If you build it, will they come?
Should we have high-density flats near stations, and run trains to new burbs?
I’ve been watching a lot of YouTube videos lately because I aspire to get into that space (or, in English, I want to make videos that people like to watch). My observations are, no surprise, that some presenters are better than others — and that I’m far more likely to watch a video if I like the talent. And, of course, I’m interested in the subject and the script is well written. Sometimes, I’m nonplussed about the talent, and think the videos are overlong or otherwise flawed, but I persist in watching because I’m extremely interested in the subject matter. In one or two cases, I find the talent unbearable and, despite my interest in the subject, I can’t stand to watch the vids. And then I look at their numbers, and realise that they must be doing something right for somebody …
Anyway, that’s a digression. Among my recent YouTube viewing is the Not Just Bikes channel, from Canadian bloke in the Netherlands with an interest in bicycles (so, no surprise there) and public transport. It’s his insights on the latter topic that have had me thinking lately.
At the risk of doing him a disservice by oversimplification, one of his “things” is that planning for public transport should occur at the very beginning of the urban development stage. Just as you wouldn’t build a new suburb without roads, you shouldn’t build it without securing public-transport access. Also, he says that existing transport structure — such as railway stations — that aren’t around where large numbers of people live, work or want to socialise are essentially a waste of money.
For Brisbane, I reckon that means better, high-density use of land around suburban stations. It’s certainly the case around Cannon Hill station where I live, but not elsewhere. While I’m interested in preserving the character of suburbs and Queensland’s unique architecture, I can think of plenty of places where boring homes near railways stations could be replaced by high density (and, hopefully low-cost) apartments.
Your thoughts?
BEST OF THE FEST?
There was a time when I would’ve been all over the Brisbane Festival, both professionally and personally. Now, I plan to have a good peruse of the program and see what it is that I really want to see. I suggest you do the same (here).
Whatever you choose, chances are that you’ll be wearing a mask. Due to a spike in Covid numbers, QPAC has again made mask-wearing mandatory in its theatres and foyers. One can only wonder what rules may apply at the Ekka.
STAR STRUCK
A friend drew my attention to this recent letter in the Sydney Morning Herald travel section:
Is it true, my friend asked, that Queensland has a different system of hotel ratings to the rest of Australia? Well, according to the Queensland Tourism Industry Council, we use the same system that’s used not only in the rest of Australia, but in 70 countries around the world.
Is your experience different to that?
THAT’S NOT ALL, FOLKS
If you were a follower of my Brraas.com newsletter, you’ll know that I’ve put it on pause. The upside to that is that I’m expanding the brief of this newsletter, to include my big interest in travel. I figure that even when I’m not in Brisbane, or I’m not writing about Brisbane, this city remains a big part of who I am, so the name sticks no matter what.
Yes! More high density housing and commercial near train stations. And while we’re at it improve building codes and design standards so that those apartments are more liveable