Perth’s new apartment market recorded its strongest quarter of sales since Q4 2021, with 412 apartments sold in Q1 2026 and a record quarterly sold value of $537 million, according to Urbis’ latest Apartment Essentials results.

Urbis said the March quarter result reflects strong, highly product‑specific demand across both ends of the market, from more attainable projects delivering at scale, through to premium stock being absorbed by equity‑rich downsizers.&nbsp;

David Cresp, Partner at Urbis, said the key story in Perth is not demand, it is the market’s ability to convert demand into delivered housing.&nbsp;

“This is the strongest sales quarter since Q4 2021, and it reinforces that demand in Perth is real and it’s local,” David Cresp said. “But the task now is delivery, turning that demand into projects that can actually be built and completed.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110291 project_image_fid=302785]

<h2>Affordable product leads, premium demand remains resilient</h2>

Sales in Q1 were led by more affordable projects, with The Boulevard (SKS Group) recording 115 sales in the quarter, the presentation noting this is only the second time a single project has surpassed 100 quarterly sales. The project was able to offer more affordable housing product right next to a train station.&nbsp;

Palmyra West (Finbar) also delivered strong results with 28 sales in Q1, following 84 sales in Q4, with an average price of under $800,000, underscoring depth of demand for well‑located, attainable new stock.&nbsp;

At the premium end, Urbis said downsizer demand is continuing, with the results highlighting Romeo (Applecross, Finbar) recording 75 sales and reaching almost 50% sold in one quarter.

Jual (Shenton Park, Celsius Property) also posted a strong quarter with 28 sales, reaching 39% sold in one quarter.

Urbis noted that Perth apartment demand is not speculative, not investor‑led, and not uniform, describing it as localised, often equity‑driven and highly product‑specific, a pattern reflected in the polarisation between strong “attainable” performers and premium downsizer product.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=148957 project_image_fid=364102]

<h2>Prices underpinned by costs, and the delivery risk is growing</h2>

Urbis said pricing pressure is cost not demand‑driven: construction costs and delivery risk are now a central constraint, with the results noting build costs remain elevated and volatile, and that energy, fuel and labour uncertainty weigh on feasibility.

David Cresp said a growing challenge for private Build‑to‑Sell developers is simply securing a builder in the current environment.

“Developers are really feeling the pressure from a building market that was operating at capacity and securing a builder is challenging,” David Cresp said, adding that even where a builder can be secured, “trying to get to the price that makes the development financially viable is incredibly challenging in the current market.”&nbsp;

Urbis’ broader WA commentary also notes that industry remains at or above capacity with lot and housing creation, and that many builders are limiting new sales to manage stretched workforces and fixed‑price contract pressures, conditions that flow directly into apartment feasibility and delivery timing.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108869 project_image_fid=317905]

<h2>Supply: improving later, but still constrained, and Perth lags eastern benchmarks</h2>

While near‑term supply remains constrained, Urbis’ forecast shows completions lifting “Supply is forecast to be back above 1,500 apartments per annum for the first time since 2019”, with 1,775 completions forecast for 2026, and volumes remaining above that level over the following years.&nbsp;

Looking further ahead, completions are forecast to reach 2,500 in 2028, with the report noting 32% of that total is social/affordable, reflecting the role of government‑supported delivery in rebuilding the pipeline.&nbsp;

However, Urbis said Perth remains behind comparable markets on pipeline scale. In a national comparison of projects under construction, the report shows under construction Perth Build‑to‑Sell (BTS) at 3,446 apartments versus the Gold Coast at 7,922. Mr Cresp said “The challenge for Perth is how to we grow the delivery pipeline”.

Urbis’ conclusion is that Perth’s market is increasingly defined by product discipline and delivery certainty, with the research identifying “delivery certainty is key” and calling out builder risk and procurement models as core success factors, alongside “timing and staging”.&nbsp;

Joel Robinson

Perth apartment sales hit strongest pace since late 2021 as builder capacity tightens

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sammut-developments">Sammut Group</a> has secured development approval for its latest Brisbane apartment project, marking the Sydney developer’s next step in expanding its Queensland pipeline following the success of its debut Gold Coast development, Coast.

The approved project at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/44-glen-road-toowong-qld-4066">44 Glen Road, </a><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/toowong-qld-4066">Toowong</a> will deliver a 15-storey riverfront apartment building with 42 residences, significantly increasing the scale of the site’s previous approval for a smaller luxury scheme. Designed by Bureau^proberts, the development will comprise a mix of predominantly four-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments positioned to maximise Brisbane River and city views.

Sammut Director Julian Sammut said the group had been actively searching Brisbane for several years before identifying Toowong as the right fit.

“Brisbane was the right step for Sammut,” Sammut said.

“With the success of Coast we thought we should definitely look to do more in Queensland alone. We then pushed up to look at Brisbane. We've been looking for I'd say two to three years actually and it was hard to find the right location.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_75/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.14%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=dYAVIL7qdcGA8ojvkslSrLjczXFejSSx" />

Sammut said suburbs including New Farm and Teneriffe were considered before the group ultimately focused on Toowong due to its strong downsizer demographic and limited supply of developable riverfront land.

The site was acquired off-market after what Sammut described as a lengthy negotiation and planning process, with the developer pursuing an uplift to the original approval.

“We are DA approved now which is very exciting,” Sammut said.

“We've had our change approval come through and we've obviously doubled the height, 15 storeys plus rooftop. We've got 42 amazing apartments that are going to be coming to market soon.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.26%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=ohkRkY0dIZlqdfME2EZePsCQavRiBadE" />

Bureau^proberts said the design responds to Toowong’s evolving urban character, balancing contemporary apartment living with the area’s established residential identity.

“A place where traditional Queensland living has taken place for centuries; Toowong is seeing a shift of contemporary influence, commercial and retail hubs mixed with well-considered residential offerings – all the while maintaining its character and charm,” the architect noted in planning documents submitted to Brisbane City Council.

The architecture practice said the project’s form was shaped by its riverfront setting, flood considerations, neighbouring building scales, and view corridors.

“They said the mix of four and two-bedroom apartments capture the ‘fundamental qualities of Queenslander living,’ translated into the context of a contemporary subtropical building.”

The development sits just off Coronation Drive within walking distance of Toowong’s retail precinct and the upgraded Regatta ferry terminal, while also benefiting from proximity to the incoming green bridge connection to West End. Sammut said the accessibility and amenity offering were central to the site’s appeal.

The approval adds to growing residential activity along the Toowong riverfront, joining nearby projects including Consolidated Properties’ Monarch Residences and Spyre Group’s ARC Residences.

Sammut secures approval for debut Brisbane apartment development in Toowong

Developer Lanevick is heading back into Sydney’s apartment market after focusing more heavily on the luxury townhouse and terrace sector in recent years.

Lanevick, founded and directed by Steve Maroun, is expecting to receive approval in the coming months for a new apartment development in Gladesville, with the aim to launch it to the market later this year.

The 51-apartment project, designed by Studio Johnston, will comprise a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments positioned toward the Hunters Hill downsizer market.

“Traditionally it’s been difficult for people in that market to downsize because there just hasn’t been the right product available,” Maroun said.

“We’re targeting buyers who might have 30 to 40 per cent of their house value sitting in the bank after downsizing.

“They still want good spacious entertaining areas, they still want quality design, but they also want flexibility and the ability to enjoy life a bit more after working hard for a long time.”

The project sits near Boronia Park and within close proximity to the Parramatta River foreshore, an area Maroun says offers more of a Hunters Hill lifestyle than a traditional apartment precinct.

“From a lifestyle perspective, it’s really more Hunters Hill than Gladesville,” Maroun said. “You’re close to the foreshore, close to parklands, and still connected back into the village precinct.”

From level four and above, apartments will capture water views&nbsp;toward Sydney Harbour. Communal amenity will include rooftop entertaining areas, wellness spaces, and a gym tailored toward owner-occupier buyers.

“We’ve really designed these apartments around that buyer coming from the Hunters Hill LGA and what they’re actually looking for in their next chapter.”

The proposed development has also been designed to respond to the changing character of the broader Gladesville town centre, where a growing number of mixed-use and residential proposals are expected to emerge over the coming years.

“Gladesville presented a rare opportunity to deliver a genuinely design-led residential project within an evolving lifestyle precinct, just moments from the growing Gladesville town centre, and we’ve approached the project with a strong focus on architecture, liveability and long-term community value,” Maroun said.

Maroun said Lanevick saw a first-mover advantage within the precinct as planning controls continue to evolve to accommodate greater housing density.

“We think there’s a real opportunity there that hasn’t really been serviced properly yet,” he said.

“There’s going to be a broader evolution of the whole Gladesville village precinct over time, particularly with more activation and mixed-use outcomes.”

The Venus Street proposal will include a commercial and retail component at ground level designed to contribute to that evolving streetscape activation.

“A big part of the thinking was how do you activate that area properly and create more vibrancy and amenity, which is what Hunters Hill has been looking for,” Maroun said.

Lanevick’s focus since 2020 has largely been on smaller-scale luxury townhouse and terrace developments. The developer recently completed Royale Randwick, also designed by Studio Johnston, where prices reached $3.65 million. The project was featured in the UDIA NSW 2026 Professional Development Prospectus and was also named a finalist for Development of the Year.

&nbsp;

Lanevick to cater for Hunters Hill downsizers with new Gladesville apartment development

Property developer One Living, backed by former Macquarie banker turned investment manager Chris Green’s investment firm, has unveiled plans to bring more institutional capital into housing to help address the national supply crisis.

The New York-based investor has focused his firm, GreenPoint Partners, on addressing the supply shortage hitting middle market housing in Australia.

It is backing the new One Living business to develop more than 1000 units along the eastern seaboard. The new firm is starting with a development on Mona Vale Road, on the border of Mona Vale and Pymble, in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, with around 140 apartments planned. They are eyeing off more sites across the city.

With cost pressures rising in the industry, One Living’s model is to be a vertically integrated developer-builder, so it can respond directly to the housing gap by removing the cost inefficiencies embedded in traditional residential delivery.

“We are building a platform designed to operate at scale and starting in a market where there’s a clear need for quality, attainable housing,” One Living joint managing director Joseph Scuderi said.

“It’s that missing middle – it’s that attainable end of housing… that’s what most Australians invest into and what Australians can actually afford.”

<img alt="Mona Vale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="798dfa93-4941-4db6-a696-31e9dc18e81c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%202.31.50%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=mKBqi5C_DmeiXS.AtJkcR8LQIxqCqmFi" />

GreenPoint Partners brings years of experience assembling and scaling real estate operating businesses across major markets. And Green sees a big opportunity in Australia.

“For its size, sophistication and importance to the community, Australia’s living sector has remained largely under-institutionalised, which represents significant opportunity,” Green said. “GreenPoint identified that gap, assembled the right team, and is backing One Living to build a platform that is aligned to market needs.”

Green said being a builder-developer would give the company the capacity and flexibility it required to deliver reasonably-priced homes.

“We want it to be at that attainable level; not super high end luxury but at that attainable level,” he said.

<img alt="Mona Vale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="74a5344a-4b26-4d4a-ada3-056b1220be77" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%202.32.15%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=vY8hXHO4reBMdO8ZXMWCNtGZJofUPQ3j" />

&nbsp;

One Living will undertake a component of affordable housing in its schemes, which it will own and operate, and it could also run build-to-rent on some sites.

Green praised local policy settings.

“The NSW government is being very supportive, strategic and pragmatic in terms of how do we generate more supply of housing,” he said. “We think it’s actually positive for development and the bit that’s been lacking at that attainable level is that it’s lots of relatively small private developers, whereas we want to create an institutional platform.”

One Living is also&nbsp;looking at high-density projects and could take on more institutional funding in the future.

“The way we will be able to achieve economies of scale is through size,” Green added.

One Living enters Sydney's new apartment market with Northern Beaches site acquisition

It's been several years since there's been an opportunity to buy a brand new townhome in Melbourne's coastal suburb of Mordialloc. Even apartment developments in recent times have been few and far between in the area.

Local developer LDS Property identified the gap in new housing, securing a site on White Street, directly opposite&nbsp;Woodlands Golf Club Mordialloc. They've recently launched&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/wm-residences-mordialloc-102-white-street-mordialloc-vic-3195">WM Residences</a>, just 13 townhouses which they have already started building.

Projects by Buxton Director Heath Thompson, who is selling WM Residences, says the townhouses x that perfect middle ground be

"Mordialloc residents have had limited options to downsize within the suburb, often forcing them to look elsewhere despite long-standing ties to the area," Thompson says.

"With very little comparable new supply coming to market, projects like WM Residences are well placed, particularly as buyers look to capitalise on current conditions amid constrained supply."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6109]

The development, designed by regarded architecture firm&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ewert-leaf">Ewert Leaf</a>,&nbsp;adopts a deliberately restrained architectural approach, focusing on simplicity, durability and liveability rather than overt design gestures.

The boutique scale is central to the offering. With only 13 three-bedroom residences, each home is configured to prioritise functional layouts and everyday use, supported by private terraces and secure two-car garages.

Ewert Leaf’s design response leans into a calm, neutral material palette. Interiors are defined by oak flooring, white walls and soft finishes, creating a consistent and understated backdrop. The approach avoids trend-driven detailing in favour of longevity, with an emphasis on natural light and spatial clarity.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6110]

Beyond aesthetics, the homes are designed to meet contemporary performance expectations. Each residence targets a minimum 6-star energy rating, incorporating double glazing, comprehensive insulation and all-electric Bosch appliances.

The project’s location supports a walkable coastal lifestyle, sitting within close proximity to Mordialloc’s foreshore, Main Street retail strip and the train station. Local cafés and dining venues, including Suburbia Deli and Hendriks Café, are within a short walk, reinforcing the area’s established neighbourhood character.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6116]

While <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/mordialloc-vic-3195">Mordialloc</a> is often defined by its beach and pier, the project taps into other areas of day to day living, offering easy access to local food, casual dining and transport, rather than positioning itself purely as a lifestyle retreat.

WM Residences reflects a continued trend across Melbourne’s coastal suburbs towards smaller-scale, design-led townhouse developments, particularly on infill sites where proximity to amenity is already established.

With construction commenced prior to its market entry, the project aligns with a growing preference among buyers for developments with visible progress and defined delivery timeframes.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134646]

WM Residences fills gap in Mordialloc townhouse market

Darwin

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Darwin continues to show relatively soft housing market outcomes, according to CoreLogic head of research Tim Lawless.
National housing market conditions continued to improve through June, although on a quarterly basis, every capital city housing market recorded a drop in value.
The largest falls over the past three months were recorded in Darwin (-3.6%).
The Reserve Bank of Australia delivered its decision today from Darwin, the first time it's done that in 50 years.
Click <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/7/2/JLL%20CVC%20June%20Darwin%202.JPG" target="_blank">here</a> to enlarge.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/7/2/JLL%20CVC%20June%20Darwin%202.JPG" alt="">
Nationally, rents remained unchanged over the month after tracking 0.3% higher over the June quarter and 0.4% higher over the financial year.
The largest annual fall in rents over the year can be seen in Darwin (-4.7%).
According to JLL, a population outflow following the wind-down of several mining investment projects has left the NT economy and property market weak.
JLL's Capital Value Cycle chart placed both Darwin Apartments and Houses in the Dowturn section, with Darwin houses appearing further along in the segment, nearing the Bottoming category (pictured below).
Their data shows that sales for both detached houses (-1.9%) and attached dwellings (-4.3%) have lagged over the year to March.
Click <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/7/2/JLL%20CVC%20June%20Darwin.JPG" target="_blank">here</a> to enlarge.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/7/2/JLL%20CVC%20June%20Darwin.JPG" alt="">
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Darwin property downturn returns: CoreLogic & JLL

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Darwin based developer Gwelo Developments has put its Coles and Kmart anchored Coolalinga Central shopping centre to the market.
They stated that it offers investors an estimated $7.17 million net annual income fully leased.  
According to CBRE Director Retail Investments, Justin Dowers, who is managing the sale with Mark Wizel and Trent Weir, the near new Stuart Highway centre could fetch more than $90 million.  
“This is a near brand new centre with a blue chip tenancy profile on the NT’s busiest road and one that offers investors exceptional income growth potential as well as genuine development upside.  
Located 30 kilometres south-east of the Darwin CBD, the 20,034 sqm (GLAR) enclosed sub-regional is anchored by a Coles supermarket (3,990 sqm) and Kmart (5,629 sqm) with five mini-majors including iFitness, Chemist Warehouse, Mad Harry’s and The Salvation Army.
There are 37 speciality stores, ten kiosks, an ATM and nine pad sites including McDonalds, Subway, Hungry Jacks and KFC. 
The 77,100 square metre site includes parking for 1240 vehicles with 776 undercroft spaces enhancing the centre’s wet season appeal. 
Mr Wizel said, “the centre has a 400 metre frontage to the Northern Territory’s busiest arterial –more than 17,150 vehicles pass the centre each day - and serves a trade currently estimated at 63,450 people with a conservative population growth forecast of 1.7 per cent per annum and an average household income 57 per cent above the Australian average. "
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/6/19/Coolalinga%20Central%20Gd.jpg" alt="">
An additional 16,500 sqm of vacant land that had been allocated for Stage 3 of the shopping centre development provided a further investment aspect that added to the centres’ long term investment credentials. 
Mr Dowers said the centre, built in 2017, also offered significant depreciation benefits, with minimal capital expenditure requirements. 
The property is for sale by international expressions of interest closing August 1st 2019.
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Near new Darwin shopping centre offered to market

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The future of our homes continues to evolve as innovations in smart and green technologies shape the way our living environments are designed. International wellness intelligence company Delos identified a gap in the market to create a product which complimented smart and green systems but primarily focused on a health and wellness product. After launching their new cutting-edge technology system 'DARWIN', the product gained global success and has now reached the Australian market – commencing installation in new builds in both Sydney and Melbourne. We had a chat to Delos Australia's Managing Director, Anthony Scarff about how DARWIN works, and what the benefits are for consumers.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/jt1_8238-copy.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="L to R: Anthony Scarff (Delos Managing Director), Shaynna Blaze (Brand ambassador) and Paul Scialla (Founder)"><img alt="L to R: Anthony Scarff (Delos Managing Director), Shaynna Blaze (Brand ambassador) and Paul Scialla (Founder)" class="image-article-full-width-580px" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/jt1_8238-copy.jpg?itok=lrqFBBM_" style="width: 580px; height: 386px;" title="L to R: Anthony Scarff (Delos Managing Director), Shaynna Blaze (Brand ambassador) and Paul Scialla (Founder)"></a>

<figcaption>L to R: Anthony Scarff (Delos Managing Director), Shaynna Blaze (Brand ambassador) and Paul Scialla (Founder)</figcaption></figure>Urban.com.au: Firstly, what sets DARWIN apart from any other wellness technology company on the market currently?

Anthony Scarff: DARWIN is the world’s first wellness intelligence network designed to mitigate environmental concerns across the home, as a holistic ecosystem it is the only one of its kind in the market which looks after the entire home. DARWIN is designed to monitor, calibrate, and respond to changing environmental conditions within across the home to help regulate energy levels, and sleep quality, and enhance overall health and well-being of its occupants.

Through years of rigorous laboratory research and collaborations with leading architects, engineers, scientists and health professionals, Delos presents evidence-based solutions designed to enhance health, performance, and well-being in the residential environment.

Working with Mayo Clinic, Harvard Sleep School, Cleveland Clinic and more recently Monash University ensure our DARWIN solution directly addresses the very real health concerns inside the home.

U: What are some of the key health issues which our homes face (including new apartments) that people should be aware of?

AS: Extensive research told us that the home environment can have a profound impact–either negative or positive–on wellness. That prompted our founders to ask: what if there was a scientifically-supported way to improve the health and well-being of our homes?

On average, we spend about 90% of our lives indoors. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that genetics account for as little as 10-15 per cent of overall health outcomes, while 70 per cent of our health is determined by our physical and social environments. So, if we are spending over 90% of our lives indoors, we understand that the quality of our indoor air, water and light can undermine even our best efforts to maintain a healthier lifestyle. Indoor environments can influence almost every aspect of our lives, from our energy levels and sleep quality to our moods and how productive we are throughout the day.

From an AIR perspective

Indoor air quality can be up to five times worse than outdoors. Pollens and other allergens infiltrate the home environment, as do toxins and pathogens, which are emitted from material and furnishings. Even seemingly innocuous elements like odours can affect human emotions and sleep quality.

From a WATER perspective

Microscopic contaminants (like lead and chlorine) and additives can be present in our tap water, affecting the taste, odour and ‘hardness’ of our water. When ingested, contaminated water can affect many body systems, including digestive, cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, urinary, and integumentary systems.

From a LIGHT perspective

We evolved with the natural lighting rhythms of the sun. These regular cycles of light and dark are critical to our health and well-being. Unfortunately, modern living often disrupts our natural circadian rhythm (a 24-hour biological process that dictates our sleep-wake cycle) and in turn, can have a negative effect on our comfort, mood and alertness. Since we spend approximately around one- -third of our lives sleeping, quality sleep is a key determinant of our well-being.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/delos0138_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The Darwin interface in-situ"><img alt="The Darwin interface in-situ" class="image-article-full-width-580px" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/delos0138_2.jpg?itok=2xsd89f7" style="width: 580px; height: 387px;" title="The Darwin interface in-situ"></a>

<figcaption>The Darwin interface in-situ</figcaption></figure>U: What methods does the system use to purify the air?

AS: Indoor air pollution is considered one of the greatest concerns of our generation. Unlike a dirty glass of water or spoiled food, polluted air often goes unnoticed, but it can negatively affect our health and well-being in both the short and long term. With microscopic particulate matter and allergens infiltrating our homes, and toxins and pathogens habitually emitted from household material and furnishings, indoor air pollution is considered a top five environmental health risk across the globe.

DARWIN Responsive Air Purification transforms your home into a healthier ecosystem by targeting contaminants, toxins, pathogens and offensive odours, as well as pollen and other triggers for asthma and allergies. Our high- efficiency air purification system functions independently from existing mechanical systems to effectively reduce air pollutants such as particulate matter and volatile organic compounds. The user-friendly interface is designed to monitor and track air quality both inside and outside the home.

DARWIN Responsive Air Purification intelligently and efficiently target particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, allergens, pathogens, and other air pollutants. The process is made up of the following innovations:

Air Purification: DARWIN employs a three-stage filtration process including a pre-filter, HEPA/MERV 13 filter, and a high capacity activated carbon filter.

Air Quality Sensor: Discreet sensors continually monitor and measure concentrations of five critical air pollutants in order to empower users with status updates on the conditions in their home.

Outdoor Air Quality Data: External sensors provide an index on outdoor air pollutants, along with 12-hour forecasts and heat maps of local air quality.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2019-06-06_at_10.09.03_am.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Stage 3 water filter"><img alt="Stage 3 water filter" class="image-article-full-width-580px" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2019-06-06_at_10.09.03_am.png?itok=kh4TXd0w" style="width: 580px; height: 877px;" title="Stage 3 water filter"></a>

<figcaption>Stage 3 water filter</figcaption></figure>U: How does each facet of the DARWIN system work and how can it be used most effectively?

AS: DARWIN Responsive Air Purification intelligently and efficiently target particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, allergens, pathogens, and other air pollutants.

<ol>
<li>Reduces Pollen &amp; Allergens: targeting particulate matter that enters the home from outside air delivers fresher and cleaner air throughout your home.</li>
	<li>Targets Toxins &amp; Pathogens: volatile organic compounds from household materials and furnishings can have both short and long-term health impacts.</li>
	<li>Expels Odours: offensive odours can affect your emotions and sleep. Eliminating them can improve your mood, reduce stress and enhance overall well-being.</li>
	<li>Responsive Purification: continuous air quality monitoring technology enables the DARWIN network to adjust to fluctuating conditions across the home.</li>
</ol>
DARWIN Restorative Lighting mirrors natural sunlight patterns to promote your circadian rhythm, which helps regulate your energy levels, hormonal balance, appetite, productivity, and sleep quality.

<ol>
<li>Wake Naturally: Dawn Simulation, our uniquely calibrated lighting sequence that mirrors the rising sun, will wake you gently from a deep night’s sleep.</li>
	<li>Jump Start Your Day: Say goodbye to groggy mornings with our capacitive touch Energising Mirror. A bright light has a powerful effect on your body’s circadian rhythm. An energising light in your bathroom mirror emits a bright, white light that helps energise you for the day ahead and provides warm light in the evening to help you wind down.</li>
	<li>Energise Your Day: Our bright daytime lighting is designed to help stimulate your mind and energised, and to enhance focus and productivity during the day.</li>
	<li>Relax &amp; Unwind: Our evening lighting creates a warm, welcoming environment to help prepare your mind and body for restfulness and relaxation.</li>
	<li>Sleep Deeply: Subtle night lighting and minimised sleep disturbance help promote a supportive sleep environment for deep, uninterrupted rest.</li>
</ol>
DARWIN Water Filtration uses best-in-class filtration technologies that are customised through on-site water testing, third-party laboratory analysis, and historical regional data.

<ol>
<li>Cleaner Water: Filtration helps reduce iron rust, particles, heavy metals, chlorine taste and odour, for fresher and cleaner water at select taps or across your home.</li>
	<li>Savings for You &amp; the Planet: Filtered water is more cost effective than bottled water and reduces the environmental impact on our landfills.</li>
	<li>Great Tasting Water: Carbon filtration helps reduce chlorine taste and odour, providing fresher, cleaner and better-tasting water.</li>
</ol>
The network can be used most effectively when it is passively integrated with The wellness brain to communicate with DARWIN elements, from purified air to natural light patterns, to help optimise your home as a wellness ecosystem.

U: How can circadian lighting solutions mitigate a lack of productivity?

AS: Light has a powerful effect on our bodies and moods, including energy levels, cognitive function and alertness, and the sleep-wake cycle. Light regulates our circadian rhythm, which synchronizes many aspects of our physiology, metabolism and behaviour, including our appetite, sleep, energy and productivity. Today, we spend most of our time indoors with insufficient lighting or prolonged exposure to artificial light. After generations of evolution, our body clocks still rely on the natural rhythm of sunlight to regulate our sleep cycle.

DARWIN Restorative Lighting mirrors natural sunlight patterns to promote your circadian rhythm, which helps regulate your energy levels, hormonal balance, appetite, productivity, and sleep quality.

U: Can my home be retrospectively fit with DARWIN technology if it hasn’t already been installed during construction?

AS: Although this is not our current focus, all DARWIN products and technology has been developed for simple integration at any stage of the building process. Our current focus is working with developers and homebuilders - with plans to move into the retrofit market later in the year.

U: What does the future of DARWIN technology look like? Are there any other features which are likely to be implemented?

AS: We are constantly working toward making DARWIN customer focused, looking to integrate with other companies to make the customer experience as easy as possible - for example working with Google Home to allow consumers with home automation to integrate with DARWIN is a constant focus. Why build homes just so they’re good for the environment? Why not build them so they’re good for people, too? It’s all about preventive intentions, and it could be a game-changer. A smart home isn’t smart if it isn’t healthy - and this where DARWIN can make a real difference in the market
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Olivia Round

How healthy is your home? Delos Australia’s Anthony Scarff discusses the launch of exciting new technology in Australia

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Savills Australia have successfully managed the sale of two Darwin CBD office buildings which have been acquired by Melbourne based property fund Peak Equities for $50 million.
Jack Morrison and Peter Chapple of Savills Capital Transactions introduced the buyer who purchased both Darwin’s Old Admiralty Towers, located at 68 The Esplanade (pictured above), and the nearby Heritage building.
They worked in conjunction with Seth Chin from Darwin’s Chin Associates to sell the assets.
The buildings were both previously a part of the Jalouise property portfolio.
Jack Morrison said, “combining our knowledge of active buyers with Seth’s knowledge of the unique Darwin market yielded a great result for both parties."
Peak Equities currently portfolio is valued at near $250 million comprising nine syndicated trusts operating across retail, industrial and office sectors.
These assets' are the group's first purchase first Darwin purchasse.
Both properties are currently 100 percent leased with a mix of government and established tenants in place/
They have staggered lease expiries and an average remaining lease term of more than 12 years.
“Our client was largely attracted to the opportunity due to the prominent Esplanade location and Darwin’s strong economic growth potential,” Mr Morrison stated.
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Savills complete sale of two Darwin CBD office buildings for $50 million

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Darwin's house prices have been falling for five years and are now 24.1% down from their 2013 peak, according to Domain's latest House Price Report.
The report found, Darwin house prices fell 0.4 per cent over the quarter and 8.7 per cent over the year to $514,876.
Unit prices fell 0.3 per cent over the quarter and 13 per cent over the year to $321,990.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/Darwin's%20house%20prices%20have%20been%20falling%20for%20five%20years%20and%20are%20now%2024.1%%20from%20their%202013%20peak," target="_blank"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/1/1/Strip%20ad%20keep%20up%20in%202019.jpg" alt=""></a>
Domain Senior Research Analyst, Dr Nicola Powell said, “Darwin's housing market has been challenged in recent years."
"A recovery in Darwin’s housing market largely hinges on the government’s attempts at boosting the population, jobs growth and an improvement in the availability of housing credit,” she concluded.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/1/23/Domain%20Q4%20Dar.jpeg" alt="">
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Darwin house prices down 24 per cent from 2013 price peak: Domain

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Values in Darwin’s housing market have been declining since 2014-2015, coinciding with the contours of the liquefied natural gas boom, according to the latest report from Moody's Analytics.
The report found, dwelling values are now around 23% below the peak.
As a result of falling dwelling prices, housing affordability in Darwin is among the highest of all capital cities, attracting increased numbers of first time home-buyers.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/1/17/NT%202017-2020%20home%20values.JPG" alt="">
Moody’s Analytics expects a 3.7% growth in house values in 2018 after a -2% drop in 2018 in Darwin.
Greater Darwin House values are forecast to accelerate in 2020 growing 6.6%.
Apartment values in Darwin dropped steeply by 11.3% in 2018 however they are to stabilise in 2019 growing 1.2% and building off that growth in 2020 reaching 6.5% growth in median apartment values.
Dwelling values in Darwin fell year on year every month for four straight years.
The rest of the Northern Territory is forecast to have a recovery with house prices to grow 5.9% in 2019 and 4.4% in 2020 after seeing small losses in median house value in 2017 and 2018.
Vacancy rates in Darwin in the June quarter of 2018 were the highest among all capital cities, according to the Northern Territory government, though Darwin’s vacancy rate is susceptible to fluctuations due to the transient nature of the state’s population.
The authors noted that, "as a result, rental values have been tumbling; they were already down 24% since the first quarter of 2014."
"Even though building approvals have been falling at a similar rate in recent years, rental values have continued to fall."
"This is contributing to lower purchasing demand, even though rental yields are high by national averages," they concluded.
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Darwin property values to finally rise in 2019: Moody's Analytics

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Darwin just pipped Canberra to be 2018's strongest mainland capital city with 3.7 percent house price growth, according to CoreLogic.
Canberra houses rose 3.6 percent in the year.
Darwin's house price recovery was not however seen in the apartment market, where it was the weakest capital city market across the country.
Darwin unit prices were down 10.4 percent during 2018 to a $305,000 median, the CoreLogic report showed.
Canberra unit values rose 2 percent to $440,800.
Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/1/2/dwell1.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge</a>.
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Darwin's dwelling values over the calendar year fell by 1.5 percent, while Canberra's dwelling values rose 3.3 percent.
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According to CoreLogic head of research Tim Lawless, the broad weakening in housing market conditions in 2018 highlights that the slowdown goes well beyond the correction in Sydney and Melbourne.
“Although Australia’s two largest cities are the primary drivers for the weaker national reading, most regions around the country have reacted to tighter credit conditions by recording weaker housing market results relative to 2017.
“The two exceptions were regional Tasmania, where the pace of capital gains was higher relative to 2017 resulting in a nation leading 9.9 percent gain in values over the 2018 calendar year, and Darwin, where the annual rate of decline improved from -8.9 percent in 2017 to -1.5 percent in 2018.”
A recent sale in Nightcliff was a Verbena Street five bedroom house which has been sold at $800,000 (pictured below).
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nt-nightcliff-128726138" target="_blank">13B Verbena Street </a>features open plan living/dining area, large covered balcony, kitchen with steel oven, four upstairs bedrooms and fifth bedroom downstairs. 
Other features include tropical gardens, in-ground pool, double carport and split-system a/c.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/8/14/nightcliff%20.jpg" alt="">
A Fannie Bay three bedroom townhouse has been recently sold for $850,000 (pictured below).
Situated at 2/3 Philip Street, the townhouse comes with open plan kitchen and living, three bedrooms, and large private courtyard with in ground pool. 
It is with walking distance to the Fannie Bay Shopping Village and parks as well as East Point Reserve.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/8/14/fannie%20bay%20.jpg" alt="">
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Darwin was one of only two capital cities that saw a reduction in gross rental yields over the year. 
Darwin showed a reduction in rental yields, due to rental rates (-5.8 percent) falling more than dwelling values (-1.5 percent).
Hobart dwelling values (+8.7 percent) rose faster than rents (+5.8 percent) which dragged the gross yield lower over the year. 
Housing affordability has rapidly deteriorated across Hobart, according to Lawless.
"Outside of Hobart, where dwelling values were 8.7% higher over the year, even the best performing regions returned a relatively mild annual growth rate, Lawless said.
Seven of the top ten sub-regions returned an annual gain of less than 3%.
"Such a soft result amongst the best performing areas highlights that housing market weakness is broad-based and not just confined to Sydney and Melbourne," Lawless added.
Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/1/2/Cl-Jan2full.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge</a>.
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Darwin pips Canberra to be 2018's strongest mainland capital for house value growth: CoreLogic

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Darwin’s northern suburbs have always been a hotspot for the mum-and-dad investors and first home buyers, according to the latest Herron Todd White (HTW) residential report. 
But the HTW report suggests this market segment has felt the effects of the market contraction in terms of both sales volume and value over the past two years.
HTW noted towards the end of 2014, the market segment was difficult to penetrate with strong competition driving prices well above achievable and sustainable levels, particularly for first home buyers who were competing with investors looking to capitalise on strong yields.
"We consider at this point in time, this particular market segment has probably reached around five or six o’clock on the property cycle clock which says values have bottomed out and activity remains subdued – a holding pattern if you like,"  the valuation firm said. 
"With this, opportunities to enter this market begin to open up at much more affordable prices."
Currently the Northern Territory government is offering a first home owner discount, which is a full stamp duty concession on the initial $500,000 value of the home, resulting in savings of just under $24,000.
Also on offer is a home renovation grant of up to $10,000 on an established home. These are significant savings and provide a home owner the opportunity to add value by completing renovation and upgrade works to their property.
"In recent times, we have seen a significant number of ex Housing Commission dwellings hit the market, as the government looks to turn over stock," HTW said.
"There is no question that these are the most basic of structures with few quality fixtures and fittings, however, like most of the northern suburbs, they were well constructed on solid foundations."
It’s with this type of property that good opportunities exist for first home buyers – purchase an entry level dwelling in a subdued market and take full advantage of the grants on offer from the Northern Territory government to improve your property and add value.
Renovations can be expensive and it’s certainly a fine line between the cost versus value relationship of any works completed.
"The advantage in this space, and where you strengthen your margins, is completing as much of the work yourself – obviously utilising trades where compliance is required.
"If you’re smart about the type of works you complete and the standard to which they are completed, there are real possibilities to increase the overall appeal and value of your property.
"Given our climate and lifestyle in the top end, provision of outdoor living space is essential.
"Verandah and balcony extensions tend to be popular additions in both elevated and ground level dwellings and can in some instances double as covered car accommodation.
These types of improvements are typically lacking in the entry level product and can really improve the utility and functionality of a dwelling by incorporating indoor and outdoor living, it said.
Swimming pools also feature as common upgrades on town blocks, whilst granny flats and sheds tend to dominate the rural residential areas.
These types of construction can come at some significant costs, however in a rural residential market where owners will typically have motorbikes, boats and trailers, good shedding is considered important and does increase the overall marketability of a property.
"Quite often, sheds are fitted out to a habitable standard and may or may not be certified for living. In the instance where elderly parents or teenagers may require detached secondary accommodation, converted sheds can provide this to a reasonably good standard whilst minimising costs compared to rendered block constructions.
"Regardless of the type of renovation or addition to a dwelling either in the rural or town areas, what is apparent is that without such improvements being made to a property, there is limited scope for capital appreciation of the asset.
"To simply rely on upswings in the market to see an increase in value is not likely to yield you anything in the medium term and owners should consider very carefully what type of renovation or addition will provide the most bang for their buck."
An example was a two bedroom Marrara unit which has been sold for $300,000 (pictured above).
Located at<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-unit-nt-marrara-129325230" target="_blank"> 5/5 Dornoch Court,</a> the recent renovated unit comes with two bedrooms, separate lounge and dining areas, rear courtyard and side access. 
It is close to Marrara shopping centre and airport.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/11/1/jingili.jpg" alt="">
Another renovated house in Jingili has been recently sold for $425,000 (pictured above).
Set on a 821 square metre allotment, the house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nt-jingili-129327082" target="_blank">15 Winton Street</a> features three spaicous bedrooms, open plan living, and extensive verandah.
It located only five minutes from the Darwin International Airport.
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Improvements lacking in entry level Darwin property: HTW

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GUEST OBSERVATION
On my way to work, I walk across the intersection of Knuckey and Wood streets. Most days a homeless man on his haunches is mouthing bureaucratic platitudes:
"Let’s workshop this? We need to have meeting about this! Can you give me the heads-up on this? Do we have numbers on this? Has a C/B been done?"
Is he an old bureaucrat? Or is he just a parable of planning – platitudes, words and little action? Wishes, words and workshops are not the currency of urban design; skilled drawings, urban history, science and continuous public dialogue are.
The concern in most Australian cities, and particularly in Darwin, should be with the public form of the city – with building frontage, with the streets, squares and parks, and with what is needed to make them safe, cool and enjoyable. Such street-form-based planning should replace “tidy town” zoning planning and code-based roads that ignore heat, landscape and the public.
July 2018 in Darwin was 2℃ hotter than any previous July and the record heat has continued in recent months. Surveys show that people are leaving Darwin because of the heat.
What has gone wrong?
In the city centre, every second shop is closed and dark. Shops, offices and apartments have a 50% vacancy rate. There is no appreciation of the urban history of the decline: the growth of outer urban shopping malls, the closing of Woolworths in Knuckey Street in 2010; the changing in 2012 of the key Smith Street Mall – removing trees, installing canopies and dark pavement, and thus increasing temperatures.
The decline has not happened overnight but has been accelerated by the completion of a vast LNG project, by new shopping malls and chain stores, and by the impact of internet shopping. The Waterfront (mixed uses with a crocodile-safe “plage”) finished in 2013 is subsidised at a cost of millions every year. It is cut off from the city centre.
Traffic is reducing while more roads are being built. Darwin is over-roaded with roundabouts, pedestrian “seagull” median islands and refuges.
I have calculated that over 35% of the city centre is unshaded blacktop bitumen, which lifts ambient and surface temperatures. There is only 14% green canopy compared to nearly 50% in tree-loving Singapore.
Every day the temperature rises above 30℃. The city centre can be up to 6℃ hotter. The bitumen surfaces reach temperatures of 66℃!
What can be done about this?
Professor Mat Santamouris of UNSW and the Northern Territory government has been studying heat in central Darwin for the past year using drones and 15 weather stations on light poles. Ambient heat, surface heat, humidity and wind have been mapped, eight heat islands (6℃ above ambient) and four heat sinks (cool areas below ambient) have been identified for the northerly (The Wet) and southerly (The Dry) weather regimes.
A predictive computer model has been built to evaluate proposed strategies to reduce heat impacts. Santamouris has recommended across the city centre:
<ul>
<li>fountains and pools (very effective up to 50m away)</li>
<li>white roofs, and green roofs and walls</li>
<li>coating streets, footpaths and surface parking to make “cool pavement” (very effective)</li>
<li>increases in green canopy shade (effective in the right location).</li>
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<img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/241190/original/file-20181018-41147-1gxwlkr.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt="">
An extensive cooling vine-covered shade structure is being erected in Cavanagh Street. Glenn Campbell, Author provided
The government is using one block of Cavenagh Street as a heat mitigation trial. The 30m-wide street is the hottest street in the city centre. Due to lack of shading, surface temperatures in the afternoon exceed 60℃. The street also acts as a breezeway, “ducting” to the inner blocks hot, dry winds in the dry season and hot, humid winds in the wet season.
Black bitumen surface will be treated with more reflective cool pavement coatings and more trees will be planted. At the southern end a long cooling vine shade structure I have designed (with the structural engineer Max Irvine) is being constructed. Equivalent to 24 trees, it completely spans the roadway with a huge curved stringybark lattice prefabricated by the Gumatj in northeast Arnhem Land.
This large living shade structure has advantages over trees. It can be built in four months, does not interrupt underground services and resists cyclones. The vines will cover the roadway in 18 months. Trees take five years.
<img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/240716/original/file-20181016-165891-c4eubi.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt="">
The vine shade structure will be equivalent to 24 trees but will shelter the street in months rather than taking years to grow. Author provided
But Cavenagh Street is only one of 30 blocks in Darwin. If the proposed mitigation strategies were fully implemented across the city centre, ambient temperature could be reduced by 2.7℃. This would not only make the city more comfortable for commerce but save lives and energy.
Principles for a cool Darwin
Like most cities, there is no overall urban management and coordination at the street level. Darwin’s centre is formed by the NT Planning Scheme. But within the scheme, public servants can play by their own rules: Planning, Transport, Roads, the Waterfront Authority, the City of Darwin (the council) and PowerWater. The result: Darwin streets are series of accidents.
I propose these administrations be replaced in the city centre by a Cool Darwin Authority (small with highly qualified people, and with a Larrakia elder), to develop and implement, with genuine public dialogue and discourse (not so-called “consultation”), an urban design plan.
The first principle of this plan should be reducing the ambient temperature by 2.7℃. Heat stops walkability and wandering past shops.
This could be accompanied by a second principle – a “toolbox” for cool street design. This would including limiting bitumen area.
A “toolbox” for shop regeneration would be among other important principles. This would involve limits on chain stores, disincentives for landlord keeping shops empty, incentives for filling them (even with temporary uses) and support for historic businesses. Shop closure is contagious. Where shops are empty and streets deserted yoEmpty shops and deserted areas lead to graffiti, sleeping rough and dilapidation.
Streets are central to urban cooling. There is over 300,000m2 of black unshaded bitumen. Shading and street canopies (that do not trap heat) should be ubiquitous.
The urban order and scale from the 1869 Goyder Plan have been lost, as has the central square that would give an urban focus. Cities with closely spaced intersections seem to thrive more than cities with bigger grids. It seems the more corners the better; people bump into each other more often. There is “propinquity”.
Darwin has worked hard over many years closing its arcades and cross streets (Peel, McLachlan and Lindsay). The centre needs more effective interconnection: the high town (the mall/State Square) and low town (Waterfront) with a grand flight of stairs; the mall/State Square to Old Hospital Site/Myilly Point with a cooling lineal park, via a new (old) central square.
<img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/240722/original/file-20181016-165903-1tdjxil.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt="">
A view of proposed waterfront stairs providing a shaded link between the high town and the low town. Author provided
Streets are the music of the city. The buildings are the lyrics. Both should come together as a musical or an opera. The music can only begin if there is a network of shade, greenery, easy walking and buildings of all types interacting with the street.
Requiem or renewal? Darwin sees itself as a laid-back larrikin city with crocs and barra. Renewal and a new character can emerge by the implementation of principles. We cannot wish for a new character.
What might emerge? Perhaps a cool-in-both-senses city: a cosmopolitan tropical capital with tree canopy, vine shade structures and fountains. Perhaps a cool international waterfront city – an eight-hour voyage by fast ferry from Indonesia. Perhaps the full urban recognition of the Larrakia, the saltwater people, and their places: beaches, fish traps, middens, yarning circles, meeting places and cultural centres.<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/102839/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;">
Lawrence Nield, Professor of Practice, School of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Newcastle
This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/requiem-or-renewal-this-is-how-a-tropical-city-like-darwin-can-regain-its-cool-102839" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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How a tropical city like Darwin can regain its cool

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Darwin house rents held steady over the quarter, but declined over the year by 3.8% to $500 a week, according to the latest rental report from Domain.
The report found that unit rents in Darwin experienced no quarterly or annual change, holding steady at $400 per week.
This is the first time in four years unit rents have not declined over the quarter and year.
Darwin continued to offer investors the highest unit gross rental yields at 6.08%, the only Australian capital city to achieve a yield above 6%.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/10/10/domain%20darwin.jpg" alt="">
"For investors, a softening sales market continues to improve unit gross rental yields, almost pushing them back to the record highs achieved in 2004 and 2005," said Domain Senior Research Analyst, Dr Nicola Powell.
"A turnaround in rental demand for the city is largely dependent on economic growth, jobs creation and an improved population growth.
"The Northern Territory Government has announced a revitalisation of Darwin’s CBD with an aim at enhancing liveability, and offering key workers financial incentives to relocate.
"The impacts from the initiatives remain to be seen but the long-term approach to addressing population growth are likely to support rental demand."
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