What are the initiatives that the city is working on?
The City of Fremantle has launched a variety of urban design and community initiatives focusing on sustainability and happiness, with the ultimate goal of creating a healthy, happy city for residents, workers and tourists.
Fremantle’s One Planet Strategy provides a framework for all the city’s projects and programs, defining the key objectives and aspirations of the city across ten core areas.
Urban planning in Fremantle is working on designing residential and public spaces to effectively house residents, accomodate for tourism and foster happiness and healthiness via community. Some specific projects include:
- Redevelopment of Kings Square as a major shared space for mixed use – office facilities, children-friendly play areas, library and visitor centre services, etc;
- Transport initiatives – implementation of light rail to solve congestion and parking issues;
- Generation Y housing developments in White Gum Valley that incorporates co-design by residents (within a building group) and shared, green spaces;
- The Freo Alternative project is re-designing the city’s approach to sub-division;
- Emphasis on the creation of good community spaces – communal gardens, good walking environments and public facilities all within close proximity to residences and workplaces – this promotes healthy lifestyles and a communal sense of place, two essential ingredients for a health, happy community;
- Support for local and sustainable food purchase and production by providing access to community gardens;
- Environmental initiatives aiming to reduce the carbon footprint of Fremantle, maintain coastal areas and increase quality and distributio nof green areas in the city – the City of Fremantle draws inspiration from biophilic cities, fostering biodiversity and natural environments;
- Addressing the problem of increasing economic divide in the Fremantle population through a ‘housing first’ approach.
What is the city’s vision/mission/direction? Examples?
The City of Fremantle’s overarching mission is a healthy, happy city of the future. A healthy, happy Fremantle is envisioned as:
- Vibrant, diverse and unique, immersed in arts, culture and beauty;
- Walkable, with safe and easy access to services and healthy food options;
- A ‘city of choices’ offering diverse and affordable housing choices and lifestyles with high living standards and accessibility for all ages (intergenerational communities);
- A community with a distinct identity, that supports equality and opportunity;
- Active and healthy, with green urban transport;
- Convivial, social;
- Ethical and sustainable environments that minimalise resources and foster a green community.
How is design and innovation relevant to the city’s development?
The City of Fremantle’s vision for a healthy, happy city that promotes community engagement and sustainable practices requires successful integration of compatible programs and initiatives into one cohesive approach to urban design. The economic, sociocultural and environmental challenges facing the city must be overcome by innovative designs such that all aspects of the One Planet strategy can be addressed and united in the planning and development of the city. This involves deep understanding of the needs of the people of Fremantle, in order to effectively design the community for them to engage with.
Design Practices: Identity 