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Changes due to Urban Renewal in Pyrmont-Ultimo Essay

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In 1900, Pyrmont was an important port and industrial area, with a population of almost 30 000 people. There was a wide range of industries and services present including wharves, dockyards, warehouses, abattoirs, wool stores, railway yards and even an incinerator for the disposal of Sydney’s waste. It was deemed a working-class suburb with a predominantly Irish/Catholic population. As the income for Pyrmont was only modest, semi-detached cottages were the most common type of housing present.

In the 1960’s however, Pyrmont-Ultimo was deteriorating at a fast rate and became an unfortunate example of urban decay. The government policy of decentralisation, which is having industries move away from the centre of the city, was having an …show more content…

The major objectives were to improve the economic efficiency, social equity and environmental sustainability of Australia’s cities and Pyrmont-Ultimo was a targeted suburb for urban renewal. There were several areas that the program aimed to improve including housing, transport, public parks or open spaces and protection of the environment.

Housing:

Prior to urban renewal, Pyrmont-Ultimo had residents with similar incomes. However to achieve the goal of social equity plans were made for a mixed, high-density, medium-rise residential area. Approximately 7500 new dwellings have been constructed plus the renovation of 1400 existing dwellings. The aim was to cater for all household types such as families, couples and singles, provide affordable housing for middle to low income earners, provide residential dwellings with waterfront access and with water and city views, protect existing housing, retain a socially diverse residential population which includes all income groups, provide opportunities to live close to places of work and to create a high quality urban environment. The provision of affordable or public housing was an important aspect to consider in the process. Without some sort of intervention to provide this affordable housing, the attractiveness of living close to Sydney’s CBD would only be reserved for high income earners as dwellings would be too expensive and rent would be too high. From a social equity point of view it was therefore vital to provide

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