Issues in the Australian Environment:
Urban Processes
Field Work and The Research Cycle
Field Study Area
Millers Point
Walsh Bay
Barangaroo
Circular Quay
Darling Harbour
How are these areas changing?
The Research Cycle
1. Identify the aim/purpose
of the investigation
9. Where appropriate,
take action
2. Generate focus questions to
Guide the investigation
8. Propose individual or
group action in response
to the findings
7. Select methods to
effectively communicate
the research findings
6. Process and analyse the
data collected
5. collect primary and
secondary data
3. Which primary and
secondary data are needed to
answer the focus questions
4. Identify the techniques
that will be used to
collect the data
Identifying the Aim or Purpose
Our aim or purpose is to investigate the impact of urban growth and decline on the
biophysical and built environments in the field study area.
We already have some secondary data on the field study area
On our field study we will gather primary data at four locations by:
• observing the biophysical & built environments
• testing the biophysical & built environment
• interviewing stakeholders
Location 1 - Darling Harbour - Pyrmont Bridge to King
Location 2 – Millers Point
Location 3 – Walsh Bay
Location 4 – Circular Quay West Street Wharf
Focus questions to guide the investigation
How is the Harbour foreshore being used?
How has the land use changed and what is the impact on
the biophysical and built environment?
What issues have arisen from Urban Growth & Decline?
How are the issues being addressed?
Primary and secondary data are needed
to answer the focus question
How is the Harbour foreshore being used?
Primary data
• Direct observation
• Field Sketches
• Photographs
• Video
• Sound levels
• Temperature
• Water testing
• Wind speed
• Interviews
Secondary data
• Class notes
• Internet sites
• Class Blog
• ABS data
• Video clips
• Newspaper articles
• Maps
• Photographs
• Books
Primary and secondary data are needed
to answer the focus question
How has the land use changed and what is the impact on
the biophysical and built environment?
Identify the techniques that will be used
to collect the data
How has the land use changed and what is the impact on
the biophysical and built environment?
Water testing
• Phosphates
• Nitrates
• Ph
• Turbidity
Phosphates
Phosphorous is a nutrient but high levels
cause a loss of dissolved oxygen
1 ppm excellent; 2 ppm good; 4 ppm fair
Phosphate pollution can enter the water ways because of human sewage, agricultural,
pesticide and fertilizer runoff, urban storm water runoff, and industrial waste.waste
discharge
pH
pH is a measurement of the acidic or basic
quality of the waters
Natural water has a pH between 6.5 & 8.2
Most aquatic organisms adapt to specific pH levels and may die if there is a shift in these
levels and this can be affected by industrial wastes
Turbidity
Turbidity is a measured in NTU or
Nephelometric Turbidity Units
5 NTU
50 NTU
500 NTU
Turbidity of drinking water should be below
5 NTU, ideally below 1 NTU
Turbidity is a measure of the degree to which the water looses its clarity or transparency
because of suspended solids.
Primary and secondary data are needed
to answer the focus question
What issues have arisen from Urban Growth & Decline?
Traffic congestion ?
Closing down of businesses?
Road closures?
Contamination of harbour sea bed?
Noise pollution?
High density housing?
Wind tunnelling?
oil and rubbish in the water?
Overshadowing?
Privacy issues for residents?
Unsympathetic infill?
Reduced air quality in the area?
Pollution?
Increased road or water traffic ?
Dust and construction noise?
Dilapidated Houses?
Vandalism ?
Primary and secondary data are needed
to answer the focus question
How are the issues being addressed?
Planning NSW
NSW Road Transit
Authority (RTA)
NSW Housing
NSW Maritime
Aust Dept of Customs
& Excise
Aust Dept of
Immigration
& Citizenship
Sydney City
Council
Government
NSW Dept of
Environment
Climate Change &
Water
NSW Transport &
Infrastructure
Primary and secondary data are needed
to answer the focus question
How are the issues being addressed?
Australian Institute of Architects
Barangaroo
Action Group
Lend Lease
Cruise & Charter Boat
Operators
Darling Harbour
Tenants
Millers Point Residents’
Action Group
Community &
Commercial
Millers Point Festival
Mirvac
Transfield
Tenants & Businesses of
Dawes Point, The Rocks
& Circular Quay
Walsh Bay residents
Tourists
How are the issues being addressed?
More sustainable buildings with
Building Green Star Ratings
The nine Green Star rating tools are:
•Management
•Indoor Environment Quality
•Energy
•Transport
•Water
•Materials
•Land Use & Ecology
•Emissions
•Innovation
All buildings in the Barangaroo project must achieve 5 Green Star rating or above