Article: Take a tour of Brisbane circa 2050

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Take a tour of Brisbane circa 2050

Take a tour of Brisbane circa 2050
FROM THE IMAGINATION OF TONY MOORE
October 24, 2009 - 5:30AM

So what could the omelette that is the Brisbane of 2050 be like?

Think ahead.

The city will have an underground rail network and at least four road tunnels, with another - as yet unplanned tunnel - running from Buranda to Toowong.

The Clem 7, Northern Link and Airport Link road will all have more than 120,000 vehicles a day using them, while the water quality throughout the region will probably still receive an F rating because the increasing impacts of urban congestion will end up in the water and flow out towards Moreton Bay.

But we will have more climate-smart buildings, because well-designed homes that are solar powered, and recycle water will eventually become profitable as the cost of resources increases.

Fortitude Valley, South Brisbane and Woolloongabba became the most densely-settled parts of the city as Brisbane went up, not out.

The city began to store rainwater close to where the residents lived and modern housing estates built after 2009 were forced to recycled water and stormwater from roadways watered street vegetation.

The number of street trees has increased from 470,000 in 2006 to more than 700,000 and the city is carbon neutral, with the lowest energy use of any Australian capital.

New mixed developments - including shops, offices and apartments - are built over train stations and train lines.

Rather than keep trying to store carbon dioxide underground, we realised it was easier to grow extra trees, and subsequently 40 per cent of mainland Brisbane is natural habitat.

Meanwhile, a bridge has finally been built out into Moreton Bay, with an increased number of people living on the Bay's islands without fear of floods.

[#Metro]

We have to be careful of starry eyed visions of the future.
Who knows, Brisbane might be underwater by 2050 thanks to rising sea levels - so that bridge to the bay islands might not be necessary!

Futuristic visioners of the 1960s & 1970s would have had us build freeways everywhere. There would be no Brisbane Powerhouse, and Woolloongabba would be a major freeway interchange. I'm glad that their visions did not follow through.

[O_128]

A rail tunnel would work quite well from Toowong to buranda hmmm? why not plan these tunnels to have room for trains aswell?

[#Metro]

Perhaps a more cynical look at 2050:

1. Minister announces that Springfield and Kippa ring railway will be built
2. Go Card will have caps (hallelujah!)
3. Western busway will begin construction
4. Light rail will be considered...maybe

[ozbob]

What we must avoid ...

What we must achieve ...

[Jon Bryant]

With this
not this

and this


not this



and this



not this



and this



not this

[ozbob]

    

[Markus]

Re 2050:      and along the way, starting now, ensure that all voters realise comfy, reliable & sustainable public transport will be available.

All it'll take is to let our M.P.'s know we want them to LOCK IT IN NOW.