Nodes and links are also a useful tool in understanding existing urban form and testing ideas for improvements . Although nodes and links are totally co-dependent , the real value is provided by the nodes . Links tend to facilitate the level of node activity . In this sense the cluster , hub or precinct provides the gravitas of the improvement project . Nodes create places whereas links move through places .
In regional communities , where change is sought to strengthen local lifestyle and encourage new economic activity the development of improved / new nodes are more important than links . In the sense that nodes drive the need for links whereas links don ’ t necessarily create nodes . Improved links can cut through and bypass regional places .
When resources are limited , the smartest thing to do is focus on creating better nodes and for regional communities , particularly those outside regional cities micro precincts could be the best option .
CREATING PLACE-BASED PROJECT IDEAS After facilitating hundreds of stakeholder design workshops seeking to identify catalyst projects for sustainable economic revitalisation , I have found the simplest way to test ideas is to use an ideation process that synergises place , values , and trends with a measure of significance .
• Trends : Trends are the internal and external forces of change that that can ’ t be ignored such as trends in the market , technology , environment and demographics . These must be acknowledged in the project ideation process .
• Significance : Significance is critical to the business case because there is no way to build cheap infrastructure . The project idea requires regional significance to strengthen the ROI for regional projects . It requires looking outwards to identify a bigger role in the region . The role may be to do with research and transferrable learnings . It might be about supplementing a bigger region employment base or enabling better services to be provided further into the region . Often the role is hidden or invisible to the local community .
The combination of these four areas creates the framework for creating ideas that facilitate change that grows and strengthens the local community .
EIGHT REGENERATIVE PLACE PRINCIPLES From a project design perspective , developing a micro precinct concept can benefit from using the following eight principles to enhance ideation . These triggers can highlight additional layers that may be advantageous to weave into the built environment to further catalyse regenerative outcomes : leverage off other businesses in your precinct ? Will some micro businesses provide / attract complimentary enterprise opportunities ?
• Community Lifestyle : Does the precinct mix support and enhance local values and identity ? Are there unique local characteristic that your precinct can strengthen ?
• Enterprise Education : Can your micro precinct provide on site training ? Is there a way to accelerate the micro business learnings to help build regional skills and capacity ?
• Research Demonstration : Can your precinct provide a working demonstration of innovative micro businesses ? Will the precinct be attractive to research institutions seeking practical projects to allow market driven research opportunities ?
FOUR KEY MICRO PRECINCTS THEMES The following four themes can help tease out new and innovative project ideas at the precinct scale .
Place Value to Market Value : A key Micro Precinct Goal is to take identified place values and transform them into market value . It ’ s place-based and values driven . The best project will support growth that strengthens local lifestyle . Not an easy challenge but an important one .
• Place : In a design sense , place is the physical form and attributes . Every place is different and provides a unique footprint as the design canvas for the project .
• Values : Values reflect the aspirations and meanings held by the local community . These aspirations can often be broadly grouped into the categories of Business , Health , Education and Lifestyle .
• Water Cycles : Where is the water travelling on your site ? How can you leverage its value within your micro precinct ?
• Nutrient Loops : Will the micro precinct create waste that can be used on site and add value to other micro businesses or community assets ?
• Energy Systems : Can your micro precinct be energy independent ? Is there value in sharing energy generation between businesses within your precinct ?
• New Employment : What new micro businesses can your precinct support . Are you leveraging the market trends in micro business ?
• Integrated Enterprises : Can you create micro business opportunities that
High Value Low Volume : Another nontraditional goal for regional areas is to seek out enterprise opportunities that are high value and low volume . Our challenge is to find business opportunities that recognise the challenge of rural and remote locations and their lack of easy access to large markets . What new enterprise can challenge traditional commodity thinking of low value , high volume and long distance transport .
Regenerative Enterprise : The important characteristic of regenerative enterprise is its capacity to be deeply connected into a network of businesses within the micro precinct . These connections are more nested rather than networked . Nesting enterprise is more a three dimensional web of connection rather than a two dimensional site planning network of nodes and links . It focuses on identifying waste value chains and other untapped synergies .
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT JOURNAL VOL 16 NO 2 2023 19