LIVING STREETS OF CHIPPENDALE
Mike Horne
Urban precinct strategy creating a network of living green streets that put pedestrians first
Background
Chippendale has a long history of community-led street greening, from the edible streetscapes of Myrtle St, to the eclectic ‘footpath gardens’ that exist in the lanes today.
The Status Quo
- low traffic volumes in the local streets
- existing need to walk on the road due to narrow
sidewalks, poles, parking meters, planting, bins, etc. - Perfect pilot project location for a Living St precinct
The Living Streets - Streets become an extension of ground-level living
and working spaces. - Shared streets allow for the greening of sidewalks –
increased urban habitat, biodiversity, and air quality. - Wider pedestrian paths (the existing roadways) also
removes ambiguity of on/off-road paths. - Slower streets (8km/h) for pedestrian / bike priority
Leaving a legacy
How will our post-COVID-19 society be remembered
for generations to come? Converting our local streets
to high-performing pedestrian-friendly open spaces can
be our legacy. The process of this change can be part
of a larger community building and local employment
strategy that brings a positive and healthy change to our
urban centres.