6. Social & Community Facilities - City of Greater Geelong

6. Social & Community Facilities
6.4.4. Importance of Community Spaces
Social sustainability draws from a variety of underlying ideas
and principles. The following provides guiding principles with
respect to planning, design and locational requirements for
community infrastructure.
Community infrastructure or facilities are physical
buildings and spaces that are publicly accessible and
offer opportunities, programs and services for a range
of affordable, locally appropriate, recreational, social,
developmental and cultural activities.
Various components in developing outcomes for social
sustainability relate to:
Access and Equity
• Providing housing mix and choice – with an adequate
proportion of affordable and adaptable housing
opportunities – to meet the needs of a diverse and
balanced population and respond to changing
demographic requirements;
• Convenient and equitable access to local facilities and
services at the neighbourhood level;
• Access to locally available and appropriate employment
opportunities;
• Access to opportunities for lifelong learning and training;
• Connectivity with the surrounding district and access to
services, facilities and resources in the wider region –
particularly by public transport;
• Integration with the surrounding area – social as well as
physical – to promote social cohesion and inclusiveness
and ensure fair access to resources.
Health and Well-being
• Appropriate urban design features to create a safe, high
quality and attractive environment
• Providing pedestrian friendly, walkable neighbourhoods
that encourage an active street life and healthy lifestyles;
• Providing meeting and gathering spaces;
• Providing access to a network of open space and
recreational opportunities;
• Providing access to a range of social, recreational
and cultural facilities that utilise resources efficiently,
have flexibility to adapt to changing needs, and
allow for sustainable management and maintenance
arrangements.
Identity and Expression
• Creating memorable and distinctive places and spaces
that give rise to a sense of place and identity for the
community;
• Creating opportunities for cultural expression that
promote creativity, place-making, civic pride and
celebration of the community;
• The recognition, interpretation and understanding of
natural and cultural heritage;
• Developing community life and connections with others.
6.5. Design and Construction
6.5.1. Design Principles for Community Services
Facilities
Flexibility and Innovation
Community infrastructure must recognize the dynamic and
changing nature of communities. The design of facilities
needs to be flexible, innovative and adaptable to meet the
needs of the future population.
Joint Provision
The option of providing facilities in partnership with other
organisations could be considered by Council to broaden
access, maximize usage and rationalize costs.
Safety
Where possible the location should be a mixed use area,
close to shops, services and public transport. The design
of the facility must consider the Safe Design Guidelines
including natural surveillance and lighting. Fencing should
be designed in accordance with children’s services
regulations.
Sustainability
The building design must also utilise environmentally
sustainable concepts such energy efficiency and waste
minimisation.
Building Materials, Standards and Long Term
Maintenance
The facility must be built according to City of Greater
Geelong standards using appropriate and durable materials,
adhering to building standards and other regulatory
requirements. Prior to construction there needs to be sign off
by the City on the maintenance implications of any structure.
SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES - INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES - 47