Bradfield Scholarship finalist Olivia D’Souza is a real natural
Olivia believes Sydney has a golden opportunity to become a vibrant, affordable, sustainable and desirable place to live — surrounded by greenery.
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A love of nature runs deep in Bradfield Scholarship finalist Olivia D’Souza.
The University of Sydney student, 21, believes Sydney has a golden opportunity to become a vibrant, affordable, sustainable and desirable place to live — surrounded by greenery.
Under her radical plan, a greenway network of bike paths and garden walkways would improve the city’s liveability if it connected public parks to buildings across the city.
“When people are boxed into enclosed walls, there is no opportunity for them to interact,” she said.
“More public areas, including footpaths and alleyways for people to walk, eat or connect will increase the social fluidity and provide lively meeting areas.
“High-rise buildings need to have features such as parks and communal gardens so people are encouraged to get to know each other while creating a connection between city and urban fringes.”
Ms D’Souza was inspired by The High Line in New York City, a public park built on a historic freight rail line elevated above the streets in Manhattan.
It opened in 2009 as a hybrid public space where visitors can experience nature, art, and design.
“We need a touch of green to decentralise the city. Without this, a shared sense of belonging and identity which defines the fabric of our city is lost,” she said.
The winner of the Lendlease Bradfield Urbanisation Scholarship will be announced tomorrow.