Residential Permits on the Rise in Australia

It is projected by the Australian bureau of statistics that, under a medium growth scenario, by 2075 the population will reach forty six million. They project that by this time Melbourne will reach a population of around eight and a half million, and Perth will overtake Brisbane as the third largest city. Combining the rise in population with the existing high prices of homes, Australian cities have a great demand for more housing. Meeting this requirement will demand a range of homing options to be delivered, including mid-rise options.

With residential permits for flat and apartment type buildings up thirty-six percent over the last year, we have seen a considerable shift in the direction of high density buildings. This is a shift that has never been seen on such a large scale in Australia. According to the 2011 census, it is indicated that over one hundred and fifty thousand housing units were built within inner and middle suburbs in Australia in the last ten years.
Residential permits for mid-rise buildings are increasingly being supplied to crucial housing needs in the cities. Many residential planning departments have recognised the use of mid-rise housing in supporting existing communities, relieving established precincts, and while still fitting in with current activity centres. The reasons behind this shift are clear, while land supply is tightening, fuel prices are increasing. Additionally an increased number of people are moving towards urban living.

The twenty-five to thirty-nine year old, white collar, higher income range with few children, are choosing to move from suburban to urban living solutions. International migrants also increase the pressure for residential permits to be approved with future growth in mind. Mid-rise buildings are suitable for urban areas with existing infrastructure, like transportation, entertainment, and retail. They can accommodate growth without a massive change to scale. The relation between structure and street is important when residential permits are given.

It is key in designing a built environment that is able to support its residents in a comfortable and workable environment with various transport options able to cope with the population. This includes not just public transportation, but walking, cycling, and driving. At the same time, mid-rise structures can be installed without completely changing the existing environment in terms of skyline for example. New developments are often met with resistance in existing neighbourhoods. Architects must work to design buildings that increase space efficiency while retaining scale and aesthetics. This means not simply presenting a render of a building but foreseeing the impact of its residents and working to maximise its benefits.