Networks

A decline in physical social interaction often coincides with the rise of the digital landscape. For many of us, our networks are primarily online; in fact, the word ‘network’ itself implies the use of the internet as a means for connecting people.

While these networks can be wide-reaching, the loss of physical interaction can leave people feeling isolated – a lone profile within the infinite digital landscape. Our proposal, InTransit, challenges this by forging physical networks within cities facilitated by the fusion of transport systems and architecture. The goal is to encourage long-lasting social networks between those who live and commute into the city.

Sydney planning is plagued by an obsession with the car-centric model, which increases not only carbon emissions but also loneliness, preventing drivers from forging social connections with fellow commuters. The future of Sydney as a vital city relies on creating a new physical network that favours public transport.

The network we envision is progressive, fluent, interactive, personal and social. We’ve selected George Street as our site, and propose taking advantage of the area’s existing light rail infrastructure to create new mixed-use transit experiences that facilitate interaction between users – for example, cafés within train carriages and co-working spaces across platforms. This fusion of transport and architecture will provide unexpected communal spaces across the city commute.