YOUR SUBURB SELECTION SORTEDChoosing an appropriate suburb to live in or invest in can be both difficult and unpredictable, especially with increased issues such as Urban Sprawl in suburbs all around us. An evaluation of Teneriffe, Kelvin Grove Urban Village, and West End may just change your mind, and help with that crucial decision.

TeneriffeAlthough the well planned and sophisticated Teneriffe displays a number of positive examples of social sustainability, it also displays some negative examples that outweigh the positives. This suburb exhibits excellent examples of gentrification and urban regeneration, by refurbishing the old wool factories and banks. There are a number of coffee shops, gyms, restrooms, parking spaces and public walkways, which are easy for all residents to access. The area seems safe for both residents and visitors, resulting in a high level of social interaction.

However, the suburb seems to have a highly disconnected community, since there is little evidence of advertisements, community programs and events. The area

appears appropriate to house high income families such as DINKS (families with double income, no kids) and retired couples, but there is little or no indication of family homes with children, and barely any facilities that cater for children and families such as day care centres and parks.

Although the social sustainability of Teneriffe is roughly below average standards, its environmental sustainability is admirable. There are high amounts of public transport, such as frequent bus services and public bicycles to encourage the reduction of carbon emissions. Gardens and open spaces are at almost every corner, and pathways are lined with neat and well-kept trees and shrubs. Bins are frequently placed,

and there are very little amounts of litter or vandalism throughout the suburb.

The only negative opinion on Teneriffe’s environmental sustainability is the lack of public recycling bins. Unfortunately, the economic sustainability of Teneriffe is at the same ordinary level as its social sustainability, rather than similar to its exceptional environmental standards. Although buildings in Teneriffe are extremely well designed, maintained and improved through the processes of gentrification and urban regeneration, the suburb is exceedingly exclusive. It seems to only cater for high

Regeneration of old buildings, and public transport in Teneriffe.

Convenience Stores Scattered throughout Kelvin Grove.

income housing and family types since rent is especially expensive.

When it comes to choosing appropriate suburbs to live in or invest in, unless you want an exclusive,

expensive area, Teneriffe should not be given a second glimpse.

Kelvin GroveKelvin Grove is a prime example of a blended community with a variety of land uses. The area is sustainable and well organised through diverse planning. It exhibits the process of transit oriented development and urban consolidation, which is the planning of more medium and high density housing to combat urban sprawl. It is overall appropriate for all family and income types, particularly students and teachers as well as families with and without children. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reveals that the median age of residents of Kelvin Grove are 28. Being close to the city and fairly central, it is convenient and time saving. It seems very safe for people to live in despite the mixed income types and cultural diversity.

The community is of a number of cultural backgrounds, with appropriate facilities and restaurants to

cater for these. It shows very high community involvement with posters advertising for cultural, artistic and sociable events and classes, such as social table tennis, Virtual Macbeth shows, craft and knitting classes and IT classes.

However, from a negative perspective, there is a lot of development and construction around which may only be temporary. And as a result of the culturally blended community, there are a number of people and families living differently to each other, which can cause slight irritation and annoyance amongst residents.

Following its outstanding social sustainability, Kelvin Grove exhibits excellent environmental standards. Transit-oriented development is evident throughout the village with bus services such as the 345 and shuttle buses

connecting the

universities. Apart from that, most things are within walking distance. Buildings in Kelvin Grove have a high upkeep to minimise vandalism and several parks and open spaces are spread out amongst the suburb. The apartments in Kelvin Grove are also specifically designed to effectively reduce carbon emissions with natural ventilation, cross ventilation, balconies, and openly designed layouts. White goods and furniture are specifically rated as ecologically sound, and the

laundry is placed outside to reduce heat.

On the other hand,

although there is lots of public transport, it is a slight walk to get to the bus way. There are also large amounts of litter scattered throughout the suburb.

Kelvin Grove’s economic sustainability is also excellent, and as a result of its well organised planning, it is able to appropriately blend low, middle and high income types. The apartments and properties receive a

high amount of capital gain, as they increase in demand and price. There are various apartment and housing corporations to help house families on limited income housing, which can be handy for students at university or families that are new to Australia. One of these corporations, “The Exchange,” is a joint initiative with the Queensland Government which aims to provide opportunities for

people to participate in activities that promote their health, wellbeing and housing opportunities.

The only negative economical point regarding Kelvin Grove Urban Village is that a lot of the buildings lack the processes of gentrification, but this is mainly due to the fact that the community is only newly built and designed.

West EndWest End, a suburb presenting a balance of natural, social and economic environments, displays both positive and negative social criteria. It retains a very high number of community businesses and facilities such as shops, cafes, health facilities and night clubs. It is a very culturally diverse suburb, and caters for these cultures with appropriate services, such as a Greek Church, an Aboriginal Performing Arts Centre, and Asian and Mediterranean Restaurants. There is a very high presence of community involvement through

shows and concerts, and community homelessness initiatives.

However the only negative point about West End is a critical one, regarding the largely decreased feeling of safety and comfort the residents may feel. Although the planning of the city to combine low, middle and high income types may seem an appealing idea, in reality it can cause such problems.

West End’s environmental quality was at an undesirable level, and consists mainly of negatives rather than positives. There is an

impressive amount of public transport – buses and a few bike areas are present throughout the area. The area also has a high level of accessibility; a lot of shops, centres and cafes can be accessed by walking.

Unfortunately, the positive environmental criteria ends here. Little amounts of gardens and open space are evident, and there are extensive amounts of litter and vandalism. Traffic can be smelt and heard all over the

area. Standards like this are not desirable for living, for any type of family.

Despite the negativity regarding West End’s social and environmental standards, it is fairly impressive in terms of economic sustainability. It combines low, middle

and high incomes and although this can create social problems of its own, it is ideal and inexpensive for any type of family to buy property. The area is fairly highly designed in relation to grouping of shops, health facilities and cultural facilities, and the roads are well maintained.

One of the only bad things that can be said about West End’s economic sustainability is that a lot of buildings were worn down and old and a lack of gentrification was present.

So which to choose?The suburb that best exemplifies the principles of social, economic and environmental sustainability is definitely Kelvin Grove. It showed the best overall balance of positives over negatives in all three criteria.

Kelvin Grove’s excellent social standards make it a pleasant place to live. It has an overall

very high social standard as a result of its outstanding levels of community involvement and interaction from various cultures.

The environmental sustainability of Kelvin Grove is also to an extremely high standard as a result of the cleverly planned apartments and ways in which they can

save on the use of carbon emissions.

Finally, Kelvin Grove displays outstanding economic standards. It’s well designed apartments that suit all income types will guarantee your property capital gain, making Kelvin Grove the perfect place to live in or invest in.Bibliography

2006 Census QuickStats, 2006, Australian Bureau of Statistics , <http://www.abs.gov.au/>

Brisbane City Council , n.d., 15 May 2012, viewed 16 May 2012, <http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/>.

Cooke, 2012, Kelvin Grove Urban Village Interveiwpersonal communication, April.

Kelvin Grove Urban Village - The Creative Heart of Brisbane, n.d., viewed 3 May 2012, <http://www.kgurbanvillage.com.au/>.

Well Designed buildings and artworks around West End

New Farm and Teneriffe, Brisbane, n.d., viewed 3 May 2012, <http://www.visitbrisbane.com.au/Travel/Destination-Maps/Brisbane/New-Farm-Teneriffe.aspx>.

West End, Brisbane, n.d., viewed 3 May 2012, <http://www.brisbanecitylife.com.au/bcl/places/westend.htm>.