The Transformation Of Pyrmont-Ultimo's Culture Of Urban Renewal

a) Social Structure and spatial patterns: Advantage and disadvantage, wealth and poverty, ethnicity.

The processes of urban renewal have significantly transformed the social structure of Pyrmont-Ultimo. In the early 20th century, Pyrmont experienced a major decrease in its population and economic activity due to the urban decay and the decentralisation experienced throughout Sydney, which saw a dispersal of activities, especially industrial and manufacturing activities, out of the inner-city areas into the outer suburbs of Sydney. The urban renewal was the single most important factor in revitalising the population in Pyrmont. The dramatic transformation through the processes of urban renewal, including an innovative mix of housing, 33 hectares

A suburb’s Culture of Place is expressed in its architecture, streetscape, heritage architecture, noise, colour, street life, energy, vitality and lifestyle. Pre-urban renewal, Pyrmont’s culture of place was highly reflective around its low-income blue-collar workers and primary and secondary industries. As the blue-collar workers moved out of the inner-city areas with the decentralisation of industry, Pyrmont’s culture of place directly correlated with its devastating urban decay, such as abandoned and vandalised buildings, boarded-up shops, unused port and transport infrastructure, and overgrown, rubble strewn lots where factories had been bulldozed. Following Pyrmont’s urban renewal, the culture of place has been significantly transformed and is now characterized by its heritage and gentrified architecture, lively streetscape with cafes and restaurants, vibrant colours, and very relaxed and cultured lifestyle. The suburb is scattered with green, open public space, which makes Pyrmont a somewhat green suburb. The noise of Pyrmont is very quiet with very limited noise pollution from construction sites and manufacturing industries, which would have defined the noise in the late 19th century and early 20th

Pyrmont’s population is projected to reach 20,000 by 2020, which means that further development of the suburb is required to sustain this growing population. The development and construction of more and more apartments will inevitably increase the suburb’s and Sydney’s ecological footprint. There has, however, been the recent development of sustainable apartment blocks, which consists of water conserving taps, solar energy panelling, natural gas outlets and other sustainable aspects of development. Transport has also been revitalised in the Pyrmont area with over 34% of the residential population utilising the facilities. The new light rail and monorail systems, train, bus and ferry networks play a major role in sustaining the suburbs ecological sustainability. Therefore, Pyrmont’s future trends of further growth and development will place pressure of the suburb’s ability to remain ecologically sustainable, however, the sustainable development of apartments will lessen the impact of Pyrmont’s ecological