The coastal slopes are defined by the area of hillside
behind the coastal
strip, extending to the
ridgeline. It exists as two
sub-precincts. The
first is a U-shaped band centred
around
Coogee Bay.by slopes.
The Coogee Slopes
maintain a
strong grid pattern
that transcribes the topography, while the Maroubra Slopes
exhibit a street
layout with a less regimented grid that warps in response to
topography.
The valley floor is
defined by the relatively flat
ground behind the
coastal strip, surrounded
These valley floors
are more protected than
the surrounding
slopes, retaining higher
moisture levels, and
providing some shelter
from coastal winds.
The Plateau is
defined by the elevated area of
flat to undulating
topography that exists
between the two major
ridgelines, and slopes
gently south down to
the Swamp Floor.
This
precinct takes in Randwick. Refer to
Plate 1:
Randwick Precincts for precise
locations.
It is highly
developed, including a commercial
precinct, hospital,
public school, and a portion
of the university. As
a shallow depression
between two
ridgelines, the area is, in part,
protected from
prevailing winds. Importantly,
the ridgelines which
define this precinct
continue beyond its
extent, and need to be
considered both as a
whole and at a precinct
scale to ensure a
strong connection, as the
ridgelines are a
highly visible element from
many areas in the City.
Clovelly Carpark Summary:
In terms of topography the site can obviously be considered a node with a point of interest, however it is also important to consider the site as a transport node.
First it is important to understand that much of Sydneys Eastern coast was traffickable by tram lines up until 1960. Although these lines have been scrapped their imprint on the main circulation routes in and around this node has left a clear impression.
For example the 373 bus route follows the same route as the previous tram lines to Coogee. While the imprint of the Clovelly tram line is evident in the main roads shown which follow the old tram lines before terminating in a loop at the node I am looking at.
As a carpark the node can be considered both as a means of circulation, but also in the style of a private cul-de-sac it can also be considered as an endpoint for locals and beach goers.
As Roger Trancik mentioned in one of our texts the residual space inbetween dominant spaces often becomes carparks or feable spaces of grass. ‘lost space’ or ‘no mans land’.
In my study of the node I have found the argument of lost space has commonly been applied to this carpark. How can an area of prime real estate be relegated to a mere public carpark? However, what the people who argue this don’t understand is the nostalgia and sense of community the locals have come to associate with the space.
Interactive Panorama Link: http://photosynth.net/view.aspx?cid=6e92d1c7-a764-4dc7-a508-cd8ab665d18b
