16.05.2019Investing in the Infrastructure of Polycentric Cities

This week, Mark Kelly, Managing Director of CFM member Weston Williamson+Partners, hosted a leading thinker forum exploring what Melbourne can learn from London’s investment in transport infrastructure.

UK based Founding Partner Chris Williamson presented a detailed analysis on the importance of investing in the infrastructure of polycentric cities, using London and the Elizabeth Line (Crossrail) as a case study.

Read more on the forum’s valuable perspectives for our Melbourne 4.0 program.

Chris has over 30 years architectural experience in infrastructure which includes the design and master planning of stations, high speed rail, complex interchanges, underground, overground, and light rail stations. He has worked in the UK and abroad, for clients such as High Speed 2, Cross rail, London Underground, Network Rail, Docklands Light Railway, London Overground, Transport for London, Dubai Transport Authority and the Malaysian Transport Authority

The four key outcomes of the forum were

Looking to the past in order to design for the future (how many cities including London and LA grew from smaller distinct areas into one large conurbation)
How new infrastructure provision is changing the way cities are growing (densification of areas around stations and creating choice about where to live, work and relax)
Funding new infrastructure by new mechanisms such as Business rate levies and Community charges geared to proximity to stations so that Crossrail is 30% privately funded.
Improving public transport and gradually increasing the costs of driving in the city. Small changes like altering traffic light timing to the benefit of pedestrians.
More information can be found on http://www.westonwilliamson.com