P Wong

Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) has been popular for urban development, especially for cities with transport network expansion. While TOD has been proved effective in facilitating mass transportation and making optimal use of property development, it is hardly a one-stop development strategy for solving issues such as traffic congestion. In this study, the city of Hobart is investigated with reference to the TOD metrics and experiences of public-private partnership (PPP). Hobart authorities have attempted to provide better living and working conditions while facing the problems of economic development and traffic congestion. The TOD metrics are proposed for application at different stages: (1) Travel Behaviour, (2) The Local Economy, (3) The Natural Environment, (4) The Built Environment, (5) The Social Environment, and (6) The Policy Context. Based on a literature review, a set of PPP metrics is proposed for the Hobart’s potential TOD framework. Drawn from on-site observations, key transport issues of Hobart are examined with the application of the PPP and TOD metrics. The results of this study could serve as a reference for regional cities in formulating their TOD strategies via PPP.

With the advent of the BIM technology, related guidelines have been formulated by project owners, governments and professional bodies. As an information sharing platform, BIM is applied to various kinds of construction projects for better management and collaboration. Yet, the existing off-the-shelf BIM application software does not fully consider the potential legal liabilities among the collaborating parties. In view of the above, we conducted a review of the relevant literature and legal cases to examine issues including ownership, liability and information reliance, and duty to warn from the perspectives of collaboration and laws. Common procurement initiatives were discussed in relation to BIM application. Drawn from the review and comparison, key legal issues of concern in BIM applications and the way forward for tackling the issues were identified. In conclusion, a collaborative approach under the BIM environment will work better under a project federated committee. Further research on the operation of this committee is recommended in order to make its authorities and liabilities clear.