Towards the end of 2024, updates were implemented to Brisbane City Council’s City Plan. Planning Scheme Policy (PSP) Amendment Q aims to improve the design of projects to better address the subtropical climate of Brisbane. Particularly focused on multi residential and commercial developments, the policy will provide guidance and clarity around how projects can respond to the local climate without losing focus on the community’s needs.
This policy highlights key elements of the New World City Design Guide – Buildings that Breathe, to facilitate climate responsive design being implemented across a wider range of projects. After the required process and community consultation, the amendment came into effect in September.
Table of Contents
7 Key Design Elements
The Citywide amendment – Planning Scheme Policy – Amendment package Q focuses on 7 key design elements. These are:
1. Orient Yourself
The location and orientation of buildings and outdoor spaces are fundamental to creating subtropical environments that support sustainable lifestyles, maximise natural light and ventilation, and integrate with surrounding natural and urban contexts.
Additionally, thoughtful building massing and street activation through design elements like open spaces, greenery, and flexible ground-floor uses enhance the connection between private and public realms, fostering urban vibrancy and improving occupant well-being. It is great to see Brisbane City Council focusing on these principles to improve developments across our city.
2. Occupy Outdoor Spaces
The guidelines emphasise creating seamless transitions between private and public spaces through elements like city rooms, sky terraces, and recessed podiums, which incorporate soft and hard landscaping to enhance both functionality and amenity. These designs prioritise sustainability, human-scale spaces, and integration with the subtropical climate, fostering vibrant, connected urban environments that encourage active use and street activation.
3. Natural Daylight and Ventilation
This section emphasizes the importance of integrating natural daylight and ventilation into building designs to enhance occupant comfort and align with Brisbane’s subtropical climate, reducing reliance on artificial lighting and mechanical climate control. Key strategies such as thoughtful setbacks, glazing design, operable windows, and the use of lightwells and skylights promote climate-responsive buildings that foster visual and physical connections to the outdoors, enhance airflow, and support the integration of subtropical landscaping to improve the urban environment.
4. Shade and Protection
These design strategies emphasize creating climate-responsive outdoor environments by integrating shading and weather protection elements, such as layered facades, shading devices, and shade structures, that enhance both comfort and aesthetic appeal. The focus is on using durable materials and thoughtful placement to improve building performance, support natural ventilation, and preserve Brisbane’s subtropical identity, while fostering vibrant, interactive public and private spaces.
5. Living Greenery
Living greenery is a vital component of subtropical design, contributing to sustainability and enhancing both building and public space amenities. The integration of vertical greenery, elevated gardens, and green infrastructure improves microclimates, reduces energy consumption, supports urban biodiversity, and creates visually appealing, functional outdoor spaces that connect people with nature while promoting environmental resilience.
6. Identity Matters
The thoughtful selection of materials, public art, and creative lighting are essential for expressing Brisbane’s unique identity while contributing to its subtropical character and sustainability. By integrating high-quality, sustainable materials, engaging public art, and innovative lighting, these design elements enhance the vibrancy and cultural narrative of both public and private spaces, creating a dynamic and resilient urban environment.
7. Reduce Energy and Waste
Integrating climate-responsive subtropical design elements with technology and strategies that reduce energy use, minimize waste, and encourage active transport is vital for creating sustainable urban environments.
This includes the use of renewable energy technologies, efficient waste and water management systems, and active transport infrastructure, all aimed at enhancing environmental performance and supporting Brisbane’s subtropical lifestyle.
More information can be found on Council’s website Citywide amendment – planning scheme policy – Amendment package Q | Brisbane City Council.
Implementing these elements is a great way to ensure new developments in Brisbane, facilitate a sustainable and healthy future for our city.
The strong landscape theme throughout this Planning Scheme Policy amendment is encouraging to see.
