Flinders University has recognised the need to respond to the rapidly changing demands in higher education and to attain a greater share of the global market for higher education, attract the very best academic resources and optimise the potential for associations between innovation precincts and research funding.
Holmes Dyer assisted Flinders University through the preparation of the Flinders Innovation Precinct Master Plan which has involved a comprehensive evaluation of the University’s vision, analysis of market opportunities, site evaluation and review of the strategic and governance frameworks to produce an urban village concept which seeks to merge the education and research functions of the University with the daily operation of the surrounding community, business sector and local workforce.
The concept takes advantage of, and builds upon, the new Flinders Link train line extension and railway station to deliver a pedestrian focused urban village which incorporates a retail / commercial / community hub, an activated town square, extensive student accommodation and opportunities for health services expansion (associated with the adjacent hospital), as well as a range of education, research and commercialisation spaces, including indoor and outdoor recreation.
Holmes Dyer also provided advice in support of the financial analysis of the proposal and the reinforcement of concepts to meet required financial hurdles.This included directions to quantity surveyors and engineers on proposed site and building requirements.
The process of master plan preparation involved collection and analysis of a comprehensive array of building, infrastructure, site and locality data to establish the opportunities and constraints impacting upon the design of the Innovation Precinct. These investigations were supported by market analysis and trends and predication in student enrolments, onsite residency and international student growth. It involved communication with key stakeholders including Renewal SA regarding the Tonsley Innovation District, Flinders Medical Centre regarding growth requirements and interdependencies, Flinders Private Hospital regarding expansion of capacity, Department of Transport, Planning and Infrastructure regarding the delivery of and requested refinements to the Flinders Link Project (the railway and station), the development of appropriate planning policy for the campus, land tenure / ownership requirements to facilitate the delivery of a holistic Innovation Precinct outcome and coordination of key infrastructure delivery especially relating to the North-South Upgrade Project, and with both the City of Mitcham and City of Marion regarding matters of community, recreation, heritage and the environment.
The master plan delivered extensive analysis mapping, existing and projected floorspace requirements by land use, land use arrangements, activity foci, identification of vacant and underutilised land, a structure plan for the wider precinct, a road, pedestrian, cycle and open space strategy, road, bus, train networks plans, urban form plan, carparking and access, arrangements, building heights and development yields, design outcomes, precinct concepts, floorspace delivery estimates and staging plans.
