Wycombe Central TOD in Perth, Australia
Typology: Urban Design (Transit-Oriented Development)
Designer: JD Otto
School: Urban Design Unit, University of Western Australia
Description:
Wycombe Central is a visionary academic project developed as part of the Urban Design Studio at the University of Western Australia. The challenge was to create a master plan capable of accommodating a new level of population density while minimizing negative environmental and social impacts.
The design reimagines daily life in an active and sustainable community, integrating cycling highways, small automated vehicles, conservation corridors, and vibrant mixed-use neighborhoods.
The experience of Wycombe Central is described through a narrative journey:
- A Moving Biking Adventure highlights the active transport system, featuring dedicated cycling highways shared with automated vehicles, offering a safe and pollution-free commuting experience.
- Nature’s Embrace focuses on the ecological design of the precinct, where conservation corridors support local wildlife, and green roofs under solar panels host communal gatherings.
- Exploring Town Amenities showcases the mixed-use nature of the development, where residential and small industrial activities coexist harmoniously along green corridors and active transport links.
- A Visual Design Delight captures the human-centered scale of the development, with welcoming ground floors, public art, and vibrant community spaces that support physical and mental well-being.
Software Application
RhinoLands (Rhino + Lands design) and VisualARQ were essential tools used to develop the project:
VisualARQ was used to model building elements, and custom architectural components such as townhouses, commercial blocks, and mixed-use buildings with parametric control.
RhinoLands was used to model urban structures, naturalistic vegetation, create terrain and slope modifications, and design the conservation corridors and urban green spaces visible throughout the master plan.
