ADELAIDE has to grow up - and its plan to grow it higher isn't actually that high, writes Terry Walsh.

Terry Walsh executive director of Urban Development Institute of Australia was the guest on Toop & Toop’s TV show this week discussing his recent article in Adelaide Now on the plan for Adelaide to go high rise.

He welcomes the plan, “Planning needs to be in place at least ten years prior in construction and this is a part of that process, it’s not happening tomorrow”.

Adelaide will in his opinion be left behind if we don’t raise the height of our buildings. When you look at the development in other parts of Australia especially in WA we are falling behind. Adelaide needs population growth and housing for workers.

The areas for development are inner city around the parklands and wouldn’t be over the top only 5% would be allowed up to the maximum level of 8 stories.

With the inner city development of smaller properties some of which will be high rise will come more facilities such as strip shopping and services like health centres.

Rundle Mall has often been touted as a ghost town and people cry for a reinvention of the inner city area – a denser community living close to the city will help achieve this.

Can the people have their say? Yes, the consultation process with community which is currently discussing the issue is an important part of the change process. No one likes change, but it’s inevitable. The consultation allows the community to feel they had had an input.

As Terry says, “when it's our state's outlook, job opportunities for our children and a sustainable future in question, when we're united on a commitment to foster economic growth, and quality of contemporary living, there's enough common ground to achieve sensible synergy”.

Terry is leading a team next week to the States to look at suitable housing development styles. This will be opportunity for the architects and construction professionals of our state to shine.

To read more of Terry’s article click here:

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/opinion/terry-walsh-adelaide-has-to-get-higher/story-e6freai3-1226594942978?sv=a0e480bf584f72e72490163be5b62ac2#.UT5sbi2Xm8c.twitter