PROJECT HISTORY
The challenge
Planning for the growth of the Westmead health and educational precincts while considering sustainable transport options and unique place character.
Westmead Place-based Transport Strategy, NSW
Strategic transport planning for the growth of Westmead precinct
The solution
An integrated multimodal transport strategy that effectively balances movement and place to support the anticipated growth of this important precinct.
The Impact
The strategy will influence how people travel, defining transport initiatives to contribute to the creation of a great place to live, work and play.
The challenge
Westmead’s public transport network is serviced by heavy rail and bus routes. Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1 between Westmead and Carlingford is due to open to passengers in 2024 and the new Sydney Metro West line will connect Greater Parramatta with the Sydney CBD in the future. The NSW Government has additionally committed $50 million for the planning works of Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2, which will provide further light rail connectivity to Sydney Olympic Park via Wentworth Point.
This new transport infrastructure will work alongside investments into developing Westmead as a health and innovation district to provide an opportunity to significantly change the character of the suburb and shift travel behaviours. Westmead Place-based Transport Strategy plans for and supports this growth of the strategic precinct by identifying sustainable transport options that consider the character of the place and customer’s travel needs.
The solution
Arcadis developed a Place-based strategy for the Westmead Precinct that supports the creation of Australia’s premier health and innovation district. We identified customer needs through complex data analytics and engaging stakeholders to collectively develop the vision and establish objectives for the project. Through this we outlined issues, opportunities and initiatives to achieve the area's planned growth and global recognition. Stakeholder engagement was a key success factor of this project, helping us develop a fully supported strategy to be established.
The Movement and Place framework was implemented in the Westmead Strategy with a key focus on sustainability. Our plans also focused on enhancing the place's character and existing connections using sustainable transport modes, specifically considering the infrastructure and availability of public, shared and active transport options.
The impact
Arcadis supports placemaking outcomes alongside movement priorities to enable communities to stay connected access the places they need and thrive in high-performing quality spaces.
Arcadis' interactive maps allowed individuals to have an immersive experience during stakeholder engagement for better decision-making. We also implemented a Collaboration Hub for the project to facilitate stakeholder engagement and work more efficiently with the client. To support the project, we also analysed data to understand customer types and their mobility needs now and into the future.
The Westmead Place-based Transport Strategy will influence how people travel within this growing strategic precinct in Sydney’s Central City. This strategy will define the transport initiatives and their prioritisation to contribute to the creation of a great place to live, work and play.