Geography - Urban Renewal

What is urban renewal?

Urban renewal is a program of land development and redevelopment in areas of medium to high density land usage, involving upgrading urban areas by demolishing or replacing existing buildings and/or improving existing structures.

What are the main causes of urban renewal?

The main causes of urban renewal include economic restructuring that promotes investment in inner cities due to cheaper land, the attractiveness of old warehouses, factories, and terrace housing for redevelopment, and people returning to inner cities to invest in affordable, run-down housing and access city attractions.

What are the effects of urban renewal?

The effects of urban renewal include the gentrification of property, increased property prices, an increase in high-rise apartment blocks and fashionable residential areas, an influx of young professionals bringing new culture (e.g., café culture, boutique shops), and large-scale urban renewal initiatives financed with considerable public investment.

How has urban renewal manifested in Darlinghurst specifically with 'The Residence' development?

In Darlinghurst, 'The Residence' development on 18 College St is an example of adaptive reuse of a commercial building, where police office blocks have been replaced by 87 apartments across 23 floors, including an 800m² penthouse. This was facilitated by the move of the Police Headquarters to Parramatta, a decentralisation example.