Introduction
Brookvale is a suburb in the Northern Beaches of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It is situated approximately 15 kilometers north of the Sydney central business district and is considered a significant commercial hub. The town center of Brookvale is located along Pittwater Road. It is home to a variety of retail and commercial businesses, as well as public amenities such as schools, libraries, and recreational facilities. The suburb is renowned for its thriving commercial hub, featuring a diverse mix of retail and service businesses, as well as several restaurants and cafes.
This report aims to analyze the spatial structure of the Brookvale town center and examine the relationships between spatial and socioeconomic factors within the area. The following text will also consider the connection between socioeconomic context and the urban structure of the suburb. By taking these factors into account, the report intends to gain a more complete understanding of the spatial structure of the town center and the circumstances that may have influenced it. Additionally, the project will utilize maps and aerial landscape photographs to further advance the spatial analysis. Specifically, the report aims to identify trends or patterns in the distribution of businesses and amenities within the town center and consider how demographic and economic factors may influence these.
Findings
Movement Networks
Brookvale boasts an extensive road and street network, linking the suburb to its neighboring areas. The roads running through Brookvale include Warringah Road, Condamine Street, and Old Pittwater Road. These roads provide access to the commercial hub of the suburb, as well as to the residential areas.
Public transportation in Brookvale is supplied by buses, with several routes running through the suburb. The nearest train station is located near Dee Why, which is accessible by bus or by car. The area has several pedestrian and cycling paths, including the B-Line, a dedicated bus lane along the Northern Beaches from Mona Vale to the Sydney CBD. This path is suitable for pedestrians and cyclists, offering a convenient and eco-friendly way to navigate the area. In summary, the movement network in Brookvale comprises roads, public transportation, and pedestrian and cycling paths, all of which work together to facilitate the movement of people and goods within the suburb and its surrounding areas.
Lot Sizes/Subdivision Patterns
Brookvale’s lot sizes and subdivision patterns are characteristic of many suburban areas. The lots are typically rectangular and range from small, narrow ones that front onto the street to larger ones located at the rear of properties. The lot sizes and subdivision patterns in this area vary significantly, as it encompasses both residential and commercial properties. Some of the standard lot sizes and subdivision patterns found in Brookvale include:
- Single-family homes: These properties tend to have larger lot sizes, ranging from 500 to 1,000 square meters. They are typically divided into front and back yards, with a driveway leading to a detached garage or carport.
- Duplexes: These properties are divided into two separate units, each with its own entrance and living space. The lot sizes for duplexes can fluctuate, but they tend to be smaller than those of single-family homes, ranging from 300 to 500 square meters.
- Townhomes: These properties are similar to duplexes but are typically multi-story buildings with individual units stacked on top of each other, ranging in size from 150 to 300 square meters.
- Apartment buildings are multi-story buildings with multiple units, ranging from studio apartments to three-bedroom units, typically 100 to 200 square meters.
- Commercial properties: These properties can include retail stores, office buildings, and other types of businesses, which considerably differ in size depending on the type of business.
Frontages
The frontages in Brookvale are varied, with a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial properties. The facades of commercial properties are typically wider, featuring large windows and doors that facilitate easy access and visibility. Residential properties typically feature narrower frontages, characterized by smaller windows and doors. Some properties feature modern, sleek frontages with large windows and minimalist landscaping, while others have more traditional, classic frontages with brick walls and well-manicured gardens. Overall, the frontages in Brookvale are well-maintained and reflect the diverse range of property styles found in the suburb.
Public/Private Interface Types
Public interfaces in Brookvale, Sydney, are available for use by the wider community and include public transportation systems, parks, recreational facilities, public libraries, and other amenities open to the general public. Private interfaces consist of private schools, gated communities, and private businesses. Active interfaces encompass busy streets, public transportation systems, popular parks, and recreational facilities. Abandoned buildings, empty lots, and unused public spaces represent inactive interfaces in Brookvale.
Land Uses
The land uses in Brookvale are diverse, with a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial properties. The commercial properties are primarily located in the suburb’s central hub, while the residential ones are in the surrounding areas. Several industrial properties are also located on the outskirts of the suburb. The movement networks provide access to the suburb’s commercial hub, which is characterized by wider frontages and businesses with doors and windows facing the street. Lot sizes and subdivision patterns also shape the suburb’s spatial structure, as they determine the size and layout of the properties.
Discussion
Relationships Between Different Spatial Structures
One notable feature of Brookvale’s spatial structure is the significant industrial land use within the suburb. This includes a large number of warehouses and industrial buildings, as well as several smaller businesses, such as mechanics and car dealerships. These industrial land uses are typically located along the western and southern edges of the suburb, with residential land uses concentrated in the central and eastern areas.
The relationship between industrial and residential land uses in Brookvale has several effects on the spatial structure of the suburb. For example, industrial land uses can create a physical barrier between residential areas, leading to a fragmented spatial structure. Additionally, the presence of industrial land uses can lead to increased traffic and congestion in the suburb, which can impact the accessibility of various areas and the overall mobility of residents.
Another critical aspect of Brookvale’s spatial structure is the layout of its street network. The suburb is bisected by several major roads, including Pittwater Road and Old Pittwater Road, which are major thoroughfares connecting the suburb to other parts of Sydney. The presence of these roads has several effects on the spatial structure of Brookvale. For example, the major roads can create a barrier between different areas of the suburb, leading to a fragmented spatial structure.
Effects of Spatial Structures on Socioeconomic Activities
The spatial structure elements function in several ways to encourage and/or constrain particular social and economic activities observed in the center. For example, the broader frontages of the commercial properties encourage foot traffic and people to stop and shop. The active interfaces between the public and private realms also invite social interaction and activity. On the other hand, the inactive interfaces between the public and private realms may deter social interaction and activity.
One of the main effects of spatial structures on socioeconomic disadvantage is the segregation of particular groups of people. For example, low-income housing may be concentrated in certain areas of the suburb, while more affluent areas may have higher-priced homes and access to better amenities. This segregation can create a divide between different income groups, with those living in disadvantaged areas experiencing limited opportunities and access to resources.
The study by Quick and Luan (2021) shows how socioeconomic disadvantage can be elucidated “by the urban structure of Toronto as well as a weighted mix of two different latent processes that capture the clustering of groups of areas with similar disadvantage scores and the dispersal of specific areas that have different disadvantage scores relative to nearby areas” (p. 75). Unfortunately, this project lacks current studies that explain the linkage between socioeconomic and spatial factors in any of Sydney’s suburbs, leaving it as a mere consideration for further research.
Another impact of spatial structures in Brookvale is their influence on the community’s overall quality of life. The availability of public parks and other recreational amenities can contribute to a sense of community and social cohesion. In contrast, the absence of these amenities may lead to feelings of isolation or neglect. Similarly, commercial areas with diverse businesses can offer the community a range of services and amenities. A lack of such diversity may limit access to essential goods and services.
Elements of Brookvale’s spatial structure, such as the layout of the streets and the location and type of land uses, can influence and constrain social and economic activities in the area. For instance, several retail outlets may attract higher volumes of foot traffic and encourage social interaction. In contrast, warehouses and industrial buildings may limit opportunities for specific economic activity.
Influence of Socioeconomic Factors on Brookvale Spatial Structures
Social and economic factors have also contributed to shaping the spatial structure of Brookvale. In fact, the demand for retail and commercial space may have contributed to the development of the busy commercial center. In contrast, industrial and warehouse space may reflect the need for businesses to have access to storage and distribution facilities. The demand for retail and service businesses in the suburb has led to the development of the commercial hub and the wider frontages of the commercial properties. The availability of land for residential development has also played a role in shaping the suburb, as it has determined the location and size of the residential properties.
It is also possible that broader socioeconomic processes have influenced the spatial structure of Brookvale at different scales. For example, expanding a shopping mall in a nearby suburb may have impacted the viability of certain businesses in Brookvale, or opening a new anchor store in the area may have attracted foot traffic and boosted the local economy.
The Brookvale Structure Plan
The Brookvale Structure Plan is a revised spatial strategy that focuses on creating a vibrant town center with a mix of commercial, residential, and community spaces and improving and revitalizing the Pittwater Road Corridor. As per the rationale given in the document, the need for the center’s renovation is caused by the fact that “the current planning controls within Brookvale do not promote the vision for Brookvale as a location that enables future growth in employment, productivity, creativity and new homes” (Northern Beaches Council [NBC], 2022, p. 6). In other words, the Brookvale Structure Plan aims to address the negative impacts of outdated planning controls and promote growth and revitalization in the area.
The plan mentions including green infrastructure, sustainable development practices, and improved cycling and pedestrian connections.These plan elements could potentially have positive socioeconomic impacts for the community, such as creating new job opportunities, improving the local economy, and providing a range of housing options. The plan’s emphasis on innovation and supporting the growth of local businesses could also contribute to the area’s long-term economic development. However, it is essential to consider any potential negative impacts that the plan may have, such as displacement of existing residents or businesses, and ensure that any development is carried out in a way that is sensitive to the needs and concerns of the community.
Conclusion
Overall, the spatial structure of Brookvale is characterized by a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial properties, with a well-developed network of roads and streets connecting the suburb to the surrounding areas. The spatial structure of the suburb functions to boost and/or limit particular social and economic activities and is shaped by a range of factors. The spatial structure of Brookvale is a complex and dynamic feature of the suburb that plays a significant role in shaping the character and functionality of the area. Various social and economic factors influence it and serve to enable and restrict different types of activities within the community.Understanding the spatial structure of Brookvale is essential for understanding the overall functioning and development of the suburb and can help inform planning and policy decisions related to the area.
References
Northern Beaches Council. (2022). Draft Brookvale Structure Plan. Web.
Quick, M., & Luan, H. (2021). The spatial structure of socio-economic disadvantage: A Bayesian multivariate spatial factor analysis. International Journal of Geographical Information Science, 35(1), 63–83. Web.