Page 2834 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 17 September 2014
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the city are prominent citizens that each of us chats to on regular occasions. I think they have some pretty good ideas. Some of the primary feedback that came through the city planning process was: “Don’t talk any more. Don’t do any more plans. Just get on with things.” That would certainly be part of my substantial hesitation in wanting to go through another options paper, because I am not sure that that is what we need to do to revitalise the city.
I am very encouraged by some of the things that are happening already, and I think they will make a difference. Things like the 40-kilometre-an-hour speed zones in the city do make a difference. They are targeted at areas that have high levels of retail and pedestrian activity. That goes to City Walk specifically but is also in the broader context of the centre of Canberra. A measure like that is designed to make people feel safer in high pedestrian areas. Of course, there was the initial trial and the further implementation of the zones across the city. They are now in other areas such as the group centres. That reflects the fact that they have had a positive influence.
The Civic cycle loop, which Mr Gentleman spoke about, is providing greater access and safety to cyclists. The majority of the loop is segregated from general traffic. Stage 1 was described by one of the world’s leading transport planners, Dr Tim Papandreou, as “world’s best practice”, which I think is a good reflection on the effort that went into planning that.
Stage 2 of the cycle loop along Allara Street is nearly finished and I expect to see that completed in the coming weeks. Then we have the Bunda Street shareway between Mort Street and Akuna Street, which will start construction this month. It features a shared space for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists where speed limits are low at around 20 kilometres per hour. No user group has priority, except at raised crossings where pedestrians have right of way. Creative pavement treatments, trees, seating and lighting will also be part of the rejuvenation of Bunda Street. The shareway will create a more people-friendly environment that encourages pedestrians and cyclists. Cars will still be allowed, but drivers will need to negotiate with other road users in a slow speed environment. TAMS have been working closely with local businesses throughout the planning phase—and will continue during construction, which is to start this month—and talking to them about the benefits the shareway will bring to the area.
Recent evidence from other Australian cities and around the world shows that slow speed and highly “peopled” environments do help to create vibrant, safe and economically successful urban environments. They are good for business because they create an environment where people like to linger, and when people stay they bring their business.
There was an interesting report from the Heart Foundation called Good for Busine$$: the benefits of making streets more walking and cycling friendly. It investigates this issue by summarising the current national and international literature relating to retail and economic value and activity of improvements to streets. It includes peer review papers and existing literature reviews, as well as relevant case studies from Australia and overseas. It makes a strong argument, pointing out that a high proportion of all retail expenditure comes from local residents and workers; space allocated to bicycle
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