Sydney Light Rail's Future

There is the big news that in September 2016, Sydney CBD will welcome the first pedestrian zone of George Street which comes along with the Sydney Light Rail CBD to South West. The Students of University of New South Wales will be more than happy that light rail will take them to the front gate of university. People love light rail because it is easier to access than train stations and more reliable than buses. Sydney light rail network's extension will complete railway network. In the future, the light rail networks can act as local networks and train can be rapid train network to connect city centres.

On the government's website, we can find out Sydney Light Rail's future,

"The NSW Long Term Transport Master Plan is the NSW Government’s strategy to address Sydney’s transport challenges and to deliver an integrated and modern transport system. The Master Plan is supported by a series of integrated transport delivery plans and regional strategies which address specific needs for buses, heavy rail and light rail.

Sydney’s Light Rail Future outlines a four stage process to deliver new and improved light rail services in Sydney:

Stage 1: Service integration and improvements

• Integration of light rail into the existing MyZone ticketing system and 131 500 information line and website – completed June 2012
• Introduction of the Opal card, the integrated electronic ticketing system, on light rail to make travelling easier between modes

Stage 2: Modernise and extend the existing network

• Construction of the 5.6 kilometre Inner West Light Rail Extension to connect Dulwich Hill to the CBD – completed March 2014
• Modern light rail fleet introduced to improve commuter experience
• Real time information and timetable updates

Stage 3: Deliver a new CBD and south east service

• Overhaul of CBD bus network to integrate with light rail and better connect commuters
• Completion of light rail connecting Circular Quay, the CBD and the south east including Moore Park and the University of NSW, and the pedestrianisation of George Street between Bathurst and Hunter - with the system open and operational in 2019

Stage 4: Longer term investigations

• Feasibility investigations of light rail or other high capacity public transport, like Bus Rapid Transit, for additional corridors including Victoria Road, Parramatta Road, Anzac Parade to Maroubra and potentially Western Sydney
• Continued support to councils investigating potential light rail schemes
• Growing the light rail network in line with demand and integrated with new urban development
• Investigating potential extensions to the line such as to Malabar, Walsh Bay and Barangaroo North.

To support and enable the integration of light rail into the CBD, a Sydney City Centre Access Strategy has been developed.

This is Sydney’s first ever integrated transport action plan and focuses on reducing congestion, providing for future growth and improving customer experience."

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_rail_in_Sydney

http://www.sydneylightrail.transport.nsw.gov.au

Transport Modes in Sydney

From above chart, we can know public transport mode share in journey to work in Sydney is the best position of capital cities in Australia, although the the number was only 23.3%. It means 66.7% of the people used private cars to work in 2011. From 1976 to 1996, less and less people used public transport to work in whole Australia. The situation became better after 1996.

Sydney CBD is chosen as a sample in this study, because it has the most density of working population in  Sydney.

The chart shows most of the city workers come from west Sydney and travel up to 25km. Around 25% of them walk to work and another 25% of them drive to work. Only 20% of city works travel by train and less than 20% of them travel by bus.

The charts show Sydney sider rely on cars rather than public transport. There is a positive point that 20% of city workers walk to work. Walking is much healthier and more sustainable than cars. Cycling figure is still low, because of the incomplete cycleways and up-and-down natural terrain of Sydney. Complete cycleways may help with increasing cycling as transport mode.

Although Sydney has the best scenario of public transport mode share in journey to work, the public transport mode share is still very low compared to using private cars. Reliable public transport facilities are need in Sydney.

Sources:
http://visual.bts.nsw.gov.au/jtwdynamic/
http://chartingtransport.com/2012/10/30/trends-in-journey-to-work-mode-shares-in-australian-cities-to-2011/

#6 Star Green Star Building Journey# 1 Bligh Street Sydney

6 STAR GREEN STAR RATING - GREEN STAR - OFFICE DESIGN V2

• Status Certified
• Address
  15-19 Bent Street
  Sydney NSW
• Certified Fri 19 Mar 2010
• Score 84
• Building Type New Build
• Applicant(s)
  DEXUS Funds Management Limited (parent DEXUS Property Group)
  DEXUS Wholesale Property Limited (parent DEXUS Property Group)
  Cbus Property (Bent Street) Pty Ltd (parent Cbus Property Pty Ltd)
• Acoustic Consultant
  Acoustic Logic Consultancy
• Architect
  Architectus Group Pty Ltd
• Building Services Engineer
  Arup Australasia
• Building Services Engineer
  SPP Group
• Local Planning Authority
  City of Sydney
• Main Contractor
  Grocon
• Project Manager
  APP Corporation Pty Ltd
• Structural/Civil Engineer
  Enstruct Group Pty Ltd
• Building Surveyor
  Davis Langdon Australia
• ESD Consultant
  Cundall

1 Blight Place is a flagship office property for co-owners DEXUS Property Group, DEXUS Wholesale Property Fund (DWPF) and Cbus Property. The property is testament to our commitment to deliver the highest quality office space.

1 Bligh provides 27 levels of office space. Every aspect of the tower from the double-skin façade to the full-height glass atrium is designed to optimise sustainability performance and the workplace environment.

Sustainable Features:

Central atrium

A naturally ventilated glass atrium soars the full height of the building, providing a flow of fresh air and a sense of openness on every floor. Providing dynamic views through the building, the atrium is an arrival point for all floors, enhancing communication, connection and community.

Double skin façade

1 Bligh will be the first high-rise office tower in Australia to feature a double-skin, glass façade. An outer glass skin protects computer-controlled sun shades, shielding the double glazed curtain wall from the sun, whilst reflecting natural light into the building. This is one of the most energy efficient features available in high-rise buildings today.

Air conditioning

A hybrid structure combining a variable air volume (VAV) with a chilled beam air conditioning system installed to maximise comfort levels and reduce energy consumption.

Energy generation

1 Bligh uses an innovative tri-generation system that uses gas and solar energy to generate cooling, heating and electricity.

Solar panels

A series of curved solar thermal collectors provide the energy to drive the cooling systems; an advanced hybrid of VAV and chilled beam air conditioning technology.

Black water recycling

1 Bligh is Sydney's first CBD commercial office tower to incorporate black water recycling. Black water recycling reduces water consumption through out the building with the provision of clean, recycled water for the washroom flushing system. Recycled water is also used to irrigate a feature 9.7m high green wall.

Recycled rain water

Recycled rain water is used to irrigate decorative plantings spread throughout the building, from the rooftop terrace to the open transfer floor and down to the ground plane, green wall and childcare facility.

Source:
http://www.gbca.org.au/project-directory.asp#365
http://www.1bligh.com.au

Home Plate Based Water Purifying System

I just found a interesting old news on a design website, Dezeen. They said, "a water-filtration system that uses plants to extract arsenic from water supplies and allows the user to sell the poisonous substance at a profit has been voted the "Idea that will change the world" at the Global Design Forum in London today ." 

Poisoned water causes cancer and kill 1.2 million people in developing countries each year. This innovation of plate based water purifying system which is in a small container may change the world. 

How does system work?

"Water is pumped through the container and arsenic is trapped in a filter, and then absorbed by the plants where it poses no danger.

The filtered water is then safe to drink while the plant can be harvested each year and the arsenic chemically extracted. The plants are a naturally occurring species selected for their ability to remove arsenic from the soil they grow in."

                                                  The system in use in Bangladesh

And the cost of the system is extremely low, only 10 USD a year. If you are interested in this project, please read,

http://www.dezeen.com/2013/09/17/plant-based-water-purifying-system-named-idea-that-will-change-the-world/

#6 Star Green Star Building Journey#8 Chifley Square Sydney

6 STAR GREEN STAR RATING - GREEN STAR - OFFICE AS BUILT V2

Status Certified Address 8-12 Chifley Square Sydney NSW Certified Thu 5 Feb 2015 Score 86 Building Type New Build Applicant(s) Mirvac 8 Chifley Pty Limited (parent Mirvac) Acoustic Consultant Renzo Tonin & Associates Architect Lippmann Partnership Architect Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners Landscaping Consultant ASPECT Studios Local Planning Authority City of Sydney Main Contractor Mirvac Quantity Surveyor Mirvac Building Services Engineer Arup Australasia Project Manager Arup Australasia Structural/Civil Engineer Arup Australasia

Building InformationE

W

• High Rise - 8,654sqm
• Low Rise - 10,661sqm
• Total NLA - 19,315sqm

Typical Floors - High rise

• Whole Floor - 1,038.5sqm
• Mezzanine Floor - 833.5sqm

Typical Floors - Low rise

• Whole Floor - 1,000sqm
• Mezzanine Floor - 797sqm

Villages

• 2 Level Village - 1,871.8sqm
• 3 Level Village - 2,594sqm (low rise)
• 4 Level Village - 2,836sqm (high rise)
• 4 Level Village - 2,886sqm (low rise)

Retail

• Areas - Totalling 45sqm

BUILDING OVERVIEW

• Overall Height - 145 meters, 34 levels high (inclusive of plant room floors)

Office Floors

• 23 office floors inclusive of 2 office terrace levels
• 3.85m floor to floor height
• 2.7m ceiling height
• Shower & accessible bathroom on each level

Basement

• 32 parking spaces (+4 courier bays & a truck bay)
• 129 tenant secured bike spaces & lockers
• Male & Female change rooms including 13 Showers
• 28 visitor bike spaces

Sustainability

• 6 Star Green Star - Office Design (v2) Certified
• 6 Star Green Star - As-Built (v2) rating (Targeted)
• 5.0 Star NABERS Energy Rating (Minimum Target)

Sustainable Features

Management

• Comprehensive pre-commissioning, commissioning and quality monitoring occurred. The design team and contractor transferred the information and documentation to the building owner.
• Appointed a commissioning agent independent of the design team and contractors.
• Provided a comprehensive, yet simple Building Users' Guide.
• An Environmental Management Plan (EMP) was implemented in accordance with Section 4 of the NSW Environmental Management System Guidelines during construction.
• 80% of construction waste (by weight) re-used or recycled.

Indoor Environment Quality

• 150% improvement above the the fresh air rate requirements in AS 1668.2-1991 promotes healthy indoor environment.
• Ventilation is designed for superior air change effectiveness, according to ASHRAE F25-1997 and laminar flow patterns.
• 30% of the project's net lettable area (NLA) provides good daylight levels for building users.
• Glare from natural lighting is reduced through blinds and shading.
• Installed high frequency ballasts reduce occupants' eye strain from low frequency flicker.
• Lighting levels are maintained at no more than 400 lux for 95% of the NLA at working plane.
• 60% of the nominated area has direct line of site to outdoor environments.
• The temperature of the work space is comfortable, within Predicted Mean Vote levels of -0.5 to +0.5.
• Internal noise levels are minimised to improve occupant comfort from building services and outside entities.
• Volatile organic compounds are minimised in 95% of painted surfaces and all carpets, adhesives and sealants.
• A dedicated tenant exhaust riser is installed to remove indoor pollutants from printing and photocopy areas.

Energy

• The base building achieves at least a 5 Star NABERS (formerly ABGR) rating, with an additional 60% CO2 reduction.
• Sub-metering is installed for all substantive base building uses.
• Sub-metering is installed for all tenancies within the building.
• Lighting power densities are 2.0 W/m2 per 100 lux for 95% of the NLA.
• Individual switches are installed for enclosed spaces and zones in accessible locations.
• Energy systems installed reduce the demand on the grid by at least 25% during peak demand hours.

Transport

• 25% of the total parking spaces are specified and labelled for small car or motorbike use.
• The project installed cyclist facilities, with secure bicycle storage for 10% of building staff and accessible shower and change facilities. The project also installed visitor cyclist facilities near a major public entrance.
• Many public transport networks operate in close proximity with frequent peak hour services.

Water

• The use of potable water is designed to be a leader in efficiency.
• Metering is installed for all major water uses and includes Building Management System (BMS) integration with leak detection.
• Water used for testing fire protection systems and drain-down water from sprinkler systems is returned to the fire reserve or irrigation tank.

Materials

• Appropriately sized recycling waste storage is provided in the base building, including collection space for paper, plastic, glass, metal and organic materials.
• 20% of all aggregate used is recycled aggregate, and more than 15% of cement is replaced with industrial waste product.
• 90% of all steel (by mass) contains a post-consumer recycled content greater than 50%.
• Alternative materials replace 60% (by cost) of total PVC costs.

Land Use & Ecology

• Site was previously developed.
• Development reduces environmental impact upon the site.

Emissions

• No refrigerants are used in this project.
• Refrigerants are to be contained, in conjunction with a leak detection system.
• Automatic refrigerant pump-down is installed to prevent refrigerants escaping the equipment and into the atmosphere.
• Stormwater is collected, filtered and distributed from the site in accordance with the Victorian EPA Best Practice Guidelines or ANZECC's Guidelines for Environmental Management for Urban Stormwater.
• Project outflow to the sewerage system from building occupants’ usage has been greatly reduced.
• All thermal insulation avoids the use of ozone-depleting substances in both manufacture and composition.

How Does Lifestyle Affect Sustainability?

There is a fancy way to measure how your lifestyle affects environment. Its name is Eco Footprint. From this tool, you can know how much your life style affects the environment and how non-sustainable your lifestyle is! In modern life, people eat too much, use too much and travel too much. There is a balance that we need to think of keeping our lifestyle sustainable and relative comfortable.

Here are the health ways in my mind to minimise ecological footprint:

1. Eat more vegetables and eat less meats

2. buy local foods rather than imported foods

3. choose walking and cycling as transport modes rather than driving

4. live in relative small house/apartment

5. use solar energy

6. print less

7. buy less

8. reduce long-distance travel

Eco Footprint Calculator:

http://www.footprintnetwork.org/en/index.php/gfn/page/calculators

#6 Star Green Star Building Journey# Site 1 King Street Wharf

Site 1 King Street Wharf (No. 1 Shelley St)

6 STAR GREEN STAR RATING - GREEN STAR - OFFICE DESIGN V2

• Status Certified
• Address
  1 Shelley St
  King St Wharf NSW
• Certified Thu 30 Oct 2008
• Score 83
• Building Type New Build
• Applicant(s)
  W9&10 Stage 4B Pty Ltd (parent Brookfield Multiplex Australasia Pty Ltd)
• Acoustic Consultant
  Acoustic Logic Consultancy
• Architect
  fitzpatrick+partners
• Local Planning Authority
  City of Sydney
• Quantity Surveyor
  Rider Levett Bucknall
• Structural/Civil Engineer
  Arup Australasia
• Building Services Engineer
  WSP Buildings

Sources:

https://www.gbca.org.au/green-star/green-star-overview/

#BRT Case Studies# BRT in Europe

It is a new decade, transit oriented development, walking and cycling are trending together rather than just a transport itself. There are some high quality transit systems in Europe. According to financial issues and budget cuts, BRT system rise up because it requires less built cost and is easy to integrate with urban developments.

Successful BRT has following features:

" frequent stops (around ¼ mile); 
dedicated or semi-exclusive rights-of-way; 
strong brand identity; 
identifiable stop infrastructure; 
off board fare collection; 
real-time information; 
high capacity/low floor vehicles."

BRT system acts successfully in Europe. There are some examples: 

- As a improved bus network in the urban context: Stockholm -
- Bus Truck Network and in the Paris – Mobilien
- FirststageofBHLS:DublinandManchesterwithdeBusQuality
- Corridors
- As a BHLS in an urban context: Nantes with BusWay 4 and
- Lorient with Triskell
- As a BHLS in a metropolitan context, transversal line: Paris with
- TVM and Amsterdam with Zuidtangent
- As a BHSL in a metropolitan context, radial corridor: Madrid with the Bus-HOV corridor 

Sources:
http://www.steerdaviesgleave.com/news-and-insights/bus-rapid-transit-the-next-big-thing
http://brtdata.org
http://www.cities-for-mobility.net/documents/wc08/cfm_world_congress_workshop_a_madrid.pdf