The City Renewal Authority has brought together community groups, urban designers, engineers, business and government for a lively discussion to explore opportunities for creating a pedestrian-friendly City Centre ahead of consultation closing on 26 February 2025 on streetscape upgrades for key city locations.
In partnership with Salon Canberra, the 6 February event at Dendy Canberra’s new IMAX theatre drew more than 180 attendees across community and industry, featuring insightful presentations from esteemed panellists including Rob Adams AM, Elizabeth Dibbs, Adrian Piani and Lucy Wilson.
Each panellist shared their unique perspectives on the importance of designing streets that cater to all users and the potential for small, deliberate improvements that deliver a lasting impact.
As Rob Adams AM of Adams Urban noted, small interventions that are inexpensive can have a big difference.
“If you design a good street, you’ll design a good city. You don’t shop at 60kmph as you pass through a city,” Mr Adams said.
“It’s about getting a balance between all modes of transport.”
Lucy Wilson, A/Executive Group Manager, Urbanisation and Renewal at the City Renewal Authority, shared her enthusiasm for the heart of our City Centre.
“I think of streets as living organs. Connecting people and parts of our city. Canberra streets are one of its greatest assets and it’s all about making our spaces work harder to serve all street users – traffic, cyclists and pedestrians.”
The event also highlighted a report commissioned by the City Renewal Authority, which provides a high-level overview of the key opportunities to improve streets in central Canberra. Prepared by Adams Urban, Better City Streets: Analysis and opportunities for pedestrian-friendly streets in Canberra’s City Centre explores how a well-designed city street can boost the economy, promote health and well-being, strengthen social connections and enhance the environment.
The Better City Streets report proposes that greater residential density and a more diverse mix of uses will elevate Canberra’s City Centre in the coming decades. Its large student population, coupled with underutilised land, presents an opportunity for growth similar to 1990s Melbourne. Rebalancing wide road reserves into people-focused streets, like Melbourne and other global cities, is crucial for revitalisation.
Key statistics and insights from the report
Key opportunities identified for pedestrian-friendly streets in the City Centre include: increasing pedestrian crossings, reducing traffic lane widths, planting more trees and vegetation, reducing traffic speeds and creating active street frontages.
Making places better for walking can boost footfall and trading by up to 40%.
The event and report follow the release of designs for more pedestrian-friendly streetscapes in the City Centre, Braddon and Dickson, with the City Renewal Authority inviting feedback through a series of workshops, pop-up events and surveys.
Canberrans can learn about better city streets and give feedback on the proposed improvements before 26 February 2025 via yoursayconversations.act.gov.au/better-city-streets.
We acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the ACT and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.
