Jury comment
Catalysed by Sydney’s new Metro railway corridor, the Castle Hill Showground Master Plan details a comprehensive, 30-year vision for the site’s transformation into a new entertainment and recreational hub for north-western Sydney. The jury was impressed by how this long-awaited plan integrates the site’s rich history, identity, uses, tenants, natural features and built form as assets. Its formulation skilfully engaged state and local governments and community to envision a big “community backyard” that is accessible, functional, and activated day and evening.
The masterplan establishes a clear urban design framework for the long-term development of a functional public realm and a contemporary park landscape underpinned by endemic vegetation, and effective water and land management strategies. The well-communicated design solution promotes connectedness to, from and between the site and its individual nodes, seamlessly integrating it with surrounding local facilities and the future rail station.
Castle Hill Showground Masterplan applies to land in Castle Hill, New South Wales, the land of the Darug people.
To view all the winners of the 2021 Australian Urban Design Awards, go here.
