George Street 2020 – a Public Domain Activation Strategy

Sydney2030/Green/Global/Connected George Street 2020 A Public Domain Activation Strategy Adopted 10 August 2015 George Street 2020 A Public Domain Activation Strategy 01/ Revitalising George Street 1 Our vision for George Street The Concept Design Policy Framework Related City strategies George Street past and present 02/ The George Street Public Domain 11 Activation principles Organising principles Fixed elements Temporary elements 03/ Building use 35 Fine grain Public rest rooms and storage 04/ Building Elements 45 Signs Awnings Building materials and finish quality 05/ Public domain activation plans 51 06/ Ground floor frontage analysis 57 George Street 2020 - A Public Domain Activation Strategy Revitalising George Street 1.1 Our vision for George Street Building uses, particularly those associated with the street level, help activate the street by including public amenities By 2020 George Street will be transformed into and a fine grain, diverse offering of goods, services and Sydney’s new civic spine as part of the CBD light rail attractions. project. It will be a high quality pedestrian boulevard, linking Sydney’s future squares and key public Building elements including awnings, signage and spaces. materiality contribute to the pedestrian experience of George Street. This transformation is a unique opportunity for the City to maximise people’s enjoyment of the street, add vibrancy This strategy identifies principles and opportunities relating to the area and support retail and the local economy. This to these elements, and makes recommendations for the strategy plans for elements in the public domain as well design of George Street as well as policy and projects to as building edges and building uses to contribute to the contribute to the ongoing use and experience of the street. success of George Street. The City’s investment in the light rail project is supported New activities may include outdoor dining, vending, by long-term committments to upgrading the connecting creative or cultural activities or simply improving the comfort public domain. Sustainable Sydney 2030 outlines a of pedestrians encouraging people to walk, stroll or linger vision for three linked squares and vibrant city laneways. and enjoy George Street. Existing spaces such as Barrack and Regimental Square, and Martin Place, also provide important opportunities to Public domain elements include fixed items such as public support activity along George Street. These spaces will be seating, lighting and street trees, and temporary elements the subject of future analysis and concept development. such as moveable furniture, outdoor dining, and street vending. This strategy does not program temporary uses or activities, but sets the stage for coordinated and high- quality outcomes. Sydney2030/Green/Global/Connected Revitalising George Street Figure 1 - Illustrative view - George Street at Martin Place 1.2 The Concept Design 1.3 Policy Framework Our concept for George Street is guided by the following The transformation of George Street is catalysed by NSW principles: State Government’s light rail project. The light rail and associated upgrade of George Street delivers on a range of State plans and policies, including: 01 An efficient transport spine 02 A pedestrian focused boulevard • NSW 2021 03 A legible spine • Long Term Transport Masterplan 04 An iconic street • Sydney City Centre Access Strategy 05 A 24 hour street • Sydney’s Walking Future 06 Linking the city to the harbour • Sydney’s Cycling Future 07 Connecting three great squares • A Plan for Growing Sydney In September 2013, Council endorsed the George Street Concept Design, which details public domain improvements along George Street and its adjacent spaces. This concept has been conceived alongside the NSW State Government’s light rail project. This identifies George Street as the north-south route through the city centre. In December 2013 the City entered into an agreement with the NSW State Government to deliver the George Street light rail project. The City continues to work with Transport for NSW to ensure the best possible outcome, with a focus on a high quality public domain for George Street. Sydney2030/Green/Global/Connected George Street 2020 - A Public Domain Activation Strategy Alfred Street Town Hall Square Railway Square George Street spine George Street pedestrianised area 3 squares Existing public spaces Figure 2 - George Street spine and connecting spaces Laneways Sydney2030/Green/Global/Connected Revitalising George Street 1.4 Related City strategies Detailed public domain improvement proposals will be developed over timefor each precinct within the City. To This study supports the George Street Concept Design, date the City has done studies for Chinatown, Harbour which forms part of the overall City Centre Public Domain Village North and George Street. Plan. Using a precinct based approach, the Public Domain Plan delivers on Sustainable Sydney 2030 Strategic The character and function of George Street will also be Directions: shaped by a range of City policies and strategies. These include the Economic Development Strategy and Retail Action Plan, Cultural Policy, Walking Strategy and Public Art 01 A Globally competitive and innovative City; Strategy. 04 A City for pedestrians and cyclists; 05 A lively and engaging city centre; 06 Vibrant local communities and economies; 07 A cultural and creative city. Sustainable Sydney 2030 Connecting City Centre Public Public Domain Our City Domain Plan Design Codes George Street Chinatown & City South Harbour Village North City North Public Concept Design Public Domain Study Public Domain Study Domain Strategy George Street Activation Strategy & Action Plan Economic Cultural Walking Strategy / Public Art Development Strategy Policy LGN Strategy Figure 3 - Strategy Context Sydney2030/Green/Global/Connected George Street 2020 - A Public Domain Activation Strategy George Street Spine Retail Core Harbour Village North Town Hall Precinct Western Corridor City South & Chinatown City North Belmore Park Precinct Figure 4 - City Centre Public Domain Plan study areas Sydney2030/Green/Global/Connected Revitalising George Street 1.5 George Street past and present George Street is characterised by: George Street is one of Australia’s oldest streets. Originally • Low pedestrian priority; a track for Eora clans that later connected convict • An overload of buses; encampments at The Rocks to the brickpit near today’s • Poor pedestrian amenity; Central Station, the route evolved to become Sydney’s original high street. The construction of Central Station in • Noise; 1855, The GPO in the 1860s and Sydney Town Hall in the • Closed frontages and facades. 1880s, cemeted the civic importance of George Street. It was a centre for commerce and trade as well as connecting to the emerging financial area around today’s Martin Place. The poor performance of George Street for pedestrians has significant impacts for the retail vibrancy of the street. It also George Street has also evolved as an important transport detracts from the walkability of Central Sydney as a whole. route through central Sydney. In 1899 an electric tramway was opened along George Street to Harris Street. Trams were replaced by diesel buses in 1959. Today George Street is dominated by vehicle traffic. Buses have the greatest visual and acoustic impact on the experience of the street. The result is a street which no longer functions efficiently for pedestrians or vehicles. Number of pedestrians between 10am - 10pm on a summer weekday 126,360 30,250 6pm - 10pm 10am - 6pm 96,110 79,670 13,120 72,100 61,360 15,700 58,140 57,280 66,550 2,130 57,410 55,610 59,230 8,470 14,790 11,510 56,400 12,060 39,780 49,670 45,900 6,040 42,490 43,550 33,740 2007 2007 2004 2004 2002 2005 2005 2004 2004 George St Pitt St Swanston St Bourke St Mall Rundle Mall Drottninggatan Strøget Regent St Oxford St Sydney Sydney Melbourne Melbourne Adelaide Stockholm Copehagen London London Figure 5 - Source: Public Spaces Public Life - City of Sydney 2007 (Gehl Architects) Sydney2030/Green/Global/Connected George Street 2020 - A Public Domain Activation Strategy Figure 6 - George Street 1930 Figure 7 - George Street today Sydney2030/Green/Global/Connected Revitalising George Street Figure 8 Public Spaces/Public Life, 2007 In 2007 the City of Sydney commissioned Gehl Architects to create a blueprint to turn Sydney into a people-friendly, public transport-oriented and green city. The study provided Sydney a comprehensive set of ideas and 64452198712972197264126454671267517912761439486476504319864098765456498645654830282723098025620834765308456084756746574901093874638765038475630486534876530847654756746548457685493187654198347659138476574389347183945693847659348756987465657483987462908364028374673569287562837638 recommendations to transform the city. The Public Spaces/ 67510103147841010115751346467346464487698356938746593865211538354823148335634349347349763454391761539731654319765134976153443141746591487645469546854610987456450183475601384601387674850054544896510837650585153347668365198569518698569845764951864591861543983546981363487653084765 47567465484576854931876541983476591384765743893471839456938476593487569874656574839874629083640283746735692875628376386751010314784101011575134646734646448769835693874659386521153835482314833563434934734976345439176153973165431976513497615344314174659148764546954685461098745645 01834756013846013876748500545448965108376505851533476683651985695186985698457649518645918615439835469813675134646734646448769835693874659386521153835482314833563434934734976345439176153973165431976513497615344314174659148764546954685461098745645018347560138460138767485005454489

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