Urban Blight & Renewal

Urban Decay • Deterioration of the urban environment

• Infrastructure falls into disrepair as buildings

are left empty for long periods of time

The Doughnut Effect

The Doughnut Effect

The Doughnut Effect

• Development occurs around a central

location (CBD of city), and then is surrounded

by residential, industrial, etc

• Combined effects of push and pull factors at

CBD lead to industry and jobs, and along with

them people, relocating to the suburbs, or

even overseas

• Leaves disused land / buildings in the CBD

and that creates a hole

• The hole becomes an area of urban decay /

urban blight.

HOW IS URBAN BLIGHT

A PROBLEM?

Detroit, 2013

Urban Blight Issues

• Suburban flight or “white flight”

• Crime, drugs, unsafe public places

• Cumulative decline of economic opportunities

• Infrastructure deteriorates, becomes obsolete

Urban

Decay

Social

Changes

Impact on Property Prices?

MUST THE INNER CITY BE A

PROBLEM?

Features of the inner city lifestyle

• Close to business/ shops

• Close to entertainment

(opera, concerts, theater,

cinemas, races)

• Restaurants (world class

restaurants and family style

restaurants)

• Sporting activities (Olympic

activities)

• Shopping

• Work location

WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT

DECAYING INNER CITIES?

Urban Decay and renewal

Sydney (Pyrmont/ultimo)

• 19 century terrace houses

• The farmers wool storehouse being

converted to offices and apartments

• Unit development in park land space

• Sydney and the NSW department of

planning and development are trying

to revitalise and old, superbly

located part of inner Sydney.

• Building heights vary from 4-12

storeys high.

• Case Study of Sheffield, UK

• What about Singapore?

Singapore: Then & Now