Urban Land Use Dynamics: Sprawl, Invasion, Renewal & Zoning in Perth

Urban Sprawl

refers to the outward spread of typically low density residential and urban development on the periphery of urban areas, e.g. Perth metropolitan area is approximately 150km from north to south.

Invasion and Succession

refers to the gradual invasion of one land use type into an area dominated by a different land use, succession has occurred when the invading land use has almost completely transformed the land use in that particular area. E.g. West Perth: old homes now converted to accounting/architecture businesses.

Renewal

the rehabilitation of urban areas, by regeneration, replacement, repair or renovation, in accordance with comprehensive plans, typically larger scale redevelopment projects, usually initiated by government. E.g. East Perth Urban renewal in 1990.

Land use planning

planning policies and regulations that play an important role in shaping the land uses and characteristics of urban and rural places. Land use planning includes land use zoning, transport planning, grouping of compatible land uses, creation of buffer zones between incompatible lands uses, determining residential densities, renewal projects and planning for future growth. E.g. Perth's Multicultural Framework, METRONET.

Land use competition

the competition that occurs between different land use functions when more than one land use can benefit from a particular location. This competition increases the land value and usually that land use that can deliver the highest return on investment will locate in that particular area. For example, the centre of an urban or rural area is usually most accessible and therefore desirable and the most expensive. E.g. Perth CBD = highest buildings because land is expensive with companies who make more profit taking spaces.

Inertia

resistance to movement; for example, factories that would benefit from changing location but instead decisions are made to keep them where they are located. E.g. Perth Zoo (originally agricultural land, prime real estate) and many churches such as the Ross Memorial Church on Colin Street in West Perth 1917.

Agglomeration

a group of similar, but not necessarily the same, land uses that locate in the same area in order to benefit from common infrastructure and each other's operation. E.g. Kwinana industrial area (transport, recreational, parking, medical, services/equipment, government expertise).

Land use conflict

what occurs when two opposing land use types are located side by side such as in Wanneroo where residential and light industrial are in close proximity and can cause conflict by noise, pollution etc. Wanneroo where Rural and urban mix on the fringe with urban/residential encroaching on agricultural and farmland.

Vertical zonation

the arrangement of activities into distinct horizontal layer/zones based on elevation. It occurs in high rise buildings with shops/cafes/restaurants at the bottoms, offices towards the middle and businesses at the top. E.g. Central Park Tower (152-158 St Georges Tce).

CBD

The core of Perth, characterized by high-rise buildings, commercial and administrative functions, and a concentration of employment and retail.

IMZ

Located around the CBD, this zone features a mix of land uses including residential, commercial, and recreational activities.

ERZ

Established residential areas with a mix of housing types and ages, well-developed infrastructure, and established services.

NGZ

Newer suburbs with modern homes, often located on the urban periphery and experiencing ongoing growth and development.

IZ

Areas designated for industrial activities, providing space for factories, warehouses, and other industrial businesses.

RUF

The transition zone between urban and rural areas, often experiencing land-use conflicts and a mix of urban and rural activities.

OBD

Decentralized commercial and business areas that have developed outside the CBD, often serving as regional or local shopping and business hubs.

SPZ

Areas with specific purposes, such as hospitals, universities, or large parks, that are not easily categorized into the other zones.