; we need solar panels, green space and public space. Developers should view buildings as a long-term contribution to the city, rather than a quick profit.
I strongly urge council to limit heights to 10 storeys, and to encourage more well-designed, affordable, sustainable buildings.
Finn Kreischer
Victoria
